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Wang H, Li P, Liu X, Wang Y, Stein LY. Groundwater flow regime shapes nitrogen functional traits by affecting microbial community assembly processes in the subsurface. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 949:175083. [PMID: 39069183 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175083] [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: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
The complex nitrogen (N) cycle in groundwater systems is affected by both biological and environmental factors. The interactions between hydrogeological conditions and the microbial community assembly processes that impact N-cycling processes remain poorly understood. We explored the assembly patterns of N-cycling microbial communities along the groundwater flow path. The environmental heterogeneity in different hydrological phases increased along the flow path (mean Ed: 0.16-0.49), accompanied by different microbial community assembly patterns. The assembly patterns that engaged in dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) and denitrification changed across the water-sediment phases. Nitrifying microorganisms in the discharge area were mainly influenced by heterogeneous selection (41-69 %), and were closely correlated with dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations. Homogeneity along flow-through increased stochastic assemblies, such as downstream drift of anammox bacterial (AnAOB) communities. Thus, the N removal pathway changed from "nitrification-denitrification" in the recharge area to "partial nitrification-anammox" in the discharge area. The increasing environmental heterogeneity brought more deterministic assembly patterns of N-cycling communities, linked to higher community turnover along the groundwater flow path. This study indicated that groundwater flow regime determined microbial community assembly patterns, providing valuable insight into the response of N transitions to environmental variations in groundwater systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Ping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China.
| | - Xiaohan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Yanhong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Lisa Y Stein
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Xiu W, Gai R, Chen S, Ren C, Lloyd JR, Bassil NM, Nixon SL, Polya DA, Hou S, Guo H. Ammonium-Enhanced Arsenic Mobilization from Aquifer Sediments. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38317381 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c09640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Ammonium-related pathways are important for groundwater arsenic (As) enrichment, especially via microbial Fe(III) reduction coupled with anaerobic ammonium oxidation; however, the key pathways (and microorganisms) underpinning ammonium-induced Fe(III) reduction and their contributions to As mobilization in groundwater are still unknown. To address this gap, aquifer sediments hosting high As groundwater from the western Hetao Basin were incubated with 15N-labeled ammonium and external organic carbon sources (including glucose, lactate, and lactate/acetate). Decreases in ammonium concentrations were positively correlated with increases in the total produced Fe(II) (Fe(II)tot) and released As. The molar ratios of Fe(II)tot to oxidized ammonium ranged from 3.1 to 3.7 for all incubations, and the δ15N values of N2 from the headspace increased in 15N-labeled ammonium-treated series, suggesting N2 as the key end product of ammonium oxidation. The addition of ammonium increased the As release by 16.1% to 49.6%, which was more pronounced when copresented with organic electron donors. Genome-resolved metagenomic analyses (326 good-quality MAGs) suggested that ammonium-induced Fe(III) reduction in this system required syntrophic metabolic interactions between bacterial Fe(III) reduction and archaeal ammonium oxidation. The current results highlight the significance of syntrophic ammonium-stimulated Fe(III) reduction in driving As mobilization, which is underestimated in high As groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Xiu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China
- Institute of Earth sciences, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
- MWR Key Laboratory of Groundwater Conservation and School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Ruixuan Gai
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China
- Institute of Earth sciences, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Songze Chen
- Shenzhen Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center of Guangdong Province, Shenzhen 518049, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Archaea Geo-Omics, Department of Ocean Science and Department of Ocean Science & Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Cui Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China
- MWR Key Laboratory of Groundwater Conservation and School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Naji M Bassil
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Sophie L Nixon
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN, U.K
| | - David A Polya
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Shengwei Hou
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Archaea Geo-Omics, Department of Ocean Science and Department of Ocean Science & Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Huaming Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China
- MWR Key Laboratory of Groundwater Conservation and School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
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Ponce-Jahen SJ, Cercado B, Estrada-Arriaga EB, Rangel-Mendez JR, Cervantes FJ. Anammox with alternative electron acceptors: perspectives for nitrogen removal from wastewaters. Biodegradation 2024; 35:47-70. [PMID: 37436663 PMCID: PMC10774155 DOI: 10.1007/s10532-023-10044-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
In the context of the anaerobic ammonium oxidation process (anammox), great scientific advances have been made over the past two decades, making anammox a consolidated technology widely used worldwide for nitrogen removal from wastewaters. This review provides a detailed and comprehensive description of the anammox process, the microorganisms involved and their metabolism. In addition, recent research on the application of the anammox process with alternative electron acceptors is described, highlighting the biochemical reactions involved, its advantages and potential applications for specific wastewaters. An updated description is also given of studies reporting the ability of microorganisms to couple the anammox process to extracellular electron transfer to insoluble electron acceptors; particularly iron, carbon-based materials and electrodes in bioelectrochemical systems (BES). The latter, also referred to as anodic anammox, is a promising strategy to combine the ammonium removal from wastewater with bioelectricity production, which is discussed here in terms of its efficiency, economic feasibility, and energetic aspects. Therefore, the information provided in this review is relevant for future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio J Ponce-Jahen
- Laboratory for Research on Advanced Processes for Water Treatment, Engineering Institute, Campus Juriquilla, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Blvd. Juriquilla 3001, 76230, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Bibiana Cercado
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico en Electroquímica S.C., Parque Tecnológico Querétaro Sanfandila, Querétaro, 76703, Pedro Escobedo, Mexico
| | - Edson Baltazar Estrada-Arriaga
- Subcoordinación de Tratamiento de Aguas Residuales, Instituto Mexicano de Tecnología del Agua, Paseo Cuauhnáhuac 8532, Progreso, C.P. 62550, Morelos, Mexico
| | - J Rene Rangel-Mendez
- División de Ciencias Ambientales, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica (IPICyT), Camino a la Presa San José 2055, Col. Lomas 4ª Sección, SLP78216, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
| | - Francisco J Cervantes
- Laboratory for Research on Advanced Processes for Water Treatment, Engineering Institute, Campus Juriquilla, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Blvd. Juriquilla 3001, 76230, Querétaro, Mexico.
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Covatti G, Hoang TNA, Grischek T. Release of arsenic during riverbank filtration under anoxic conditions linked to grain size of riverbed sediments. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 900:165858. [PMID: 37516192 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Geogenic arsenic contamination of groundwater poses a health threat to millions of people worldwide, particularly in Asia. Riverbank filtration (RBF) is a pre-treatment technique that aims to improve surface water quality through natural processes during water infiltration before abstraction. A study in Hanoi, Vietnam is presented, where the water quality of 48 RBF wells from 5 large well fields located in the Pleistocene aquifer along the Red River was analyzed. >80 % of the wells had arsenic concentrations above the WHO limit of 10 μg/l. The riverbed sediment and riverbed pore-water from 23 sites along a stretch of 30 km of the Red River near the well fields was also analyzed. Muddy riverbeds were found to be a hotspot for arsenic release. Already at a 30 cm depth from the riverbed sediment surface, the pore-water at many sites had high concentrations of arsenic (>100 μg/l). Arsenic concentrations in the pore-water of sites where mud lenses were present in the riverbed were significantly higher compared to sites with sandy riverbeds. At well fields along stretches of the Red River where riverbed was mostly muddy, higher arsenic concentrations were found than at well fields where the riverbed was mostly sandy. This indicates that river muds deposition and river morphology can influence arsenic concentrations in the aquifer in Hanoi and potentially other RBF sites in regions with geogenic arsenic contamination. At the end, recommendations regarding site selection of new potential RBF wells in affected regions is given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Covatti
- Dresden University of Applied Sciences, Friedrich-List-Platz 1, 01069 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Thi Ngoc Anh Hoang
- Dresden University of Applied Sciences, Friedrich-List-Platz 1, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Thomas Grischek
- Dresden University of Applied Sciences, Friedrich-List-Platz 1, 01069 Dresden, Germany
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5
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Ansari MA, Saravana Kumar U, Noble J, Akhtar N, Akhtar MA, Deodhar A. Isotope hydrology tools in the assessment of arsenic contamination in groundwater: An overview. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 340:139898. [PMID: 37607597 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139898] [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: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Groundwater is important for the survival of humanity and the demand for the same is drastically increasing globally. The precious water resources are under constant threat, either as a result of natural processes or due to the influence of the anthropogenic activities. Arsenic contamination of groundwater is one of those threats that have affected approximately over 500 million people in 107 countries globally. Although, many studies (∼1000 Nos.) have been carried out on arsenic hydrogeobiochemistry, only a few have reported, on the use of different isotopes in understanding the arsenic hydrochemistry, and its release mechanism and mobilization. Determination of the isotopic composition of a groundwater sample and its dissolved compounds enable a better insight into the hydrological processes that control the distribution and migration of arsenic in the subsurface hydrological system. The environmental isotopes of water molecules (δ18O and δ2H) have been widely used to assess the groundwater origin, its recharge mechanisms, the rock-water interactions and quality. The stable isotopes of dissolved compounds of water (δ34S, δ15N, δ13C, δ56Fe etc.) give better information on the reaction processes within these elements and thus act as a tracer for contaminants, while the radioactive isotopes, such as 14C, 3H, 81Kr, 36Cl, 39Ar etc., can be used to assess the residence time of groundwater and its renewability. This article reviews the different uses of environmental isotopes as tools for providing critical information on various hydrological processes in the arsenic contaminated regions that can't be obtained through conventional tools for better management of the groundwater resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Arzoo Ansari
- Isotope and Radiation Application Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai- 400085, India
| | - U Saravana Kumar
- Isotope Hydrology Section, Division of Physical and Chemical Sciences, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Vienna, Austria.
| | - Jacob Noble
- Isotope and Radiation Application Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai- 400085, India
| | - Naima Akhtar
- Central Groundwater Board, North-West Region, Chandigarh - 160019, India
| | - M Arslaan Akhtar
- Geoscience Division, Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Dehradun- 248001, India
| | - Archana Deodhar
- Isotope and Radiation Application Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai- 400085, India
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Wang Y, Tian X, Song T, Jiang Z, Zhang G, He C, Li P. Linking DOM characteristics to microbial community: The potential role of DOM mineralization for arsenic release in shallow groundwater. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 454:131566. [PMID: 37148792 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Dissolved organic matter (DOM) play critical roles in arsenic (As) biotransformation in groundwater, but its compositional characteristics and interactions with indigenous microbial communities remain unclear. In this study, DOM signatures coupled with taxonomy and functions of microbial community were characterized in As-enriched groundwater by excitation-emission matrix, Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry and metagenomic sequencing. Results showed that As concentrations were significantly positively correlated with DOM humification (r = 0.707, p < 0.01) and the most dominant humic acid-like DOM components (r = 0.789, p < 0.01). Molecular characterization further demonstrated high DOM oxidation degree, with the prevalence of unsaturated oxygen-low aromatics, nitrogen (N1/N2)-containing compounds and unique CHO molecules in high As groundwater. These DOM properties were consistent with microbial composition and functional potentials. Both taxonomy and binning analyses demonstrated the dominance of Pseudomonas stutzeri, Microbacterium and Sphingobium xenophagum in As-enriched groundwater which possessed abundant As-reducing gene, with organic carbon degrading genes capable of labile to recalcitrant compounds degradation and high potentials of organic nitrogen mineralization to generate ammonium. Besides, most assembled bins in high As groundwater presented strong fermentation potentials which could facilitate carbon utilization by heterotrophic microbes. This study provides better insight into the potential role of DOM mineralization for As release in groundwater system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Xuege Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Tenglong Song
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Zhou Jiang
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Guanglong Zhang
- College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, PR China
| | - Chen He
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, PR China
| | - Ping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China.
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7
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Han LL, Wang H, Ge L, Xu MN, Tang JM, Luo L, Li P, Kao SJ. Transition of source/sink processes and fate of ammonium in groundwater along with redox gradients. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 231:119600. [PMID: 36680827 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119600] [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: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Ammonium (NH4+) retention/removal processes in groundwater are of great interest because of the continuous increase in nitrogenous compound loading due to anthropogenic activities. However, the transition of multiple co-occurring transformation processes that determine the fate of NH4+ in groundwater along a redox gradient remains underexplored. We selected a high nitrogen (N) groundwater system in the western Hetao Basin, China, to identify and quantify NH4+ source and sink processes, including mineralization, dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA), nitrification, and anammox, to better understand the dynamics of NH4+. Based on redox-sensitive parameters, that is, the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) and NH4+ and nitrate (NO3-) contents, etc., the groundwater system was classified into three zones from upstream to downstream: zone I (oxidizing), zone II (moderately reducing), and zone III (strongly reducing). Using the 15N tracing technique, we found that NH4+ was mainly produced by mineralization while < 2% was produced by DNRA throughout the study area. Mineralization increased downstream because the supply of biodegradable N-containing compounds was augmented, which created a strong redox gradient to host a serial reaction chain. In zone I, NH4+ was mainly transferred to NO3- via nitrification, whereas in zones II and III, NH4+ was mainly transferred to N2 via anammox. The average NH4+ production/consumption ratios (P/C) in zones I, II, and III were 0.7, 6.9, and 51.1, respectively. Obviously, the NH4+ purification ability can only exceed the supply under aerobic conditions, thus suggesting that NH4+ will accumulate without limitation and be retained in strongly reducing groundwater. The situation of NH4+ accumulation would deteriorate over space and time in groundwater as human activities increase without an additional artificial supply of oxidants. The results provide mechanistic insights for quantitatively comprehending the dynamics and fate of NH4+ in groundwater, shedding light on groundwater NH4+ mitigation techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Li Han
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Helin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Lianghao Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Min Nina Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resources Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Jin-Ming Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Li Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resources Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Ping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China.
| | - Shuh-Ji Kao
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China; State Key Laboratory of Marine Resources Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, China.
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Feng Y, Dong S, Ma M, Hou Q, Zhao Z, Zhang W. The influence mechanism of hydrogeochemical environment and sulfur and nitrogen cycle on arsenic enrichment in groundwater: A case study of Hasuhai basin, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 858:160013. [PMID: 36368403 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Hydro-biogeochemical processes control the formation and evolution of high arsenic (As) groundwater. However, the effects of nitrogen and sulfur cycles in groundwater on As migration and transformation are not well understood. Thus, twenty-one groundwater samples were collected from the Hasuhai basin. Hydrochemistry and geochemical modeling were used to analyze the geochemical processes associated with nitrogen and sulfur cycles. An arsenic speciation model (AM) and a sulfide-As model (SAM) were constructed to verify the existence of As species and the formation mechanism of thioarsenate. A hydrous ferric oxide (Hfo)-As adsorption model (HAM) and a competitive adsorption model (CAM) were used to reveal the adsorption and desorption mechanisms of As. The results showed that high arsenic groundwater (As > 10 μg/L) was mainly distributed under reductive conditions, and the highest concentration was 231.5 μg/L. The modeling results revealed that sulfides were widely involved in the geochemical cycle of As, with H3AsO3 and H2AsO3- accounting for >70 % of the total As, and thioarsenate accounting for 30 %. S/As < 2.5 and S/Fe < l control the formation of thioarsenate. With the high correlation of NH4+, TFe, sulfide, and TAs, the co-mobilization of N and S cycles may facilitate As enrichment in groundwater. A weak alkaline reduction environment triggered by the decomposition of organic matter was the main factor leading to the transfer of As from the aquifer to the groundwater. This research contributes to the development of high-As groundwater, and the findings are of general significance for drinking water in the Hasuhai Basin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanbo Feng
- School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, Inner Mongolia, China; Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of River and Lake Ecology, Hohhot 010021, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Shaogang Dong
- School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, Inner Mongolia, China; Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of River and Lake Ecology, Hohhot 010021, Inner Mongolia, China.
| | - Mingyan Ma
- School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Qingqiu Hou
- School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, Inner Mongolia, China; School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Zhen Zhao
- School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Wenqi Zhang
- School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, Inner Mongolia, China
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Kelepertzis E, Matiatos I, Botsou F, Antonopoulou C, Lappas I, Dotsika E, Chrastný V, Boeckx P, Karavoltsos S, Komárek M. Assessment of natural and anthropogenic contamination sources in a Mediterranean aquifer by combining hydrochemical and stable isotope techniques. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 858:159763. [PMID: 36309271 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159763] [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] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The Atalanti basin is an intensively cultivated area in central Greece, facing groundwater quality deterioration threats due to natural and anthropogenic-related contamination sources. A combination of statistical and hydrogeochemical techniques, and stable isotope compositions (δ2H-H2O and δ18Ο-Η2Ο, δ15Ν-ΝΟ3- and δ18Ο-ΝΟ3-, δ34S-SO42- and δ18O-SO42-) were applied to elucidate the origin of salinity and nitrate contamination, and shed light on the potential associations between geogenic Cr(VI) and NO3- sources and transformations. Nitrate and Cr(VI) concentrations reached up to 337 mg L-1 and 76.1 μg L-1, respectively, exceeding WHO threshold values in places. The cluster of samples with the high salinity was mostly influenced by irrigation return flow and marine aerosols, and less by seawater intrusion, as evidenced by the ionic ratios (e.g., Na+/Cl-) and the stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen in water, and sulphur and oxygen in sulphates. The δ15Ν-ΝΟ3- and δ18O-NO3- values ranged from +2.0 ‰ to +14.5 ‰ and + 0.3 ‰ to +11.0 ‰, respectively. We found that the dominant sources of NO3- in groundwater were fertilizers in the central part of the area and sewage waste in the northern part around the residential area of Livanates. The occurrence of denitrification was evident in the northern part of the basin, where the DO levels were lowest (≤ 2.2 mg L-1), whereas nitrification of NH4+-fertilizers prevailed in the central part. Elevated Cr(VI) values (≥ 20 μg/l) were associated with the lowest deviation of the measured from the theoretical nitrification δ18Ο-NO3- values, whereas the lowest Cr(VI) values were observed in the denitrified water samples. Our isotope findings revealed the strong influence of redox conditions on the biogeochemical transformations of N species and the mobilization of Cr(VI) that will help improve the understanding of the fate of these contaminants from the unsaturated zone to the groundwater in areas of agricultural and urban land use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efstratios Kelepertzis
- Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zographou, 15784, Athens, Greece.
| | - Ioannis Matiatos
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, 46.7 km of Athens-Sounio Ave., 19013 Anavissos Attikis, Greece
| | - Fotini Botsou
- Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zographou, 157 84 Athens, Greece
| | - Christina Antonopoulou
- Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zographou, 15784, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Lappas
- Ministry of Environment and Energy, General Directorate of Water, Directorate of Protection and Management of Aquatic Environment, Department of Surface and Ground Water, 119 Mesogeion Ave., 115 26 Athens, Greece
| | - Elissavet Dotsika
- Stable Isotope Unit, National Centre for Scientific Research (N.C.S.R.) "Demokritos", Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Patriarchou Gregoriou (End) and Neapoleos Street, 15341 Agia Paraskevi, Greece
| | - Vladislav Chrastný
- Department of Environmental Geosciences, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague-Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Pascal Boeckx
- Isotope Bioscience Laboratory-ISOFYS, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Sotirios Karavoltsos
- Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zographou, 157 84 Athens, Greece
| | - Michael Komárek
- Department of Environmental Geosciences, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague-Suchdol, Czech Republic
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Chen G, Du Y, Fang L, Wang X, Liu C, Yu H, Feng M, Chen X, Li F. Distinct arsenic uptake feature in rice reveals the importance of N fertilization strategies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 854:158801. [PMID: 36115399 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The environmental behavior of arsenic (As) is commonly affected by the biogeochemical processes of iron (Fe) and nitrogen (N). In this study, field experiments were conducted to explore As uptake in rice and As translation and distribution in As-contaminated iron-rich paddy soils after applying different forms of N fertilizers, including urea (CO(NH2)2), ammonium bicarbonate (NH4HCO3), nitrate of potash (KNO3), and ammonium bicarbonate + nitrate of potash (NH4HCO3 + KNO3). The results indicated that applying nitrate N fertilizer inhibited the reduction and dissolution of As-bearing iron minerals and promoted microbial-mediated As(III) oxidation in flooded soil, thus reducing the soil As bioavailability. The concentrations of total As and inorganic As ratio (iAs/TAs) in rice grain decreased by 32.4 % and 15.4 %, respectively. However, the application of ammonium nitrogen promoted the reductive dissolution of As-bearing iron minerals and stimulated microbial As(V) reduction in flooded soil, leading to the release of As from soil to porewater. The total As concentration and inorganic As uptake ratio in rice grain increased by 20.1 % and 6.2 %, respectively, when urea was applied, and by 29.6 % and 10.5 %, respectively, when ammonium bicarbonate was applied. However, the simultaneous application of NH4+ and NO3- had no significant effect on As concentration in rice grain and its transformation in paddy soils. Ammonium nitrogen enhanced the organic As concentration in rice grain because the increased As(III) promoted As methylation in soil. In contrast, nitrate decreased the organic As uptake by rice grain because the decreased As(III) diminished As methylation in soil. The results provide reasonable N fertilization strategies for regulating the As biogeochemical process and reducing the risk of As contamination in rice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gongning Chen
- National-Regional Joint Engineering Research Center for Soil Pollution Control and Remediation in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China; College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, 541004, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control Theory and Technology, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, 541004, China
| | - Yanhong Du
- National-Regional Joint Engineering Research Center for Soil Pollution Control and Remediation in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
| | - Liping Fang
- National-Regional Joint Engineering Research Center for Soil Pollution Control and Remediation in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
| | - Xiangqin Wang
- National-Regional Joint Engineering Research Center for Soil Pollution Control and Remediation in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
| | - Chuanping Liu
- National-Regional Joint Engineering Research Center for Soil Pollution Control and Remediation in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
| | - Huanyun Yu
- National-Regional Joint Engineering Research Center for Soil Pollution Control and Remediation in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
| | - Mi Feng
- National-Regional Joint Engineering Research Center for Soil Pollution Control and Remediation in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China; College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, 541004, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control Theory and Technology, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, 541004, China
| | - Xi Chen
- National-Regional Joint Engineering Research Center for Soil Pollution Control and Remediation in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
| | - Fangbai Li
- National-Regional Joint Engineering Research Center for Soil Pollution Control and Remediation in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China.
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11
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Xu M, Zhang K, Wang Y, Zhang B, Mao K, Zhang H. Health Risk Assessments and Microbial Community Analyses of Groundwater from a Heavy Metal-Contaminated Site in Hezhou City, Southwest China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:604. [PMID: 36612924 PMCID: PMC9819039 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
In industrial site groundwater, heavy metal pollution is relatively common, causing great harm to the surrounding environment and human health. To explore the relationships between the heavy metal concentration, health risks and microbial community distribution, the groundwater from a polluted site at an abandoned processing plant in Hezhou City, China, is taken as the research object. A health risk assessment model recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) is used for the evaluation, and high-throughput sequencing technology is used to analyze the characteristics of the microbial community in the groundwater. The results show that the heavy metal pollution levels of five monitoring wells are different. The monitoring well labelled HLJ2 is polluted by Cu, Mn, Ni and Cd, and the other four monitoring wells are polluted by As and Cd to varying degrees. The carcinogenic risk values of heavy metals in the groundwater environments of the five monitoring wells are all greater than the acceptable range, and only the noncarcinogenic risk value of the HLJ2 monitoring well exceeds 1, which greatly impacts health. The risks posed by the contaminants in the site groundwater through the ingestion route of drinking water are greater than those caused by the ingestion route of skin contact. The groundwater environments of the five monitoring wells contain Proteobacteria and Patescibacteria, indicating that these two bacteria have certain tolerances to heavy metal pollution. The microbial community composition varies between the monitoring wells, suggesting that different concentrations and types of heavy metal contamination promote different types of bacterial growth. Studies have shown that Proteobacteria have many heavy metal resistance genes, improving their tolerance in heavy metal-polluted environments; additionally, Proteobacteria can transport heavy metals, which is conducive to the restoration of polluted sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjie Xu
- School of Architecture and Civil Engineering of Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, China
| | - Kuankuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Yiduo Wang
- College of Eco-Environment Engineering, Guizhou Minzu University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- School of Architecture and Civil Engineering of Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, China
- School of food and biotechnology of Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, China
| | - Kang Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
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12
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Jiang Z, Zhong S, Shen X, Cui M, Wang Y, Li J. Microbially mediated arsenic mobilization in the clay layer and underlying aquifer in the Hetao Basin, Inner Mongolia, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 836:155597. [PMID: 35513152 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The clay layer is a source to facilitate arsenic (As) enrichment in the aquifer. However, little is known about microbial processes in the clay layer and their roles in As mobilization in the underlying aquifer. In this study, high-throughput sequencing of full-length 16S rRNA gene and metagenomics were used to characterize the microbial composition and functional potential in a sediment borehole across the clay and sand layers in Hetao Basin, Inner Mongolia, China. Results showed the significant differences between the clay layer and underlying sand layer in the geochemistry, microbial composition and functional potential. Fermentation, Fe(III) reduction, As(V) reduction, sulfate reduction, thiosulfate disproportionation, reductive tricarboxylic acid and Wood-Ljungdahl pathway identified in sediments from the clay layer were positively correlated to the observed high levels of TOC, soluble ammonium, H3PO4-extractable As(III) and As(V) and HCl-extractable Fe(II). Although the microbial compositions of the clay and sand layers were different, the microbial functional potential at the interface between the clay and sand layers was similar with the characteristics of fermentation, ammonification and As(V) reduction. The similarity of microbial functional potential at the interface may be attributable to the interaction between the sand and adjacent clay layer with the fluctuation of groundwater level. These metabolic products from the microbial processes in the clay layers and interface would migrate into the underlying groundwater during groundwater overpumping, which facilitates As enrichment in groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Jiang
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Shengyang Zhong
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Xin Shen
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Mengjie Cui
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Yanhong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Junxia Li
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China.
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13
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Xiong Y, Du Y, Deng Y, Ma T, Wang Y. Feammox in alluvial-lacustrine aquifer system: Nitrogen/iron isotopic and biogeochemical evidences. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 222:118867. [PMID: 35870391 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Groundwater nitrogen contamination is becoming increasingly serious worldwide, and natural nitrogen attenuation processes such as anaerobic ammonium oxidation coupled to iron reduction ("Feammox") play an important role in mitigating contamination. Although there has been intensive study of Feammox in soils and sediments, still lacks research on this process in groundwater. This study makes effort to demonstrate the occurrence of Feammox in groundwater by combining information from Fe/N isotope composition, the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Poyang Lake Plain of Yangtze River in central China was selected as the case study area. The critical evidences that indicate Feammox in groundwater include favorable hydrogeochemical conditions of the alluvia-lacustrine aquifer systems, the simultaneous enrichment of 15N in ammonium and 56Fe, the relative high abundance of Acidimicrobiaceae bacterium A6, and the joint elevation of the abundance of the Feammox bacteria and the concentration of Fe(III). Redundancy analysis (RDA) indicated that Geothrix and Rhodobacter may participate directly or cooperatively in the Feammox process. Ammonium-oxidizing archaea (AOA) involved in ammonium-oxidizing or Feammox process may be stimulated by Fe(III) under a low oxygen concentration and weakly acidic condition. Anammox may be indirectly enhanced by products of the nitrogen transformation processes involving Feammox bacteria and AOA. Fe(III) concentration is an important environmental factor affecting the abundance of functional microorganisms related to nitrogen cycling and the composition of ammonium-oxidizing and iron-reducing microbes. Specific geological background (such as the widespread red soils) and anthropogenic input of ammonium, iron, and acidic substances may jointly promote Feammox in groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaojin Xiong
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Source Apportionment and Control of Aquatic Pollution & Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, PR China; School of Environmental Studies & State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, PR China
| | - Yao Du
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Source Apportionment and Control of Aquatic Pollution & Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, PR China; School of Environmental Studies & State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, PR China.
| | - Yamin Deng
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Source Apportionment and Control of Aquatic Pollution & Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, PR China; School of Environmental Studies & State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, PR China
| | - Teng Ma
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Source Apportionment and Control of Aquatic Pollution & Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, PR China; School of Environmental Studies & State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, PR China
| | - Yanxin Wang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Source Apportionment and Control of Aquatic Pollution & Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, PR China; School of Environmental Studies & State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, PR China
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14
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Jiang Z, Shen X, Shi B, Cui M, Wang Y, Li P. Arsenic Mobilization and Transformation by Ammonium-Generating Bacteria Isolated from High Arsenic Groundwater in Hetao Plain, China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19159606. [PMID: 35954962 PMCID: PMC9368665 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic (As) mobilization in groundwater involves biogeochemical cycles of carbon, iron, and sulfur. However, few studies have focused on the role of nitrogen-metabolizing bacteria in As mobilization, as well as in the transformation between inorganic and organic As in groundwater. In this study, the nitrogen and As metabolisms of Citrobacter sp. G-C1 and Paraclostridium sp. G-11, isolated from high As groundwater in Hetao Plain, China, were characterized by culture experiments and genome sequencing. The results showed Citrobacter sp. G-C1 was a dissimilatory nitrate-reducing bacterium. The dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonia (DNRA) and As-detoxifying pathways identified in the genome enabled Citrobacter sp. G-C1 to simultaneously reduce As(V) during DNRA. Paraclostridium sp. G-11 was a nitrogen-fixing bacterium and its nitrogen-fixing activity was constrained by As. Nitrogen fixation and the As-detoxifying pathways identified in its genome conferred the capability of As(V) reduction during nitrogen fixation. Under anaerobic conditions, Citrobacter sp. G-C1 was able to demethylate organic As and Paraclostridium sp. G-11 performed As(III) methylation with the arsM gene. Collectively, these results not only evidenced that ammonium-generating bacteria with the ars operon were able to transform As(V) to more mobile As(III) during nitrogen-metabolizing processes, but also involved the transformation between inorganic and organic As in groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Jiang
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Xin Shen
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Bo Shi
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Mengjie Cui
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Yanhong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Ping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
- Correspondence:
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15
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Xiu W, Wu M, Nixon SL, Lloyd JR, Bassil NM, Gai R, Zhang T, Su Z, Guo H. Genome-Resolved Metagenomic Analysis of Groundwater: Insights into Arsenic Mobilization in Biogeochemical Interaction Networks. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:10105-10119. [PMID: 35763428 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c02623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
High-arsenic (As) groundwaters, a worldwide issue, are critically controlled by multiple interconnected biogeochemical processes. However, there is limited information on the complex biogeochemical interaction networks that cause groundwater As enrichment in aquifer systems. The western Hetao basin was selected as a study area to address this knowledge gap, offering an aquifer system where groundwater flows from an oxidizing proximal fan (low dissolved As) to a reducing flat plain (high dissolved As). The key microbial interaction networks underpinning the biogeochemical pathways responsible for As mobilization along the groundwater flow path were characterized by genome-resolved metagenomic analysis. Genes associated with microbial Fe(II) oxidation and dissimilatory nitrate reduction were noted in the proximal fan, suggesting the importance of nitrate-dependent Fe(II) oxidation in immobilizing As. However, genes catalyzing microbial Fe(III) reduction (omcS) and As(V) detoxification (arsC) were highlighted in groundwater samples downgradient flow path, inferring that reductive dissolution of As-bearing Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides mobilized As(V), followed by enzymatic reduction to As(III). Genes associated with ammonium oxidation (hzsABC and hdh) were also positively correlated with Fe(III) reduction (omcS), suggesting a role for the Feammox process in driving As mobilization. The current study illustrates how genomic sequencing tools can help dissect complex biogeochemical systems, and strengthen biogeochemical models that capture key aspects of groundwater As enrichment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Xiu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, P. R. China
- Institute of Earth sciences, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, P. R. China
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, P. R. China
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
| | - Min Wu
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
| | - Sophie L Nixon
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN, U.K
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
| | - Naji M Bassil
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
| | - Ruixuan Gai
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, P. R. China
- Institute of Earth sciences, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, P. R. China
| | - Tianjing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, P. R. China
- Institute of Earth sciences, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, P. R. China
| | - Zhan Su
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, P. R. China
- Institute of Earth sciences, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, P. R. China
| | - Huaming Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, P. R. China
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, P. R. China
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16
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Wan L, Liu H, Wang X. Anaerobic ammonium oxidation coupled to Fe(III) reduction: Discovery, mechanism and application prospects in wastewater treatment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 818:151687. [PMID: 34788664 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Fe(III) reduction coupled with anaerobic ammonium oxidation is known as Feammox. Feammox, which was first discovered in wetland ecosystems, has the potential to be used in wastewater treatment systems due to its ability to remove ammonium. Feammox can produce N2, NO2- or NO3- through the reduction of Fe(III) and oxidation of ammonium, which is a potential process to nitrogen loss from aquatic ecosystems and terrestrial ecosystems. The Acidimicrobiaceae sp. A6 was the first Feammox functional bacteria that was successfully isolated from wetlands. The nitrogen removal effect of Feammox can be influenced by many environmental factors, such as pH, organic matter, and different sources of Fe(III). Feammox has broad application prospects, but more exploration is needed to apply this principle to wastewater treatment. This review introduces the development, mechanism, functional microbes and factors affecting the Feammox process, and discusses its potential applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuyang Wan
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Key Laboratory of Reservoir Aquatic Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Hong Liu
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China; Key Laboratory of Reservoir Aquatic Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Xingzu Wang
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China; Key Laboratory of Reservoir Aquatic Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China.
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17
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Zhang J, Cao M, Jin M, Huang X, Zhang Z, Kang F. Identifying the source and transformation of riverine nitrates in a karst watershed, North China: Comprehensive use of major ions, multiple isotopes and a Bayesian model. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY 2022; 246:103957. [PMID: 35176529 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2022.103957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Nitrate (NO3-) contamination of surface water is a globally concern, especially in karstic regions affected by intensive agricultural activities. This study combines hydrochemistry, and environmental isotopes (δ2HH2O, δ18OH2O, δ15NNO3, and δ18ONO3) with a Bayesian isotope mixing model (Simmr) to reduce the uncertainty in estimating the contributions of different pollution sources. Samples were collected from 32 surface water sites in the Yufu River (YFR) watershed, North China, in September and December 2019. The results revealed that NO3--N was the predominant form of inorganic nitrogen that caused the deterioration of water quality in the watershed, accounting for approximately 58% of the total nitrogen (TN). The hydrochemical compositions and nitrate isotopes indicated that NO3- mainly originated from soil nitrogen (SN), ammonium fertilizer (AF), but nitrate fertilizer (NF), manure and sewage (M&S) and atmospheric precipitation (AP) were limited. The isotopic composition of nitrate in the upper reaches of the watershed was mainly affected by microbial nitrification, while the mixture of multiple sources was the dominant nitrogen transformation process in the mid-lower reaches of the watershed. Simmr model outputs revealed that SN (56.5%) and AF (29.5%) were the primary contributor to riverine NO3- pollution, followed by NF (7.1%), MS (3.6%), and AP (3.4%) sources. Moreover, an uncertainty index (UI90) of the isotope mixing showed that SN (0.73) and AF (0.67) had the highest values, followed by NF (0.22), M&S (0.22) and AP (0.10). Chemical fertilizer and SN collectively contributed >50% of nitrate during the two sampling campaigns. These results indicated that reducing the application of nitrogen fertilizers and rational irrigation are the keys to alleviate of NO3- pollution. The study is helpful in understanding the source and transformation of riverine NO3- and effectively reducing NO3- pollution in karst agricultural rivers or watersheds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, Hubei, PR China; School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, Hubei, PR China
| | - Mingda Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, Hubei, PR China; School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, Hubei, PR China
| | - Menggui Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, Hubei, PR China; School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, Hubei, PR China.
| | - Xin Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, Hubei, PR China; School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, Hubei, PR China
| | - Zhixin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, Hubei, PR China; School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, Hubei, PR China
| | - Fengxin Kang
- Shandong Provincial Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, Jinan 250013, Shandong, PR China; Shandong Provincial Research Center of Groundwater Environment Protection and Remediation, Jinan 250014, Shandong, PR China
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18
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Xiu W, Ke T, Lloyd JR, Shen J, Bassil NM, Song H, Polya DA, Zhao Y, Guo H. Understanding Microbial Arsenic-Mobilization in Multiple Aquifers: Insight from DNA and RNA Analyses. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:15181-15195. [PMID: 34706533 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c04117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Biogeochemical processes critically control the groundwater arsenic (As) enrichment; however, the key active As-mobilizing biogeochemical processes and associated microbes in high dissolved As and sulfate aquifers are poorly understood. To address this issue, the groundwater-sediment geochemistry, total and active microbial communities, and their potential functions in the groundwater-sediment microbiota from the western Hetao basin were determined using 16S rRNA gene (rDNA) and associated 16S rRNA (rRNA) sequencing. The relative abundances of either sediment or groundwater total and active microbial communities were positively correlated. Interestingly, groundwater active microbial communities were mainly associated with ammonium and sulfide, while sediment active communities were highly related to water-extractable nitrate. Both sediment-sourced and groundwater-sourced active microorganisms (rRNA/rDNA ratios > 1) noted Fe(III)-reducers (induced by ammonium oxidation) and As(V)-reducers, emphasizing the As mobilization via Fe(III) and/or As(V) reduction. Moreover, active cryptic sulfur cycling between groundwater and sediments was implicated in affecting As mobilization. Sediment-sourced active microorganisms were potentially involved in anaerobic pyrite oxidation (driven by denitrification), while groundwater-sourced organisms were associated with sulfur disproportionation and sulfate reduction. This study provides an extended whole-picture concept model of active As-N-S-Fe biogeochemical processes affecting As mobilization in high dissolved As and sulfate aquifers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Xiu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
- Institute of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, P.R. China
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Tiantian Ke
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Jiaxing Shen
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Naji M Bassil
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Hokyung Song
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - David A Polya
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Yi Zhao
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Huaming Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, P.R. China
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19
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Yang P, Wang Y, Wu X, Chang L, Ham B, Song L, Groves C. Nitrate sources and biogeochemical processes in karst underground rivers impacted by different anthropogenic input characteristics. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 265:114835. [PMID: 32540593 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Nitrate is one of the most common pollution sources in groundwater, particularly in highly vulnerable karst aquifers. The potential for nitrification and denitrification within karst aquifers varies in different settings depending on the extent of anthropogenic inputs, so that accurate identification of nitrate sources can be difficult. Geochemical data and dual nitrate isotopes were measured in this study, incorporating a Bayesian isotopic mixing model, and used to identify nitrate sources, nitrification and denitrification, and quantitatively determine nitrate sources under different extents of anthropogenic inputs in three karst catchments within Chongqing Municipality, SW China: Laolongdong (an urbanized area), Qingmuguan (a suburban village), and Shuifang Spring (a protected natural area). At the Laolongdong catchment, the groundwater was in a reducing condition and enriched in δ15NNO3 (averaging 18.9 ± 6.9‰) and δ18ONO3 (averaging 8.5 ± 4.6‰). Manure and sewage waste were the main contributing nitrate sources. A slope of 1.8: 1 of the dual isotopes suggested a denitrification process occurring in anaerobic conduit flow. Within the Qingmuguan catchment, groundwater had average δ15NNO3 and δ18ONO3 values of 9.7 ± 3.5‰, and 1.9 ± 3.4‰, respectively. The data showed evidence for nitrification, and the contribution of soil organic nitrogen was 52.1%, followed by a contribution of 44.8% from manure and wastewater. At the Shuifang Spring catchment, the mean δ15NNO3 and δ18ONO3 values in groundwater were 8.8 ± 2.9‰, 2.3 ± 4.6‰, respectively. Nitrification was the dominant process and most of the nitrate was derived from soil organic nitrogen. This study suggests that karst underground rivers overlain by urban land use undergo denitrification, while the suburban and relatively pristine karst aquifers are dominated by nitrification, allowing development of a conceptual model for nitrate sources and transformations in karst aquifers from the categories of land use (i.e., urban, suburban, and pristine areas). MAIN FINDING: Anthropogenic activities can change biogeochemical nitrogen dynamics of vulnerable karst aquifers, such that the groundwater overlain by an urban settlement has undergone denitrification, while suburban and pristine areas have been dominated by nitrification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pingheng Yang
- State Cultivation Base of Eco-agriculture for Southwest Mountainous Land, Field Scientific Observation & Research Base of Karst Eco-environments at Nanchuan in Chongqing, Ministry of Natural Resources, School of Geographical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China; Crawford Hydrology Laboratory, Department of Geography and Geology, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY, 42101, USA.
| | - Yuyang Wang
- State Cultivation Base of Eco-agriculture for Southwest Mountainous Land, Field Scientific Observation & Research Base of Karst Eco-environments at Nanchuan in Chongqing, Ministry of Natural Resources, School of Geographical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Xinyu Wu
- Southwest University Library, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Longran Chang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Brian Ham
- Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Water Resources, Nashville, TN, 37243, USA
| | - Lisheng Song
- State Cultivation Base of Eco-agriculture for Southwest Mountainous Land, Field Scientific Observation & Research Base of Karst Eco-environments at Nanchuan in Chongqing, Ministry of Natural Resources, School of Geographical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Chris Groves
- Crawford Hydrology Laboratory, Department of Geography and Geology, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY, 42101, USA; UNESCO Mammoth Cave Area Biosphere Reserve, Mammoth Cave, KY, 42259, USA
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20
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Xiu W, Lloyd J, Guo H, Dai W, Nixon S, Bassil NM, Ren C, Zhang C, Ke T, Polya D. Linking microbial community composition to hydrogeochemistry in the western Hetao Basin: Potential importance of ammonium as an electron donor during arsenic mobilization. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 136:105489. [PMID: 31991235 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Various functional groups of microorganisms and related biogeochemical processes are likely to control arsenic (As) mobilization in groundwater systems. However, spatially-dependent correlations between microbial community composition and geochemical zonation along groundwater flow paths are not fully understood, especially with respect to arsenic mobility. The western Hetao Basin was selected as the study area to address this limitation, where groundwater flows from a proximal fan (geochemical-group I: low As, oxidizing), through a transition area (geochemical-group II: moderate As, moderately-reducing) and then to a flat plain (geochemical-group III: high As, reducing). High-throughput Illumina 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that the microbial community structure in the proximal fan included bacteria affiliated with organic carbon degradation and nitrate-reduction or even nitrate-dependant Fe(II)-oxidation, mainly resulting in As immobilization. In contrast, for the flat plain, high As groundwater contained Fe(III)- and As(V)-reducing bacteria, consistent with current models on As mobilization driven via reductive dissolution of Fe(III)/As(V) mineral assemblages. However, Spearman correlations between hydrogeochemical data and microbial community compositions indicated that ammonium as a possible electron donor induced reduction of Fe oxide minerals, suggesting a wider range of metabolic pathways (including ammonium oxidation coupled with Fe(III) reduction) driving As mobilization in high As groundwater systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Xiu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China; Institute of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China; School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Jonathan Lloyd
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, the University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Huaming Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China; School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China.
| | - Wei Dai
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Sophie Nixon
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, the University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Naji M Bassil
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, the University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Cui Ren
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Chaoran Zhang
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Tiantian Ke
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - David Polya
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, the University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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21
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Chen X, Zeng XC, Kawa YK, Wu W, Zhu X, Ullah Z, Wang Y. Microbial reactions and environmental factors affecting the dissolution and release of arsenic in the severely contaminated soils under anaerobic or aerobic conditions. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 189:109946. [PMID: 31759742 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.109946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The soils near the abandoned Shimen Realgar Mine are characterized by containing extremely high contents of total and soluble arsenic. To determine the microbial reactions and environmental factors affecting the mobilization and release of arsenic from soils phase into pore water, we collected 24 soil samples from the representative points around the abandoned Shimen Realgar Mine. They contained 8310.84 mg/kg total arsenic and 703.21 mg/kg soluble arsenic in average. The soluble arsenic in the soils shows significant positive and negative correlations with environmental SO42-/TOC/pH/PO43-, and Fe/Mn, respectively. We found that diverse dissimilatory As(V)-respiring prokaryotes (DARPs) and As(III)-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) exist in all the examined soil samples. The activities of DARPs led to 65-1275% increase of soluble As(III) in the examined soils after 21.0 days of anaerobic incubation, and the microbial dissolution and releases of arsenic show significant positive and negative correlations with the environmental pH/TN and NH4+/PO43-, respectively. In comparison, the activities of AOB led to 24-346% inhibition of the dissolved oxygen-mediated dissolution of arsenic in the soils, and the AOB-mediated releases of As(V) show significant positive and negative correlations with the environmental SO42- and pH/NH4+, respectively. The microbial communities of 24 samples contain 54 phyla of bacteria that show extremely high diversities. Total arsenic, TOC, NO3- and pH are the key environmental factors that indirectly controlled the mobilization and release of arsenic via influencing the structures of the microbial communities in the soils. This work gained new insights into the mechanism for how microbial communities catalyze the dissolution and releases of arsenic from the soils with extremely high contents of arsenic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoming Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xian-Chun Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yahaya Kudush Kawa
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiwei Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianbin Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zahid Ullah
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanxin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan, People's Republic of China
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22
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Arsenic mobilization in a high arsenic groundwater revealed by metagenomic and Geochip analyses. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12972. [PMID: 31506464 PMCID: PMC6736849 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49365-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial metabolisms of arsenic, iron, sulfur, nitrogen and organic matter play important roles in arsenic mobilization in aquifer. In this study, microbial community composition and functional potentials in a high arsenic groundwater were investigated using integrated techniques of RNA- and DNA-based 16S rRNA gene sequencing, metagenomic sequencing and functional gene arrays. 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed the sample was dominated by members of Proteobacteria (62.3-75.2%), such as genera of Simplicispira (5.7-6.7%), Pseudomonas (3.3-5.7%), Ferribacterium (1.6-4.4%), Solimonas (1.8-3.2%), Geobacter (0.8-2.2%) and Sediminibacterium (0.6-2.4%). Functional potential analyses indicated that organics degradation, assimilatory sulfate reduction, As-resistant pathway, iron reduction, ammonification, nitrogen fixation, denitrification and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonia were prevalent. The composition and function of microbial community and reconstructed genome bins suggest that high level of arsenite in the groundwater may be attributed to arsenate release from iron oxides reductive dissolution by the iron-reducing bacteria, and subsequent arsenate reduction by ammonia-producing bacteria featuring ars operon. This study highlights the relationship between biogeochemical cycling of arsenic and nitrogen in groundwater, which potentially occur in other aquifers with high levels of ammonia and arsenic.
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23
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Zhu X, Zeng XC, Chen X, Wu W, Wang Y. Inhibitory effect of nitrate/nitrite on the microbial reductive dissolution of arsenic and iron from soils into pore water. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2019; 28:528-538. [PMID: 31119594 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-019-02050-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
It was well established that microbial communities are the major drive for the formation of arsenic-contaminated groundwater. However, it remains to be elucidated for how nitrate/nitrite affects the microorganisms-catalyzed dissolution and reduction of arsenic. To address this issue, we collected soil samples containing high-contents of arsenic from the Shimen Realgar Mine area. Microcosm assay indicated that addition of nitrate/nitrite significantly inhibited the dissolution, reduction and release of As and Fe caused by the biological catalysis of microbial communities in the soils, meanwhile nitrate/nitrite was reduced into N2. To further investigate the molecular mechanism of this finding, we used a representative dissimilatory arsenate-respiring strain Shewanella sp. GL90 from the soils to perform the arsenic release assay. GL90 can efficiently catalyze the reductive dissolution, and promote the release of As and Fe in soils. It is interesting to see that the addition of nitrate/nitrite to the soils led to marked decreases in the GL90-mediated dissolution of As and Fe in the soils. Moreover, we found that this finding was attributed to that nitrate/nitrite significantly inhibited the transcription of the gene of the respiratory arsenate reductase protein in GL90 cells. This work provided new insights into the mechanisms for the coupling of As, N and Fe geochemical cycles in arsenic-rich soils, and for how environmental factors affect As concentration in groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianbin Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan, 430070, P. R. China
| | - Xian-Chun Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan, 430070, P. R. China.
| | - Xiaoming Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan, 430070, P. R. China
| | - Weiwei Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan, 430070, P. R. China
| | - Yanxin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan, 430070, P. R. China
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24
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Papazotos P, Vasileiou E, Perraki M. The synergistic role of agricultural activities in groundwater quality in ultramafic environments: the case of the Psachna basin, central Euboea, Greece. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2019; 191:317. [PMID: 31041530 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7430-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, we approach the geochemical processes affecting the hydrochemistry and resulting in elevated concentrations of hexavalent chromium (Cr6+) in groundwater of the Psachna basin, central Euboea, Greece. Sixty-five groundwater samples and 16 topsoil (5-20 cm) samples were studied in order to examine groundwater and soil quality in relation to geogenic processes and anthropogenic activities. Specifically, the origin of Cr and Cr6+ in groundwater was investigated by co-evaluating (a) hydrochemical cross plots of major ions; (b) spatial distribution maps of Cl-, Mg2+, NO3-, and Cr6+; (c) multivariate statistical analyses such as factor analysis (FA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) of groundwater geochemistry; (d) chemical analyses of soil samples; and (e) chemical analyses of fertilizers. The major factors that control the hydrochemistry of the study area are reverse ion exchange, dissolution of silicate minerals, and intense agricultural activities. According to FA, three factors explain 73.2% of the total variance of data, whereas according to HCA, the groundwater samples were classified into three groups indicating both geogenic (water-rock interaction) and anthropogenic (agricultural activities) impact. The high concentration of NO3-, up to 540 mg L-1; the strong positive correlation between NO3- and Cr as well as between NO3- and other parameters such as SO42- and Mg2+ in groundwater samples; and the very high content of P, up to 2444 mg kg-1, in soil samples of the Psachna basin, imply the synergistic, although commonly neglected, role of the use of fertilizers in groundwater quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Papazotos
- School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, Division of Geo-sciences, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Heroon Polytechniou St., 15773, Zografou, Greece
| | - Eleni Vasileiou
- School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, Division of Geo-sciences, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Heroon Polytechniou St., 15773, Zografou, Greece
| | - Maria Perraki
- School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, Division of Geo-sciences, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Heroon Polytechniou St., 15773, Zografou, Greece.
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25
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Yang P, Li Y, Groves C, Hong A. Coupled hydrogeochemical evaluation of a vulnerable karst aquifer impacted by septic effluent in a protected natural area. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 658:1475-1484. [PMID: 30678006 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Karst aquifers are highly vulnerable to pollution from human activities. Among sources of these contaminants, septic tank effluent can easily pollute karst aquifers, especially concentrated inputs such as those, for example, from tourist hotels. However, the impacts of septic effluent from relatively large, concentrated inputs on karst aquifers have seldom been assessed previously and therefore provide the focus of this study. Artificial tracer tests, geochemical analysis, and dual nitrate stable isotopes were employed to evaluate the impacts of a concentrated input of septic effluent from the Jinfoshan Holiday Hotel (JHH) on the vulnerable Shuifang Spring (SFS) karst aquifer in a remote mountainous area, the Jinfoshan Karst World Heritage Site within Chongqing Municipality of southwest China. The results of artificial tracer tests showed that the underground flow mainly occurred in a primary conduit with a pooled or bifurcated flow path that connects a sinkhole input to SFS. The high tracer recovery rates suggest that the karst aquifer was characterized by high intrinsic vulnerability to contamination. Chemographs at SFS responded rapidly to the episodic release of effluent from JHH. Decreased pH and dissolved oxygen and elevated turbidity, specific conductance and NH4+ concentrations of SFS resulted from the episodic release of septic tank effluent from the JHH during high-use periods. Although the nitrate concentrations were far below the guideline value of the Standard for Groundwater Quality of China, the isotopes of δ15NNO3 and δ18ONO3 suggest that nitrate flowing from SFS was primarily derived from manure and sewage, in addition to soil organic N. Thus, episodic release of septic effluent provides a challenge to the sustainability of karst groundwater management. The results of this study may be relevant to other remote and mountainous karst environments where tourism provide otherwise scarce economic resources and particularly to protected sites throughout the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pingheng Yang
- Field Scientific Observation & Research Base of Karst Eco-Environments at Nanchuan in Chongqing, Ministry of Natural Resources of the People's Republic of China, School of Geographical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Crawford Hydrology Laboratory, Department of Geography and Geology, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY 42101, USA.
| | - Ying Li
- Field Scientific Observation & Research Base of Karst Eco-Environments at Nanchuan in Chongqing, Ministry of Natural Resources of the People's Republic of China, School of Geographical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Chris Groves
- Crawford Hydrology Laboratory, Department of Geography and Geology, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY 42101, USA.
| | - Aihua Hong
- The Laboratory of Chongqing Groundwater Resource Utilization and Environmental Protection, Chongqing 401121, China
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26
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Wang Y, Li P, Jiang Z, Liu H, Wei D, Wang H, Wang Y. Diversity and abundance of arsenic methylating microorganisms in high arsenic groundwater from Hetao Plain of Inner Mongolia, China. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2018; 27:1047-1057. [PMID: 29951795 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-018-1958-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic methylation is regarded as an effective way of arsenic detoxification. Current knowledge about arsenic biomethylation in high arsenic groundwater remains limited. In the present study, 16 high arsenic groundwater samples from deep wells of the Hetao Plain were investigated using clone library and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analyses of arsM genes as well as geochemical analysis. The concentrations of methylated arsenic (including monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA)) varied from 2.40 to 16.85 μg/L. Both bacterial and archaeal arsenic methylating populations were detected in the high arsenic aquifer. They were dominated by Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Gemmatimonadetes, Nitrospirae, Methanomicrobia and a large unidentified group. The abundances of predominant populations were correlated positively to either total organic carbon or total arsenic and arsenite concentrations. The arsM gene abundances in high arsenic groundwater ranged from below detection to 5.71 × 106 copies/L and accounted for 0-3.32‰ of total bacterial and archaeal 16S rRNA genes. The arsM gene copies in high arsenic groundwater showed closely positive correlations with methylated arsenic concentrations. The overall results implied that arsenic methylating microorganisms were abundant and diverse in high arsenic groundwater. This was the first study of arsenic methylating microbial communities in high arsenic groundwater aquifers and might provide useful information for arsenic bioremediation in groundwater systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Ping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China.
| | - Zhou Jiang
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Han Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Dazhun Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Helin Wang
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanxin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China.
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China.
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27
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Krčmar D, Tenodi S, Grba N, Kerkez D, Watson M, Rončević S, Dalmacija B. Preremedial assessment of the municipal landfill pollution impact on soil and shallow groundwater in Subotica, Serbia. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 615:1341-1354. [PMID: 29751439 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.09.283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Revised: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Most regional municipal solid waste landfills in Serbia are operated without control of landfill leachate and gas or with no regard for implementation of national and European legislation. For the first time in Serbia, groundwater and soil at a landfill were subject to systematic annual monitoring according to national, European legislation and adopted methodologies. Characterisation of the groundwater and soil samples from the landfill included ten metals (Fe, Mn, As, Zn, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, Cu and Hg), 16 EPA PAHs, nutrients and certain physicochemical parameters, in order to assess the risks such poorly controlled landfills pose to the environment. This impact assessment was performed using specially adapted pollution indices: LWPI, the Single factor pollution index and the Nemerow index for groundwater, and geo-accumulation index, ecological risk factor and selected rations of PAHs for soil. The data analysis included multivariate statistical methods (factor analysis of principal component analysis (PCA/FA)) in order to assess the extent of the contaminants detected in the groundwater and soil samples. The pollution indices (LWPI: 3.56-8.89; Nemerow index: 2.02-3.78) indicate the quality of the groundwater at the landfill is degrading over time, with PAH16, TOC, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn as the substances of greatest concern. Heavy metals Hg (Igeo≤3.14), Pb (Igeo≤2.22), Cr (Igeo≤3.31) and Cu (Igeo≤2.16) represent the worst soil contamination. Hg has moderate (52.9) to very high (530.0) potential ecological risk, demonstrating the long-term potential effects of bioaccumulation and biomagnification. The results of this work indicate that Cr and Cu should possibly be added to the EU Watch List of emerging substances. This proposition is substantiated by relevant state and alike environmental information from nations in the region. This study demonstrates the need to develop a model for prioritization of landfill closure and remediation based on environmental risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dejan Krčmar
- University of Novi Sad Faculty of Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Environmental Protection, Trg Dositeja Obradovica 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Slaven Tenodi
- University of Novi Sad Faculty of Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Environmental Protection, Trg Dositeja Obradovica 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Nenad Grba
- University of Novi Sad Faculty of Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Environmental Protection, Trg Dositeja Obradovica 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Djurdja Kerkez
- University of Novi Sad Faculty of Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Environmental Protection, Trg Dositeja Obradovica 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia.
| | - Malcolm Watson
- University of Novi Sad Faculty of Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Environmental Protection, Trg Dositeja Obradovica 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Srdjan Rončević
- University of Novi Sad Faculty of Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Environmental Protection, Trg Dositeja Obradovica 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Božo Dalmacija
- University of Novi Sad Faculty of Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Environmental Protection, Trg Dositeja Obradovica 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
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Li P, Jiang Z, Wang Y, Deng Y, Van Nostrand JD, Yuan T, Liu H, Wei D, Zhou J. Analysis of the functional gene structure and metabolic potential of microbial community in high arsenic groundwater. WATER RESEARCH 2017; 123:268-276. [PMID: 28672211 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.06.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2017] [Revised: 06/18/2017] [Accepted: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Microbial functional potential in high arsenic (As) groundwater ecosystems remains largely unknown. In this study, the microbial community functional composition of nineteen groundwater samples was investigated using a functional gene array (GeoChip 5.0). Samples were divided into low and high As groups based on the clustering analysis of geochemical parameters and microbial functional structures. The results showed that As related genes (arsC, arrA), sulfate related genes (dsrA and dsrB), nitrogen cycling related genes (ureC, amoA, and hzo) and methanogen genes (mcrA, hdrB) in groundwater samples were correlated with As, SO42-, NH4+ or CH4 concentrations, respectively. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) results indicated that some geochemical parameters including As, total organic content, SO42-, NH4+, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) and pH were important factors shaping the functional microbial community structures. Alkaline and reducing conditions with relatively low SO42-, ORP, and high NH4+, as well as SO42- and Fe reduction and ammonification involved in microbially-mediated geochemical processes could be associated with As enrichment in groundwater. This study provides an overall picture of functional microbial communities in high As groundwater aquifers, and also provides insights into the critical role of microorganisms in As biogeochemical cycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China.
| | - Zhou Jiang
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Yanhong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Ye Deng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, PR China
| | - Joy D Van Nostrand
- Institute for Environmental Genomics and Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
| | - Tong Yuan
- Institute for Environmental Genomics and Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
| | - Han Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Dazhun Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Jizhong Zhou
- Institute for Environmental Genomics and Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
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