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Hosseini F, Hadian M, Lashani E, Moghimi H. Simultaneous bioreduction of tellurite and selenite by Yarrowia lipolytica, Trichosporon cutaneum, and their co-culture along with characterization of biosynthesized Te-Se nanoparticles. Microb Cell Fact 2023; 22:193. [PMID: 37749532 PMCID: PMC10519092 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-023-02204-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural and anthropogenic activities, such as weathering of rocks and industrial processes, result in the release of toxic oxyanions such as selenium (Se) and tellurium (Te) into the environment. Due to the high toxicity of these compounds, their removal from the environment is vital. RESULTS In this study, two yeast strains, Yarrowia lipolytica and Trichosporon cutaneum, were selected as the superior strains for the bioremediation of tellurium and selenium. The reduction analyses showed that exposure to selenite induced more detrimental effects on the strains compared to tellurite. In addition, co-reduction of pollutants displayed almost the same results in selenite reduction and more than ~ 20% higher tellurite reduction in 50 h, which shows that selenite triggered higher tellurite reduction in both strains. The selenite and tellurite kinetics of removal were consistent with the first-order model because of their inhibitory behavior. The result of several characterization experiments, such as FE-SEM (Field emission scanning electron microscopy), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and dispersive X-ray (EDX) on Te-Se nanoparticles (NPs) revealed that the separated Te-Se NPs were needle-like, spherical, and amorphous, consisted of Te-Se NPs ranging from 25 to 171 nm in size, and their surface was covered with different biomolecules. CONCLUSIONS Remarkably, this work shows, for the first time, the simultaneous bioreduction of tellurite and selenite and the production of Te-Se NPs using yeast strains, indicating their potential in this area, which may be applied to the nanotechnology industry and environmental remediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Firooz Hosseini
- Department of Microbiology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Hadian
- Department of Microbiology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elham Lashani
- Department of Microbiology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Moghimi
- Department of Microbiology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
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Minnikova T, Kolesnikov S, Khoroshaev D, Tsepina N, Evstegneeva N, Timoshenko A. Assessment of the Health of Soils Contaminated with Ag, Bi, Tl, and Te by the Intensity of Microbiological Activity. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1592. [PMID: 37511967 PMCID: PMC10381409 DOI: 10.3390/life13071592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Soil health is the basis of ecological and food security for humanity. Among the informative indicators of soil health are microbiological indicators based on the intensity of the carbon dioxide release from the soil. The reaction of the microbial community of Haplic Chernozem Loamic, Haplic Arenosols Eutric, and Haplic Cambisols Eutric to contamination with oxides and nitrates of Ag, Bi, Tl, and Te at doses of 0.5, 1, 3, 10, and 30 derived specific permissible concentrations (SPC) was analyzed in the conditions of a vegetation experiment (the exposure period was 10 days). One derived concentration is assumed to be equal to three background concentrations of the element in the soil. The carbon content of microbial biomass in Haplic Chernozem varied between the experimental options from 6 to 218 mg/kg of soil; in Haplic Arenosols, from 3 to 349 mg/kg of soil; and in Haplic Cambisols, from 7 to 294 mg/kg of soil. Microbial biomass was a more sensitive indicator of contamination by the studied pollutants than basal soil respiration. A decrease in specific microbial respiration was found when Haplic Cambisols were contaminated with Ag, Bi, Te, and Tl oxides. Te and Tl nitrates had a significant toxic effect on each type of soil. At the maximum dose of Tl and Te nitrate, a decrease in basal soil respiration of 56-96% relative to the control and an increase in the metabolic coefficient by 4-6 times was found. The toxicity series of heavy metals averaged for all types of soils in terms of microbiological activity was established: Bi > Ag > Te > Tl (oxides) and Te > Tl > Ag > Bi (nitrates). Nitrates of the elements were more toxic than oxides. Soil toxicity due to Ag, Bi, Tl, and Te contamination was dependent on soil particle size distribution, organic matter content, and soil structure. A series of soil sensitivity to changes in microbial biomass and basal soil respiration when contaminated with the studied pollutants: Haplic Arenosols > Haplic Chernozems > Haplic Cambisols. When diagnosing and assessing the health of soils contaminated with Ag, Bi, Tl, and Te, it is advisable to use indicators of soil microbiological activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Minnikova
- Academy of Biology and Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, D.I. Ivanovsky, Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don 344090, Russia
| | - Sergei Kolesnikov
- Academy of Biology and Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, D.I. Ivanovsky, Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don 344090, Russia
| | - Dmitry Khoroshaev
- Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center, Pushchino 142290, Russia
| | - Natalia Tsepina
- Academy of Biology and Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, D.I. Ivanovsky, Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don 344090, Russia
| | - Natalia Evstegneeva
- Academy of Biology and Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, D.I. Ivanovsky, Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don 344090, Russia
| | - Alena Timoshenko
- Academy of Biology and Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, D.I. Ivanovsky, Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don 344090, Russia
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3
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Lashani E, Moghimi H, J Turner R, Amoozegar MA. Selenite bioreduction by a consortium of halophilic/halotolerant bacteria and/or yeasts in saline media. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023:121948. [PMID: 37270053 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Selenium oxyanions are released into environments by natural and anthropogenic activities and are present in agricultural and glass manufacturing wastewater in several locations worldwide. Excessive amounts of this metalloid have adverse effects on the health of living organisms. Halophilic and halotolerant microorganisms were selected for selenium oxyanions remediation due to presence of significant amount of salt in selenium-containing wastewater. Effects of aeration, carbon sources, competitive electron acceptors, and reductase inhibitors were investigated on SeO32- bio-removal. Additionally, NO3--containing wastewater were exploited to investigate SeO32- remediation in synthetic agricultural effluents. The results showed that the SeO32- removal extent is maximum in aerobic conditions with succinate as a carbon source. SO42- and PO43- do not significantly interfere with SeO32- reduction, while WO42- and TeO32- decrease the SeO32- removal percentage (up to 35 and 37%, respectively). Furthermore, NO3- had an adverse effect on SeO32- biotransformation by our consortia. All consortia reduced SeO32- in synthetic agricultural wastewaters with a 45-53% removal within 120 h. This study suggests that consortia of halophilic/halotolerant bacteria and yeasts could be applied to treat SeO32--contaminated drainage water. In addition, sulphates, and phosphates do not interfere with selenite bioreduction by these consortia, which makes them suitable candidates for the bioremediation of selenium-containing wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Lashani
- Extremophiles Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Moghimi
- Department of Microbiology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Raymond J Turner
- Microbial Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Mohammad Ali Amoozegar
- Extremophiles Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
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4
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Brown RJC, Goddard SL, Williams KR, Robins C, Butterfield DM, Brown AS. Falling nickel concentrations in ambient air in South Wales - 50 years of progress. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2022; 24:1821-1829. [PMID: 36073596 DOI: 10.1039/d2em00282e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Measurement of the composition of ambient air has become increasingly widespread over the last 50 years as the detrimental health effects of some air pollutants have become clearer and requirements for these measurements has been embedded in national and international legislation. The aim of this has been not only to assess exposure of the general population to air pollutants but also to assess the effectiveness of abatement strategies to reduce emissions of these pollutants at source. With a rich industrial heritage, the Swansea Valley (South Wales, UK) has long been associated with the refining and production of metal products, especially nickel. Despite a decline in output during the latter part of the twentieth century there is still sufficient activity to prompt a requirement for targeted air monitoring in the area. This is most important for nickel where there is a local history of measured concentrations exceeding legislative target values. This work demonstrates the effectiveness of nickel emissions abatement strategies over the last 50 years by tracking the falling air concentration of nickel over this period. It also demonstrates how the monitoring network in the Swansea Valley has expanded over this time and become significantly more sensitive to nickel emissions. The data presented represents a significant public health achievement - it is likely that the exposure to nickel in air of the population in the Swansea Valley has decreased more than 100-fold over the last 50 years - and reflects the progress in regulation, industrial efficiency, emissions abatement technology and air quality monitoring science achieved during this period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J C Brown
- Atmospheric Environmental Science Department, National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, TW11 0LW, UK.
| | - Sharon L Goddard
- Atmospheric Environmental Science Department, National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, TW11 0LW, UK.
| | - Katie R Williams
- Atmospheric Environmental Science Department, National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, TW11 0LW, UK.
| | - Chris Robins
- Atmospheric Environmental Science Department, National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, TW11 0LW, UK.
| | - David M Butterfield
- Atmospheric Environmental Science Department, National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, TW11 0LW, UK.
| | - Andrew S Brown
- Atmospheric Environmental Science Department, National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, TW11 0LW, UK.
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Pandey G, Bajpai S. Accessing the environmental impact of tellurium metal. PHYSICAL SCIENCES REVIEWS 2022. [DOI: 10.1515/psr-2021-0113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Tellurium is gaining technical significance because of being a vital constituent for the growth of green-energy products and technologies. Owing to its unique property of interchangeable oxidation states it has a tricky though interesting chemistry with basically unidentified environmental effects. The understanding of environmental actions of tellurium has significant gaps for instance, its existence and effects in various environmental sections related to mining, handling and removal and disposal methods. To bridge this gap it is required to assess its distinctive concentrations in the environment together with proper knowledge of its environmental chemistry. This in turn significantly requires developing systematic diagnostic schemes which are sensitive enough to present statistics in the concentrations which are environmentally relevant. The broad assessment of available statistics illustrates that tellurium is being found in a very scarce concentrations in various environmental sections. Very less information is available for the presence and effects of tellurium in air and natural water resources. Various soil and lake sediment analysis statistics indicate towards the presence of tellurium in soil owing to release of dust, ash and slag during mining and manufacturing practices. Computing the release and behavior of tellurium in environment needs a thorough assessment of its anthropogenic life cycle which in turn will facilitate information about its existing and prospective release in the environment, and will aid to handle the metal more sensibly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garima Pandey
- Department of Chemistry SRM Institiute of Science and Technology , Delhi NCR Campus , Modinagar 201204, Ghaziabad , Uttar Pradesh , India
| | - Sangeeta Bajpai
- Applied Sciences , Amity University - Lucknow Campus , Malhour , Lucknow , 227028 , Uttar Pradesh , India
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6
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Farkas B, Vojtková H, Bujdoš M, Kolenčík M, Šebesta M, Matulová M, Duborská E, Danko M, Kim H, Kučová K, Kisová Z, Matúš P, Urík M. Fungal Mobilization of Selenium in the Presence of Hausmannite and Ferric Oxyhydroxides. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7100810. [PMID: 34682232 PMCID: PMC8539610 DOI: 10.3390/jof7100810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Bioleaching of mineral phases plays a crucial role in the mobility and availability of various elements, including selenium. Therefore, the leachability of selenium associated with the surfaces of ferric and manganese oxides and oxyhydroxides, the prevailing components of natural geochemical barriers, has been studied in the presence of filamentous fungus. Both geoactive phases were exposed to selenate and subsequently to growing fungus Aspergillus niger for three weeks. This common soil fungus has shown exceptional ability to alter the distribution and mobility of selenium in the presence of both solid phases. The fungus initiated the extensive bioextraction of selenium from the surfaces of amorphous ferric oxyhydroxides, while the hausmannite (Mn3O4) was highly susceptible to biodeterioration in the presence of selenium. This resulted in specific outcomes regarding the selenium, iron, and manganese uptake by fungus and residual selenium concentrations in mineral phases as well. The adverse effects of bioleaching on fungal growth are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bence Farkas
- Institute of Laboratory Research on Geomaterials, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mlynská Dolina, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia; (B.F.); (M.B.); (M.Š.); (M.M.); (E.D.); (P.M.)
| | - Hana Vojtková
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Mining and Geology, VŠB–Technical University of Ostrava, 17. Listopadu 15/2172, 708 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic; (H.V.); (K.K.)
| | - Marek Bujdoš
- Institute of Laboratory Research on Geomaterials, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mlynská Dolina, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia; (B.F.); (M.B.); (M.Š.); (M.M.); (E.D.); (P.M.)
| | - Marek Kolenčík
- Institute of Agronomic Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia;
| | - Martin Šebesta
- Institute of Laboratory Research on Geomaterials, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mlynská Dolina, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia; (B.F.); (M.B.); (M.Š.); (M.M.); (E.D.); (P.M.)
| | - Michaela Matulová
- Institute of Laboratory Research on Geomaterials, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mlynská Dolina, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia; (B.F.); (M.B.); (M.Š.); (M.M.); (E.D.); (P.M.)
| | - Eva Duborská
- Institute of Laboratory Research on Geomaterials, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mlynská Dolina, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia; (B.F.); (M.B.); (M.Š.); (M.M.); (E.D.); (P.M.)
| | - Martin Danko
- Polymer Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 845 41 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Hyunjung Kim
- Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Engineering, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Jeonbuk, Korea;
- Department of Environment and Energy, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Jeonbuk, Korea
| | - Kateřina Kučová
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Mining and Geology, VŠB–Technical University of Ostrava, 17. Listopadu 15/2172, 708 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic; (H.V.); (K.K.)
| | - Zuzana Kisová
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská Cesta 21, 845 51 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Peter Matúš
- Institute of Laboratory Research on Geomaterials, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mlynská Dolina, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia; (B.F.); (M.B.); (M.Š.); (M.M.); (E.D.); (P.M.)
| | - Martin Urík
- Institute of Laboratory Research on Geomaterials, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mlynská Dolina, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia; (B.F.); (M.B.); (M.Š.); (M.M.); (E.D.); (P.M.)
- Correspondence:
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7
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Stanton R, Russell E, Brandt H, Trivedi DJ. Capture of Toxic Oxoanions from Water Using Metal-Organic Frameworks. J Phys Chem Lett 2021; 12:9175-9181. [PMID: 34528794 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.1c02550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The effective capture of common water contaminants using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) presents a remedy for current environmental concerns arising from the pollution of water sources. The crystalline porous nature of MOFs, their high internal surface area, and exceptional tunability make them suitable candidates for sequestration and removal of pollutants. However, the efficiency of capture depends largely on the nature of the interactions between the anions and the MOF. In this work, to elucidate the host-guest interactions involved in the capture of such pollutants, we explore three characteristically different MOFs: ZIF-8, iMOF-2c, and MOF-74. We demonstrate by ab initio electronic structure calculations the importance of exploiting qualitatively different binding modes for strong host-guest interactions available in the selected MOFs. Our simulations reveal the relative performance of neutral and cationic adsorbents while underscoring the importance of employing MOFs containing open metal sites for the efficient uptake of anions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Stanton
- Department of Physics, Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York 13699, United States
| | - Emma Russell
- Department of Physics, Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York 13699, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York 13699, United States
| | - Hayden Brandt
- Department of Physics, Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York 13699, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York 13699, United States
| | - Dhara J Trivedi
- Department of Physics, Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York 13699, United States
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8
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Goff JL, Wang Y, Boyanov MI, Yu Q, Kemner KM, Fein JB, Yee N. Tellurite Adsorption onto Bacterial Surfaces. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:10378-10386. [PMID: 34279081 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c01001] [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] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Tellurium (Te) is an emerging contaminant and its chemical transformation in the environment is strongly influenced by microbial processes. In this study, we investigated the adsorption of tellurite [Te(IV), TeO32-] onto the common soil bacterium Bacillus subtilis. Thiol-blocking experiments were carried out to investigate the role of cell surface sulfhydryl sites in tellurite binding, and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy was performed to determine the chemical speciation of the adsorbed tellurite. The results indicate that tellurite reacts with sulfhydryl functional groups in the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced by B. subtilis. Upon binding to sulfhydryl sites in the EPS, the Te changes from Te-O bonds to Te-S coordination. Further analysis of the surface-associated molecules shows that the EPS of B. subtilis contain proteins. Removal of the proteinaceous EPS dramatically decreases tellurite adsorption and the sulfhydryl surface site concentration. These findings indicate that sulfhydryl binding in EPS plays a key role in tellurite adsorption on bacterial surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Goff
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Yuwei Wang
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, United States
| | - Maxim I Boyanov
- Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Chemical Engineering, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria
- Biosciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Qiang Yu
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Kenneth M Kemner
- Biosciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Jeremy B Fein
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Nathan Yee
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, United States
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9
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Schilling K, Basu A, Kaplan A, Perkins WT. Metal distribution, bioavailability and isotope variations in polluted soils from Lower Swansea Valley, UK. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2021; 43:2899-2912. [PMID: 33428049 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-020-00794-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Soils in the Lower Swansea Valley, (United Kingdom) contain elevated level of metals, enough to cause direct or indirect effects on human health. This study assesses the severity of soil pollution and bioavailability of Cu and other metals (Ni, Zn, Co, Pb and Cr) in soils with various distances from a Ni refinery. We compare Cu concentrations in operationally defined soil fractions (bioavailable, bound to Fe/Mn oxide and incorporated in organic matter) with other metals (Ni, Zn, Pb, Co, Cr) usually occurring in ores used in metallurgic processes and report their pollution and geoaccumulation indices (PI and Igeo). Further, we use Cu stable isotope ratios (δ65Cu) to trace the fate and mobility of Cu in soils. Our data suggest a point source of contamination for some of the heavy metals including Ni (Igeo = 1.9), Zn (Igeo = 0.28) and Cu (Igeo = 3.6) near the Ni refinery. However, Co (Igeo = 0.15) and Pb (Igeo = 3.3) contaminations are likely to be linked to different sources. No elevated Cr levels (Igeo= -0.07) occur in any of the studied soils. All soil metals are predominantly associated with organic matter (>50%) which reduces their bioavailibility and thus their risk for ecological and human health. The Cu isotope data show that Cu in soil organic matter is enriched in 65Cu, while the lighter isotopes (63Cu) remain in the dissolved bioavailable Cu fraction (Δ65Cuorganic-bioavailable is +0.12 ± 0.13‰). This suggests the preferential complexation of 65Cu with soil organic matter after dissolution of Cu deposited to the soil. Thus, Cu isotope data can effectively indicate pathways of metal migration in polluted soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Schilling
- Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, 10964, NY, USA.
| | - Anirban Basu
- Department of Earth Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, TW20 0EX, United Kingdom
| | - Alicia Kaplan
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3AN, United Kingdom
| | - William T Perkins
- Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DB, United Kingdom
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Grygoyć K, Jabłońska-Czapla M. Development of a Tellurium Speciation Study Using IC-ICP-MS on Soil Samples Taken from an Area Associated with the Storage, Processing, and Recovery of Electrowaste. Molecules 2021; 26:2651. [PMID: 33946621 PMCID: PMC8124937 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26092651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The optimization and validation of a methodology for determining and extracting inorganic ionic Te(VI) and Te(IV) forms in easily-leached fractions of soil by Ion Chromatography-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (IC-ICP-MS) were studied. In this paper, the total concentration of Te, pH, and red-ox potential were determined. Ions were successfully separated in 4 min on a Hamilton PRPX100 column with 0.002 mg/kg and 0.004 mg/kg limits of detection for Te(VI) and Te(IV), respectively. Soil samples were collected from areas subjected to the influence of an electrowaste processing and sorting plant. Sequential chemical extraction of soils showed that tellurium was bound mainly with sulphides, organic matter, and silicates. Optimization of soil extraction allowed 20% average extraction efficiency to be obtained, using 100 mM citric acid as the extractant. In the tested soil samples, both tellurium species were present. In most cases, the soils contained a reduced Te form, or the concentrations of both species were similar.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Magdalena Jabłońska-Czapla
- Institute of Environmental Engineering Polish Academy of Sciences, M. Sklodowskiej-Curie 34 St., 41-819 Zabrze, Poland;
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11
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Bu-Olayan AH, Thomas BV. Bourgeoning impact of the technology critical elements in the marine environment. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 265:115064. [PMID: 32806423 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Contamination of the Technology Critical Elements (TCE) through e-wastes and beach plastic wastes are some of the attributes to the recent rise in marine pollution. A generalized study of pollutants in the marine waters showed no evidence of the effect of TCE. However, an in-depth study revealed the mean TCE concentrations in the sequence of gallium (Ga) > thallium (Tl) > niobium (Nb) > tellurium (Te) > tantalum (Ta) > germanium (Ge) > indium (In) in wastewater (0.38 ng.L-1) >sediment (0.3 ng g-1) e-wastes (0.29 ng g-1) > coastal water (0.26 ng.L-1) > plastic wastes (0.133 ng g-1) >fish (0.13 ng g-1). The mean site-wise analysis of all the samples showed high TCE during winter than in the summer seasons as well, in the sequence of Site-II>Site-I>Site-V>Site-IV>Site-III. The mean distribution coefficient (Kd) of TCE was high in the summer (1.95) than during the winter (1.60) seasons but, the reverse seasonal effects were observed with the bioavailability (%BA) and geo-accumulation index (Igeo). This index quantified TCE in e-wastes and plastic materials. Furthermore, these indicators labeled TCE as one among the sources for 'Fish Kill,' a futuristic threat to seafood consumers and a biomonitoring tool to marine pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- A H Bu-Olayan
- Department of Chemistry, Kuwait University, Khaldiya Campus, Safat, 13060, Kuwait
| | - B V Thomas
- Department of Chemistry, Kuwait University, Khaldiya Campus, Safat, 13060, Kuwait.
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Negi BB, Sinharoy A, Pakshirajan K. Selenite removal from wastewater using fungal pelleted airlift bioreactor. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:992-1003. [PMID: 31820239 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-06946-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the removal of selenite from wastewater using the fungus Asergillus niger KP isolated from a laboratory scale inverse fluidized bed bioreactor. The effect of different carbon sources and initial selenite concentration on fungal growth, pellet formation and selenite removal was first examined in a batch system. The fungal strain showed a maximum selenite removal efficiency of 86% in the batch system. Analysis of the fungal pellets by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, field-emission transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed the formation of spherical-shaped elemental selenium nanoparticles of size 65-100 nm. An increase in the initial selenite concentration in the media resulted in compact pellets with smooth hyphae structure, whereas the fungal pellets contained hair like hyphae structure when grown in the absence of selenite. Besides, a high initial selenite concentration reduced biomass growth and selenite removal from solution. Using an airlift reactor with fungal pellets, operated under continuous mode, a maximum selenite removal of 94.3% was achieved at 10 mg L-1 of influent selenite concentration and 72 h HRT (hydraulic retention time). Overall, this study demonstrated very good potential of the fungal-pelleted airlift bioreactor system for removal of selenite from wastewater. Graphical abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bharat Bhushan Negi
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Arindam Sinharoy
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Kannan Pakshirajan
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India.
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Wiklund JA, Kirk JL, Muir DCG, Carrier J, Gleason A, Yang F, Evans M, Keating J. Widespread Atmospheric Tellurium Contamination in Industrial and Remote Regions of Canada. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:6137-6145. [PMID: 29692170 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b06242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
High tech applications, primarily photovoltaics, have greatly increased demand for the rare and versatile but toxic element tellurium (Te). Here we examine dated lake sediment Te concentration profiles collected near potential point sources (metal smelters, coal mining/combustion facilities, oil sands operations) and from rural regions and remote natural areas of Canada. Te contamination was most prevalent near a Cu/Zn smelter where observed deposition infers 21 g Te released per metric ton (t) of Cu processed. Globally, 9,500 t is predicted to have been atmospherically deposited near Cu smelters post-1900. In a remote area of central Canada (Experimental Lakes Area; ELA), preindustrial Te deposition rates were equivalent to the estimated average global mass flux supplied from natural sources; however more surprisingly, modern Te deposition rates were 6-fold higher and comparable with Te measurements in precipitation. We therefore suggest that sediment cores reliably record atmospheric Te deposition and that anthropogenic activities have significantly augmented atmospheric Te levels, making it an emerging contaminant of potential concern. Lake water residence time was found to influence lake sediment Te inventories among lakes within a region. The apparent settling rate for Te was comparable to macronutrients (C, N, P), likely indicative of significant biological processing of Te.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Marlene Evans
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division , Environment Canada , Saskatoon , Saskatchewan , Canada S7N 3H5
| | - Jonathan Keating
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division , Environment Canada , Saskatoon , Saskatchewan , Canada S7N 3H5
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14
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Goff J, Yee N. Tellurate enters Escherichia coli K-12 cells via the SulT-type sulfate transporter CysPUWA. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2018; 364:4597602. [PMID: 29126297 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnx241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 11/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Soluble forms of tellurium are environmental contaminants that are toxic to microorganisms. While tellurite [Te(IV)] is a well-characterized antimicrobial agent, little is known about the interactions of tellurate [Te(VI)] with bacterial cells. In this study, we investigated the role of sulfate transporters in the uptake of tellurate in Escherichia coli K-12. Mutant strains carrying a deletion of the cysW gene in the CysPUWA sulfate transporter system accumulated less cellular tellurium and exhibited higher resistance to tellurate compared with the wild-type strain. Complementation of the mutation restored tellurate sensitivity and uptake. These results indicate that tellurate enters E. coli cells to cause toxic effects via the CysPUWA sulfate transporter.
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Formation of Se(0), Te(0), and Se(0)-Te(0) nanostructures during simultaneous bioreduction of selenite and tellurite in a UASB reactor. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 102:2899-2911. [PMID: 29399711 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-8781-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Revised: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Simultaneous removal of selenite and tellurite from synthetic wastewater was achieved through microbial reduction in a lab-scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor operated with 12 h hydraulic retention time at 30 °C and pH 7 for 120 days. Lactate was supplied as electron donor at an organic loading rate of 528 or 880 mg COD L-1 day-1. The reactor was initially fed with a synthetic influent containing 0.05 mM selenite and tellurite each (phase I, day 1-60) and subsequently with 0.1 mM selenite and tellurite each (phase II, day 61-120). At the end of phase I, selenite and tellurite removal efficiencies were 93 and 96%, respectively. The removal percentage dropped to 87 and 81% for selenite and tellurite, respectively, at the beginning of phase II because of the increased influent concentrations. The removal efficiencies of both selenite and tellurite were gradually restored within 20 days and stabilized at ≥ 97% towards the end of the experiment. Powder X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the formation of biogenic Se(0), Te(0), and Se(0)-Te(0) nanostructures. Scanning transmission electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed aggregates comprising of Se(0), Te(0), and Se-Te nanostructures embedded in a layer of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of chemical signatures of the EPS which capped the nanoparticle aggregates that had been formed and immobilized in the granular sludge. This study suggests a model for technologies for remediation of effluents containing Se and Te oxyanions coupled with biorecovery of bimetal(loid) nanostructures.
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Qin HB, Takeichi Y, Nitani H, Terada Y, Takahashi Y. Tellurium Distribution and Speciation in Contaminated Soils from Abandoned Mine Tailings: Comparison with Selenium. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:6027-6035. [PMID: 28426210 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b00955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The distribution and chemical species of tellurium (Te) in contaminated soil were determined by a combination of microfocused X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF), X-ray diffraction (μ-XRD), and X-ray absorption fine structure (μ-XAFS) techniques. Results showed that Te was present as a mixture of Te(VI) and Te(IV) species, while selenium (Se) was predominantly present in the form of Se(IV) in the soil contaminated by abandoned mine tailings. In the contaminated soil, Fe(III) hydroxides were the host phases for Se(IV), Te(IV), and Te(VI), but Te(IV) could be also retained by illite. The difference in speciation and solubility of Se and Te in soil can result from different structures of surface complexes for Se and Te onto Fe(III) hydroxides. Furthermore, our results suggest that the retention of Te(IV) in soil could be relatively weaker than that of Te(VI) due to structural incorporation of Te(VI) into Fe(III) hydroxides. These findings are of geochemical and environmental significance for better understanding the solubility, mobility, and bioavailability of Te in the surface environment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the speciation and host phases of Te in field soil by the μ-XRF-XRD-XAFS techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Bo Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Guiyang 550081, China
- Department of Earth and Planetary Science, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo , Hongo 7-3-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yasuo Takeichi
- Institute of Materials Structure Science, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) , 1-1 Oho, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0801, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Nitani
- Institute of Materials Structure Science, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) , 1-1 Oho, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0801, Japan
| | - Yasuko Terada
- Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI), SPring-8 , 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo-cho, Sayo-gun, Hyogo 679-5148, Japan
| | - Yoshio Takahashi
- Department of Earth and Planetary Science, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo , Hongo 7-3-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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