Removal of copper ions from dilute solutions by Streptomyces noursei mycelium. Comparison with yeast biomass

Yeast—As Bioremediator of Silver-Containing Synthetic Effluents

Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae may be regarded as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly biosorbent for complex effluent treatment. The effect of pH, contact time, temperature, and silver concentration on metal removal from silver-containing synthetic effluents using Saccharomyces cerevisiae was examined. The biosorbent before and after biosorption process was analysed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and neutron activation analysis. Maximum removal of silver ions, which constituted 94–99%, was attained at the pH 3.0, contact time 60 min, and temperature 20 °C. High removal of copper, zinc, and nickel ions (63–100%) was obtained at pH 3.0–6.0. The equilibrium results were described using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm, while pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models were applied to explain the kinetics of the biosorption. The Langmuir isotherm model and the pseudo-second-order model fitted better experimental data with maximum adsorption capacity in the range of 43.6–108 mg/g. The negative Gibbs energy values pointed at the feasibility and spontaneous character of the biosorption process. The possible mechanisms of metal ions removal were discussed. Saccharomyces cerevisiae have all necessary characteristics to be applied to the development of the technology of silver-containing effluents treatment.

In-situ microbially induced Ca2+ -alginate polymeric sealant for seepage control in porous materials

This paper presents a novel approach of using in-situ microbially induced Ca2+ -alginate polymeric sealant for seepage control in porous materials. This process comprises two steps: (i) generation of insoluble calcium carbonate inside the pores of porous materials (such as sand) through a microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) process in-situ and (ii) injection of sodium alginate for in-situ gelation via reaction between alginate and Ca2+ ions. The experimental results showed that the hydraulic conductivity/permeability of sand decreased with the increase in alginate concentration. When 5% alginate was used with a CaCO3 concentration of 0.18 g g-1 sand, the permeability of the alginate-treated sand reduced from 5.0 × 10-4 to 2.2 × 10-9  m s-1 . The scanning electron microscopy images revealed that a film-type coating was formed around sand particles with spherical round crystals embedded. Furthermore, the in-situ formed Ca-alginate polymeric sealant can also be used for the removal of Cu2+ ion and suspended particles from contaminated water by more than 90%. Built on the current research, the envisioned practical application of the proposed method may include clogging fractured rock, reducing seepage and prevent piping through dams, excavation dewatering, and forming barriers for remediating specific contaminants.

Spatial distribution of vanadium and microbial community responses in surface soil of Panzhihua mining and smelting area, China

Spatial distribution of vanadium in surface soils from different processing stages of vanadium-bearing titanomagnetite in Panzhihua mining and smelting area (China) as well as responses of microbial communities including bacteria and fungi to vanadium were investigated by fieldwork and laboratory incubation experiment. The vanadium contents in this region ranged from 149.3 to 4793.6 mg kg^-1, exceeding the soil background value of vanadium in China (82 mg kg^-1) largely. High-throughput DNA sequencing results showed bacterial communities from different manufacturing locations were quite diverse, but Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria were abundant in all samples. The contents of organic matter, available P, available S and vanadium had great influences on the structures of bacterial communities in soils. Bacterial communities converged to similar structure after long-term (240 d) cultivation with vanadium containing medium, dominating by bacteria which can tolerate or reduce toxicities of heavy metals. Fungal diversities decreased after cultivation, but Ascomycota and Ciliophora were still the most abundant phyla as in the original soil samples. Results in this study emphasize the urgency of investigating vanadium contaminations in soils and provide valuable information on how vanadium contamination influences bacterial and fungal communities.

Technological Approach of Bioremediation Using Microbial Tools

Bioremediation is applied to eliminate various contaminants, such as organic, inorganic or other pollutants from the environment. Environment worldwide is under great stress due to industrialization and human interfering on the limited natural resources. The release of chemicals pollution needs several techniques to treat some of these chemicals, but due to their cost, new technologies should be developing in order to create cost-effective and eco-friendly bioremediation technologies for environmental conversions. Bioremediation is an increasingly popular using microbial and algae strains for degrading waste contaminants. It is using of microorganisms and its enzymes to protect the environment from severe pollution. Bioremediation may be employed in order to eliminate specific contaminants, such as chlorinated pesticides or other pollutants from the environment. Microorganisms degrade the different pollutants in a natural environment but some modifications can be done to enhance its degradation efficiency at a faster rate in a limited time frame by using the genetically engineered microorganisms and microalgae. In this chapter, the role of the bacteria, fungi and algae in bioremediation of different environmental pollutants was highlighted.

Biosorption of heavy metals by Streptomyces species — an overview

Abstract Heavy metals, derived from industrial wastewater discharge, present a serious threat to human health and to natural water. Biosorption is regarded as a cost-effective biotechnology for the treatment of high volume and low concentration wastewaters containing heavy metal(s) in the order of 1 to 100 mg L−1. Among the biomaterials for heavy metal removal which have been researched during the past decades is the Streptomyces species, a by-product of an industrial antibiotic fermentation process. This paper describes the hazards posed by heavy metals effluents on the environment and use of various Streptomyces species to remove heavy metals from aqueous solution. Characterization of Streptomyces species, factors affecting biosorption, biosorption isotherms and biosorption kinetics is discussed. Graphical abstract

Multiple metal tolerance and biosorption of cadmium by Candida tropicalis isolated from industrial effluents: glutathione as detoxifying agent

The ability of cadmium uptake by metal-resistant yeast, Candida tropicalis, from the liquid medium and wastewater was evaluated. The minimum inhibitory concentration of Cd(2+) against C. tropicalis was 2,500 mg L(-1). The yeast also showed tolerance toward Zn(2+) (1,400 mg L(-1)), Ni(2+) (1,000 mg L(-1)), Hg(2+) (1,400 mg L(-1)), Cu(2+) (1,000 mg L(-1)), Cr(6+) (1,200 mg L(-1)), and Pb(2+) (1,000 mg L(-1)). The yeast isolate showed typical growth curves, but lag and log phases extended in the presence of cadmium. The yeast isolate showed optimum growth at 30°C and pH 8. The metal processing ability of the isolate was determined in a medium containing 100 mg L(-1) of Cd(2+). C. tropicalis could decline Cd(2+) 70%, 85%, and 92% from the medium after 48, 96, and 144 h, respectively. C. tropicalis was also able to remove Cd(2+) 40% and 78% from the wastewater after 6 and 12 days, respectively. Cd produced an increase in glutathione (GSH) and nonprotein thiol levels by 135% and 134% at 100-mg L(-1) concentration, respectively. An increase in the synthesis of GSH is involved in metal tolerance, and the presence of increasing GSH concentrations may be a marker for high metal stress in C. tropicalis. C. tropicalis, which is resistant to heavy metal ions and is adaptable to the local environmental conditions, may be employed for metal detoxification operations.

Use of the industrial yeastCandida utilis for cadmium sorption

The sorption ability of Candida utilis biomass for cadmium ions with accumulating competence of dried cells and cells in alginate was compared. After an optimization of process conditions (pH 5.5, biomass concentration 1 g/L and c0 50 mg/L), the cadmium sorption capacity of dried yeast biomass was perceptibly higher than that of the other tested adsorbents. Considering the sorption of the dried yeast biomass equal to 100 %, the cells in alginate reached 86 % while native cells showed only 42 %.