Phosphine by bio-corrosion of phosphide-rich iron

Characteristics and mechanisms of phosphine production in sulfur-based constructed wetlands

Phosphine (PH3) is an important contributor to the phosphorus cycle and is widespread in various environments. However, there are few studies on PH3 in constructed wetlands (CWs). In this study, lab-scale CWs and batch experiments were conducted to explore the characteristics and mechanisms of PH3 production in sulfur-based CWs. The results showed that the PH3 release flux of sulfur-based CWs varied from 0.86±0.04 ng·m-2·h-1 to 1.88±0.09 ng·m-2·h-1. The dissolved PH3 was the main PH3 form in CWs and varied from 2.73 μg·L-1 to 4.08 μg·L-1. The matrix-bound PH3 was a staging reservoir for PH3 and increased with substrate depth. In addition, the sulfur-based substrates had a significant improvement on PH3 production. Elemental sulfur is more conducive to PH3 production than pyrite. Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between PH3 production, the dsrB gene, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). NADH might catalyze the phosphate reduction process. And the final stage of the dissimilatory sulfate reduction pathway driven by the dsrB gene might also provide energy for phosphate reduction. The migration and transformation of PH3 increased the available P (Resin-P and NaHCO3-P) from 35 % to 56 % in sulfur-based CW, and the P adsorption capacity was improved by 12 %. The higher proportion of available P increased the plant uptake rate of P by 17 %. This study improves the understanding of the phosphorus cycle in sulfur-based CW and provides new insight into the long-term stable operation of CWs.

Anaerobic dissimilatory phosphite oxidation, an extremely efficient concept of microbial electron economy

Phosphite is a stable phosphorus compound that, together with phosphate, made up a substantial part of the total phosphorus content of the prebiotic Earth's crust. Oxidation of phosphite to phosphate releases electrons at an unusually low redox potential (-690 mV at pH 7.0). Numerous aerobic and anaerobic bacteria use phosphite as a phosphorus source and oxidise it to phosphate for synthesis of nucleotides and other phosphorus-containing cell constituents. Only two pure cultures of strictly anaerobic bacteria have been isolated so far that use phosphite as an electron donor in their energy metabolism, the Gram-positive Phosphitispora fastidiosa and the Gram-negative Desulfotignum phosphitoxidans. The key enzyme of this metabolism is an NAD+ -dependent phosphite dehydrogenase enzyme that phosphorylates AMP to ADP. These phosphorylating phosphite dehydrogenases were found to be related to nucleoside diphosphate sugar epimerases. The produced NADH is channelled into autotrophic CO2 fixation via the Wood-Ljungdahl (CO-DH) pathway, thus allowing for nearly complete assimilation of the substrate electrons into bacterial biomass. This extremely efficient type of electron flow connects energy and carbon metabolism directly through NADH and might have been important in the early evolution of life when phosphite was easily available on Earth.

Pattern and predictors of death from aluminum and zinc phosphide poisoning using multi-kernel optimized relevance vector machine

The use of metal phosphides, particularly aluminum phosphide, poses a significant threat to human safety and results in high mortality rates. This study aimed to determine mortality patterns and predictive factors for acute zinc and aluminum phosphide poisoning cases that were admitted to Menoufia University Poison and Dependence Control Center from 2017 to 2021. Statistical analysis revealed that poisoning was more common among females (59.7%), aged between 10 and 20 years, and from rural regions. Most cases were students, and most poisonings were the result of suicidal intentions (78.6%). A new hybrid model named Bayesian Optimization-Relevance Vector Machine (BO-RVM) was proposed to forecast fatal poisoning. The model achieved an overall accuracy of 97%, with high positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) values of 100% and 96%, respectively. The sensitivity was 89.3%, while the specificity was 100%. The F1 score was 94.3%, indicating a good balance between precision and recall. These results suggest that the model performs well in identifying both positive and negative cases. Additionally, the BO-RVM model has a fast and accurate processing time of 379.9595 s, making it a promising tool for various applications. The study underscores the need for public health policies to restrict the availability and use of phosphides in Egypt and adopt effective treatment methods for phosphide-poisoned patients. Clinical suspicion, positive silver nitrate test for phosphine, and analysis of cholinesterase levels are useful in diagnosing metal phosphide poisoning, which can cause various symptoms.

Effects of Inorganic Metabolites of Sulphate-Reducing Bacteria on the Corrosion of AZ31B and AZ63B Magnesium Alloy in 3.5 wt.% NaCl Solution

This study seeks prevent and alleviate the failure of magnesium alloy anodes in pipelines, which we suspect is a problem related to SRB. The electrochemical corrosion behaviour of two kinds of magnesium alloys, AZ31B and AZ63B, in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution with sulphide or phosphide—the two main inorganic metabolites of sulphate-reducing bacteria—were studied by electrochemical tests combined with other characterisation methods such as scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The results show that the corrosion film formed by inorganic metabolites of SRB’s initial stage of corrosion (1–3 d) can lead to the corrosion of magnesium alloys. However, the loose and porous corrosion product film cannot protect the substrate effectively. The inorganic metabolites in the solution can accelerate the corrosion of the surface of magnesium alloy after the corrosion products have fallen off. This study provides a theoretical basis for alleviating the premature failure of magnesium alloy anodes and for corrosion protection in the future.

Phosphine Generation Pathways on Rocky Planets

The possibility of life in the venusian clouds was proposed in the 1960s, and recently this hypothesis has been revived with the potential detection of phosphine (PH₃) in Venus' atmosphere. These observations may have detected ∼5-20 ppb phosphine on Venus (Greaves et al., 2020), which raises questions about venusian atmospheric/geochemical processes and suggests that this phosphine could possibly be generated by biological processes. In such a claim, it is essential to understand the abiotic phosphorus chemistry that may occur under Venus-relevant conditions, particularly those processes that may result in phosphine generation. Here, we discuss two related abiotic routes for phosphine generation within the atmosphere of Venus. Based on our assessment, corrosion of large impactors as they ablate near Venus' cloud layer, and the presence of reduced phosphorus compounds in the subcloud layer could result in production of phosphine and may explain the phosphine detected in Venus' atmosphere or on other rocky planets. We end on a cautionary note: although there may be life in the clouds of Venus, the detection of a simple, single gas, phosphine, is likely not a decisive indicator.

Analysis of the characteristics of phosphine production by anaerobic digestion based on microbial community dynamics, metabolic pathways, and isolation of the phosphate-reducing strain

Although phosphine is ubiquitously present in anaerobic environments, little is known regarding the microbial community dynamics and metabolic pathways associated with phosphine formation in an anaerobic digestion system. This study investigated the production of phosphine in anaerobic digestion, with results indicating that phosphine production mainly occurred during logarithmic microbial growth. Dehydrogenase and hydrogen promoted the production of phosphine, with a maximum phosphine concentration of 300 mg/m³. The abundance of Ruminococcaceae and Escherichia was observed to promote phosphine generation. The analysis of metabolic pathways based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and the MetaCyc pathway database revealed the highest relative abundance of replication and repair in genetic information processing; further, the cofactor, prosthetic group, electron carrier, and vitamin biosynthesis were observed to be closely related to phosphine formation. A phylogenetic tree was reconstructed based on the neighbor-joining method. The results indicated the clear evolutionary position of the isolated Pseudescherichia sp. SFM4 strain, adjacent to Escherichia, with a stable phosphate-reducing ability for a maximum phosphine concentration of 26 mg/m³. The response surface experiment indicated that the initial optimal conditions for phosphine production by SFM4 could be achieved with nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus loads of 6.17, 300, and 10 mg/L, respectively, at pH 7.47. These results provide comprehensive insights into the dynamic changes in the microbial structure, isolated single bacterial strain, and metabolic pathways associated with phosphine formation. They also provide information on the molecular biology associated with phosphorus recycling.

Nutrient Level Determines Biofilm Characteristics and Subsequent Impact on Microbial Corrosion and Biocide Effectiveness

The impact that nutrient level has on biofilm characteristics, biocide effectiveness, and the associated risk of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) was assessed using multispecies biofilms from two different oilfield consortia. A range of microbiological, microscopy, and corrosion methods demonstrated that the continuous flow of nutrients for the microbial growth resulted in higher activity, thickness, and robustness of the biofilms formed on carbon steel, which induced greater localized corrosion compared to biofilms formed under batch, nutrient-depleted conditions. Despite of the differences in biofilm characteristics, biofilms displayed comparable susceptibilities to glutaraldehyde biocide, with similar log10 reductions and percent reductions of microorganisms under both nutrient conditions. Nevertheless, nutrient replenishment impacted the effectiveness of the biocide in controlling microbial populations; a higher concentration of cells survived the biocide treatment in biofilms formed under a continuous flow of nutrients. Complementary DNA-/RNA-based amplicon sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were used to discriminate the active within the total populations in biofilms established at the different nutrient conditions and allowed the identification of the microbial species that remained active despite nutrient depletion and biocide treatment. Detection of persistent active microorganisms after exposure to glutaraldehyde, regardless of biofilm structure, suggested the presence of microorganisms less susceptible to this biocide and highlighted the importance of monitoring active microbial species for the early detection of biocide resistance in oil production facilities.IMPORTANCE Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is a complex process that generates economic losses to the industry every year. Corrosion must be managed to prevent a loss of containment of produced fluids to the external environment. MIC management includes the identification of assets with higher MIC risk, which could be influenced by nutrient levels in the system. Assessing biofilms under different nutrient conditions is essential for understanding the impact of flow regime on microbial communities and the subsequent impact on microbial corrosion and on the effectiveness of biocide treatment. This investigation simulates closely oil production systems, which contain piping sections exposed to continuous flow and sections that remain stagnant for long periods. Therefore, the results reported here are useful for MIC management and prevention. Moreover, the complementary methodological approach applied in this investigation highlighted the importance of implementing RNA-based methods for better identification of active microorganisms that survive stress conditions in oil systems.

Phosphine as a Biosignature Gas in Exoplanet Atmospheres

A long-term goal of exoplanet studies is the identification and detection of biosignature gases. Beyond the most discussed biosignature gas O₂, only a handful of gases have been considered in detail. In this study, we evaluate phosphine (PH₃). On Earth, PH₃ is associated with anaerobic ecosystems, and as such, it is a potential biosignature gas in anoxic exoplanets. We simulate the atmospheres of habitable terrestrial planets with CO₂- and H₂-dominated atmospheres and find that PH₃ can accumulate to detectable concentrations on planets with surface production fluxes of 10¹⁰ to 10¹⁴ cm^-2 s^-1 (corresponding to surface concentrations of 10s of ppb to 100s of ppm), depending on atmospheric composition and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. While high, the surface flux values are comparable to the global terrestrial production rate of methane or CH₄ (10¹¹ cm^-2 s^-1) and below the maximum local terrestrial PH₃ production rate (10¹⁴ cm^-2 s^-1). As with other gases, PH₃ can more readily accumulate on low-UV planets, for example, planets orbiting quiet M dwarfs or with a photochemically generated UV shield. PH₃ has three strong spectral features such that in any atmosphere scenario one of the three will be unique compared with other dominant spectroscopic molecules. Phosphine's weakness as a biosignature gas is its high reactivity, requiring high outgassing rates for detectability. We calculate that tens of hours of JWST (James Webb Space Telescope) time are required for a potential detection of PH₃. Yet, because PH₃ is spectrally active in the same wavelength regions as other atmospherically important molecules (such as H₂O and CH₄), searches for PH₃ can be carried out at no additional observational cost to searches for other molecular species relevant to characterizing exoplanet habitability. Phosphine is a promising biosignature gas, as it has no known abiotic false positives on terrestrial planets from any source that could generate the high fluxes required for detection.

Trivalent Phosphorus and Phosphines as Components of Biochemistry in Anoxic Environments

Phosphorus is an essential element for all life on Earth, yet trivalent phosphorus (e.g., in phosphines) appears to be almost completely absent from biology. Instead phosphorus is utilized by life almost exclusively as phosphate, apart from a small contingent of other pentavalent phosphorus compounds containing structurally similar chemical groups. In this work, we address four previously stated arguments as to why life does not explore trivalent phosphorus: (1) precedent (lack of confirmed instances of trivalent phosphorus in biochemicals suggests that life does not have the means to exploit this chemistry), (2) thermodynamic limitations (synthesizing trivalent phosphorus compounds is too energetically costly), (3) stability (phosphines are too reactive and readily oxidize in an oxygen (O₂)-rich atmosphere), and (4) toxicity (the trivalent phosphorus compounds are broadly toxic). We argue that the first two of these arguments are invalid, and the third and fourth arguments only apply to the O₂-rich environment of modern Earth. Specifically, both the reactivity and toxicity of phosphines are specific to aerobic life and strictly dependent on O₂-rich environment. We postulate that anaerobic life persisting in anoxic (O₂-free) environments may exploit trivalent phosphorus chemistry much more extensively. We review the production of trivalent phosphorus compounds by anaerobic organisms, including phosphine gas and an alkyl phosphine, phospholane. We suggest that the failure to find more such compounds in modern terrestrial life may be a result of the strong bias of the search for natural products toward aerobic organisms. We postulate that a more thorough identification of metabolites of the anaerobic biosphere could reveal many more trivalent phosphorus compounds. We conclude with a discussion of the implications of our work for the origin and early evolution of life, and suggest that trivalent phosphorus compounds could be valuable markers for both extraterrestrial life and the Shadow Biosphere on Earth.

New environmental model for thermodynamic ecology of biological phosphine production

We present a new model for the biological production of phosphine (PH₃). Phosphine is found globally, in trace amounts, in the Earth's atmosphere. It has been suggested as a key molecule in the phosphorus cycle, linking atmospheric, lithospheric and biological phosphorus chemistry. Phosphine's production is strongly associated with marshes, swamps and other sites of anaerobic biology. However the mechanism of phosphine's biological production has remained controversial, because it has been believed that reduction of phosphate to phosphine is endergonic. In this paper we show through thermodynamic calculations that, in specific environments, the combined action of phosphate reducing and phosphite disproportionating bacteria can produce phosphine. Phosphate-reducing bacteria can capture energy from the reduction of phosphate to phosphite through coupling phosphate reduction to NADH oxidation. Our hypothesis describes how the phosphate chemistry in an environmental niche is coupled to phosphite generation in ground water, which in turn is coupled to the phosphine production in water and atmosphere, driven by a specific microbial ecology. Our hypothesis provides clear predictions on specific complex environments where biological phosphine production could be widespread. We propose tests of our hypothesis in fieldwork.

Mechanism of matrix-bound phosphine production in response to atmospheric elevated CO2 in paddy soils

To explore the effect of elevated CO₂ concentrations ([CO₂]) on phosphine formation in paddy fields, the matrix-bound phosphine (MBP) content, different phosphorus fractions and various carbon forms in soil samples from rice cultivation under varying CO₂ concentrations of 400 ppm, 550 ppm and 700 ppm by indoor simulation experiment were determined. This study showed that MBP concentration did not increase significantly with elevated [CO₂] over four-week cultivation periods of rice seedlings, regardless of soil layers. MBP had a significant positive correlation with total phosphorus (TP) and inorganic phosphorus (IP), and multiple stepwise linear regression analysis further indicated that MBP preservation in neutral paddy soils with depths of 0-20 cm may have been due to conversion from FeP and CaP. Based on redundancy analysis and forward selection analysis, speculated that the formation of MBP in the neutral paddy soils as the response to atmospheric elevated [CO₂] was due to two processes: (i) FeP transformation affected by the changes of soil respiration (SCO₂) and TOC was the main precursor for the production of MBP; and (ii) CaP transformation resulting from variation in HCO₃^- was the secondary MBP source. The complex combination of these two processes is simultaneously controlled by SCO₂. In a word, the soil environment in the condition of elevated [CO₂] was in favor of MBP storage in neutral paddy soils. The results of our study imply that atmospheric CO₂ participates in and has a certain impact on the global biogeochemical cycle of phosphorus.

Phosphine production in anaerobic wastewater treatment under tetracycline antibiotic pressure

The influence of tetracycline (TC) antibiotics on phosphine (PH₃) production in the anaerobic wastewater treatment was studied. A lab-scale anaerobic baffled reactor with three compartments was employed to simulate this process. The reactor was operated in a TC-absence wastewater and 250μg/L TC-presence wastewater for three months after a start-up period, respectively. The responses of pH, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total phosphorus (TP), enzymes activity (dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase), and microbial community were investigated to reveal the effect of TC on PH₃ production. Results suggested that the dehydrogenase (DH) activity, acid phosphatase (ACP) activity and COD have positive relationship with PH₃ production, while pH, ORP level and the TP in liquid phase have negative relationship with PH₃ production. With prolonged TC exposure, decrease in pH and increase in DH activity are beneficial to PH₃ production, while decrease in COD and ACP activity are not the limiting factors for PH₃ production.

Microbial Phosphite Oxidation and Its Potential Role in the Global Phosphorus and Carbon Cycles

Phosphite [Formula: see text] is a highly soluble, reduced phosphorus compound that is often overlooked in biogeochemical analyses. Although the oxidation of phosphite to phosphate is a highly exergonic process (E^o'=-650mV), phosphite is kinetically stable and can account for 10-30% of the total dissolved P in various environments. There is also evidence that phosphite was more prevalent under the reducing conditions of the Archean period and may have been involved in the development of early life. Its role as a phosphorus source for a variety of extant microorganisms has been known since the 1950s, and the pathways involved in assimilatory phosphite oxidation have been well characterized. More recently, it was demonstrated that phosphite could also act as an electron donor for energy metabolism in a process known as dissimilatory phosphite oxidation (DPO). The bacterium described in this study, Desulfotignum phosphitoxidans strain FiPS-3, was isolated from brackish sediments and is capable of growing by coupling phosphite oxidation to the reduction of either sulfate or carbon dioxide. FiPS-3 remains the only isolated organism capable of DPO, and the prevalence of this metabolism in the environment is still unclear. Nonetheless, given the widespread presence of phosphite in the environment and the thermodynamic favorability of its oxidation, microbial phosphite oxidation may play an important and hitherto unrecognized role in the global phosphorus and carbon cycles.

Successful management of aluminium phosphide poisoning using intravenous lipid emulsion: Report of two cases

Aluminum phosphide (ALP) is a cheap, easily available agricultural pesticide which causes lethal poisoning by liberation of phosphine and inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase thereby leading to cellular hypoxia. Although there is no known specific antidote, clinical trials are still going on. We present here two cases of ALP poisoning who were successfully managed by treatment with lipid emulsion and intravenous magnesium sulfate.

Phosphorus: a case for mineral-organic reactions in prebiotic chemistry

The ubiquity of phosphorus (P) in modern biochemistry suggests that P may have participated in prebiotic chemistry prior to the emergence of life. Of the major biogenic elements, phosphorus alone lacks a substantial volatile phase and its ultimate source therefore had to have been a mineral. However, as most native P minerals are chemically un-reactive within the temperature-pressure-pH regimes of contemporary life, it begs the question as to whether the most primitive early living systems on earth had access to a more chemically reactive P-mineral inventory. The meteoritic mineral schreibersite has been proposed as an important source of reactive P on the early earth. The chemistry of schreibersite as a P source is summarized and reviewed here. Recent work has also shown that reduced oxidation state P compounds were present on the early earth; these compounds lend credence to the relevance of schreibersite as a prebiotic mineral. Ultimately, schreibersite will oxidize to phosphate, but several high-energy P intermediates may have provided the reactive material necessary for incorporating P into prebiotic molecules.

Penguins significantly increased phosphine formation and phosphorus contribution in maritime Antarctic soils

Most studies on phosphorus cycle in the natural environment focused on phosphates, with limited data available for the reduced phosphine (PH₃). In this paper, matrix-bound phosphine (MBP), gaseous phosphine fluxes and phosphorus fractions in the soils were investigated from a penguin colony, a seal colony and the adjacent animal-lacking tundra and background sites. The MBP levels (mean 200.3 ng kg⁻¹) in penguin colony soils were much higher than those in seal colony soils, animal-lacking tundra soils and the background soils. Field PH₃ flux observation and laboratory incubation experiments confirmed that penguin colony soils produced much higher PH₃ emissions than seal colony soils and animal-lacking tundra soils. Overall high MBP levels and PH₃ emissions were modulated by soil biogeochemical processes associated with penguin activities: sufficient supply of the nutrients phosphorus, nitrogen, and organic carbon from penguin guano, high soil bacterial abundance and phosphatase activity. It was proposed that organic or inorganic phosphorus compounds from penguin guano or seal excreta could be reduced to PH₃ in the Antarctic soils through the bacterial activity. Our results indicated that penguin activity significantly increased soil phosphine formation and phosphorus contribution, thus played an important role in phosphorus cycle in terrestrial ecosystems of maritime Antarctica.

Matrix-bound phosphine and phosphorus fractions in surface sediments of Arctic Kongsfjorden, Svalbard: effects of glacial activity and environmental variables

The surface sediments were collected from the glacial bay (GLAC), the central basin (CENTR) and their transition area (TRANS) along the fjord Kongsfjorden axis on Svalbard, Arctic, and matrix-bound phosphine (MBP), phosphorus fractions and alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) were analyzed. MBP was found in all the sediments with the concentration range of 8.93-59.45 ng kg(-1) dw. The MBP levels in the CENTR sediments were two times higher than those in the GLAC and TRANS sediments, and the yield of phosphine (PH3) as a fraction of total phosphorus ranged from 1.78×10(-8) to 3.53×10(-8) mg PH3 mg(-1)P. The CENTR and TRANS sediments showed higher concentrations of total phosphorus (TP), organic phosphorus (OP) and APA than the GLAC sediments, indicating that glacial activity had an important effect on the spatial variability in the concentrations of MBP and phosphorus fractions. There existed a significant positive correlation (p<0.01) between MBP and seawater depths, OP, TP, APA, total organic matter, total nitrogen and total sulfur. The multiple stepwise regression model ([MBP]=16.1[OP]+18.6[APA]-26.1pH+221.3) was obtained between MBP concentrations and environmental variables. This model could be used to predict MBP levels in the sediments. Our results indicated that the production of MBP was associated with OP decomposition and microbially mediated factors in the sediments of Kongsfjorden in Arctic.

Phosphine in paddy fields and the effects of environmental factors

Ambient levels of phosphine (PH3) in the air, phosphine emission fluxes from paddy fields and rice plants, and the distribution of matrix-bound phosphine (MBP) in paddy soils were investigated throughout the growing stages of rice. The relationships between MBP and environmental factors were analyzed to identify the principal factors determining the distribution of MBP. The phosphine ambient levels ranged from 2.368±0.6060 ng m(-3) to 24.83±6.529 ng m(-3) and averaged 14.25±4.547 ng m(-3). The highest phosphine emission flux was 22.54±3.897 ng (m(2)h)(-1), the lowest flux was 7.64±4.83 ng (m(2)h)(-1), and the average flux was 14.17±4.977 ng (m(2)h)(-1). Rice plants transport a significant portion of the phosphine emitted from the paddy fields. The highest contribution rate of rice plants to the phosphine emission fluxes reached 73.73% and the average contribution was 43.00%. The average MBP content of 111.6 ng kg(-1)fluctuated significantly in different stages of rice growth and initially increased then decreased with increasing depth. The peak MBP content in each growth stage occurred approximately 10 cm under the surface of paddy soils. Pearson correlation analyses and stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that soil temperature (Ts), acid phosphatase (ACP) and total phosphorus (TP) were the principal environmental factors, with correlative rankings of Ts>ACP>TP.

An update on toxicology of aluminum phosphide

Aluminum phosphide (AlP) is a cheap solid fumigant and a highly toxic pesticide which is commonly used for grain preservation. In Iran it is known as the “rice tablet”. AlP has currently aroused interest with increasing number of cases in the past four decades due to increased use in agricultural and non-agricultural purposesand also its easy availability in the markets has increased its misuse to commit suicide. Upon contact with moisture in the environment, AlP undergoes a chemical reaction yielding phosphine gas, which is the active pesticidal component. Phosphine inhibits cellular oxygen utilization and can induce lipid peroxidation. It was reported that AlP has a mortality rate more than 50% of intoxication cases. Poisoning with AlP has usually occurred in attempts to suicide. It is a more common case in adults rather than teen agers. In some eastern countries it is a very common agent with rapid action for suicide. Up to date, there is no effective antidote or treatment for its intoxication. Also, some experimental results suggest that magnesium sulfate, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), glutathione, vitamin C and E, beta-carotenes, coconut oil and melatonin may play an important role in reducing the oxidative outcomes of phosphine. This article reviews the experimental and clinical features of AlP intoxication and tries to suggest a way to encounter its poisoning.

Occurrence of matrix-bound phosphine in polar ornithogenic tundra ecosystems: effects of alkaline phosphatase activity and environmental variables

Phosphine (PH(3)), a reduced phosphorus compound, is a highly toxic and reactive atmospheric trace gas. In this study, a total of ten ornithogenic soil/sediment profiles were collected from tundra ecosystems of east Antarctica and Arctic, and matrix-bound phosphine (MBP), the phosphorus fractions and alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) were analyzed. High MBP concentrations were found in these profiles with the range from 39.59 ng kg(-1) dw to 11.77 μg kg(-1) dw. MBP showed a consistent vertical distribution pattern in almost all the soil profiles, and its concentrations increased at soil surface layers and then decreased with depths. MBP levels in the ornithogenic soils were two to three orders of magnitude lower than those in ornithogenic sediments. The yield of PH(3) as a fraction of total P in all the profiles ranged from 10(-5) to 10(-9) mgPH(3) mg(-1)P with higher mean PH(3) yield in the ornithogenic sediments. The ornithogenic soils showed high concentrations of total phosphorus (TP), organic phosphorus (OP), inorganic phosphorus (IP) and metal elements (Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Al and Ca) but low MBP levels, vice versa for the ornithogenic sediments. No correlation had been obtained between MBP concentrations and IP, OP and TP. There existed an exponential correlation (r=0.67, p<0.01) between MBP and soil/sediment moisture. MBP concentrations showed a significant positive correlation with APA (r=0.668, p<0.0001), total organic carbon (r=0.501, p<0.0001), total hydrogen (r=0.483, p<0.0001) and total sulfur (r=0.398, p<0.001), indicating that the production of MBP is associated with microbially mediated factors rather than the contents of TP, IP and OP in the P-enriched ornithogenic soils/sediments. Our results indicated that MBP is an important gaseous link in the phosphorus biogeochemical cycles of ornithogenic tundra ecosystems in Antarctica and Arctic.

Free atmospheric phosphine concentrations and fluxes in different wetland ecosystems, China

Atmospheric phosphine (PH(3)) fluxes from typical types of wetlands and PH(3) concentrations in adjacent atmospheric air were measured. The seasonal distribution of PH(3) in marsh and paddy fields were observed. Positive PH(3) fluxes are significantly related to high air temperature (summer season) and increased vegetation. It is concluded that vegetation speeds up the liberation of PH(3) from soils, while water coverage might function as a diffusion barrier from soils or sediments to the atmosphere. The concentrations of atmospheric PH(3) (ng m(-3)) above different wetlands decrease in the order of paddy fields (51.8 ± 3.1) > marsh (46.5 ± 20.5) > lake (37.0 ± 22.7) > coastal wetland (1.71 ± 0.73). Highest atmospheric PH(3) levels in marsh are found in summer. In paddy fields, atmospheric PH(3) concentrations in flourishing stages are higher than those in slowly growing stages.

Phosphorus fractions and matrix-bound phosphine in coastal surface sediments of the Southwest Yellow Sea

This paper characterizes the distribution of phosphorus fractions and matrix-bound phosphine (MBP) in coastal surface sediments of the Southwest Yellow Sea from 2006 to 2007. Total phosphorus (TP), inorganic phosphorus (IP) and organic phosphorus (OP) concentrations (mg kg(-1)) range from 278 +/- 3 to 768 +/- 15, 160 +/- 1 to 653 +/- 27, and 3.42+/- 0.05 to 267 +/- 22, respectively. MBP is a small portion of TP with values of 0.69 +/- 0.06 to 179 +/- 29 ng kg(-1). Phosphorus fractions and MBP are influenced strongly by riverine input and hydrodynamic conditions. High TP and MBP are found in the old Yellow River mouth and the Yangtze River mouth. OP and MBP are strongly negatively correlated to mean particle size. Significant positive correlations are found between MBP and IP and OM, suggesting that MBP production may be the microbially intermediated transformation of IP.

Stimulation of gaseous phosphine production from Antarctic seabird guanos and ornithogenic soils

Matrix-bound phosphine (MBP) is a general term used to indicate non-gaseous reduced phosphorus compounds that are transformed into phosphine gas upon reaction with bases or acids. Antarctic seabird guanos and ornithogenic soils were used as materials to compare the different digestion methods for transforming matrix-bound phosphine into phosphine gas. The results demonstrated that more phosphine gas in most of Antarctic environmental materials was formed of matrix-bound phosphine by caustic digestion than by acidic digestion. The comparative study on different digestion methods also revealed that the fraction of MBP converted to gaseous phosphine during the digestion depended on the temperature. The optimal digestion temperature was close to 70 degrees C and the optimal digestion time was about 20 min. Acidic conditions were more favorable for the release of matrix-bound phosphine compared to the neutral conditions. A proper water dilution can increase the production and emission of phosphine from the Antarctic penguin guanos.

Seasonal and spatial distribution of matrix-bound phosphine and its relationship with the environment in the Changjiang River Estuary, China

Sediment is commonly considered as a source of phosphine, which is a highly toxic and reactive atmospheric trace gas. This study aims to investigate the seasonal and spatial distribution of matrix-bound phosphine (MBP) and its relationship with the environment in the Changjiang River Estuary. A total of 43 surface sediments were collected in four seasons of 2006, and concentrations of MBP and relative environmental factors were analyzed. MBP ranged from 1.93 to 94.86ng kg(-1) dry weight (dw) with an average concentration of 17.14ng kg(-1)dw. The concentrations of MBP in the upper estuary were higher than those in the lower estuary, which could be attributed to greater pollutant inputs in the upper estuary. The concentrations of MBP also varied with season, with November > August > May > February. Significant correlations existed between MBP and total phosphorus (TP), organic phosphorus (OP), inorganic phosphorus (IP), organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN), the grain size, and redox potential (Eh), suggesting that these sedimentary environmental characteristics played an important role in controlling the MBP levels in the sediments. Notably, there were positive linear relationships between the concentrations of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), TP, and chlorophyll a (Chl a) in bottom water and MBP in sediments. These relationships might be very complicated and need further exploration. This work is the first comprehensive study of the seasonal and spatial distribution of MBP in sediments and its relationships with environmental factors in a typical estuary, and will lead to deeper understanding of the phosphorus (P) biogeochemical cycle.

Distribution characteristics of matrix-bound phosphine along the coast of China and possible environmental controls

Matrix-bound phosphine (MBP) concentrations in surface sediments collected from 37 stations along the coast of China in 2006 are reported. MBP was found in all samples and the average concentration was 6.30ngkg(-1)dry weight (dw). The distribution of MBP showed certain spatial variation characteristics with high MBP concentrations at stations near to the coast. The average concentrations of MBP in the northern Yellow Sea (NYS), the southern Yellow Sea (SYS), the northern area of East China Sea (NECS), the southern area of East China Sea (SECS), and South China Sea (SCS) were 5.57+/-3.78, 3.78+/-2.81, 5.27+/-3.07, 5.48+/-4.05 and 13.52+/-7.86ngkg(-1)dw, respectively. The correlations between MBP and influencing factors, such as the sedimentary environmental characteristics (sediment type, the grain size, contents of phosphorous, organic matters and redox potential) and the aquatic environmental characteristics (temperature, salinity, depth and hydrodynamics) were studied. The results indicated that MBP was strongly influenced by various factors, such as total phosphorus (TP), organic phosphorus (OP), organic carbon (OC), the grain size and hydrodynamics, all of which not only offered reasonable interpretations for the distribution characteristics of MBP but also provided evidence to support the viewpoint that phosphine originated from OP decomposition. This work is the first comprehensive study of the distribution of MBP along the coast of China and its relationships with environmental factors which will lead to a better understanding of the phosphorus (P) biogeochemical cycle in the sea.

Preliminary investigation on the role of microorganisms in the production of phosphine

The relationships between the phosphine content and various microbial populations, activities of different enzymes were investigated firstly. The results indicated that the phosphine content of samples from various environments was positively related to total anaerobic microorganisms, organic phosphate compound-dissolving bacteria, denitrifying bacteria, and the activities of alkaline phosphatase and dehydrogenase, with correlation coefficients (R2) up to 0.93, 0.90, 0.69, 0.79, and 0.82, respectively. Results also showed that the phosphine content was not related to total aerobic microorganisms, inorganic phosphate compound-dissolving bacteria, sulfate-reducing bacteria, and the acidic phosphatase activity. Nutrients such as yeast extract and glucose were added, at a time and individually, to normal or autoclaved soil samples. The soil samples were inoculated with sulfate-reducing bacterial (SRB) enrichments and/or denitrifying bacterial (DNB) enrichment. After incubation for one month at 30 degrees C, the phosphane content of these samples was analyzed. The results indicated that the addition of glucose or yeast extract could greatly increase the phosphane content. Moreover, it was revealed that inoculation with SRB or DNB could also promote the formation of phosphine. The DNB, however, was more efficient in this regard. The highest phosphine content, about 5 times that of the control, was detected in the sample that was added with both glucose and yeast extract and inoculated with SRB and DNB simultaneously. SRB and DNB were enriched for several generations and the phosphane content of different generations was analyzed. Furthermore, SRB and DNB enrichments were inoculated into different media, in the beginning of enriching, the phosphane content was about the same for different enrichments, and differed more significantly as the enrichment process was carried further. In fourth generation, the phosphane content of DNB enrichment was about 3 times of that of SRB enrichment, indicating that the inoculation of different enrichments into different media caused the variations of the phosphine content. The highest phosphine content was detected in the sample which was inoculated with DNB enrichment into the denitrifying medium without nitrate. It is inferred from these results that microorganisms play an important role in the production of phosphine in different environments.

Tropospheric phosphine and its sources in coastal antarctica

Earlier reports show very low concentrations of phosphine in remote air of the lower troposphere of nonpolar regions, in the low ng m(-3) range during the night and in the pg m(-3) range during daylight around noon. In this study, abnormally and unexpectedly high phosphine concentrations (30.0-407.8 ng m(-3), 11 locations) were found in polar air samples collected on Millor Peninsula, eastern Antarctica and Fildes Peninsula, western Antarctica. The maximum concentration was measured in the atmosphere of penguin colonies. Field phosphine emission rates from four colonies were 8.99 ng m(-2) h(-1) (skua colony), 9.56 ng m(-2) h(-1) (gentoo penguin colony), 39.96 ng m-2 h-' (seal colony) and 63.58 ng m(-2) h(-1) (empire penguin colony), respectively. Our air sampling sites are located downwind of two large penguin colonies, indicating that penguin colony emission is the predominant source for atmospheric PH3 on Millor Peninsula. Laboratory scale incubation of ornithogenic soils amended by penguin guanos yielded a maximum PH3 production rate of 0.58 ng kg(-1) d(-1) specifically at low temperature (4 degrees C). Significant concentrations of phosphine occur in the atmosphere of coastal Antarctica and confirm the existence of a small gaseous link in the phosphorus cycle of the Antarctic tundra ecosystem.

Matrix-bound phosphine in Antarctic biosphere

Phosphine (PH(3)) is a natural gaseous carrier of phosphorus in its geochemical cycles, and it might be of importance to the phosphorus balance of natural ecosystem. For the first time phosphine levels were investigated in the Earth's coldest, driest, and most southerly Antarctic biosphere. Matrix-bound phosphine (MBP) was found in sea animal guanos, ornithogenic sediments and soils. Phosphine concentrations varied with different sea animal guanos. Average phosphine concentrations in empire penguin, gentoo penguin, sea lion, skua and gull guanos were 2.54+/-1.28 ng kg(-1), 6.21+/-2.15 ng kg(-1), 9.12+/-4.66 ng kg(-1), 11.90+/-1.29 ng kg(-1) and 14.55+/-6.74 ng kg(-1), respectively. The contents of phosphorus in these various matrixes have an important effect on MBP concentrations. The levels of phosphine appeared an increasing tendency with the content of TP, IP and OP in sea animal guanos, ornithogenic sediments or soils. The correlation between PH(3) and Fe, Mn, Al in these matrixes was also analyzed and discussed. Phosphine showed an obviously positive correlation with Fe in sea animal guanos. However, excessively high Fe, Al and Mn may inhibit the formation of PH(3) in the ornithogenic soils or sediments in the Antarctic biosphere.

Phosphine from rocks: mechanically driven phosphate reduction?

Natural rock and mineral samples released trace amounts of phosphine during dissolution in mineral acid. An order of magnitude more phosphine (average 1982 ng PH3 kg rock and maximum 6673 ng PH3/kg rock) is released from pulverized rock samples (basalt, gneiss, granite, clay, quartzitic pebbles, or marble). Phosphine was correlated to hardness and mechanical pulverization energy of the rocks. The yield of PH3 ranged from 0 to 0.01% of the total P content of the dissolved rock. Strong circumstantial evidence was gathered for reduction of phosphate in the rock via mechanochemical or "tribochemical" weathering at quartz and calcite/marble inclusions. Artificial reproduction of this mechanism by rubbing quartz rods coated with apatite-phosphate to the point of visible triboluminescence, led to detection of more than 70 000 ng/kg PH3 in the apatite. This reaction pathway may be considered a mechano-chemical analogue of phosphate reduction from lightning or electrical discharges and may contribute to phosphine production via tectonic forces and processing of rocks.

Matrix bound phosphine formation and depletion in eutrophic lake sediment fermentation—simulation of different environmental factors

Closed anaerobic batch-fermentation of eutrophic lake sediment samples was performed under variation of four environmental fermentation factors (pH, temperature, water/sediment ratio and disturbance) to learn how the quantity of phosphine will change and if the quantity of phosphine can increase. The fermentation conditions where matrix bound phosphine (MBP) increased (doubled from 3193+/-520 to about 7982+/-1003 ng/kg) were: a pH of 8 and of 10 (as compared to 1, 2, 4, 6, 12), a temperature of 20 and 30 degrees C (as compared to 4 and 40 degrees C), a water/sediment ratio of 3:1 (as compared to 1:1, 2:1, 5:1) and a disturbance of 100 r/min (as compared to 0 r/min), respectively. Although, over the full time course of fermentation, the balance of phosphine production became negative again or did remain almost unchanged under most conditions. A pH of 1 or disturbance of 150 r/min was significant factors to decrease phosphine over the long term. Free phosphine had been detected but was of minor importance (in the order of 60.9+/-10.1 ng/m(3)). Overall, the fermentation conditions which had been most favorable for microbial life (moderate temperature (20 and 30 degrees C) and pH 8) were also most favorable for a positive phosphine balance. This is an indication, but no biochemical proof that a natural (biogenic, microbial, biochemical) NET PRODUCTION of phosphine or DE NOVO PRODUCTION of phosphine has occurred. MBP concentrations in lake sediments were discussed as to be strongly dependent on a balance of natural generation and depletion processes, dependent of the simulated parameters.

Analysis of reduced phosphorus in samples of environmental interest

The combination of ion chromatography (IC) and inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy (ICP-ES) was used forthe sensitive and specific detection of hypophosphite (PO2), phosphite (PO3), methylphosphonic acid (MPA), and phosphate (PO4). Application of this technique to a wide range of environmental samples proved that reduced phosphorus was present in some situations including process water from thermal phosphorus plants, drinking water contacting cast iron, and phosphorus corrosion inhibitor used in water treatment and in sewage wastewater. Preliminary testing did not detect high concentrations of reduced phosphorus and phosphine in situations where it was previously reported to be very important, including anaerobic digesters in wastewater treatment plants. The new IC-ICP-ES technique is a promising tool for use in corrosion and soil research where phosphites are likely to be present.

Effect of pH on phosphine production and the fate of phosphorus during anaerobic process with granular sludge

The effect of pH on phosphine formation during anaerobic cultivation of granular sludge was investigated. The sludge was taken from full-scale anaerobic reactors treating brewery wastewater. Acetate and phosphate were used as the carbon source and phosphorus source respectively. After 10 days cultivation in the dark, results showed that acidic conditions were more favorable for free phosphine production. At pH 5, the optimum concentration 86.42 ng PH3 m-3 of free phosphine was obtained. The level at pH 7 was reduced to 18.53 ng PH3 m-3, about 1/5 of the maximum. The maximum concentration of matrix-bound phosphine of 3.30 ng PH3 kg-1 wet sludge was achieved at pH 6. More than 83% of the total phosphine was matrix-bound phosphine, which accounted for 0.003-0.009 per thousand of the phosphate removal, while free phosphine comprised 0.00002-0.001 per thousand of the phosphate removal. Most of the phosphorus removal from solution was turned into chemical precipitation or was adsorbed by sludge. The mechanism of the phosphate reduction-step in the formation of phosphine production is still unknown. The promotion of phosphine formation by low pH is compatible with an acidic bio-corrosion mechanism of metal particles in the sludge or of metal phosphides which form phosphine at low pH.

Microbially mediated phosphine emission

There is still a lot of controversy in literature concerning the question whether a biochemical system exists enabling micro-organisms to reduce phosphate to phosphine gas. The search for so-called 'de novo synthesised' phosphine is complicated by the fact that soils, slurries, sludges, etc., which are often used as inocula, usually contain matrix bound phosphine (MBP). Matrix bound phosphine is a general term used to indicate non-gaseous reduced phosphorus compounds that are transformed into phosphine gas upon reaction with bases or acids. A study was carried out to compare the different digestion methods, used to transform matrix bound phosphine into phosphine gas. It was demonstrated that caustic and acidic digestion methods should be used to measure the matrix bound phosphine of the inoculum prior to inoculation to avoid false positive results concerning de novo synthesis. This is especially true if anthropogenically influenced inocula possibly containing minute steel or aluminium particles are used. The comparative study on different digestion methods also revealed that the fraction of phosphorus in mild steel, converted to phosphine during acid corrosion depended on the temperature. Following these preliminary studies, anaerobic growth experiments were set up using different inocula and media to study the emission of phosphine gas. Phosphine was detected in the headspace gases and its quantity and timeframe of emission depended on the medium composition, suggesting microbially mediated formation of the gas. The amount of phosphine emitted during the growth experiments never exceeded the bound phosphine present in inocula, prior to inoculation. Hence, de novo synthesis of phosphine from phosphate could not be demonstrated. Yet, microbially mediated conversion to phosphine of hitherto unknown reduced phosphorus compounds in the inoculum was evidenced.

Occurrence and origin of phosphine in landfill gas

A landfill (Hooge Maey, Flanders, Belgium) was subjected to an in-depth study in order to explain the origin of phosphine detected in high amounts in landfill gas, in comparison with biogas from other sources, during a previous study. The spatial and temporal variability of the phosphine concentration in landfill gas was assessed. Twenty-four wells were monitored and differences in phosphine concentration up to one log unit were observed (3.2-32.4 microg/m(3)). The phosphine concentration in each well was constant in time over a period of 4 months. No correlation was found between the phosphine concentration and methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, ethene or ethane concentration. In a series of laboratory tests, it was shown that phosphine was emitted during batch fermentation tests inoculated with landfill leachate when Fe(0) or Al(0) specimens were added. Conditions favouring corrosion of iron gave rise to higher emissions of phosphine. The phosphine concentration in the headspace of a batch test rose to 1.43 mg/m(3) after 27 days of incubation. Weight loss of corroding steel coupons correlated with phosphine emission. Calculations showed that all phosphine emitted from the 0.005 km(3) landfill (160 g/year) could be attributed to corrosion of metals. No evidence of de novo synthesis could be established.

Phosphates, phosphites, and phosphides in environmental samples

The common assumption that phosphorus occurs exclusively as phosphate in the environment is deserving of increased scrutiny. If a sample contained reduced phosphorus compounds (P in an oxidation state of less than +5), standard methods of phosphorus determination would incorrectly classify the compounds mostly as organic P, although significant fractions were sometimes misclassified as orthophosphates and condensed P. The disappearance of gaseous hydrogen phosphide (PH3) from samples was a function of solution composition, in that certain acids and metals enhanced removal whereas other constituents increased PH3 stability. No previously used extraction method could detect a significant portion of reduced phosphorus in representative samples by measuring PH3 evolution, particularly for highly recalcitrant iron phosphides. Despite analytical limitations, clear evidence was gathered that reduced phosphorus compounds can be leached from cast iron to water and that reduced phosphorus is also present in the scale (rust) that forms on the metal.

Biological formation of volatile phosphorus compounds

Phosphine and phosphides are reported to occur at numerous environmental sites such as fresh and marine sediments, landfills, faecal matter, biogas digesters and soils. The concentrations are several log units lower than the time-weighted average exposure standard, i.e. in the order of ng per m3 of gas or ng per kg material. Research about the biological formation of highly reduced gaseous phosphorus compounds dates back more than a hundred years. The early reports had to deal with a lot of scepticism. Thanks to new analytical tools (gas chromatography) it has become clear, during the last decade, that phosphine is a global constituent of the atmosphere. Pure strains of micro-organisms cultivated under highly anaerobic conditions were shown to produce phosphine. Thermodynamic considerations indicate that it is very improbable that the reduction of phosphate to phosphine is endergonic. Therefore the generation of phosphine cannot be compared with sulphidogenesis and methanogenesis. There seems to be a link between the existence of highly reactive gaseous phosphorus compounds and increased levels of metal corrosion. The reactive compounds could be formed by micro-organisms or they are liberated from phosphorus-containing impurities in the iron by the action of bacterial metabolites. The biochemical pathways responsible for the production of gaseous phosphorus compounds have not been characterised yet.