Investigation of chlorinated solvent pollution with resistivity and induced polarization

Globally, an enormous number of polluted areas are in need of remediation to prevent adverse effects on health and environment. In situ remediation and especially the monitoring thereof needs further development to avoid costly and hazardous shipments associated with excavation. The monitoring of in situ remediation actions needs easier and cheaper nondestructive methods for evaluation and verification of remediation degree and degradation status of the contaminants. We investigate the Direct Current resistivity and time-domain Induced Polarization tomography (DCIP) method and its use within the context of a DNAPL (Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids) contaminated site in Varberg, Sweden, where an in situ remediation pilot test has been performed by stimulated reductive dechlorination by push injection. Our results show that the DCIP technique is an emerging and promising technique for mapping of underground structures and possibly biogeochemical spatial and temporal changes. The methodology could in combination with drilling, sampling and other complementary methods give an almost continuous image of the underground structures and delineation of the pollutant situation. It can be expected to have a future in monitoring approaches measuring time lapse induced polarization (IP), if more research is performed on the parameters and processes affecting the IP-signals verifying the interpretations. The IP technique can possibly be used for verification of the effectiveness of in situ remediation actions, as the current sampling methodology is inadequate.

Elemental composition of ectomycorrhizal mycelia identified by PCR-RFLP analysis and grown in contact with apatite or wood ash in forest soil

Abstract The aim of this study was to identify ectomycorrhizal species with a potential to release elements from apatite and wood ash and accumulate them in the mycelia. Fungal rhizomorphs and mycelia were sampled from sand-filled mesh bags with or without amendment of apatite or wood ash. The mesh bags were buried in forest soil in the field for 13 or 24 months. Elemental composition of the samples was analyzed with particle-induced X-ray emission and the fungus was identified by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the ITS-region of ribosomal DNA. The majority of rhizomorphs and mycelia collected from the mesh bags were of mycorrhizal origin with Paxillus involutus being the most common species (31%). Other identified species were Thelephora terrestris, Suillus granulatus and Tylospora fibillosa. S. granulatus contained 3-15 times more K (3 mg g(-1)) than the other species and had large calcium-rich crystals deposited on the surface of rhizomorphs when grown in contact with apatite. P. involutus contained the largest amount of Ca (2-7 mg g(-1)). Wood ash addition increased the amount of Ti, Mn and Pb in the rhizomorphs while apatite addition increased the amount of Ca in the rhizomorphs. The high concentration of K in S. granulatus rhizomorphs suggests that this fungus is a good accumulator of K while P. involutus appeared to accumulate heavy metals originating from wood ash.

Low concentration of copper inhibits colonization of soil by the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices and changes the microbial community structure

Common agricultural practices result in accumulation of copper in agricultural soils worldwide. The effect of bioavailable copper ([Cu](bio)) on colonization of soil by the AM fungus Glomus intraradices and other soil microorganisms was investigated in microcosms containing copper-amended soil. To avoid indirect effects through the plant, copper was only added to root-free microcosm compartments. [Cu](bio) was measured using a Pseudomonas fluorescens biosensor strain. In the range of 0-1.5 μg g(-1) [Cu](bio), a log-log linear relationship between added copper and [Cu](bio) was found. Microbial colonization of the root-free compartment was evaluated by whole-cell fatty acid analysis (WCFA) and amplified rDNA restriction analysis (ARDRA). The WCFA analysis showed that the AM fungus soil colonization was severely inhibited by Cu with a 50% reduction of mycorrhizal growth at 0.26 μg g(-1) [Cu](bio). The growth of other main microbial groups was not significantly affected by copper. However, ARDRA analysis showed a very strong effect of copper on the bacterial community composition probably caused by an increased proportion of Cu-resistant bacteria. Our results suggest that problems with plant yield may arise when converting slightly copper-contaminated soils to land uses such as low-input and sustainable agriculture that are dependent on AM fungal symbiosis.

The elemental content in the mycelium of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Piloderma sp. during the colonization of hardened wood ash

Piloderma sp., a wood ash-colonizing ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungus, was grown symbiotically with Norway spruce in microcosms which contained granules of hardened wood ash. Mycelium close to the granules was sampled 3 times over a period of 11 weeks and the elemental content was investigated with particle induced X-ray emission. Mycelium from microcosms without wood ash was used as controls. The contents of P and K were similar in mycelium growing close to wood ash granules to those in control mycelium, while the Ca content increased from 23+/-21 mg g(-1) in controls to 63+/-8 mg g(-1) in mycelium growing close to wood ash granules. The Ca content was also increased in other parts of the mycelium more distant from the wood ash. Piloderma sp. may have a role in the short-term storage of Ca released from wood ash, rather than in releasing and storing P.

Estimation of the biomass and seasonal growth of external mycelium of ectomycorrhizal fungi in the field

•  In-growth mesh bags were used to quantify the production of external mycelium of ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi in the field. •  Colonization of the mesh bags was followed by visual estimation of the amount of mycelium, and by measuring fungal biomarkers (the phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) 18 : 2ω6,9 and ergosterol). Mesh bags were placed inside and outside plots that were root isolated in order to estimate the amount of saprotrophic mycelium in relation to EM mycelium. The majority of mycelium in the mesh bags were EM, and this was confirmed by analysis of the δ¹³ C value in mycelia. •  Fungal colonization of mesh bags peaked during autumn. The total amount of EM mycelium produced in the mesh bags during a year was calculated to be between 125 and 200 kg ha^-1 . The total amount of EM mycelium (including EM mantles) in the humus was estimated to be 700-900 kg ha^-1 . •  The biomass of EM mycelium in the soil was in the same range as the biomass of fine roots and peaks of mycelial growth coincided with periods of maximum growth of fine-roots.