Microbial mineral weathering for nutrient acquisition releases arsenic

Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) mediated carbonate dissolution and arsenic release: Behavior and mechanisms

Carbonate bound arsenic act as an important reservoir for arsenic (As) in nature aquifers. Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), one of the dominant bacterial species in reductive groundwater, profoundly affects the biogeochemical cycling of As. However, whether and how SRB act on the migration and transformation of carbonate bound arsenic remains to be elucidated. Batch culture experiment was employed using filed collected arsenic bearing calcite to investigate the release and species transformation of As by SRB. We found that arsenic in the carbonate samples mostly exist as inorganic As(V) (93.92 %) and As(III). The present of SRB significantly facilitated arsenic release from carbonates with a maximum of 22.3 μg/L. The main release mechanisms of As by SRB include 1) calcite dissolution and the liberate of arsenic in calcite lattices, and 2) the break of H-bonds frees arsenic absorbed on carbonate surface. A redistribution of arsenic during culture incubation took place which may due to the precipitation of As2Sx or secondary FeAl minerals. To our best knowledge, it is the first experimental study focusing on the release of carbonate bound arsenic by SRB. This study provides new insights into the fate and transport of arsenic mediated by microorganism within high arsenic groundwater-sediment system.

Environmental arsenic (As) and its potential relationship with endemic disease in southwestern China

Many cases of an unknown disease exhibiting the clinical features of limb gangrene, blisters, ulceration, and exfoliation have been reported in Daping village (DV) in southwestern China. However, the pathogenesis is unknown and has puzzled doctors for many years. A preliminary study on heavy metals and symptoms indicated that arsenic might pose the greatest threat to the health of local residents. Here, to explore the sources of and factors influencing arsenic enrichment in DV, whose residents exhibit signs of arsenic poisoning, the As contents in soil, water, and plants were systematically measured. The results indicated high As contents in plant and soil samples obtained from the area, and the source of As may be linked to the weathering of black shale rock. Ingestion of soil and consumption of plants were the two main As exposure pathways among children and adults, respectively, and children exhibited a higher health risk than adults. We presume and emphasize that when extreme drought events occur, humans might face unusual risks resulting from exposure to toxic elements and the direct consumption of highly polluted water. Our study provides a new perspective and sheds light on the environmental geochemistry and health links of this disease.

Irrigation leads to new Se-toxicity paddy fields in and around typical Se-toxicity area

Although the issue has been of much concern and has subsequently been controlled for years, the environmental risk of excess selenium (Se) in farmlands still has not been eliminated in Se-toxicity areas. Different types of farmland utilization can change Se behavior in soil. Thus, located field monitoring and surveys of various farmland soils in and around typical Se-toxicity areas spanning eight years were conducted in the tillage layer and deeper soils. The source of new Se contamination in farmlands was traced along the irrigation and natural waterway. This research indicated that 22 % of paddy fields increased to Se-toxicity in surface soil led by irrigation with high-Se river water. Selenate is the dominant Se species in rivers (90 %) originating from geological background areas with high Se. Both soil organic matter (SOM) and amorphous iron content played important roles in the fixation of input Se. Thus, available Se was increased by more than twofold in paddy fields. The release of residual Se and eventual bounding by organic matter is commonly observed, thus suggesting that stable soil Se availability seems sustainable for a long time. This study is the first report in China that shows how new soil Se-toxicity farmland is caused by high-Se water irrigation. This research warns that external attention should be paid to the selection of irrigation water in high-Se geological background areas to avoid new Se contamination.

Enterobacter sp. E1 increased arsenic uptake in Pteris vittata by promoting plant growth and dissolving Fe-bound arsenic

Microbes affect arsenic accumulation in the arsenic-hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata, but the associated molecular mechanism remains uncertain. Here, we investigated the effect of Enterobacter sp. E1 on arsenic accumulation by P. vittata. Strain E1 presented capacities of arsenate [As(V)] and Fe(III) reduction during cultivation. In the pot experiment with P. vittata, the biomass, arsenic content, and chlorophyll content of P. vittata significantly increased by 30.03%, 74.9%, and 112.1%, respectively. Strikingly, the water-soluble plus exchangeable arsenic (WE-As) significantly increased by 52.05%, while Fe-bound arsenic (Fe-As) decreased by 29.64% in the potted soil treated with strain E1. The possible role of activation of arsenic by strain E1 was subsequently investigated by exposing As(V)-absorbed ferrihydrite to the bacterial culture. Speciation analyses of As showed that strain E1 significantly increased soluble levels of As and Fe and that more As(V) was reduced to arsenite. Additionally, increased microbial diversity and soil enzymatic activities in soils indicated that strain E1 posed few ecological risks. These results indicate that strain E1 effectively increased As accumulation in P. vittata mainly by promoting plant growth and dissolving soil arsenic. Our findings suggest that As(V) and Fe(III)-reducer E1 could be used to enhance the phytoremediation of P. vittata in arsenic-contaminated soils.

Phase evolution and arsenic immobilization of arsenate-bearing amorphous calcium phosphate

The formation of As(V) substituted hydroxylapatite (HAP) has a vital influence on the fate of As(V) in the environment. However, despite growing evidence showing that HAP crystallizes in vivo and in vitro with amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) as a precursor, a knowledge gap exists concerning the transformation from arsenate-bearing ACP (AsACP) to arsenate-bearing HAP (AsHAP). Here we synthesized AsACP nano-particles with varied As contents and investigated the arsenic incorporation during their phase evolution. The phase evolution results showed that the transformation process of AsACP to AsHAP could be divided into three Stages. A higher As(V) loading significantly delayed the transformation of AsACP, increased the distortion degree, and decreased the crystallinity of AsHAP. NMR result showed that the PO₄^3- tetrahedral is geometrically preserved when PO₄^3- is substituted by AsO₄^3-. From AsACP to AsHAP, the As-substitution led to the transformation inhibition and As(V) immobilization.

Effects of geochemical and hydrodynamic transiency on desorption and transport of As in heterogeneous systems

Spatial and temporal variations in groundwater As concentrations are mainly caused by changes in geochemical and hydrodynamic conditions. In this study, the effects of geochemical and hydrodynamic transiency on As desorption and transport in a layered heterogeneous system with preferential flow paths during continuous or intermittent water extraction were investigated. A flume desorption experiment was performed after an adsorption experiment lasting 99 d with competitive adsorption anions (phosphate) in the influent. The results indicated that although competitive adsorption between As and phosphate at the water/solid interface significantly promoted As desorption from solid materials, marked amounts of As desorbed slowly or were on irreversible sorption sites in the system. As adsorbed by the sand and clay near the preferential flow paths was preferentially released, while the release of As from the interiors of the clay zones was limited by diffusion. Water extraction accelerated As transport between the different layers, and this increased the overall rate of As release from zones limited by diffusion. Desorption rate of As in the layered system was fast initially, followed by a period of slow desorption rate that lasted months. The desorption hysteresis was due to slow desorption controlled by diffusion. The results provide important insights for understanding and modeling As desorption and transport in field systems.

Recent progress in understanding the ecology and molecular genetics of soil mineral weathering bacteria

Mineral weathering bacteria play essential roles in nutrient cycling and plant nutrition. However, we are far from having a comprehensive view of the factors regulating their distribution and the molecular mechanisms involved. In this review, we highlight the extrinsic factors (i.e., nutrient availability, carbon source) and the intrinsic properties of minerals explaining the distribution and functioning of these functional communities. We also present and discuss the progress made in understanding the molecular mechanisms and genes that are used by bacteria during the mineral weathering process, or regulated during their interaction with minerals, that have been recently unraveled by omics approaches.

Drivers and ecological consequences of arsenite detoxification in aged semi-aerobic landfill

Microbial populations responsible for arsenite [As(III)] detoxification were examined in aged refuse treated with 75 μM As(III) under semi-aerobic conditions. As(III) was rapidly oxidized to As(V) via microbial activity, and substantial As was fixed in the solid phase. The abundance of arsenite oxidase genes (aioA) was about four times higher in the moderate As(III) stressed treatment than in the untreated control. Network analysis of microbial community 16S rRNA genes based on MRT (random matrix theory) further illuminated details about microbe-microbe interactions, and showed six ecological clusters. A total of 166 "core" taxa were identified by within-module connectivity and among-module connectivity values. When compared with the control treatment without As(III), 12 putative keystone operational taxonomic units were positively correlated with As(III) oxidation, of which 10 of these were annotated to genera level. Eight genera were associated with As(III) detoxification: Pseudomonas, Paenalcaligenes, Proteiniphilum, Moheibacter, Mobilitalea, Anaerosporobacter, Syntrophomonas and Pusillimonas. Most of those putative keystone taxa were rare species in landfill, which suggests that low-abundance taxa might significantly contribute to As(III) oxidation.

Arsenic behavior in soil-plant system and its detoxification mechanisms in plants: A review

Arsenic (As) is one of the most toxic and cancer-causing metals which is generally entered the food chain via intake of As contaminated water or food and harmed the life of living things especially human beings. Therefore, the reduction of As content in the food could be of great importance for healthy life. To reduce As contamination in the soil and food, the evaluation of plant-based As uptake and transportation mechanisms is critically needed. Different soil factors such as physical and chemical properties of soil, soil pH, As speciation, microbial abundance, soil phosphates, mineral nutrients, iron plaques and roots exudates effectively regulate the uptake and accumulation of As in different parts of plants. The detoxification mechanisms of As in plants depend upon aquaporins, membrane channels and different transporters that actively control the influx and efflux of As inside and outside of plant cells, respectively. The xylem loading is responsible for long-distance translocation of As and phloem loading involves in the partitioning of As into the grains. However, As detoxification mechanism based on the clear understandings of how As uptake, accumulations and translocation occur inside the plants and which factors participate to regulate these processes. Thus, in this review we emphasized the different soil factors and plant cell transporters that are critically responsible for As uptake, accumulation, translocation to different organs of plants to clearly understand the toxicity reasons in plants. This study could be helpful for further research to develop such strategies that may restrict As entry into plant cells and lead to high crop yield and safe food production.

Geochemical, metagenomic, and physiological characterization of the multifaceted interaction between microbiome of an arsenic contaminated groundwater and aquifer sediment

Geomicrobiological details of the interactions between groundwater microbiome (GWM) and arsenic (As)-rich aquifer sediment of Bengal basin was investigated through microcosm incubations. Role of key microorganisms and their specific interactions with As-bearing minerals was demarcated under organic carbon- amended and -unamended conditions. Acinetobacter (50.8 %), Brevundimonas (7.9 %), Sideroxydans (3.4 %), Alkanindiges (3.0 %) dominated the GWM. The microbiome catalysed considerable alterations in As-bearing mineral [Fe-(hydr)oxide and aluminosilicate] phases resulting in substantial changes in overall geochemistry and release of As (65 μg/L) and Fe (118 μg/L). Synergistic roles of autotrophic, NH₄⁺-oxidizing Archaea (Thaumarchaeota) and chemoheterotrophic bacteria (Stenotrophomonas, Pseudomonas, Geobacter) of diverse metabolic abilities (NH₄⁺-oxidizing, NO₃^-, As/Fe-reducing) were noted for observed changes. Organic carbon supported enhanced microbial growth and As mobilization (upto 403.2 μg As/L) from multiple mineral phases (hematite, magnetite, maghemite, biotite, etc.). In presence of high organic carbon, concerted actions of anaerobic, hydrocarbon-utilizing, As-, Fe-reducing Rhizobium, fermentative Escherichia, anaerobic Bacillales, metal-reducing and organic acid-utilizing Pseudomonas and Achromobacter were implicated in altering sediment mineralogy and biogeochemistry. Increase in abundance of arrA, arsC, bssA genes, and dissolution of Fe, Ca, Mg, Mn confirmed that dissimilatory-, cytosolic-As reduction, and mineral weathering fuelled by anaerobic (hydro)carbon metabolism are the predominant mechanisms of As release in aquifers of Bengal basin.

Arsenic biogeochemical cycling in paddy soil-rice system: Interaction with various factors, amendments and mineral nutrients

Arsenic (As) contamination is a well-recognized environmental and health issue, threatening over 200 million people worldwide with the prime cases in South and Southeast Asian and Latin American countries. Rice is mostly cultivated under flooded paddy soil conditions, where As speciation and accumulation by rice plants is controlled by various geo-environmental (biotic and abiotic) factors. In contrast to other food crops, As uptake in rice has been found to be substantially higher due to the prevalence of highly mobile and toxic As species, arsenite (As(III)), under paddy soil conditions. In this review, we discussed the biogeochemical cycling of As in paddy soil-rice system, described the influence of critical factors such as pH, iron oxides, organic matter, microbial species, and pathways affecting As transformation and accumulation by rice. Moreover, we elucidated As interaction with organic and inorganic amendments and mineral nutrients. The review also elaborates on As (im)mobilization processes and As uptake by rice under the influence of different mineral nutrients and amendments in paddy soil conditions, as well as their role in mitigating As transfer to rice grain. This review article provides critical information on As contamination in paddy soil-rice system, which is important to develop suitable strategies and mitigation programs for limiting As exposure via rice crop, and meet the UN's key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs: 2 (zero hunger), 3 (good health and well-being), 12 (responsible consumption and production), and 13 (climate action)).

Inorganic arsenic toxicity and alleviation strategies in rice

Direct or indirect exposure to inorganic arsenic (iAs) in the forms of AsIII (arsenite) and AsV (arsenate) through consumption of As-contaminated food materials and drinking water leads to arsenic poisoning. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) plant potentially accumulates a high amount of iAs from paddy fields than any other cereal crops. This makes it to be a major source of iAs especially among the population that uses it as their dominant source of diet. The accumulation of As in human bodies poses a serious global health risk to the human population. Various conventional methods have been applied to reduce the arsenic accumulation in rice plant. However, the success rate of these techniques is low. Therefore, the development of efficient and effective methods aimed at lowering iAs toxicity is a very crucial public concern. With the current advancement in technology, new strategies aimed at addressing this concern are being developed and utilized in various parts of the world. In this review, we discuss the recent advances in the management of iAs in rice plants emphasizing the use of nanotechnology and biotechnology approaches. Also, the prospects and challenges facing these approaches are described.

Aquifer-Scale Observations of Iron Redox Transformations in Arsenic-Impacted Environments to Predict Future Contamination

Iron oxides control the mobility of a host of contaminants in aquifer systems, and the microbial reduction of iron oxides in the subsurface is linked to high levels of arsenic in groundwater that affects greater than 150 million people globally. Paired observations of groundwater and solid-phase aquifer composition are critical to understand spatial and temporal trends in contamination and effectively manage changing water resources, yet field-representative mineralogical data are sparse across redox gradients relevant to arsenic contamination. We characterize iron mineralogy using X-ray absorption spectroscopy across a natural gradient of groundwater arsenic contamination in Vietnam. Hierarchical cluster analysis classifies sediments into meaningful groups delineating weathering and redox changes, diagnostic of depositional history, in this first direct characterization of redox transformations in the field. Notably, these groupings reveal a signature of iron minerals undergoing active reduction before the onset of arsenic contamination in groundwater. Pleistocene sediments undergoing postdepositional reduction may be more extensive than previously recognized due to previous misclassification. By upscaling to similar environments in South and Southeast Asia via multinomial logistic regression modeling, we show that active iron reduction, and therefore susceptibility to future arsenic contamination, is more widely distributed in presumably pristine aquifers than anticipated.

Diversity of Betaproteobacteria revealed by novel primers suggests their role in arsenic cycling

High arsenic concentration in groundwater is a severe environmental problem affecting human health, particularly in countries of South and South-East Asia. The Bengal Delta Plain (BDP) distributed within India and Bangladesh is a major arsenic-affected region where groundwater is the primary source of drinking water. Previous studies have indicated that members of the bacterial class Betaproteobacteria constitute a major fraction of the microbial community in many of the aquifers within this region. Bacteria belonging to this class are known to be involved in redox cycling of arsenic as well as other metals such iron and manganese, thereby impacting arsenic mobilization and immobilization. While microbial diversity in arsenic-contaminated environments is generally assessed using universal 16S rRNA gene primers, targeted evaluation of Betaproteobacteria diversity remains poorly constrained. In this study, bacterial diversity was investigated in the groundwater from two shallow aquifers (West Bengal, India) based on 16S rRNA gene clone libraries and sequencing using a custom-designed pair of primers specific to Betaproteobacteria. Specificity of the primers was confirmed in silico as well as by the absence of PCR amplification of other bacterial classes. Four major families (Burkholderiaceae, Comamonadaceae, Gallionellaceae and Rhodocyclaceae) were detected among which members of Burkholderiaceae represented 59% and 71% of the total community in each aquifer. The four OTUs (operational taxonomic units; 97% sequence identity) within Burkholderiaceae were close phylogenetic relatives of bacteria within the genus Burkholderia known to solubilize phosphate minerals. Additionally, the OTUs belonging to Gallionellaceae were closely related to the members of the genera Gallionella and Sideroxydans, known to oxidize iron under microaerophilic conditions. These results suggest that members of Betaproteobacteria can potentially influence iron and phosphorus cycling which can influence biogeochemistry in arsenic-contaminated aquifers of the BDP.

Bacteriological and geochemical features of the groundwater resources: Kettara abandoned mine (Morocco)

Waste water of the Kettara village, as well as the abandoned tailings, constitute a potential environmental issue with direct consequences on air, soil, water resources qualities and, on human health. In this paper, experimental investigations examine the environmental impact which is induced by the wastewater, mine tailings and the lithological factors of rocks. This multidisciplinary research allows to i) understand the transfer of the Metallic Trace Elements (selenium, arsenic, nickel and zinc) and sulfate ions in the fractured shales media, ii) to assess the water potability by using the microbiological analysis. The microbiological results reveal the domestic impact by the presence of several kinds of bacteria in the groundwater resources: E. coli, Fecal coliforms, Total coliforms, Enterococci, Mesophilic Aerobic Flora, Sulphite-reducing bacteria and Salmonella. Selenium, arsenic and the bacteriological contamination of the groundwater could be explained by five kinds of factors: i) the geological formations and the nature of the hydrogeological system (unconfined layer), ii) the groundwater flow, the hydraulic relation between the hydrogeological wells and, the fractures network in the shale aquifer. The piezometric map allows to highlight the groundwater flow from the North-East to North-West and to the South-West, the drainage axis towards the P21 well and the presence of the dividing axis in the contaminated zone by the arsenic, iii) the absence of the unhealthy habitats with permeable traditional septic tanks in the village; iv) the transfer of the spreading animal excrements from the soil to groundwater and, v) the migration of the wastewater towards downstream of the groundwater flow. The presence of the reed beds could explain the reduction of bacteria in the hydrogeological wells of the study area.

Ample Arsenite Bio-Oxidation Activity in Bangladesh Drinking Water Wells: A Bonanza for Bioremediation?

Millions of people worldwide are at risk of arsenic poisoning from their drinking water. In Bangladesh the problem extends to rural drinking water wells, where non-biological solutions are not feasible. In serial enrichment cultures of water from various Bangladesh drinking water wells, we found transfer-persistent arsenite oxidation activity under four conditions (aerobic/anaerobic; heterotrophic/autotrophic). This suggests that biological decontamination may help ameliorate the problem. The enriched microbial communities were phylogenetically at least as diverse as the unenriched communities: they contained a bonanza of 16S rRNA gene sequences. These related to Hydrogenophaga, Acinetobacter, Dechloromonas, Comamonas, and Rhizobium/Agrobacterium species. In addition, the enriched microbiomes contained genes highly similar to the arsenite oxidase (aioA) gene of chemolithoautotrophic (e.g., Paracoccus sp. SY) and heterotrophic arsenite-oxidizing strains. The enriched cultures also contained aioA phylotypes not detected in the previous survey of uncultivated samples from the same wells. Anaerobic enrichments disclosed a wider diversity of arsenite oxidizing aioA phylotypes than did aerobic enrichments. The cultivatable chemolithoautotrophic and heterotrophic arsenite oxidizers are of great interest for future in or ex-situ arsenic bioremediation technologies for the detoxification of drinking water by oxidizing arsenite to arsenate that should then precipitates with iron oxides. The microbial activities required for such a technology seem present, amplifiable, diverse and hence robust.

Experimental Microbial Alteration and Fe Mobilization From Basaltic Rocks of the ICDP HSDP2 Drill Core, Hilo, Hawaii

The interaction of a single bacterial species (Burkholderia fungorum) with basaltic rocks from the ICDP HSDP2 drill core and synthetic basaltic glasses was investigated in batch laboratory experiments to better understand the role of microbial activity on rock alteration and Fe mobilization. Incubation experiments were performed with drill core basaltic rock samples to investigate differences in the solution chemistry during biotic and abiotic alteration. Additionally, colonization experiments with synthetic basaltic glasses of different Fe redox states and residual stresses were performed to evaluate their influence on microbial activity and surface attachment of cells. In biotic incubation experiments bacterial growth was observed and the release of Fe and other major elements from drill core basaltic rocks to solution exceeded that of abiotic controls only when the rock sample assay was nutrient depleted. The concentration of dissolved major elements in solution in biotic colonization experiments with synthetic basaltic glasses increased with increasing residual stress and Fe(II) content. Furthermore, the concentration of dissolved Fe and Al increased similarly in biotic colonization experiments indicating that their dissolution might be triggered by microbial activity. Surface morphology imaging by SEM revealed that cells on basaltic rocks in incubation experiments were most abundant on the glass and surfaces with high roughness and almost absent on minerals. In colonization experiments, basaltic glasses with residual stress and high Fe(II) content were intensely covered with a cellular biofilm. In contrast, glasses with high Fe(III) content and no residual stress were sparsely colonized. We therefore conclude that structurally bound Fe is most probably used by B. fungorum as a nutrient. Furthermore, we assume that microbial activity overall increased rock dissolution as soon as the environment becomes nutrient depleted. Our results show that besides compositional effects, other factors such as redox state and residual stress can control microbial alteration of basaltic glasses.

Arsenic mobility and characterization in lakes impacted by gold ore roasting, Yellowknife, NWT, Canada

The controls on the mobility and fate of arsenic in lakes impacted by historical gold ore roasting in northern Canada have been examined. A detailed characterization of arsenic solid and aqueous phases in lake waters, lake sediments and sediment porewaters as well as surrounding soils was conducted in three small lakes (<200ha) downwind and within 5 km of the historic mining and roasting operations of Giant Mine (Northwest Territories). These lakes are marked by differing limnological characteristics such as area, depth and organic content. Radiometric age-dating shows that the occurrence of arsenic trioxide in lake sediments coincides with the regional onset of roasting activities. Quantification by advanced electron microscopy shows that arsenic trioxide accounts for up to 6 wt% of the total arsenic in sediments. The bulk (>80 wt%) of arsenic is contained in the form of secondary sulphide precipitates, with iron oxy-hydroxides hosting a minimal amount of arsenic (<1 wt%). Soluble arsenic trioxide particles act as the primary source of arsenic into sediment porewaters. Dissolved arsenic in reducing porewaters both precipitates in-situ as secondary sulphides, and diffuses upwards into the overlying lake waters. Geogenic arsenic phases are present in sediments in low concentrations and are not considered a significant source of arsenic to porewaters or lake waters. Sediment-water interface diffusive flux calculations suggest that the diffusion of dissolved arsenic from porewaters, combined with lake water residence time, are the predominant mechanisms controlling arsenic concentrations in lake waters.

Mechanism of arsenic resistance in endophytic bacteria isolated from endemic plant of mine tailings and their arsenophore production

Arsenic contamination is an important environmental problem around the world since its high toxicity, and bacteria resist to this element serve as valuable resource for its bioremediation. Aiming at searching the arsenic-resistant bacteria and determining their resistant mechanism, a total of 27 strains isolated from roots of Prosopis laevigata and Spharealcea angustifolia grown in a heavy metal-contaminated region in Mexico were investigated. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and transformation abilities of arsenate (As⁵⁺) and arsenite (As³⁺), arsenophore synthesis, arsenate uptake, and cytoplasmatic arsenate reductase (arsC), and arsenite transporter (arsB) genes were studied for these strains. Based on these results and the 16S rDNA sequence analysis, these isolates were identified as arsenic-resistant endophytic bacteria (AREB) belonging to the genera Arthrobacter, Bacillus, Brevibacterium, Kocuria, Microbacterium, Micrococcus, Pseudomonas, and Staphylococcus. They could tolerate high concentrations of arsenic with MIC from 20 to > 100 mM for As⁵⁺ and 10-20 mM for As³⁺. Eleven isolates presented dual abilities of As⁵⁺ reduction and As³⁺ oxidation. As the most effective strains, Micrococcus luteus NE2E1 reduced 94% of the As⁵⁺ and Pseudomonas zhaodongensis NM2E7 oxidized 46% of As³⁺ under aerobic condition. About 70 and 44% of the test strains produced arsenophores to chelate As⁵⁺ and As³⁺, respectively. The AREB may absorb arsenate via the same receptor of phosphate uptake or via other way in some case. The cytoplasmic arsenate reductase and alternative arsenate reduction pathways exist in these AREB. Therefore, these AREB could be candidates for the bioremediation process.

Tales from the tomb: the microbial ecology of exposed rock surfaces

Although a broad diversity of eukaryotic and bacterial taxa reside on rock surfaces where they can influence the weathering of rocks and minerals, these communities and their contributions to mineral weathering remain poorly resolved. To build a more comprehensive understanding of the diversity, ecology and potential functional attributes of microbial communities living on rock, we sampled 149 tombstones across three continents and analysed their bacterial and eukaryotic communities via marker gene and shotgun metagenomic sequencing. We found that geographic location and climate were important factors structuring the composition of these communities. Moreover, the tombstone-associated microbial communities varied as a function of rock type, with granite and limestone tombstones from the same cemeteries harbouring taxonomically distinct microbial communities. The granite and limestone-associated communities also had distinct functional attributes, with granite-associated bacteria having more genes linked to acid tolerance and chemotaxis, while bacteria on limestone were more likely to be lichen associated and have genes involved in photosynthesis and radiation resistance. Together these results indicate that rock-dwelling microbes exhibit adaptations to survive the stresses of the rock surface, differ based on location, climate and rock type, and seem pre-disposed to different ecological strategies (symbiotic versus free-living lifestyles) depending on the rock type.

The influence of thermal treatment on bioweathering and arsenic sorption capacity of a natural iron (oxyhydr)oxide-based adsorbent

Adsorption plays a significant role in remediation of waters contaminated with arsenic, but the efficiency of the process varies depending on the sorbent properties. Bog iron ores (BIOs), characterized by high sorption capacity and widespread availability, seem to be an optimal sorbent of arsenic. However, the use of BIOs for arsenic removal from waters may be limited by the high amount of organic matter, which may stimulate microbial activity, and thus decomposition of the sorbent. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of organic matter removal by thermal transformation (roasting) on the bioavailability of BIOs and their arsenic sorption capacity. For this purpose, the influence of bacterial growth and activity on untreated and treated BIOs, unloaded and loaded with arsenic, was studied. Moreover, the chemical and physical properties (including FTIR and desorption of arsenic) of BIOs were investigated as well. The results show that the removal of organic matter increases the stability of BIOs, and thus reduces the bioavailability of the immobilized arsenic.

Understanding arsenic dynamics in agronomic systems to predict and prevent uptake by crop plants

This review is on arsenic in agronomic systems, and covers processes that influence the entry of arsenic into the human food supply. The scope is from sources of arsenic (natural and anthropogenic) in soils, biogeochemical and rhizosphere processes that control arsenic speciation and availability, through to mechanisms of uptake by crop plants and potential mitigation strategies. This review makes a case for taking steps to prevent or limit crop uptake of arsenic, wherever possible, and to work toward a long-term solution to the presence of arsenic in agronomic systems. The past two decades have seen important advances in our understanding of how biogeochemical and physiological processes influence human exposure to soil arsenic, and this must now prompt an informed reconsideration and unification of regulations to protect the quality of agricultural and residential soils.

Depth-resolved microbial community analyses in two contrasting soil cores contaminated by antimony and arsenic

Investigation of microbial communities of soils contaminated by antimony (Sb) and arsenic (As) is necessary to obtain knowledge for their bioremediation. However, little is known about the depth profiles of microbial community composition and structure in Sb and As contaminated soils. Our previous studies have suggested that historical factors (i.e., soil and sediment) play important roles in governing microbial community structure and composition. Here, we selected two different types of soil (flooded paddy soil versus dry corn field soil) with co-contamination of Sb and As to study interactions between these metalloids, geochemical parameters and the soil microbiota as well as microbial metabolism in response to Sb and As contamination. Comprehensive geochemical analyses and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing were used to shed light on the interactions of the microbial communities with their environments. A wide diversity of taxonomical groups was present in both soil cores, and many were significantly correlated with geochemical parameters. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) and co-occurrence networks further elucidated the impact of geochemical parameters (including Sb and As contamination fractions and sulfate, TOC, Eh, and pH) on vertical distribution of soil microbial communities. Metagenomes predicted from the 16S data using PICRUSt included arsenic metabolism genes such as arsenate reductase (ArsC), arsenite oxidase small subunit (AoxA and AoxB), and arsenite transporter (ArsA and ACR3). In addition, predicted abundances of arsenate reductase (ArsC) and arsenite oxidase (AoxA and AoxB) genes were significantly correlated with Sb contamination fractions, These results suggest potential As biogeochemical cycling in both soil cores and potentially dynamic Sb biogeochemical cycling as well.

Historical and seasonal dynamics of phosphorus mobility in Sancha Lake of Southwest China's Sichuan Province

Phosphorus (P) fractionations in the surface sediment of Sancha Lake in China's southwestern Sichuan Province were examined to assess the potential P release at the water-sediment interface and to understand its seasonal (2009-2010) and historical dynamics (1989-2010) in the surface water. Elevated P concentrations were detected in the sediment at main reservoir inflow, south canal of the Dujiangyan irrigation network, and intensive cage fish farming area, accounting for 32 and 40% of current total P discharges. The highest total P concentration (11,200 μg P g^-1) was observed in the upper sediment below intensive fish farming area with a specific enrichment of HCl-P (51% of total P) mainly from fish feeds and feces. These sediments had larger MgCl₂-P pools with higher diffusive P fluxes (0.43-0.47 mg m^-2 d^-1) from surface sediment than those from other areas (0.25-0.42 mg m^-2 d^-1). The general small proportion of MgCl₂-P (5.7-10%) and low diffusive P fluxes from surface sediment (<0.02% of sediment P storage (0-1 cm)) indicate low mobility and slow release of P from sediments. The sediment as an internal P source led to a 3-4-year lag for P concentration decrease in the surface water after restriction of anthropogenic P discharges since 2005. Thus, the peak P concentration in April and September could be explained as a combined effect of supplementing internal loading via reductive processes in sediments and seasonal water vertical circulation in the early spring and fall. Policy played a crucial role in reducing P inputs to the lake.

Biofilm adaptation to iron availability in the presence of biotite and consequences for chemical weathering

Bacteria in nature often live within biofilms, exopolymeric matrices that provide a favorable environment that can differ markedly from their surroundings. Biofilms have been found growing on mineral surfaces and are expected to play a role in weathering those surfaces, but a clear understanding of how environmental factors, such as trace-nutrient limitation, influence this role is lacking. Here, we examine biofilm development by Pseudomonas putida in media either deficient or sufficient in Fe during growth on biotite, an Fe rich mineral, or on glass. We hypothesized that the bacteria would respond to Fe deficiency by enhancing biotite dissolution and by the formation of binding sites to inhibit Fe leaching from the system. Glass coupons acted as a no-Fe control to investigate whether biofilm response depended on the presence of Fe in the supporting solid. Biofilms grown on biotite, as compared to glass, had significantly greater biofilm biomass, specific numbers of viable cells (SNVC), and biofilm cation concentrations of K, Mg, and Fe, and these differences were greater when Fe was deficient in the medium. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed that biofilm growth altered the biotite surface, smoothing the rough, jagged edges of channels scratched by hand on the biotite, and dissolving away small, easy-to-access particles scattered across the planar surface. High-resolution magic angle spinning proton nuclear magnetic resonance (HRMAS ¹ H NMR) spectroscopy showed that, in the Fe-deficient medium, the relative amount of polysaccharide nearly doubled relative to that in biofilms grown in the medium amended with Fe. The results imply that the bacteria responded to the Fe deficiency by obtaining Fe from biotite and used the biofilm matrix to enhance weathering and as a sink for released cation nutrients. These results demonstrate one mechanism by which biofilms may help soil microbes overcome nutrient deficiencies in oligotrophic systems.

Cultivable endophytic bacteria from heavy metal(loid)-tolerant plants

To evaluate the interactions among endophytes, plants and heavy metal/arsenic contamination, root endophytic bacteria of Prosopis laevigata (Humb and Bonpl. ex Willd) and Sphaeralcea angustifolia grown in a heavy metal(loid)-contaminated zone in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, were isolated and characterized. Greater abundance and species richness were found in Prosopis than in Sphaeralcea and in the nutrient Pb-Zn-rich hill than in the poor nutrient and As-Cu-rich mine tailing. The 25 species identified among the 60 isolates formed three groups in the correspondence analysis, relating to Prosopis/hill (11 species), Prosopis/mine tailing (4 species) and Sphaeralcea/hill (4 species), with six species ungrouped. Most of the isolates showed high or extremely high resistance to arsenic, such as ≥100 mM for As(V) and ≥20 mM for As(III), in mineral medium. These results demonstrated that the abundance and community composition of root endophytic bacteria were strongly affected by the concentration and type of the heavy metals and metalloids (arsenic), as well as the plant species.

Effects of microbially induced transformations and shift in bacterial community on arsenic mobility in arsenic-rich deep aquifer sediments

Elevated concentration of arsenic (As) prevailed in deep aquifers of Chianan Plain, Taiwan. Arsenic release in relation to microbially induced transformations and shift in bacterial communities in deep aquifer sediments of Budai, southwestern Taiwan were investigated using microcosm experiments and substrate amendments over 90 days of anaerobic incubation. The results revealed that As reduction was independent of Fe reduction and a modest rate of sedimentary As release into aqueous phase occurred at the expense of the native organic carbon. Addition of lactate resulted in a parallel increase in As(III) (3.7-fold), Fe(II) (6.2-fold) and Mn (3.5 fold) in aqueous phase compared to un-amended slurries and the enrichment of sequences related to mostly Bacillus, Flavisolibacter, and Geobacter spp, suggesting the important role of these bacteria in As enrichment through reductive dissolution of As-bearing Fe and Mn minerals. The increase in phosphate-extractable As in solid phase with concomitant rise in As in aqueous phase over the course of incubation further attested to the importance of reductive dissolution in promoting As release. Furthermore, the increase in arrA gene abundance with addition of labile carbon suggests that dissimilatory As reduction also may contribute to As enrichment in the water of the deep aquifer of Budai.

Both Phosphorus Fertilizers and Indigenous Bacteria Enhance Arsenic Release into Groundwater in Arsenic-Contaminated Aquifers

Arsenic (As) is a human carcinogen, and arsenic contamination in groundwater is a worldwide public health concern. Arsenic-affected areas are found in many places but are reported mostly in agricultural farmlands, yet the interaction of fertilizers, microorganisms, and arsenic mobilization in arsenic-contaminated aquifers remains uncharacterized. This study investigates the effects of fertilizers and bacteria on the mobilization of arsenic in two arsenic-contaminated aquifers. We performed microcosm experiments using arsenic-contaminated sediments and amended with inorganic nitrogenous or phosphorus fertilizers for 1 and 4 months under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The results show that microcosms amended with 100 mg/L phosphorus fertilizers (dipotassium phosphate), but not nitrogenous fertilizers (ammonium sulfate), significantly increase aqueous As(III) release in arsenic-contaminated sediments under anaerobic condition. We also show that concentrations of iron, manganese, potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium are increased in the aqueous phase and that the addition of dipotassium phosphate causes a further increase in aqueous iron, potassium, and sodium, suggesting that multiple metal elements may take part in the arsenic release process. Furthermore, microbial analysis indicates that the dominant microbial phylum is shifted from α-proteobacteria to β- and γ-proteobacteria when the As(III) is increased and phosphate is added in the aquifer. Our results provide evidence that both phosphorus fertilizers and microorganisms can mediate the release of arsenic to groundwater in arsenic-contaminated sediments under anaerobic condition. Our study suggests that agricultural activity such as the use of fertilizers and monitoring phosphate concentration in groundwater should be taken into consideration for the management of arsenic in groundwater.

Contrasting distributions of groundwater arsenic and uranium in the western Hetao basin, Inner Mongolia: Implication for origins and fate controls

Although As concentrations have been investigated in shallow groundwater from the Hetao basin, China, less is known about U and As distributions in deep groundwater, which would help to better understand their origins and fate controls. Two hundred and ninety-nine groundwater samples, 122 sediment samples, and 14 rock samples were taken from the northwest portion of the Hetao basin, and analyzed for geochemical parameters. Results showed contrasting distributions of groundwater U and As, with high U and low As concentrations in the alluvial fans along the basin margins, and low U and high As concentrations downgradient in the flat plain. The probable sources of both As and U in groundwater were ultimately traced to the bedrocks in the local mountains (the Langshan Mountains). Chemical weathering of U-bearing rocks (schist, phyllite, and carbonate veins) released and mobilized U as UO2(CO3)2(2-) and UO2(CO3)3(4-) species in the alluvial fans under oxic conditions and suboxic conditions where reductions of Mn and NO3(-) were favorable (OSO), resulting in high groundwater U concentrations. Conversely, the recent weathering of As-bearing rocks (schist, phyllite, and sulfides) led to the formation of As-bearing Fe(III) (hydr)oxides in sediments, resulting in low groundwater As concentrations. Arsenic mobilization and U immobilization occurred in suboxic conditions where reduction of Fe(III) oxides was favorable and reducing conditions (SOR). Reduction of As-bearing Fe(III) (hydr)oxides, which were formed during palaeo-weathering and transported and deposited as Quaternary aquifer sediments, was believed to release As into groundwater. Reduction of U(VI) to U(IV) would lead to the formation of uraninite, and therefore remove U from groundwater. We conclude that the contrasting distributions of groundwater As and U present a challenge to ensuring safe drinking water in analogous areas, especially with high background values of U and As.

Diversity, metabolic properties and arsenic mobilization potential of indigenous bacteria in arsenic contaminated groundwater of West Bengal, India

Arsenic (As) mobilization in alluvial aquifers is caused by a complex interplay of hydro-geo-microbiological activities. Nevertheless, diversity and biogeochemical significance of indigenous bacteria in Bengal Delta Plain are not well documented. We have deciphered bacterial community compositions and metabolic properties in As contaminated groundwater of West Bengal to define their role in As mobilization. Groundwater samples showed characteristic high As, low organic carbon and reducing property. Culture-independent and -dependent analyses revealed presence of diverse, yet near consistent community composition mostly represented by genera Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Brevundimonas, Polaromonas, Rhodococcus, Methyloversatilis and Methylotenera. Along with As-resistance and -reductase activities, abilities to metabolize a wide range carbon substrates including long chain and polyaromatic hydrocarbons and HCO3, As3+ as electron donor and As5+/Fe3+ as terminal electron acceptor during anaerobic growth were frequently observed within the cultivable bacteria. Genes encoding cytosolic As5+ reductase (arsC) and As3+ efflux/transporter [arsB and acr3(2)] were found to be more abundant than the dissimilatory As5+ reductase gene arrA. The observed metabolic characteristics showed a good agreement with the same derived from phylogenetic lineages of constituent populations. Selected bacterial strains incubated anaerobically over 300 days using natural orange sand of Pleistocene aquifer showed release of soluble As mostly as As3+ along with several other elements (Al, Fe, Mn, K, etc.). Together with the production of oxalic acid within the biotic microcosms, change in sediment composition and mineralogy indicated dissolution of orange sand coupled with As/Fe reduction. Presence of arsC gene, As5+ reductase activity and oxalic acid production by the bacteria were found to be closely related to their ability to mobilize sediment bound As. Overall observations suggest that indigenous bacteria in oligotrophic groundwater possess adequate catabolic ability to mobilize As by a cascade of reactions, mostly linked to bacterial necessity for essential nutrients and detoxification.

Arsenic biotransformation and release by bacteria indigenous to arsenic contaminated groundwater

Arsenic (As) biotransformation and release by indigenous bacteria from As rich groundwater was investigated. Metabolic landscape of 173 bacterial isolates indicated broad catabolic repertoire including abundance of As(5+) reductase activity and abilities in utilizing wide ranges of organic and inorganic respiratory substrates. Abundance of As homeostasis genes and utilization of hydrocarbon as carbon/electron donor and As(5+) as electron acceptor were noted within the isolates. Sediment microcosm study (for 300 days) showed a pivotal role of metal reducing facultative anaerobic bacteria in toxic As(3+) release in aqueous phase. Inhabitant bacteria catalyze As transformation and facilitate its release through a cascade of reactions including mineral bioweathering and As(5+) and/or Fe(3+) reduction activities. Compared to anaerobic incubation with As(5+) reducing strains, oxic state and/or incubation with As(3+) oxidizing bacteria resulted in reduced As release, thus indicating a strong role of such condition or biocatalytic mechanism in controlling in situ As contamination.

Predicting geogenic arsenic contamination in shallow groundwater of south Louisiana, United States

Groundwater contaminated with arsenic (As) threatens the health of more than 140 million people worldwide. Previous studies indicate that geology and sedimentary depositional environments are important factors controlling groundwater As contamination. The Mississippi River delta has broadly similar geology and sedimentary depositional environments to the large deltas in South and Southeast Asia, which are severely affected by geogenic As contamination and therefore may also be vulnerable to groundwater As contamination. In this study, logistic regression is used to develop a probability model based on surface hydrology, soil properties, geology, and sedimentary depositional environments. The model is calibrated using 3286 aggregated and binary-coded groundwater As concentration measurements from Bangladesh and verified using 78 As measurements from south Louisiana. The model's predictions are in good agreement with the known spatial distribution of groundwater As contamination of Bangladesh, and the predictions also indicate high risk of As contamination in shallow groundwater from Holocene sediments of south Louisiana. Furthermore, the model correctly predicted 79% of the existing shallow groundwater As measurements in the study region, indicating good performance of the model in predicting groundwater As contamination in shallow aquifers of south Louisiana.

Studies on arsenic transforming groundwater bacteria and their role in arsenic release from subsurface sediment

Ten different Gram-negative arsenic (As)-resistant and As-transforming bacteria isolated from As-rich groundwater of West Bengal were characterized to assess their role in As mobilization. 16S rRNA gene analysis confirmed the affiliation of these bacteria to genera Achromobacter, Brevundimonas, Rhizobium, Ochrobactrum, and Pseudoxanthomonas. Along with superior As-resistance and As-transformation abilities, the isolates showed broad metabolic capacity in terms of utilizing a variety of electron donors and acceptors (including As) under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, respectively. Arsenic transformation studies performed under various conditions indicated highly efficient As(3+) oxidation or As(5+) reduction kinetics. Genes encoding As(3+) oxidase (aioA), cytosolic As(5+) reductase (arsC), and As(3+) efflux pump (arsB and acr3) were detected within the test isolates. Sequence analyses suggested that As homeostasis genes (particularly arsC, arsB, and acr3) were acquired by most of the bacteria through horizontal gene transfer. A strong correlation between As resistance phenotype and the presence of As(3+) transporter genes was observed. Microcosm study showed that bacterial strain having cytosolic As(5+) reductase property could play important role in mobilizing As (as As(3+)) from subsurface sediment.

Characterization of arsenite-oxidizing bacteria isolated from arsenic-contaminated groundwater of West Bengal

Nine arsenic (As)-resistant bacterial strains isolated from As-rich groundwater samples of West Bengal were characterized to elucidate their potential in geomicrobial transformation and bioremediation aspects. The 16S rRNA gene-based phylogenetic analysis revealed that the strains were affiliated with genera Actinobacteria, Microbacterium, Pseudomonas and Rhizobium. The strains exhibited high resistance to As [Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ≥ 10 mM As(3+) and MIC ≥ 450 mM As(5+)] and other heavy metals, e.g., Cu(2+), Cr(2+), Ni(2+), etc. (MIC ≥ 2 mM) as well as As transformation (As(3+) oxidation and As(5+) reduction) capabilities. Their ability to utilize diverse carbon source(s) including hydrocarbons and different alternative electron acceptor(s) (As(5+), SO4(2-), S2O3(2-), etc.) during anaerobic growth was noted. Growth at wide range of pH, temperature and salinity, production of siderophore and biofilm were observed. Together with these, growth pattern and transformation kinetics indicated a high As(3+) oxidation activity of the isolates Rhizobium sp. CAS934i, Microbacterium sp. CAS905i and Pseudomonas sp. CAS912i. A positive relation between high As(3+) resistance and As(3+) oxidation and the supportive role of As(3+) in bacterial growth was noted. The results highlighted As(3+) oxidation process and metabolic repertory of strains indigenous to contaminated groundwater and indicates their potential in As(3+) detoxification. Thus, such metabolically well equipped bacterial strains with highest As(3+) oxidation activities may be used for bioremediation of As contaminated water and effluents in the near future.

Identification and characterization of metabolic properties of bacterial populations recovered from arsenic contaminated ground water of North East India (Assam)

Diversity of culturable bacterial populations within the Arsenic (As) contaminated groundwater of North Eastern state (Assam) of India is studied. From nine As contaminated samples 89 bacterial strains are isolated. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis reveals predominance of Brevundimonas (35%) and Acidovorax (23%) along with Acinetobacter (10%), Pseudomonas (9%) and relatively less abundant (<5%) Undibacterium, Herbaspirillum, Rhodococcus, Staphylococcus, Bosea, Bacillus, Ralstonia, Caulobacter and Rhizobiales members. High As(III) resistance (MTC 10-50 mM) is observed for the isolates obtained from As(III) enrichment, particularly for 3 isolates of genus Brevundimonas (MTC 50 mM). In contrast, high resistance to As(V) (MTC as high as 550 mM) is present as a ubiquitous property, irrespective of isolates' enrichment condition. Bacterial genera affiliated to other groups showed relatively lower degree of As resistance [MTCs of 15-20 mM As(III) and 250-350 mM As(V)]. As(V) reductase activity is detected in strains with high As(V) as well as As(III) resistance. A strong correlation could be established among isolates capable of reductase activity and siderophore production as well as As(III) tolerance. A large number of isolates (nearly 50%) is capable of anaerobic respiration using alternate inorganic electron acceptors [As(V), Se(VI), Fe(III), [NO(3)(2), SO(4)(2), S(2)O(3)(2). Ability to utilize different carbon sources ranging from C2-C6 compounds along with some complex sugars is also observed. Particularly, a number of strains is found to possess ability to grow chemolithotrophically using As(III) as the electron donor. The study reports for the first time the identity and metabolic abilities of bacteria in As contaminated ground water of North East India, useful to elucidate the microbial role in influencing mobilization of As in the region.

Arsenic-transforming microbes and their role in biomining processes

It is well known that microorganisms can dissolve different minerals and use them as sources of nutrients and energy. The majority of rock minerals are rich in vital elements (e.g., P, Fe, S, Mg and Mo), but some may also contain toxic metals or metalloids, like arsenic. The toxicity of arsenic is disclosed after the dissolution of the mineral, which raises two important questions: (1) why do microorganisms dissolve arsenic-bearing minerals and release this metal into the environment in a toxic (also for themselves) form, and (2) How do these microorganisms cope with this toxic element? In this review, we summarize current knowledge about arsenic-transforming microbes and their role in biomining processes. Special consideration is given to studies that have increased our understanding of how microbial activities are linked to the biogeochemistry of arsenic, by examining (1) where and in which forms arsenic occurs in the mining environment, (2) microbial activity in the context of arsenic mineral dissolution and the mechanisms of arsenic resistance, (3) the minerals used and technologies applied in the biomining of arsenic, and (4) how microbes can be used to clean up post-mining environments.

Distribution of airborne bacteria in railway stations in Tokyo, Japan

OBJECTIVES

We performed the current study to (1) understand the distribution of culturable airborne bacteria over a one-year monitoring period, (2) confirm places in stations where airborne bacteria are highly detected, (3) understand the factors that affect concentrations of airborne bacteria and (4) compare the distributions of airborne bacteria and fungi in railway stations in Japan.

METHODS

Measurements of airborne bacteria were taken at stations A and B located in Tokyo. Station A had under- and above-ground concourses and platforms, whereas station B had spaces only above-ground. Airborne bacteria at each measurement position were collected with an air sampler on plate count agar media. After cultivation of the sampled media, the number of bacteria colonies was counted on each media.

RESULTS

(1) Airborne bacteria were highly detected in the above-ground concourse in station A. Almost all the indoor-to-outdoor (I/O) ratios of concentrations of airborne bacteria in the above-ground concourse in station A were higher than one throughout the year and were especially high in summer. (2) The factor that affects the concentrations of airborne bacteria seems to be the number of railway customers, not humidity. (3) The characteristics of the distributions of airborne bacteria and fungi were different, even though they were sampled in the same stations on the same days.

CONCLUSIONS

In the case of controlling indoor air quality of stations in the future, the locations in railway stations that would require control of indoor air quality differ between airborne bacteria or fungi, respectively.

Microbial transformations of arsenic: perspectives for biological removal of arsenic from water

Arsenic is present in many environments and is released by various natural processes and anthropogenic actions. Although arsenic is recognized to cause a wide range of adverse health effects in humans, diverse bacteria can metabolize it by detoxification and energy conservation reactions. This review highlights the current understanding of the ecology, biochemistry and genomics of these bacteria, and their potential application in the treatment of arsenic-polluted water.

Characterization of arsenic resistant bacteria from arsenic rich groundwater of West Bengal, India

Sixty-four arsenic (As) resistant bacteria isolated from an arsenic rich groundwater sample of West Bengal were characterized to investigate their potential role in subsurface arsenic mobilization. Among the isolated strains predominance of genera Agrobacterium/Rhizobium, Ochrobactrum and Achromobacter which could grow chemolitrophically and utilize arsenic as electron donor were detected. Higher tolerance to As(3+) [maximum tolerable concentration (MTC): ≥10 mM], As(5+) (MTC: ≥100 mM) and other heavy metals like Cu(2+), Cr(2+), Ni(2+) etc. (MTC: ≥10 mM), presence of arsenate reductase and siderophore was frequently observed among the isolates. Ability to produce arsenite oxidase and phosphatase enzyme was detected in 50 and 34 % of the isolates, respectively. Although no direct correlation among taxonomic identity of bacterial strains and their metabolic abilities as mentioned above was apparent, several isolates affiliated to genera Ochrobactrum, Achromobacter and unclassified Rhizobiaceae members were found to be highly resistant to As(3+) and As(5+) and positive for all the test properties. Arsenate reductase activity was found to be conferred by arsC gene, which in many strains was coupled with arsenite efflux gene arsB as well. Phylogenetic incongruence between the 16S rRNA and ars genes lineages indicated possible incidence of horizontal gene transfer for ars genes. Based on the results we propose that under the prevailing low nutrient condition inhabitant bacteria capable of using inorganic electron donors play a synergistic role wherein siderophores and phosphatase activities facilitate the release of sediment bound As(5+), which is subsequently reduced by arsenate reductase resulting into the mobilization of As(3+) in groundwater.

Arsenic contamination: a potential hazard to the affected areas of West Bengal, India

Arsenic contamination in groundwater is becoming more and more a worldwide problem. Nearing 50 million of people are at health risk from arsenic contamination at Ganga-Meghna-Bramhaputra basin. The experimental results of the five blocks under Malda district of West Bengal, India, showed that the arsenic concentration in groundwater (0.41-1.01 mg/l) was higher than the permissible limit for drinking water (0.01 mg/l) (WHO) and FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) permissible limit for irrigation water (0.10 mg/l). The soil arsenic level (13.12 mg/kg) crossed the global average (10.0 mg/kg), but within the maximum acceptable limit for agricultural soil (20.0 mg/kg) recommended by the European Union. The total arsenic concentration on food crops varied from 0.000 to 1.464 mg/kg of dry weight. The highest mean arsenic concentration was found in potato (0.456 mg/kg), followed by rice grain (0.429 mg/kg). The total mean arsenic content (milligrams per kg dry weight) in cereals ranged from 0.121 to 0.429 mg/kg, in pulses and oilseeds ranged from 0.076 to 0.168 mg/kg, in tuber crops ranged from 0.243 to 0.456 mg/kg, in spices ranged from 0.031 to 0.175 mg/kg, in fruits ranged from 0.021 to 0.145 mg/kg and in vegetables ranged from 0.032 to 0.411 mg/kg, respectively. Hence, arsenic accumulation in cereals, pulses, oilseed, vegetables, spices, cole crop and fruits crop might not be safe in future without any sustainable mitigation strategies to avert the potential arsenic toxicity on the human health in the contaminated areas.

A fosmid cloning strategy for detecting the widest possible spectrum of microbes from the international space station drinking water system

In this study, fosmid cloning strategies were used to assess the microbial populations in water from the International Space Station (ISS) drinking water system (henceforth referred to as Prebiocide and Tank A water samples). The goals of this study were: to compare the sensitivity of the fosmid cloning strategy with that of traditional culture-based and 16S rRNA-based approaches and to detect the widest possible spectrum of microbial populations during the water purification process. Initially, microbes could not be cultivated, and conventional PCR failed to amplify 16S rDNA fragments from these low biomass samples. Therefore, randomly primed rolling-circle amplification was used to amplify any DNA that might be present in the samples, followed by size selection by using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The amplified high-molecular-weight DNA from both samples was cloned into fosmid vectors. Several hundred clones were randomly selected for sequencing, followed by Blastn/Blastx searches. Sequences encoding specific genes from Burkholderia, a species abundant in the soil and groundwater, were found in both samples. Bradyrhizobium and Mesorhizobium, which belong to rhizobia, a large community of nitrogen fixers often found in association with plant roots, were present in the Prebiocide samples. Ralstonia, which is prevalent in soils with a high heavy metal content, was detected in the Tank A samples. The detection of many unidentified sequences suggests the presence of potentially novel microbial fingerprints. The bacterial diversity detected in this pilot study using a fosmid vector approach was higher than that detected by conventional 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Correlation of the abundance of betaproteobacteria on mineral surfaces with mineral weathering in forest soils

Pyrosequencing-based analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed a significant correlation between apatite dissolution and the abundance of betaproteobacteria on apatite surfaces, suggesting a role for the bacteria belonging to this phylum in mineral weathering. Notably, the cultivation-dependent approach demonstrated that the most efficient mineral-weathering bacteria belonged to the betaproteobacterial genus Burhkolderia.