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Wei Y, Yu S, Guo Q, Missen OP, Xia X. Microbial mechanisms to transform the super-trace element tellurium: a systematic review and discussion of nanoparticulate phases. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 39:262. [PMID: 37507604 PMCID: PMC10382350 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-023-03704-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Tellurium is a super-trace metalloid on Earth. Owing to its excellent physical and chemical properties, it is used in industries such as metallurgy and manufacturing, particularly of semiconductors and - more recently - solar panels. As the global demand for tellurium rises, environmental issues surrounding tellurium have recently aroused concern due to its high toxicity. The amount of tellurium released to the environment is increasing, and microorganisms play an important role in the biogeochemical cycling of environmental tellurium. This review focuses on novel developments on tellurium transformations driven by microbes and includes the following sections: (1) history and applications of tellurium; (2) toxicity of tellurium; (3) microbial detoxification mechanisms against soluble tellurium anions including uptake, efflux and methods of reduction, and reduced ability to cope with oxidation stress or repair damaged DNA; and (4) the characteristics and applications of tellurium nanoparticles (TeNPs) produced by microbes. This review raises the awareness of microorganisms in tellurium biogeochemical cycling and the growing applications for microbial tellurium nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuru Wei
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Edible Wild Plants Conservation & Utilization, Hubei Engineering Research Center of Characteristic Wild Vegetable Breeding and Comprehensive Utilization Technology, Huangshi Key Laboratory of Lake Environmental Protection and Sustainable Utilization of Resources, Hubei Normal University, Huangshi, P. R. China
| | - Sihan Yu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Edible Wild Plants Conservation & Utilization, Hubei Engineering Research Center of Characteristic Wild Vegetable Breeding and Comprehensive Utilization Technology, Huangshi Key Laboratory of Lake Environmental Protection and Sustainable Utilization of Resources, Hubei Normal University, Huangshi, P. R. China
| | - Qian Guo
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Edible Wild Plants Conservation & Utilization, Hubei Engineering Research Center of Characteristic Wild Vegetable Breeding and Comprehensive Utilization Technology, Huangshi Key Laboratory of Lake Environmental Protection and Sustainable Utilization of Resources, Hubei Normal University, Huangshi, P. R. China
| | - Owen P Missen
- Centre for Ore Deposit and Earth Sciences, University of Tasmania, TAS, Private Bag 79, Hobart, 7001, Australia.
| | - Xian Xia
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Edible Wild Plants Conservation & Utilization, Hubei Engineering Research Center of Characteristic Wild Vegetable Breeding and Comprehensive Utilization Technology, Huangshi Key Laboratory of Lake Environmental Protection and Sustainable Utilization of Resources, Hubei Normal University, Huangshi, P. R. China.
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Moreno-Andrade I, Sierra-Alvarez R, Pérez-Rangel M, Barrera C, Field JA, Pat-Espadas A. Antimony toxicity upon microorganisms from aerobic and anaerobic environments. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART A, TOXIC/HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING 2023; 58:61-68. [PMID: 36751723 DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2023.2176664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Antimony (Sb) is a toxic and carcinogenic metalloid that can be present in contaminated water generated by mining operations and other industrial activities. The toxicity of Sb (III) and Sb (V) to aerobic microorganisms remains limited and unexplored for anaerobic microorganisms involved in hydrogen (H2) and methane (CH4) production. This study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of Sb (III) and Sb (V) upon aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms important in biological wastewater treatment systems. Sb (III) was more toxic than Sb (V) independently of the test and environment evaluated. Under aerobic conditions maintained in the Microtox assay, Sb (V) was not toxic to Allivibrio fischeri at concentrations as high as 500 mg/L, whereas Sb (III) caused just over 50% inhibition at concentration of 250 mg/L after 5 min of exposure. In the respirometry test, for the specific oxygen uptake rate, the concentrations of Sb (III) and Sb (V) displaying 50% inhibition were 0.09 and 56.2 mg/L, respectively. Under anaerobic conditions, exposure to Sb (III) and Sb (V) led to a decrease in microorganisms activity of fermentative and methanogenic processes. The results confirm that the microbial toxicity of Sb depends on its speciation and Sb (III) displays a significantly higher inhibitory potential than Sb (V) in both aerobic and anaerobic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Moreno-Andrade
- Instituto de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Laboratory for Research on Advanced Processes for Water Treatment, Unidad Academica Juriquilla, Queretaro, Mexico
| | - Reyes Sierra-Alvarez
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Marisol Pérez-Rangel
- Instituto de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Laboratory for Research on Advanced Processes for Water Treatment, Unidad Academica Juriquilla, Queretaro, Mexico
| | - Cinthya Barrera
- Instituto de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Laboratory for Research on Advanced Processes for Water Treatment, Unidad Academica Juriquilla, Queretaro, Mexico
| | - Jim A Field
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Aurora Pat-Espadas
- Institute of Geology, Estación Regional del Noroeste, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Luis Donaldo Colosio s/n, Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico
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Kessi J, Turner RJ, Zannoni D. Tellurite and Selenite: how can these two oxyanions be chemically different yet so similar in the way they are transformed to their metal forms by bacteria? Biol Res 2022; 55:17. [PMID: 35382884 PMCID: PMC8981825 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-022-00378-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
This opinion review explores the microbiology of tellurite, TeO32− and selenite, SeO32− oxyanions, two similar Group 16 chalcogen elements, but with slightly different physicochemical properties that lead to intriguing biological differences. Selenium, Se, is a required trace element compared to tellurium, Te, which is not. Here, the challenges around understanding the uptake transport mechanisms of these anions, as reflected in the model organisms used by different groups, are described. This leads to a discussion around how these oxyanions are subsequently reduced to nanomaterials, which mechanistically, has controversies between ideas around the molecule chemistry, chemical reactions involving reduced glutathione and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production along with the bioenergetics at the membrane versus the cytoplasm. Of particular interest is the linkage of glutathione and thioredoxin chemistry from the cytoplasm through the membrane electron transport chain (ETC) system/quinones to the periplasm. Throughout the opinion review we identify open and unanswered questions about the microbial physiology under selenite and tellurite exposure. Thus, demonstrating how far we have come, yet the exciting research directions that are still possible. The review is written in a conversational manner from three long-term researchers in the field, through which to play homage to the late Professor Claudio Vásquez.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Kessi
- Until 2018 - Dept of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Raymond J Turner
- Dept of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
| | - Davide Zannoni
- Dept of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Lian H, Li Y, Saravanakumar S, Jiang H, Li Z, Wang J, Xu L, Zhao W, Han G. Metal halide perovskite quantum dots for amphiprotic bio-imaging. Coord Chem Rev 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2021.214313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Goff JL, Wang Y, Boyanov MI, Yu Q, Kemner KM, Fein JB, Yee N. Tellurite Adsorption onto Bacterial Surfaces. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:10378-10386. [PMID: 34279081 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c01001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Tellurium (Te) is an emerging contaminant and its chemical transformation in the environment is strongly influenced by microbial processes. In this study, we investigated the adsorption of tellurite [Te(IV), TeO32-] onto the common soil bacterium Bacillus subtilis. Thiol-blocking experiments were carried out to investigate the role of cell surface sulfhydryl sites in tellurite binding, and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy was performed to determine the chemical speciation of the adsorbed tellurite. The results indicate that tellurite reacts with sulfhydryl functional groups in the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced by B. subtilis. Upon binding to sulfhydryl sites in the EPS, the Te changes from Te-O bonds to Te-S coordination. Further analysis of the surface-associated molecules shows that the EPS of B. subtilis contain proteins. Removal of the proteinaceous EPS dramatically decreases tellurite adsorption and the sulfhydryl surface site concentration. These findings indicate that sulfhydryl binding in EPS plays a key role in tellurite adsorption on bacterial surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Goff
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Yuwei Wang
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, United States
| | - Maxim I Boyanov
- Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Chemical Engineering, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria
- Biosciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Qiang Yu
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Kenneth M Kemner
- Biosciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Jeremy B Fein
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Nathan Yee
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, United States
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Synthesis of magnetically reusable Fe3O4 nanospheres-N, S co-doped graphene quantum dots enclosed CdSe its application as a photocatalyst. J IND ENG CHEM 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jiec.2019.01.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Continuous biological removal of selenate in the presence of cadmium and zinc in UASB reactors at psychrophilic and mesophilic conditions. Biochem Eng J 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2018.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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Goff J, Yee N. Tellurate enters Escherichia coli K-12 cells via the SulT-type sulfate transporter CysPUWA. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2018; 364:4597602. [PMID: 29126297 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnx241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 11/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Soluble forms of tellurium are environmental contaminants that are toxic to microorganisms. While tellurite [Te(IV)] is a well-characterized antimicrobial agent, little is known about the interactions of tellurate [Te(VI)] with bacterial cells. In this study, we investigated the role of sulfate transporters in the uptake of tellurate in Escherichia coli K-12. Mutant strains carrying a deletion of the cysW gene in the CysPUWA sulfate transporter system accumulated less cellular tellurium and exhibited higher resistance to tellurate compared with the wild-type strain. Complementation of the mutation restored tellurate sensitivity and uptake. These results indicate that tellurate enters E. coli cells to cause toxic effects via the CysPUWA sulfate transporter.
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Ramos-Ruiz A, Wilkening JV, Field JA, Sierra-Alvarez R. Leaching of cadmium and tellurium from cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film solar panels under simulated landfill conditions. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2017; 336:57-64. [PMID: 28472709 PMCID: PMC5607867 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2017.04.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/21/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
A crushed non-encapsulated CdTe thin-film solar cell was subjected to two standardized batch leaching tests (i.e., Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) and California Waste Extraction Test (WET)) and to a continuous-flow column test to assess cadmium (Cd) and tellurium (Te) dissolution under conditions simulating the acidic- and the methanogenic phases of municipal solid waste landfills. Low levels of Cd and Te were solubilized in both batch leaching tests (<8.2% and <3.6% of added Cd and Te, respectively). On the other hand, over the course of 30days, 73% of the Cd and 21% of the Te were released to the synthetic leachate of a continuous-flow column simulating the acidic landfill phase. The dissolved Cd concentration was 3.24-fold higher than the TCLP limit (1mgL-1), and 650-fold higher than the maximum contaminant level established by the US-EPA for this metal in drinking water (0.005mgL-1). In contrast, the release of Cd and Te to the effluent of the continuous-flow column simulating the methanogenic phase of a landfill was negligible. The remarkable difference in the leaching behavior of CdTe in the columns is related to different aqueous pH and redox conditions promoted by the microbial communities in the columns, and is in agreement with thermodynamic predictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Ramos-Ruiz
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Arizona, P. O. Box 210011, Tucson, AZ, 85721-0011, USA
| | - Jean V Wilkening
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Arizona, P. O. Box 210011, Tucson, AZ, 85721-0011, USA
| | - James A Field
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Arizona, P. O. Box 210011, Tucson, AZ, 85721-0011, USA
| | - Reyes Sierra-Alvarez
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Arizona, P. O. Box 210011, Tucson, AZ, 85721-0011, USA.
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Zeng C, Gonzalez-Alvarez A, Orenstein E, Field JA, Shadman F, Sierra-Alvarez R. Ecotoxicity assessment of ionic As(III), As(V), In(III) and Ga(III) species potentially released from novel III-V semiconductor materials. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2017; 140:30-36. [PMID: 28231503 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.02.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Revised: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
III-V materials such as indium arsenide (InAs) and gallium arsenide (GaAs) are increasingly used in electronic and photovoltaic devices. The extensive application of these materials may lead to release of III-V ionic species during semiconductor manufacturing or disposal of decommissioned devices into the environment. Although arsenic is recognized as an important contaminant due to its high toxicity, there is a lack of information about the toxic effects of indium and gallium ions. In this study, acute toxicity of As(III), As(V), In(III) and Ga(III) species was evaluated using two microbial assays testing for methanogenic activity and O2 uptake, as well as two bioassays targeting aquatic organisms, including the marine bacterium Aliivibrio fischeri (bioluminescence inhibition) and the crustacean Daphnia magna (mortality). The most noteworthy finding was that the toxicity is mostly impacted by the element tested. Secondarily, the toxicity of these species also depended on the bioassay target. In(III) and Ga(III) were not or only mildly toxic in the experiments. D. magna was the most sensitive organism for In(III) and Ga(III) with 50% lethal concentrations of 0.5 and 3.4mM, respectively. On the other hand, As(III) and As(V) caused clear inhibitory effects, particularly in the methanogenic toxicity bioassay. The 50% inhibitory concentrations of both arsenic species towards methanogens were about 0.02mM, which is lower than the regulated maximum allowable daily effluent discharge concentration (2.09mg/L or 0.03mM) for facilities manufacturing electronic components in the US. Overall, the results indicate that the ecotoxicity of In(III) and Ga(III) is much lower than that of the As species tested. This finding is important in filling the knowledge gap regarding the ecotoxicology of In and Ga.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Zeng
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, P.O. Box 210011, Tucson, AZ 85704, USA.
| | - Adrian Gonzalez-Alvarez
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, P.O. Box 210011, Tucson, AZ 85704, USA
| | - Emily Orenstein
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, P.O. Box 210011, Tucson, AZ 85704, USA
| | - Jim A Field
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, P.O. Box 210011, Tucson, AZ 85704, USA
| | - Farhang Shadman
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, P.O. Box 210011, Tucson, AZ 85704, USA
| | - Reyes Sierra-Alvarez
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, P.O. Box 210011, Tucson, AZ 85704, USA
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Ramos-Ruiz A, Sesma-Martin J, Sierra-Alvarez R, Field JA. Continuous reduction of tellurite to recoverable tellurium nanoparticles using an upflow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactor. WATER RESEARCH 2017; 108:189-196. [PMID: 27825682 PMCID: PMC5593269 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2016.10.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Revised: 10/28/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
According to the U.S. Department of Energy and the European Union, tellurium is a critical element needed for energy and defense technology. Thus methods are needed to recover tellurium from waste streams. The objectives of this study was to determine the feasibility of utilizing upflow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactors to convert toxic tellurite (TeIV) oxyanions to non-toxic insoluble elemental tellurium (Te0) nanoparticles (NP) that are amendable to separation from aqueous effluents. The reactors were supplied with ethanol as the electron donating substrate to promote the biological reduction of TeIV. One reactor was additionally amended with the redox mediating flavonoid compound, riboflavin (RF), with the goal of enhancing the bioreduction of TeIV. Its performance was compared to a control reactor lacking RF. The continuous formation of Te0 NPs using the UASB reactors was found to be feasible and remarkably improved by the addition of RF. The presence of this flavonoid was previously shown to enhance the conversion rate of TeIV by approximately 11-fold. In this study, we demonstrated that this was associated with the added benefit of reducing the toxic impact of TeIV towards the methanogenic consortium in the UASB and thus enabled a 4.7-fold higher conversion rate of the chemical oxygen demand. Taken as a whole, this work demonstrates the potential of a methanogenic granular sludge to be applied as a bioreactor technology producing recoverable Te0 NPs in a continuous fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Ramos-Ruiz
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, P.O. Box 21011, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Juan Sesma-Martin
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, P.O. Box 21011, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Reyes Sierra-Alvarez
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, P.O. Box 21011, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Jim A Field
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, P.O. Box 21011, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
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