Biosorption of strontium from aqueous solution by fungus Aspergillus terreus

An evolutionary game theory analysis on the environmental impact of discharging Fukushima's nuclear wastewater: International stakeholders and strategic dynamics

On August 24, 2023, Japan controversially decided to discharge nuclear wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean, initiating intense domestic and global debates. This study employs a mixed-method approach, integrating quantitative evolutionary game theory and qualitative data analysis to explore the strategic dynamics among Japan, other nations, and the Japan Fisheries Association regarding this decision. The data includes international environmental reports and economic statistics, served as the basis for simulating decision-making processes under various legal, economic, and environmental pressures. The evolutionary game theory model is used to predict and analyze three evolutionarily stable strategies (ESS), detailing the transition from the initiation to cessation of wastewater discharge. These strategies highlight the necessity for international cooperation, rigorous scientific research, public education, and effective wastewater treatment methods. This study aims to provide both a theoretical framework and practical guidance to foster a global consensus on nuclear wastewater management, which is vital for marine conservation and sustainable development.

Morphological responses of two Aspergillus oryzae strains to various metal ions at different concentrations

Aspergillus species take up various metal ions from environment. The morphology of Aspergillus oryzae strains can vary under the influence of various metal ions. Here, the effects of Ti4+, V3+, Sr2+, Ba2+, Al3+, Fe2+, Zn2+, Mn2+, Ca2+, and Cu2+ on morphological parameters of A. oryzae strains RIB40 and RIB143 were estimated. Colony diameter, conidiation, vesicle head size, and stipe width in both strains varied with concentration. Ti4+, Sr2+, Ba2+, Al3+, Fe2+, and Ca2+ affected conidiation in similar tendency between two strains. The effects of Ti4+, V3+, Sr2+, and Ba2+ on the morphology of A. oryzae are reported here for the first time. Induction of growth of both strains by 0.0001% Ti4+ may help the fermentation industry. Induction of conidiation in RIB40 by 0.001% Cu2+ confirmed previous results that low concentrations of Cu2+ promote the growth of Aspergillus. The most novel finding is that 0.001% Zn2+ increased the vesicle head size in RIB40; possible reasons are discussed.

Subcomponents in humic acid structure contribute to the differential responses of Aspergillus oryzae strains to humic acid

Humic acid (HA) is a complex natural organic macromolecule, can be decomposed to low-molecular compounds by some soil fungi and then influences the growth of fungi. Aspergillus oryzae is a fungus domesticated from its ancestor, which was supposed to live in soil. Group 3 strains of A. oryzae hold fewer aflatoxin-biosynthetic genes than group 1 strains and may differently response to HA because of the deletion of some genes along with the domestication. However, effect of HA on growth of A. oryzae group 1 and group 3 strains remains unclear. In this study, four strains of A. oryzae in group 1 and four in group 3 were point inoculated on equivalent medium (pH 7.3) with two commercially available HAs. The growth of RIB40 was the most stimulated among group 1 strains and that of RIB143 was the most inhibited among group 3 strains. To identify the basis of these differences, we examined the possible effects of HA subcomponents including polyphenol and minerals on the growth of RIB40 and RIB143. Polyphenol represented by gallic acid (GA), a partial structure common with model HA, and mineral ions including Al 3+ , Ca 2+ , Ti 4+ , Mn 2+ , Sr 2+ , and Ba2+ contributed to stimulating the growth of RIB40, whereas these components generally did not affect the growth of RIB143. Thus, our findings indicate that the sub-compositions of HAs, including GA and several minerals, were the main factors driving the different responses of RIB40 and RIB143 to HAs.

Intensification of strontium (II) ion biosorption on Sargassum sp via response surface methodology

A batch system was employed to investigate the biosorption of strontium (II) on Sargassum sp. The biosorption of strontium on Sargassum sp was studied with response surface methodology to determine the combined effect of temperature, initial metal ion concentration, biomass treatment, biosorbent dosage and pH. Under optimal conditions, the algae's biosorption capacity for strontium (initial pH 7.2, initial strontium concentration 300 mg/l for Mg-treated biomass and biosorbent dosage 0.1 g in 100 mL metal solution) was measured at 103.95 mg/g. In our analysis, equilibrium data were fitted to Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. Results show that the best fit is provided by the Freundlich model. Biosorption dynamics analysis of the experimental data indicated that strontium (II) was absorbed into algal biomass in accordance with the pseudo-second-order kinetics model well.

Salt and Metal Tolerance Involves Formation of Guttation Droplets in Species of the Aspergillus versicolor Complex

Three strains of the Aspergillus versicolor complex were isolated from a salty marsh at a former uranium mining site in Thuringia, Germany. The strains from a metal-rich environment were not only highly salt tolerant (up to 20% NaCl), but at the same time could sustain elevated Cs and Sr (both up to 100 mM) concentrations as well as other (heavy) metals present in the environment. During growth experiments when screening for differential cell morphology, the occurrence of guttation droplets was observed, specifically when elevated Sr concentrations of 25 mM were present in the media. To analyze the potential of metal tolerance being promoted by these excretions, proteomics and metabolomics of guttation droplets were performed. Indeed, proteins involved in up-regulated metabolic activities as well as in stress responses were identified. The metabolome verified the presence of amino sugars, glucose homeostasis-regulating substances, abscisic acid and bioactive alkaloids, flavones and quinones.

Potentiality of living Bacillus pumilus SWU7-1 in biosorption of strontium radionuclide

Bacillus pumilus SWU7-1 was isolated from strontium ion (Sr(II))-uncontaminated soil, its biosorption potential was evaluated, and the effect of γ-ray radiation treatment on its biosorption was discussed. Domesticated under Sr(II) stress promoted the biosorption ability of B. pumilus to Sr(II), and the biosorption efficiency increased from 46.09% to 94.69%. At a lower initial concentration, the living bacteria had the ability to resist the biosorption of Sr(II). The optimal initial concentration range was 54-130 mg/L. The biosorption profile was better matched by Langmuir than Freundlich model, showing that the biosorption process of Sr(II) by the experimental strain was closer to the surface adsorption. According to Langmuir model, the maximum biosorption capacity of B. pumilus on Sr (II) was 299.4 mg/g. During the bacterial growth in the biosorption process, the changes in biosorption capacity and efficiency can be divided into two phases, and a pseudo-second-order model is followed in each phase. There was no significant difference in the biosorption efficiency of bacteria with different culture time after γ-ray radiation, and all of them were above 90%, which showed that B. pumilus had significant radiation resistance under experimental conditions. This study emphasized the potential application of B. pumilus in the treatment of radioactive Sr(II) pollution by biosorption.

Elemental Content in Pleurotus ostreatus and Cyclocybe cylindracea Mushrooms: Correlations with Concentrations in Cultivation Substrates and Effects on the Production Process

Few data exist about the effect of substrates’ elemental content on the respective concentrations in cultivated mushrooms, on the degradation of lignocellulosics or on production parameters. Sixteen elements (14 metals and 2 metalloids) were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in Pleurotus ostreatus and Cyclocybe cylindracea mushrooms, and in their seven cultivation substrates composed of various plant-based residues. Results revealed a high variability in elemental concentration among substrates which generally led to significant differences in the respective mushroom contents. High bioconcentration factors (BCFs) were noted for Cd, Cu, Mg and Zn for both species in all substrates. BCF of each element was variously affected by substrates’ pH, crude composition, and p and K content. Significant positive correlations were demonstrated for Cu, Fe, Mn and Li concentrations vs. a decrease of cellulose and hemicellulose in P. ostreatus substrates, and vs. mushrooms’ biological efficiency. In the case of C. cylindracea, Be, Mg and Mn concentrations were positively correlated with the decrease of hemicellulose in substrates, while a significant positive correlation was also recorded vs. mushroom productivity. Finally, it was found that 15% to 35% of the daily dietary needs in Mg, Se and Zn could be covered by mushroom consumption.

Relationship of the mobile forms of calcium and strontium in soils with their accumulation in meadow plants in the area of Kashin-Beck endemia

This study was aimed at assessment of strontium and calcium mobility in soils and their accumulation with plants in the areas endemic for Kashin-Beck disease in Eastern Transbaikalia. The strontium and calcium mobility levels were determined using the method of sequential chemical extraction for 7 samples of meadow soils collected from the endemic region and 7 soil samples taken from conditionally control sites. To measure the Ca and Sr levels in the soil and plant samples, XRF analysis and AAS were used. The increased strontium level in the meadow soils of the endemic areas is accompanied by the element's higher mobility. The highest strontium yield was observed in the course of soil extraction using 1 M ammonium acetate, while the soils taken from the control sites gave lower amounts of the trace element. Furthermore, there is a positive correlation between the amount of the strontium extracted and its content in plants (r = + 0.86 - 0.98). At the sequential chemical extraction of calcium from the soils using the above method, the calcium yield was maximal in the ammonium acetate fraction (background sites) and in ammonium acetate and 6 M HCl fractions (endemic areas). The correlation between the amount of the calcium extracted in 1 M ammonium acetate and the macroelement levels found in plants was + 0.968. In addition, a peculiarly high accumulation of strontium in various willow species as compared to other meadow plants was revealed for the first time ever. Thus, the work introduces new data into the trace element biogeochemistry and environmental monitoring.

Comparison of sustainable biosorbents and ion-exchange resins to remove Sr2+ from simulant nuclear wastewater: Batch, dynamic and mechanism studies

Removal of Sr²⁺ from aqueous media presents particular challenges, especially in complex wastes such as nuclear industry liquors. Commercial sorbents while effective, can be highly expensive and subject to negative effects from competing ions. Here we evaluate two potential biosorbents (crab carapace and spent distillery grain) as potential alternatives and compare their performance to two commercial sorbents for Sr²⁺ removal at industrially relevant concentrations (low mg/L). Physical and structural characterization of the materials was undertaken, and batch and dynamic studies were performed on Sr²⁺ solutions and simulated nuclear wastewater. Sorption performance was quantified with respect to contact time, initial concentration and ion-competition. Removal efficiencies were 20-70% for the biosorbents compared to 55-95% for the commercial materials. Results indicated sorption was predominantly through monolayer coverage on homogenous sites and could be described using a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Studies with the simulant liquor showed Sr²⁺ sorption was reduced by 10-40% due to ion-competition for sites. Characterization of biosorbents before and after Sr²⁺ sorption suggested that outer-sphere complexation and ion-exchange were the primary Sr²⁺ removal mechanisms. The efficiency of crab carapace for Sr²⁺ removal from aqueous media (with adsorption capacity 3.92 mg/g.) at industrially relevant concentrations, together with its mechanical stability, implementation and disposal cost, makes it a competitive option compared to other biosorbents and commercial materials reported in the literature.

Bioremediation strategies for chromium removal: Current research, scale-up approach and future perspectives

Industrial applications and commercial processes release a lot of chromium into the environment (soil, surface water or atmosphere) and resulting in serious human diseases because of their toxicity. Biological Cr-removal offers an alternative to traditional physic-chemical methods. This is considered as a sustainable technology of lower impact on the environment. Resistant microorganisms (e.g. bacteria, fungi, and algae) have been most extensively studied from this characteristic. Several mechanisms were developed by microorganisms to deal with chromium toxicity. These tools include biotransformation (reduction or oxidation), bioaccumulation and/or biosorption, and are considered as an alternative to remove the heavy metal. The aim of this review is summarizes Cr(VI)-bioremediation technologies oriented on practical applications at larger scale technologies. In the same way, the most relevant results of several investigations focused on process feasibility and the robustness of different systems (reactors and pilot scale) designed for chromium-removal capacity are highlighted.

Strontium adsorption and desorption in wetlands: Role of organic matter functional groups and environmental implications

Strontium (Sr) is a chemical element that is often used as a tracer in hydrogeochemical studies, and is ubiquitously distributed as a radioactive contaminant in nuclear sites in the form of strontium-90 (Sr-90). At the interface between groundwater and surface water, wetlands possess unique hydrogeochemical properties whose impact on Sr transport has not been investigated thoroughly. In this study, the adsorption and desorption of Sr was investigated on six natural wetland substrates and two mixes of exogenous media and wetland sediment: winter and summer wetland sediments, decayed cattails, wood, leaf litter, moss, bone charcoal, and clinoptilolite. The composition of the organic matter was characterized using carbon-13, solid phase Nuclear Magnetic Resonance analysis. The range of the substrates' adsorption coefficients obtained could be explained by factors indicative of proteins in the organic matter, which were shown to support strong and poorly reversible Sr adsorption. In contrast, the proportion of carbohydrates and lignin were found to be indicative of lower adsorption coefficients and higher desorption. The implications of these results for Sr pollution remediation in wetlands are discussed.