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Momin SC, Pradhan RB, Nath J, Lalmuanzeli R, Kar A, Mehta SK. Metal sequestration by Microcystis extracellular polymers: a promising path to greener water treatment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:11192-11213. [PMID: 38217816 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31755-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
The problem of heavy metal pollution in water bodies poses a significant threat to both the environment and human health, as these toxic substances can persist in aquatic ecosystems and accumulate in the food chain. This study investigates the promising potential of using Microcystis aeruginosa extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) as an environmentally friendly, highly efficient solution for capturing copper (Cu2+) and nickel (Ni2+) ions in water treatment, emphasizing their exceptional ability to promote green technology in heavy metal sequestration. We quantified saccharides, proteins, and amino acids in M. aeruginosa biomass and isolated EPS, highlighting their metal-chelating capabilities. Saccharide content was 36.5 mg g-1 in biomass and 21.4 mg g-1 in EPS, emphasizing their metal-binding ability. Proteins and amino acids were also prevalent, particularly in EPS. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed intricate 3D EPS structures, with pronounced porosity and branching configurations enhancing metal sorption. Elemental composition via energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) identified essential elements in both biomass and EPS. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy unveiled molecular changes after metal treatment, indicating various binding mechanisms, including oxygen atom coordination, π-electron interactions, and electrostatic forces. Kinetic studies showed EPS expedited and enhanced Cu2+ and Ni2+ sorption compared to biomass. Thermodynamic analysis confirmed exothermic, spontaneous sorption. Equilibrium biosorption studies displayed strong binding and competitive interactions in binary metal systems. Importantly, EPS exhibited impressive maximum sorption capacities of 44.81 mg g-1 for Ni2+ and 37.06 mg g-1 for Cu2+. These findings underscore the potential of Microcystis EPS as a highly efficient sorbent for heavy metal removal in water treatment, with significant implications for environmental remediation and sustainable water purification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sengjrang Ch Momin
- Laboratory of Algal Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Botany, Mizoram University, Aizawl, 796004, India
| | - Ran Bahadur Pradhan
- Laboratory of Algal Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Botany, Mizoram University, Aizawl, 796004, India
| | - Jyotishma Nath
- Laboratory of Algal Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Botany, Mizoram University, Aizawl, 796004, India
| | - Ruthi Lalmuanzeli
- Laboratory of Algal Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Botany, Mizoram University, Aizawl, 796004, India
| | - Agniv Kar
- Laboratory of Algal Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Botany, Mizoram University, Aizawl, 796004, India
| | - Surya Kant Mehta
- Laboratory of Algal Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Botany, Mizoram University, Aizawl, 796004, India.
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Reignier O, Bormans M, Marchand L, Sinquin C, Amzil Z, Zykwinska A, Briand E. Production and composition of extracellular polymeric substances by a unicellular strain and natural colonies of Microcystis: Impact of salinity and nutrient stress. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2023; 15:783-796. [PMID: 37697704 PMCID: PMC10667651 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.13200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
The transfer of toxic cyanobacterial Microcystis blooms from freshwater to estuaries constitutes a serious environmental problem worldwide that is expected to expand in scale and intensity with anthropogenic and climate change. The formation and maintenance of Microcystis in colonial form is conditioned to the presence of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). In this study, we attempted to better understand how the mucilaginous colonial form of Microcystis evolves under environmental stress conditions. In particular, we studied and compared the production and the composition of EPS fractions (attached and free) from natural colonies of a Microcystis bloom and from a unicellular M. aeruginosa strain under salinity and nutrient stress (representing a land-sea continuum). Our results highlighted a greater production of EPS from the natural colonies of Microcystis than the unicellular one under nutrient and combined stress conditions dominated by the attached form. In comparison to the unicellular Microcystis, EPS produced by the colonial form were characterized by high molecular weight polysaccharides which were enriched in uronic acids and hexosamines, notably for the free fraction in response to increased salinities. This complex extracellular matrix gives the cells the ability to aggregate and allows the colonial cyanobacterial population to cope with osmotic shock.
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Yang D, Zuo J, Jiang C, Wang D, Gu L, Zhang S, Lu H, Wang D, Xu S, Bai Z, Zhuang X. Fast start-up of anammox process: Effects of extracellular polymeric substances addition on performance, granule properties, and bacterial community structure. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 338:117836. [PMID: 37011530 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The slow startup is the major obstacle to the application of anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) process in mainstream wastewater treatment. Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are one potential resource for stable anammox reactor operation. Response surface analysis was used to optimize the specific anammox activity (SAA) with the addition of EPS; SAA was maximum at a temperature of 35 °C and the EPS concentration of 4 mg/L. By comparing the nitrogen removal of anammox reactors with no EPS (R0), immobilized EPS (EPS-alginate beads) (R1), and liquid EPS (R2), we found that EPS-alginate beads significantly speed up the startup of anammox process and enable the start time to be shortened from 31 to 19 days. As a result of the higher MLVSS content, higher zeta potential, and lower SVI30, anammox granules of R1 exhibited a stronger capacity to aggregate. Moreover, EPS extracted from R1 had higher flocculation efficiencies than EPS derived from R0 and R2. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA genes revealed that the main anammox species in R1 is Kuenenia taxon. To clarify the relative significance of stochastic vs deterministic processes in the anammox community, neutral model and network analysis are employed. In R1, community assembly became more deterministic and stable than in other cultures. Our results show that EPS might inhibit heterotrophic denitrification and thereby promote anammox activity. This study suggested a quick start-up strategy for the anammox process based on resource recovery, which is helpful for environmentally sustainable and energy-efficient wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongmin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, PR China
| | - Jialiang Zuo
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Cancan Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Danhua Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Likun Gu
- School of Environmental and Bioengineering, Henan Engineering University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Shujun Zhang
- Research and Development Center of Beijing Drainage Group Technology, Beijing, 100022, China
| | - Huijie Lu
- Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Dongsheng Wang
- Yangtze River Delta Branch, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yiwu, 322000, China
| | - Shengjun Xu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Zhihui Bai
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xuliang Zhuang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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Lu Y, Jiang X, Xu H, Liu C, Song Y, Pan K, Wang L, Du L, Liu H. Effects of 4-tert-butylpyrocatechol and tea polyphenol on growth, physiology and antioxidant responses in Microcystis aeruginosa. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 260:106541. [PMID: 37172458 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2023.106541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Global warming has increased the frequency of Microcystis aeruginosa blooms, leading to the deterioration of water quality and loss of biodiversity. Therefore, developing effective strategies for controlling M. aeruginosa blooms has become an important research topic. Plant extracts, 4‑tert-butylpyrocatechol (TBC) and tea polyphenol (TP) are commonly used for water purification and to increase fish immunity, which have great potential to inhibit cyanobacterial blooms. The inhibitory effects of TBC and TP on M. aeruginosa were investigated in terms of growth characteristics, cell membrane morphology, physiological, photosynthetic activities, and antioxidant enzymes activities. The results showed that TBC and TP inhibited the growth of M. aeruginosa by decreasing the chlorophyll fluorescence transients or increasing the antioxidant enzymes activities of M. aeruginosa. TBC damaged the cell morphology of M. aeruginosa, reduced extracellular polysaccharides and protein contents, and up-regulated the antioxidant activity-related gene (sod and gsh) expressions of M. aeruginosa. TP significantly decreased the photosynthetic pigment content, influenced the phycobiliprotein content, and strongly down-regulated the photosynthesis-related gene (psbA, psaB, and rbcL) relative expressions of M. aeruginosa. TBC caused significant oxidative stress, dysfunction of physiological metabolic processes, and damaged crucial biomacromolecules (e.g., lipids, proteins and polysaccharides), prompted the loss of cell integrity, ultimately leading to the death of M. aeruginosa. However, TP depressed photosynthetic activities and consequently inhibited the transfer of electrons, affected the electron transfer chain, decreased the photosynthetic efficiency, and eventually caused the death of M. aeruginosa cells. Our study showed the inhibitory effects and algicidal mechanisms of TBC and TP on M. aeruginosa, and provide a theoretical basis for restrain the overgrowth of M. aeruginosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yitong Lu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Xinxin Jiang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Hongzhou Xu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Chengrong Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Yanzhen Song
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Kuiquan Pan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Lixin Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Liang Du
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Haixia Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
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Duan Z, Tan X, Shi L, Zeng Q, Ali I, Zhu R, Chen H, Parajuli K. Phosphorus Accumulation in Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) of Colony-Forming Cyanobacteria Challenges Imbalanced Nutrient Reduction Strategies in Eutrophic Lakes. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:1600-1612. [PMID: 36642923 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c04398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are crucial for cyanobacterial proliferation; however, certain queries, including how EPS affects cellular nutrient processes and what are the implications for nutrient management in lakes, are not well documented. Here, the dynamics of cyanobacterial EPS-associated phosphorus (EPS-P) were examined both in a shallow eutrophic lake (Lake Taihu, China) and in laboratory experiments with respect to nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) availability. Results indicated that 40-65% of the total cyanobacterial aggregate/particulate P presented as EPS-P (mainly labile P and Fe/Al-P). Phosphorus-starved cyanobacteria rapidly replenished their EPS-P pools after the P was resupplied, and the P concentration in this pool was stable for long afterward, although the environmental P concentration decreased dramatically. A low-N treatment enhanced the EPS production alongside two-fold EPS-P accumulation (particularly labile P) higher than the control. Such patterns occurred in the lake where EPS and EPS-P contents were high under N limitation. EPS-P enrichment increased the P content in cyanobacteria; subsequently, it could hold the total P concentration higher for longer and make bloom mitigation harder. The findings outline a new insight into EPS functions in the P process of cyanobacterial aggregates and encourage consideration of both N and P reductions in nutrient management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhipeng Duan
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
- College of Hydrology and Water Resources, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Xiao Tan
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Lin Shi
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Qingfei Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Imran Ali
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Rui Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Huaimin Chen
- School of Environmental Engineering, Changzhou Institute of Industry Technology, Changzhou 213164, China
| | - Keshab Parajuli
- School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
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Duan Z, Tan X, Ali I, Wu X, Cao J, Xu Y, Shi L, Gao W, Ruan Y, Chen C. Comparison of organic matter (OM) pools in water, suspended particulate matter, and sediments in eutrophic Lake Taihu, China: Implication for dissolved OM tracking, assessment, and management. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 845:157257. [PMID: 35817111 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Suspended particulate matter (SPM) and sediments are important sources of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in lake water. However, studies on what extent and how both sources affect DOM composition are lacking, which hampers DOM management. Herein, DOM, SPM-extracted particulate organic matter (POM), and sediment-extracted organic matter (SOM) were characterized and compared in terms of absorption spectral properties and chemical composition in Lake Taihu, a large cyanobacterial bloom-affected shallow lake. A statistical method was proposed to quantify the similarity of organic matter (OM) in the different states and to evaluate the potential effects of SPM and sediments on DOM. Results showed that POM and DOM were mainly composed of small-molecular-size and low-humified organic components (i.e., 27 %-38 % tryptophan-like and ~30 % protein-like substances), and most of them were derived from autochthonous sources. While tyrosine-like (57 %) and humic-like (27 %) substances were dominant in SOM. The OM similarity between POM and DOM was approximately 1.5 times higher than that between SOM and DOM, indicating the greater effect of SPM than sediments on DOM composition. High pH and low nitrogen (e.g., nitrate and ammonia) were positively correlated to the OM similarity between POM and DOM. Further, the findings indicated that nitrogen limitation enhanced the OM exchange between POM and DOM by promoting the production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in cyanobacterial aggregates. The obtained findings highlighted the importance of SPM in shaping the DOM composition relative to sediments and facilitating the DOM management in bloom-affected lakes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhipeng Duan
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210024, China; College of Hydrology and Water Resources, Hohai University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210024, China
| | - Xiao Tan
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210024, China.
| | - Imran Ali
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210024, China
| | - Xiaoge Wu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Jun Cao
- National Engineering Research Center of Water Resources Efficient Utilization and Engineering Safety, Hohai University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210024, China
| | - Yangxue Xu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210024, China
| | - Lin Shi
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210024, China
| | - Wanpeng Gao
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210024, China
| | - Yinlan Ruan
- Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing, The University of Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Chen Chen
- College of Dayu, Hohai University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210024, China
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Ma X, Li M, Jiang E, Pan B, Gao L. Humic acid inhibits colony formation of the cyanobacterium Microcystis at high level of iron. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 281:130742. [PMID: 34000652 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Colony formation is a key process for the occurrence of Microcystis blooms. In order to inhibit colony formation of Microcystis at high level of iron using humic acid, unicellular Microcystis aeruginosa was cultivated in laboratory treated with varying concentrations of iron and humic acid. Our results showed that the extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) content and average colony size increased from 0.57 pg cells-1 and 4.0 μm to 0.93 pg cells-1 and 26.1 μm, respectively, while iron concentration increased from 0.68 mg L-1 to 6.8 mg L-1, suggesting that high level of iron stimulated EPS secretion and induced unicellular Microcystis to form colonies. Transcriptome analysis showed that two genes described as glycosyltransferases (BH695-2217 and BH695-3696) were significantly up-regulated while EPS content increased with increasing iron concentration indicating that iron may regulate the expression of genes involved in polysaccharide synthesis. When treated with 10 mg C L-1 humic acid at high level of iron, the EPS content and average colony size decreased by 35.5% and 56.3%, respectively, revealing that humic acid inhibited EPS secretion under high level of iron condition, and ultimately inhibited colony formation of Microcystis. Our results suggested that humic acid could be used as an agentia inhibiting large colony formation of Microcystis and thereby reducing the occurrence of Microcystis blooms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Ma
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, PR China
| | - Ming Li
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, PR China.
| | - Enli Jiang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, PR China
| | - Baozhu Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulic in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an, 710048, Shaanxi, China
| | - Li Gao
- Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities, Victoria University, PO Box 14428, Melbourne, Victoria, 8001, Australia
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