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Zhang X, Zhao Y, Wang Y, Qian H, Xing J, Joseph A, Rene ER, Li J, Zhu N. The interplay of hematite and photic biofilm triggers the acceleration of biotic nitrate removal. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 358:142136. [PMID: 38692363 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
The soil-water interface is replete with photic biofilm and iron minerals; however, the potential of how iron minerals promote biotic nitrate removal is still unknown. This study investigates the physiological and ecological responses of photic biofilm to hematite (Fe2O3), in order to explore a practically feasible approach for in-situ nitrate removal. The nitrate removal by photic biofilm was significantly higher in the presence of Fe2O3 (92.5%) compared to the control (82.8%). Results show that the presence of Fe2O3 changed the microbial community composition of the photic biofilm, facilitates the thriving of Magnetospirillum and Pseudomonas, and promotes the growth of photic biofilm represented by the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) and the content of chlorophyll. The presence of Fe2O3 also induces oxidative stress (•O2-) in the photic biofilm, which was demonstrated by electron spin resonance spectrometry. However, the photic biofilm could improve the EPS productivity to prevent the entrance of Fe2O3 to cells in the biofilm matrix and mitigate oxidative stress. The Fe2O3 then promoted the relative abundance of Magnetospirillum and Pseudomonas and the activity of nitrate reductase, which accelerates nitrate reduction by the photic biofilm. This study provides an insight into the interaction between iron minerals and photic biofilm and demonstrates the possibility of combining biotic and abiotic methods to improve the in-situ nitrate removal rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiguo Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
| | - Yanhui Zhao
- Changjiang Basin Ecology and Environment Monitoring and Scientific Research Center, Changjiang Basin Ecology and Environment Administration, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Wuhan, 430010, China
| | - Yimin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
| | - Haoliang Qian
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
| | - Jun Xing
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
| | - Akaninyene Joseph
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
| | - Eldon R Rene
- Department of Water Supply, Sanitation and Environmental Engineering, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, Westvest 7, 2611AX, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Jizhou Li
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
| | - Ningyuan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China; Institute of Soil Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 71 East Beijing Road, 210008, China.
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Bodean MF, Regaldo L, Mayora G, Mora C, Giri F, Gervasio S, Popielarz A, Repetti MR, Licursi M. Effects of herbicides and fertilization on biofilms of Pampean lotic systems: A microcosm study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 917:170238. [PMID: 38280601 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
We experimentally assessed the impact of the application of herbicides and fertilizers derived from agricultural activity through the individual and simultaneous addition of glyphosate, atrazine, and nutrients (nitrogen 'N' and phosphorus 'P') on the biofilm community and their resilience when the experimental factors were removed. We hypothesize that i) the presence of agrochemicals negatively affects the biofilm community leading to the simplification of the community structure; ii) the individual or simultaneous addition of herbicides and nutrients produces differential responses in the biofilm; and iii) the degree of biofilm recovery differs according to the treatment applied. Environmentally relevant concentrations of glyphosate (0.7 mgL-1), atrazine (44 μgL-1), phosphorus (1 mg P L-1 [KH2PO4]), and nitrogen (3 mg N L-1[NaNO3]) were used. Chlorophyll a, ash-free dry weight, abundance of main biofilm groups and nutrient contents in biofilm were analyzed. At initial exposure time, all treatments were dominated by Cyanobacteria; through the exposure period, it was observed a progressive replacement by Bacillariophyceae. This replacement occurred on day 3 for the control and was differentially delayed in all herbicides and/or nutrient treatments in which the abundance of cyanobacteria remains significant yet in T5. A significant correlation was observed between the abundance of cyanobacteria and the concentration of atrazine, suggesting that this group is less sensitive than diatoms. The presence of agrochemicals exerted differential effects on the different algal groups. Herbicides contributed to phosphorus and nitrogen inputs. The most frequently observed interactions between experimental factors (nutrients and herbicides) was additivity excepting for species richness (antagonistic effect). In the final recovery time, no significant differences were found between the treatments and the control in most of the evaluated parameters, evincing the resilience of the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Florencia Bodean
- Instituto Nacional de Limnología 'INALI', Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas - Universidad Nacional del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Ciudad Universitaria, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Luciana Regaldo
- Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias (FHUC, UNL-CONICET), Ciudad Universitaria, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Gisela Mayora
- Instituto Nacional de Limnología 'INALI', Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas - Universidad Nacional del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Ciudad Universitaria, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Celeste Mora
- Instituto Nacional de Limnología 'INALI', Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas - Universidad Nacional del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Ciudad Universitaria, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Federico Giri
- Instituto Nacional de Limnología 'INALI', Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas - Universidad Nacional del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Ciudad Universitaria, Santa Fe, Argentina; Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias (FHUC, UNL-CONICET), Ciudad Universitaria, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Susana Gervasio
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología (INTEC, CONICET - UNL), Parque Tecnológico Litoral Centro, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Andrea Popielarz
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología (INTEC, CONICET - UNL), Parque Tecnológico Litoral Centro, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | | | - Magdalena Licursi
- Instituto Nacional de Limnología 'INALI', Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas - Universidad Nacional del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Ciudad Universitaria, Santa Fe, Argentina.
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Vendrell-Puigmitja L, Bertrans-Tubau L, Roca-Ayats M, Llenas L, Proia L, Abril M. Exposure and recovery: The effect of different dilution factors of treated and untreated metal mining effluent on freshwater biofilm function and structure. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2024; 268:106843. [PMID: 38281390 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2024.106843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Abandoned mines generate effluents rich in heavy metals, and these contaminants are released uncontrolled into the nearby aquatic ecosystems, causing severe pollution. However, no real solution exists, leaving a legacy of global pollution. In this study, the efficiency of the treatment technologies in reducing the ecological impacts of mining effluents to freshwater ecosystems with different dilution capacities was tested using biofilm communities as biological indicators. The functional and structural recovery capacity of biofilm communities after 21 days of exposure was assessed. With this aim, we sampled aquatic biofilms from a pristine stream and exposed them to treated (T) and untreated (U) metal mining effluent from Frongoch abandoned mine (Mid Wales, UK). Additionally, we simulated two different flow conditions for the receiving stream: high dilution (HD) and low dilution (LD). After exposure, the artificial streams were filled with artificial water for 14 days to assess the biofilm recovery. Unexposed biofilm served as control for biofilm responses (functional and structural) measured throughout time. During the exposure, short term effects on biofilm functioning (photosynthetic efficiency, nutrient uptake) were observed in T-LD, U-HD, and U-LD, whereas long term effects (community composition, chl-a, and diatom metrics) were observed on the structure of all biofilms exposed to the treated and untreated mining effluent. On the other hand, metal accumulation occurred in biofilms exposed to the mining effluents. However, a functional recovery was observed for all treatments, except in the U-LD in which biofilm structure did not present a significant recovery after the exposure period. The results presented here highlight the need to consider the dilution capacity of the receiving stream to assess the real efficiency of treatment technologies applied to mining effluents to mitigate the ecological impact on freshwater ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Vendrell-Puigmitja
- BETA Tech Center, TECNIO Network, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, Ctra de Roda 70, 08500 Vic, Spain
| | - Lluís Bertrans-Tubau
- BETA Tech Center, TECNIO Network, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, Ctra de Roda 70, 08500 Vic, Spain
| | - Maria Roca-Ayats
- BETA Tech Center, TECNIO Network, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, Ctra de Roda 70, 08500 Vic, Spain
| | - Laia Llenas
- BETA Tech Center, TECNIO Network, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, Ctra de Roda 70, 08500 Vic, Spain
| | - Lorenzo Proia
- BETA Tech Center, TECNIO Network, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, Ctra de Roda 70, 08500 Vic, Spain
| | - Meritxell Abril
- BETA Tech Center, TECNIO Network, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, Ctra de Roda 70, 08500 Vic, Spain.
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Moyano Salcedo AJ, Prat N, Bertrans-Tubau L, Piñero-Fernandez M, Cunillera-Montcusí D, López-Doval JC, Abril M, Proia L, Cañedo-Argüelles M. What happens when salinization meets eutrophication? A test using stream microcosms. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:168824. [PMID: 38030007 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Nutrient and salt pollution often co-occur in rivers and streams due to human activities (e.g., agriculture, urbanization). Thus, understanding the interactive effects of nutrients and salinity on freshwater ecosystems is critical for environmental management. We experimentally assessed the interactive effects of nutrient and salt pollution on stream microcosms using biofilm and macroinvertebrates as model systems. Six treatments were performed in triplicate: control (C: N-NH4+ = 0.05; P- PO43- = 0.037; Cl- = 33.5 mg L-1), intermediate nutrient (IN: N-NH4+ = 0.4; P- PO43- = 0.271; Cl- = 33. 5 mg L-1), high nutrient (HN: N-NH4+ = 0.84; P- PO43- = 0.80; Cl- = 33.5 mg L-1), salt (S: N-NH4+ = 0.05; P- PO43- = 0.037; Cl- = 3000 mg L-1), salt with intermediate nutrient (SIN: N-NH4+ = 0.4; P- PO43- = 0.27; Cl- = 3000 mg L-1) and salt with high nutrient (SHN: N-NH4+ = 0.84; P- PO43- = 0.80; Cl- = 3000 mg L-1). After 14 days of exposure, biofilm chlorophyll-a increased across all treatments, with cyanobacteria replacing diatoms and green algae. Treatments with no added nutrients (C and S) had more P uptake capacity than the rest. The indicator species analysis showed 8 significant taxa, with Orthocladius (Orthocladius) gr. Wetterensis and Virganytarsus significantly associated with the salinity treatment. Overall, salt pollution led to a very strong decline in macroinvertebrate richness and diversity. However, salt toxicity seemed to be ameliorated by nutrient addition. Finally, both structural equation models and biotic-abiotic interaction networks showed that complex biological interactions could be modulating the response of the biological communities to our treatments. Thus, our study calls for species-level assessments of salt and nutrient effects on river ecosystems and advocates for better management of co-occurring pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Javier Moyano Salcedo
- FEHM-Lab (Freshwater Ecology, Hydrology and Management), Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Geohazards and Civil Engineering Research Group, Department of Civil Engineering, Saint Thomas Villavicencio University, C/22 No 1a, 500003 Villavicencio, Colombia; Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), CSIC, Carrer de Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Narcís Prat
- FEHM-Lab (Freshwater Ecology, Hydrology and Management), Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lluís Bertrans-Tubau
- BETA Technological Center, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Vic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Martí Piñero-Fernandez
- FEHM-Lab (Freshwater Ecology, Hydrology and Management), Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Cunillera-Montcusí
- FEHM-Lab (Freshwater Ecology, Hydrology and Management), Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; WasserCluster Lunz - Biologische Station GmbH, Lunz am See, Austria
| | - Julio C López-Doval
- BETA Technological Center, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Vic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Meritxell Abril
- BETA Technological Center, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Vic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lorenzo Proia
- BETA Technological Center, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Vic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), CSIC, Carrer de Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
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