Biomass of Arthrospira platensis enriched with lithium by bioaccumulation and biosorption process

Evaluation of the Effects of High Silver and Copper Nanoparticle Concentrations on Vaccinium myrtillus L. under Field Conditions

The extensive development of nanotechnologies has allowed nanoparticles to impact living systems through different pathways. The effect of single exposure to high concentrations of silver and copper nanoparticles (50-200 mg/L) on Vaccinium myrtillus L. under field conditions was investigated. Nanoparticle uptake in different segments of Vaccinium myrtillus L. was assessed by applying inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy and a particle-induced X-ray emission technique. Copper nanoparticles mainly accumulated in the roots and leaves, while silver nanoparticles showed a higher affinity for the roots and berries. The nanoparticles' effects on the pigments and antioxidant activity of the plant's leaves were also evaluated. The possible human health risk associated with the consumption of nanoparticle-contaminated berries was assessed. The results indicated that the consumption of berries contaminated with nanoparticles presented a low risk for human health.

Lithium Accumulation in Salvinia natans Free-Floating Aquatic Plant

The new context of the intensive use of lithium-based batteries led to increased production of Li and Li-containing wastes. All these activities are potential sources of environmental pollution with Li. However, the negative impact of Li on ecosystems, its specific role in the plants' development, uptake mechanism, and response to the induced stress are not fully understood. In this sense, the Li uptake and changes induced by Li exposure in the major and trace element contents, photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant activity, and elemental composition of Salvinia natans were also investigated. The results showed that Salvinia natans grown in Li-enriched nutrient solutions accumulated much higher Li contents than those grown in spring waters with a low Li content. However, the Li bioaccumulation factor in Salvinia natans grown in Li-enriched nutrient solutions was lower (13.3-29.5) than in spring waters (13.0-42.2). The plants exposed to high Li contents showed a decrease in their K and photosynthetic pigments content, while their total antioxidant activity did not change substantially.

Role of types and dosages of cations with low valance states on microalgal-bacterial symbiosis system treating wastewater

This study investigated the roles of cations with low valance states, including Mg²⁺, K⁺ and Li⁺, on microalgal-bacterial symbiosis (MABS) system treating wastewater. Results showed that Mg²⁺ and K⁺ improved pollutants removal at dosages of less than 1 mM, and a further increase led to poorer performances. Conversely, Li⁺ inhibited pollutants removal. Mechanism study indicated Mg²⁺ and K⁺ with dosages of 10 mM and Li ⁺ inhibited the activities of MABS biomass (especially Chlorella), with bad absorption efficiencies of 20.64 %, 13.65 % and lower than 10 %, leading to more extracellular polymeric substances production. Larger ions' charge density resulted in larger attraction of water molecules, contributing to the decreased distance between microalgae cells and increased biomass aggregation. Both these two impacts led to the order of impact degree on MABS aggregates: Mg²⁺ > Li⁺ > K⁺. The findings can present some new perspectives on assessing effects of cations on MABS system.

Ecotoxicological response of Spirulina platensis to coexisted copper and zinc in anaerobic digestion effluent

Copper ion (Cu²⁺) and zinc ion (Zn²⁺) are widely co-existent in anaerobic digestion effluent as typical contaminants. This work aims to explore how Cu²⁺-Zn²⁺ association affects physiological properties of S. platensis using Schlösser medium (SM) and sterilized anaerobic digestion effluent (SADE). Microalgae cells viability, biochemical properties, uptake of Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺, and risk assessment associated with the biomass reuse as additives to pigs were comprehensively assessed. Biomass production ranged from 0.03 to 0.28 g/L in SM and 0.63 to 0.79 g/L in SADE due to the presence of Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺. Peak value of chlorophyll-a and carotenoid content during the experiment decreased by 70-100% and 40-100% in SM, and by 70-77% and 30-55% in SADE. Crude protein level reduced by 4-41% in SM and by 65-75% in SADE. The reduction ratio of these compounds was positively related to the Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ concentrations. Maximum value of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids was both obtained at 0.3 Cu + 2.0 Zn (50.8% and 22.8%, respectively) and 25% SADE reactors (33.8% and 27.7%, respectively). Uptake of Cu in biomass was facilitated by Zn²⁺ concentration (> 4.0 mg/L). Risk of S. platensis biomass associated with Cu²⁺ was higher than Zn²⁺. S. platensis from SM (Cu²⁺ ≤ 0.3 mg/L and Zn²⁺ ≤ 4.0 mg/L) and diluted SADE (25% and 50% SADE) reactors could be used as feed additives without any risk (hazard index <1), which provides sufficient protein and fatty acids for pig consumption. These results revealed the promising application of using S. platensis for bioremediation of Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ in anaerobic digestion effluent and harvesting biomass for animal feed additives.

Assessment of Metal Accumulation by Arthrospira platensis and Its Adaptation to Iterative Action of Nickel Mono- and Polymetallic Synthetic Effluents

Cyanobacteria-mediated wastewater remediation is an economical, efficient, and eco-friendly technology. The present work deals with the bioaccumulation performance of Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) grown for four cycles in a medium containing nickel mono- and polymetallic synthetic effluents. The metal uptake by spirulina biomass was evaluated using neutron activation analysis. The effects of effluents on biomass production, protein, and phycobiliprotein content were assessed. Metal accumulation in the biomass depended on the effluent composition and metal ion concentrations. Nickel accumulation in the biomass was directly proportional to its concentration in effluents, and maximum uptake (1310 mg/kg) was attained in the Ni/Cr/Fe system. In the same system, biomass accumulated 110 times more chromium and 4.7 times more iron than control. The highest accumulation of copper (2870 mg/kg) was achieved in the Ni/Cu/Zn/Mo system and zinc (1860 mg/kg)—in the Ni/Cu/Zn/Sr system. In biomass grown in the media loaded with nickel and also chromium, iron, copper, strontium, zinc, and molybdenum, a decrease in productivity (on average by 10%) during the first cycle of cultivation and moderate reduction of protein content (by 15–27%) was observed. The presence of metals in the cultivation media inhibited phycobiliprotein synthesis, especially of phycocyanin, and promoted the synthesis of allophycocyanin. The maximum reduction of phycocyanin content was 77%, and the increase of allophycocyanin content—by 45%. Arthrospira platensis may be deemed as bioremediation of nickel-polluted wastewaters of complex composition.