Toxicity of mono-, di- and tri-chlorophenols to lux marked terrestrial bacteria, Burkholderia species Rasc c2 and Pseudomonas fluorescens

Immobilisation of phosphonium-based ionic liquid in polysulfone capsules for the removal of phenolic compounds, with an emphasis on 2,4-dichlorophenol, in aqueous solution

Phosphonium-based ionic liquid immobilised in polysulfone capsules were prepared by the phase inversion technique for the adsorption of different phenolic compounds from aqueous solution. Some techniques, including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), surface analysis by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), were used to characterize the capsule and indicated that trihexyltetradecylphosphonium decanoate (ionic liquid) was successfully immobilised in polysulfone, the immobilisation was determined to be 63.29%. Adsorption tests showed that the developed capsules have the potential to remove varied phenolic compounds. For compounds 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) the best removal was achieved between pH 3.0 and 9.0. Temperature variation (25-70 °C) and sodium chloride concentration (0-1000 mg⋅L^-1) had no significant changes in adsorption, demonstrating the scope for using this adsorbent with real effluents. Adsorption kinetics demonstrated the mechanism occurs in second order, the Weber-Morris model delimited the intraparticle diffusion as the adsorption limiter. The Redlich-Peterson model was the isothermal analysis that best suited the experimental data, with a β value equal to 0.821 approaching the Langmuir model, which obtained a q_max of 404.50 mg⋅g^-1. Consequently, these results demonstrate that these capsules have potential application in the treatment of environmental pollution caused by phenolic compounds.

Naphthenic acids are key contributors to toxicity of heavy oil refining effluents

Oil refining produces vast quantities of wastewater with harmful contaminants that can be released back into the environment with a possible risk of toxicity to aquatic wildlife and human populations. Hence the importance of adequate wastewater treatment to achieve safe effluents that protect both ecological and human health. However, some refining effluents are linked to serious pollution problems even after treatment, partly because little progress has been made in determining the causative agents of the observed biological effects, resulting in non-targeted treatment. Here, we followed an effect-directed analysis (EDA) approach using Aliivibrio fischeri as biosensor to show that naphthenic acids (NAs) are important components of refining wastewater resulting from the processing of heavy crude oil. Furthermore, we demonstrate that besides mixture effects, NAs have a significant contribution to the toxicity exerted by these effluents. Profiling of the NA mixture was conducted using high resolution liquid chromatography-Orbitrap, which evidenced that O₂ NAs corresponded to 90% of the NAs detected. Our findings contrast with previous reports where classic NAs have been found between 15% and 72% and could explain the significant biological effects observed in A. fischeri. This study broadens the body of evidence pointing at mixture effects and low-concentration pollutants as the cause of toxicity from RWW, in addition to NAs resulting from the processing of heavy crude oil. Our results can serve as a starting point for setting better effluent discharge standards relevant to oil refining wastewater resulting from heavy crude oil and help improve wastewater treatment plants to reduce effluent toxicity.

Removal of compounds used as plasticizers and herbicides from water by means of gamma irradiation

Gamma radiation has been used to induce the degradation of compounds used as plasticizers and herbicides such as phthalic acid (PA), bisphenol A (BPA), diphenolic acid (DPA), 2,4-dichlorophenoxy-acetic acid (2,4-D), and 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) in aqueous solution, determining the dose constants, removal percentages, and radiation-chemical yields. The reaction rate constants of hydroxyl radical (HO), hydrated electron (eaq(-)) and hydrogen atom (H) with these pollutants were also obtained by means of competition kinetics, using 3-aminopyridine and atrazine as reference compounds. The results indicated that the elimination of these pollutants with gamma radiation mainly follows the oxidative pathway through reaction with HO radicals. The degradation by-products from the five pollutants were determined, detecting that the hydroxylation of the corresponding parent compounds was the main chemical process in the degradation of the pollutants. Moreover, a high decrease in the chemical oxygen demand has been observed for all pollutants. As expected, the degradation by-products generated by the irradiation of PA, BPA and DPA showed a lower toxicity than the parent compounds, however, in the case of 2,4-D and MCPA irradiation, interestingly, their by-products were more toxic than the corresponding original compounds.

Evaluation of toxicity and genotoxicity of 2-chlorophenol on bacteria, fish and human cells

Due to the extensive use of chlorophenols (CPs) in anthropogenic activities, 2-Chlorophenol (2-CP), among other CPs, can enter aquatic ecosystems and can be harmful to a variety of organisms, including bacteria, fish and humans, that are exposed directly and/or indirectly to such contaminated environments. Based on the existing knowledge and in order to move a step forward, the purpose of this study is to investigate the toxic and mainly the genotoxic effects of 2-CP using a combination of bioassays. The tests include the marine bacterium Vibrio fischeri and micronuclei induction in the erythrocytes of Carassius auratus as well as in cultured human lymphocytes. The results obtained reveal that 2-CP is able to induce dose-dependent toxic and genotoxic effects on the selected tested concentrations under the specific experimental conditions.

In situ electrochemical assessment of cytotoxicity of chlorophenols in MCF-7 and HeLa cells

An in situ electrochemical method was used to assess the cytotoxicity of chlorophenols using human breast cancer (MCF-7) and cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cells as models. On treatment with different chlorophenols, the electrochemical responses of the selected cells, resulting from the oxidation of guanine and xanthine in the cytoplasm, indicated the cell viability. In addition, the in situ in vitro electrochemical method was further compared with the traditional MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assays. Although similar cytotoxicity data were obtained from both methods, the effective concentrations of chlorophenols that inhibited 50% cell growth (EC50 values) from the electrochemical method were only slightly lower than those from the MTT assay. These results indicate that the in situ in vitro electrochemical method paves a simple, rapid, strongly responsive, and label-free way to the cytotoxicity assessment of different chlorophenol pollutants.

Growth Inhibition by Metabolites of γ-Hexachlorocyclohexane inSphingobium japonicumUT26

The growth of a gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH)-degrading bacterium Sphingobium japonicum (formerly Sphingomonas paucimobilis) UT26 in rich medium was inhibited by gamma-HCH. This growth inhibition was not observed in a mutant that lacked the initial or second step enzymatic activity for gamma-HCH degradation, suggesting that metabolites of gamma-HCH are toxic to UT26. Two metabolites of gamma-HCH, 2,5-dichlorophenol (2,5-DCP) and 2,5-dichlorohydroquinone (2,5-DCHQ), showed a direct toxic effect on UT26 and other sphingomonad strains. Because only 2,5-DCP accumulated during gamma-HCH degradation, 2,5-DCP is thought to be a main compound for growth inhibition.

Evaluation of the ecotoxicity of pollutants with bioluminescent microorganisms

This chapter deals with the use of bioluminescent microorganisms in environmental monitoring, particularly in the assessment of the ecotoxicity of pollutants. Toxicity bioassays based on bioluminescent microorganisms are an interesting complement to classical toxicity assays, providing easiness of use, rapid response, mass production, and cost effectiveness. A description of the characteristics and main environmental applications in ecotoxicity testing of naturally bioluminescent microorganisms, covering bacteria and eukaryotes such as fungi and dinoglagellates, is reported in this chapter. The main features and applications of a wide variety of recombinant bioluminescent microorganisms, both prokaryotic and eukaryotic, are also summarized and critically considered. Quantitative structure-activity relationship models and hormesis are two important concepts in ecotoxicology; bioluminescent microorganisms have played a pivotal role in their development. As pollutants usually occur in complex mixtures in the environment, the use of both natural and recombinant bioluminescent microorganisms to assess mixture toxicity has been discussed. The main information has been summarized in tables, allowing quick consultation of the variety of luminescent organisms, bioluminescence gene systems, commercially available bioluminescent tests, environmental applications, and relevant references.

Aerobic biodegradation of a mixture of monosubstituted phenols in a sequencing batch reactor

A sequencing batch reactor (SBR) was inoculated with p-nitrophenol-degrading activated sludge to biodegrade a mixture of monosubstituted phenols: p-nitrophenol (PNP), PNP and o-cresol; and PNP, o-cresol and o-chlorophenol. Settling times were progressively decreased to promote biomass granulation. PNP was completely biodegraded. The PNP and o-cresol mixture was also biodegraded although some transitory accumulation of intermediates occurred (mainly hydroquinone and catechol). o-Chlorophenol was not biodegraded and resulted in inhibition of o-cresol and PNP biodegradation and complete failure of the SBR within a few days. The biomass had very good settling properties when a settling time of 1 min was applied: sludge volume index (SVI₅) below 50 mL g(-1), SVI₅/SVI₃₀ ratio of 1 and average particle size of 200 μm.

"Rational" management of dichlorophenols biodegradation by the microalga Scenedesmus obliquus

The microalga Scenedesmus obliquus exhibited the ability to biodegrade dichlorophenols (dcps) under specific autotrophic and mixotrophic conditions. According to their biodegradability, the dichlorophenols used can be separated into three distinct groups. Group I (2,4-dcp and 2,6 dcp – no meta-substitution) consisted of quite easily degraded dichlorophenols, since both chloride substituents are in less energetically demanding positions. Group II (2,3-dcp, 2,5-dcp and 3,4-dcp – one meta-chloride) was less susceptible to biodegradation, since one of the two substituents, the meta one, required higher energy for C-Cl-bond cleavage. Group III (3,5-dcp – two meta-chlorides) could not be biodegraded, since both chlorides possessed the most energy demanding positions. In general, when the dcp-toxicity exceeded a certain threshold, the microalga increased the energy offered for biodegradation and decreased the energy invested for biomass production. As a result, the biodegradation per cell volume of group II (higher toxicity) was higher, than group I (lower toxicity) and the biodegradation of dichlorophenols (higher toxicity) was higher than the corresponding monochlorophenols (lower toxicity). The participation of the photosynthetic apparatus and the respiratory mechanism of microalga to biodegrade the group I and the group II, highlighted different bioenergetic strategies for optimal management of the balance between dcp-toxicity, dcp-biodegradability and culture growth. Additionally, we took into consideration the possibility that the intermediates of each dcp-biodegradation pathway could influence differently the whole biodegradation procedures. For this reason, we tested all possible combinations of phenolic intermediates to check cometabolic interactions. The present contribution bring out the possibility of microalgae to operate as “smart” bioenergetic “machines”, that have the ability to continuously “calculate” the energy reserves and “use” the most energetically advantageous dcp-biodegradation strategy. We tried to manipulate the above fact, changing the energy reserves and as a result the chosen strategy, in order to take advantage of their abilities in detoxifying the environment.

Toxicological profile of chlorophenols and their derivatives in the environment: the public health perspective

Chlorophenol compounds and their derivatives are ubiquitous contaminants in the environment. These compounds are used as intermediates in manufacturing agricultural chemicals, pharmaceuticals, biocides, and dyes. Chlorophenols gets into the environment from a variety of sources such as industrial waste, pesticides, and insecticides, or by degradation of complex chlorinated hydrocarbons. Thermal and chemical degradation of chlorophenols leads to the formation of harmful substances which constitute public health problems. These compounds may cause histopathological alterations, genotoxicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity amongst other abnormalities in humans and animals. Furthermore, the recalcitrant nature of chlorophenolic compounds to degradation constitutes an environmental nuisance, and a good understanding of the fate and transport of these compounds and their derivatives is needed for a clearer view of the associated risks and mechanisms of pathogenicity to humans and animals. This review looks at chlorophenols and their derivatives, explores current research on their effects on public health, and proffers measures for mitigation.

First toxicity data of chlorophenols on marine alga Dunaliella tertiolecta: correlation of marine algal toxicity with hydrophobicity and interspecies toxicity relationships

The toxicity of phenol and 13 chlorinated phenols to the marine alga Dunaliella tertiolecta is presented for the first time. The newly generated marine algal toxicity data was found to correlate strongly with the widely used hydrophobicity parameter-the logarithm of the n-octanol-water partition coefficient (log K(OW)). Interspecies relationships using the new marine algal toxicity data of chlorophenols with the previously published data on bacterium (Vibrio fischeri), protozoan (Tetrahymena pyriformis), daphnid (Daphnia magna), freshwater alga (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata), and fish (Pimephales promelas) revealed promising results that could be exploited in extrapolations using freshwater data to predict marine algal toxicity.

Silver nanotoxicity using a light-emitting biosensor Pseudomonas putida isolated from a wastewater treatment plant

The effect of silver ions, nano- and micro-particles on a luminescent biosensor bacterium Pseudomonas putida originally isolated from activated sludge was assessed. The bacterium carrying a stable chromosomal copy of the lux operon (luxCDABE) was able to detect toxicity of ionic and particulate silver over short term incubations ranging from 30 to 240 min. The IC(50) values obtained at different time intervals showed that highest toxicity (lowest IC(50)) was obtained after 90 min incubation for all toxicants and this is considered the optimum incubation for testing. The data show that ionic silver is the most toxic followed by nanosilver particles with microsilver particles being least toxic. Release of nanomaterials is likely to have an effect on the activated sludge process as indicated by the study using a common sludge bacterium involved in biodegradation of organic wastes.

Impact of chlorophenols on microbiota of an unpolluted acidic soil: microbial resistance and biodegradation

The impact of 2-monochlorophenol (MCP), 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) on the microbial community of an acidic forest soil was studied under controlled laboratory conditions by spiking microcosms with the pollutants at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 5000 mg kg(-1). A decrease in the cumulative respirometric values and changes in the bacterial and fungal community composition were detected at 1000 mg MCP kg(-1), 100 mg TCP kg(-1) and 100 and 1000 mg PCP kg(-1). However, drastic effects on the microbial community were revealed only at higher concentrations of MCP and TCP, although the toxicity of PCP was expected to be stronger. The acidic condition of the soil presumably reduces bioavailability of PCP, leading to less pronounced effects than the other pollutants. This finding highlights the consideration of pollutant bioavailability in each environment to adequately assess contamination effects. Twenty-two different chlorophenol-resistant and potentially degrading microorganisms were isolated from highly polluted microcosms. The most resistant isolates were related to Burkholderia arboris, Bacillus circulans, Paenibacillus taichungensis, Luteibacter rhizovicina and Janibacter melonis. These isolates also showed the capacity to reduce the concentration of TCP or PCP between 15% and 35% after 5 days of incubation (initial concentration of 50 mg L(-1)). The isolate related to B. circulans is an atypical case of a member of the Firmicutes group for which chlorophenol-degrading capacities have been described.

Monitoring of environmental pollutants by bioluminescent bacteria

This review deals with the applications of bioluminescent bacteria to the environmental analyses, published during the years 2000-2007. The ecotoxicological assessment, by bioassays, of the environmental risks and the luminescent approaches are reported. The review includes a brief introduction to the characteristics and applications of bioassays, a description of the characteristics and applications of natural bioluminescent bacteria (BLB), and a collection of the main applications to organic and inorganic pollutants. The light-emitting genetically modified bacteria applications, as well as the bioluminescent immobilized systems and biosensors are outlined. Considerations about commercially available BLB and BLB catalogues are also reported. Most of the environmental applications, here mentioned, of luminescent organisms are on wastewater, seawater, surface and ground water, tap water, soil and sediments, air. Comparison to other bioindicators and bioassay has been also made. Various tables have been inserted, to make easier to take a rapid glance at all possible references concerning the topic of specific interest.

Rhizoremediation of pentachlorophenol by Sphingobium chlorophenolicum ATCC 39723

Sphingobium chlorophenolicum is well known as a pentachlorophenol (PCP) degrader. The objective of this study was to evaluate PCP degradation in a loamy sandy soil artificially contaminated with PCP using phytoremediation and bioaugmentation. Measurements of PCP concentrations were carried out using high performance liquid chromatography analyses (HPLC). The toxic effect of PCP on plants was studied through the monitoring of weight plant and root length. The biodegradation of PCP by S. chlorophenolicum in soil was assessed with a bioluminescence assay of Escherichia coli HB101 pUCD607. Bacterial analyses were carried out by plating on Mineral Salt Medium (MSM) for S. chlorophenolicum, MSM for PCP-degrading/tolerant organisms and Trypticase Soy Broth Agar (TSBA) for heterotrophic organisms. The introduction of S. chlorophenolicum into soil with plants showed a faster degradation when compared to the non-inoculated soil. The monitoring of the plant growth showed a protective role of S. chlorophenolicum against the toxicity of PCP. The bioassay confirmed that initial toxicity was lowered while degradation progressed. There was a significant increase of organisms tested in the roots in comparison to those in the soil. This study showed that the presence of S. chlorophenolicum enhanced the PCP degradation in a loamy soil and also it had a protective role to prevent phytotoxic effects of PCP on plant growth. The combined use of bioaugmentation and plants suggests that the rhizosphere of certain plant species may be important for facilitating microbial degradation of pesticides in soil with important implications for using vegetation to stabilize and remediate surface soils.

The environmental behaviour of polychlorinated phenols and its relevance to cork forest ecosystems: a review

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) has been used as a herbicide, biocide and preservative worldwide since the 1930s and as a result, extensive and prolonged contamination exists. The environmental impact increases when its many degradation products are taken into consideration. A number of chloroanisols and their related chlorophenols have been found in cork slabs collected from Portuguese oak tree forests before stopper manufacturing, and contamination by PCP and polychlorinated anisole (PCA) has been detected in Canadian forests. It is suggested that the use of polychlorinated phenols, in particular PCP, is thought to be a cause of the cork taint problem in wine, a major socio-economic impact not only for industry but on sensitive and highly biodiverse ecosystems. It also highlights particular issues relating to the regional regulation of potentially toxic chemicals and global economics world wide. To fully understand the impact of contamination sources, the mechanisms responsible for the fate and transport of PCP and its degradation products and assessment of their environmental behaviour is required. This review looks at the current state of knowledge of soil sorption, fate and bioavailability and identifies the challenges of degradation product identification and the contradictory evidence from field and laboratory observations. The need for a systematic evaluation of PCP contamination in relation to cork forest ecosystems and transfer of PCP between trophic levels is emphasised by discrepancies in bioaccumulation and toxicity. This is essential to enable long term management of not only transboundary contaminants, but also the sustainable management of socially and economically important forest ecosystems.

Analysis of bioavailable phenols from natural samples by recombinant luminescent bacterial sensors

A whole-cell recombinant bacterial sensor for the detection of phenolic compounds was constructed and used for the analysis of bioavailable phenols in natural samples. The sensor Pseudomonas fluorescens OS8(pDNdmpRlux) contains luxCDABE operon as a reporter under the control of phenol-inducible Po promoter from Pseudomonas sp. CF600. Expression of lux genes from the Po promoter, and thus the production of bioluminescence is controlled by the transcriptional activator DmpR, which initiates transcription in the presence of phenolic compounds. To take into account possible quenching (turbidity, toxicity) and/or stimulating effects of the environmental samples on the bacterial luminescence, control bacteria comparable to the sensors but lacking the phenol recognising elements were constructed and used in parallel in assays. The sensor bacteria were inducible with phenol, methylphenols, 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,6- and 3,4-dimethylphenol, resorcinol and 5-methylresorcinol but not with 2,5-dimethylresorcinol. The detection limits for different phenols varied from 0.03 mg/l (2-methylphenol) to 42.7 mg/l (5-methylresorcinol), being 0.08 mg/l for phenol, the most abundant phenolic contaminant in the environment. Different phenolic compounds had an additive effect on the inducibility of the sensor. The constructed sensor bacteria were applied on groundwaters and semi-coke leachates to estimate the bioavailable fraction of phenols. The sensor-determined amount of phenols in different samples varied from 6% to 95% of total phenol content depending on the nature of the sample. As the phenol-recognising unit in the sensor originates from a natural phenol biodegradation pathway, the sensor-determined amount of phenols corresponds to the biodegradable amount of phenolic pollutants in the samples and therefore this sensor could be used to estimate the natural biodegradation potential of phenolic compounds in the complex environmental mixtures and matrixes.

Pseudomonas putida KT2440 responds specifically to chlorophenoxy herbicides and their initial metabolites

Pseudomonas putida KT2440 is often used as a model to investigate toxicity mechanisms and adaptation to hazardous chemicals in bacteria. The objective of this paper was to test the impact of the chlorophenoxy herbicides 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)propanoic acid (DCPP) and their metabolites 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP) and 3,5-dichlorocatechol (DCC), on protein expression patterns and physiological parameters. Both approaches showed that DCC has a different mode of action and induces different responses than DCPP, 2,4-D and DCP. DCC was the most toxic compound and was active as an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation. It repressed the synthesis of ferric uptake regulator (Fur)-dependent proteins, e.g. fumarase C and L-ornithine N5-oxygenase, which are involved in oxidative stress response and iron uptake. DCPP, 2,4-D and DCP were less toxic than DCC. They disturbed oxidative phosphorylation to a lesser extent by a yet unknown mechanism. Furthermore, they repressed enzymes of energy-consuming biosynthetic pathways and induced membrane transporters for organic substrates. A TolC homologue component of multidrug resistance transporters was found to be induced, which is probably involved in the removal of lipophilic compounds from membranes.

Toxicity of chlorophenols to Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata under air-tight test environment

A closed-system algal toxicity test with no headspace was applied to evaluate the toxicity of chlorophenols to Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata. The dissolved oxygen production and the growth rate based on cell density were the response endpoints. Phenol and seven chlorophenols were tested using the above test technique. Median effective concentrations (EC50) range from 0.004 to 25.93 mg/l (based on DO production) and 0.0134 to 20.90 mg/l (based on growth rate). No-observed-effect concentration (NOEC) is within the range of 0.001-8.19 mg/l. In general, growth rate is a more sensitive response endpoint than the oxygen production, except for the case of pentachlorophenol. However, the differences in sensitivity between the two parameters were marginal. Furthermore, quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR's) based on the n-octanol/water partition coefficient (log P) and the acid dissociation constant (pK(a)) values were established with R(2) ranged from 0.90 to 0.96. From literature data also based on P. subcapitata, the new test method is 1.65-108 times more sensitive than the conventional algal batch tests. A completely different relative-sensitivity relationship among various aquatic organisms was thus observed. The results of this study indicate that the toxicity data of volatile organic chemicals derived by conventional algal toxicity tests may severely underestimate the impact of these toxicants. Our results show that alga is very sensitive to chlorophenols compared to other aquatic organisms such as the luminescent bacteria (the Microtox test), Daphnia magna, and rainbow trout.

Removal and pre-concentration of phenolic species onto beta-cyclodextrin modified poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate-ethyleneglycoldimethacrylate) microbeads

Poly(Hydroxyethylmethacrylate-Ethyleneglycoldimethacrylate), poly(HEMA-EGDMA), microbeads with 150-200 microm in size, was prepared by suspension polymerization. Beta-cyclodextrin was modified onto the polymeric microbeads using glutaraldahyde activation in an acidic medium at pH=2.5. FT-IR and TGA were used for the characterization of modified polymers and the determination of the nature of the interaction between phenolic compounds and the modified polymeric microbeads. Plain and beta-cyclodextrin modified microbeads were used in adsorption-desorption studies of phenolic species in single solution. Adsorption capacities of the phenolic species onto the plain microbeads were found to be 28.2, 17.0, 14.3, 9.8, and 1.92 mg/g polymer for o-chloro phenol, p-nitro phenol, p-chloro phenol, o-nitro phenol, and phenol, respectively. However, for beta-cyclodextrin modified microbeads, adsorption capacity of phenolic species was determined as 274, 365, 128, 182, and 87 mg/g for phenol, o-nitro phenol, p-nitro phenol, o-chloro phenol, and p-chloro phenol, respectively. Desorption ratio for the phenolic species was more than 90%, except for o-nitro phenol. Detection limits of the phenolic species were improved at least 500-fold for UV-Vis spectrophotometric detection, after the pre-concentration of all phenolic species used in this study. Adsorption time for the phenolic species onto beta-cyclodextrin-modified poly(HEMA-EGDMA) microbeads was found to be reasonable short (10-60 min) and suitable for the applications. Also, synthesized microbeads were useful for the repeated use for the removal and pre-concentration of phenolic species.

Ozonation of activated carbons: Effect on the adsorption of selected phenolic compounds from aqueous solutions

The impact of ozonation on textural and chemical surface characteristics of two granular activated carbons (GAC), namely F400 and AQ40, and their ability to adsorb phenol (P), p-nitrophenol (PNP), and p-chlorophenol (PCP) from aqueous solutions have been studied. The porous structure of the ozone-treated carbons remained practically unchanged with regard to the virgin GAC. However, important modifications of the chemical surface and hydrophobicity were observed from FTIR spectroscopy, pH titrations, and determination of pH(PZC). As a rule, the ozone treatment at either room temperature (i.e., about 25 degrees C) or 100 degrees C gave rise to acidic surface oxygen groups (SOG). At 25 degrees C primarily carboxylic acids were formed while a more homogeneous distribution of carboxylic, lactonic, hydroxyl, and carbonyl groups was obtained at 100 degrees C. The experimental isotherms for phenolic compounds on both GAC were analyzed using the Langmuir model. Dispersive interactions between pi electrons of the ring of the aromatics and those of the carbon basal planes were thought to be the primary forces responsible for the physical adsorption whereas oxidative coupling of phenolic compounds catalyzed by basic SOG was a major cause of irreversible adsorption. The exposure of both GAC to ozone at room temperature decreased their ability to adsorb P, PNP, and PCP. However, when ozone was applied at 100 degrees C adsorption was not prevented but in some cases (P and PNP on F400) the adsorption process was even enhanced.

The effect of chloroquine, quinacrine, and metronidazole on both soybean plants and soil microbiota

Chloroquine, quinacrine, and metronidazole are used extensively for therapeutic purposes. Substantial quantities of these compounds end up in the environment. The potential effect of these compounds on soybean and on the protozoa in soil was assessed. The growth of soybean plants was affected by increasing concentrations of the chloroquine, metronidazole, and quinacrine dihydrochloride. The plants were particularly sensitive to low concentrations of metronidazole. The number of bacteria and protozoa in soil was either unchanged or increased in the presence of chloroquine and quinacrine. However, in the presence of only 0.5 mg metronidazole g(-1) soil, the density of protozoa in the rhizosphere was reduced by a 10-fold.

The toxicity and fate of phenolic pollutants in the contaminated soils associated with the oil-shale industry

Phenol, cresols, dimethylphenols and resorcinols considered major pollutants in the oil-shale semi-coke dump leachates (up to 380 mg phenols/L) that contaminate the surrounding soils and pose a threat to the groundwater in the North-East of Estonia. However; despite high residual concentrations of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and oil products in these soils, the concentration of phenols (especially their water-extractable fraction) was low, not exceeding 0.7 mg/kg dwt. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the role of biodegradation and aging on the decrease of hazard caused by phenolic pollution. The extractability of phenols (phenol, cresols, dimethylphenols and resorcinols) and their biodegradability by the microbial population was studied in the 13 soils sampled from the Estonian oil-shale region, territories of former gas stations, and from presumably non-polluted areas. Phenol, 5-methylresorcinol, p-cresol and resorcinol could be considered easily degradable in the soils as the microbial populations from majority of the soils studied were able to grow on mineral medium supplemented with these phenols as a single source of carbon. 2,3- and 2,4- and 3,4-dimethylphenols could be considered less easily biodegradable. The semi-coke dump leachate polluted soil (containing no dibasic phenols, 43 mg of monobasic phenols, 1348 mg of oil products and 35 mg of PAHs per g dwt) was analyzed chemically (HPLC) and toxicologically (Flash-Assay using Vibrio fischeri) for the leaching of phenols during shaking of soil-water slurries for 24 h. Only 5.8% of the total concentration of phenols was water-extractable, whereas about 50% of the leached amount was biodegraded by the soil microorganisms. Phenol and cresols were biodegraded by 80%, but the concentration of dimethylphenols practically did not change. The pollutants (measured as total water-extractable toxicity) were desorbed from the soil particles by the 8th h of extraction, whereas the toxicity of the aqueous phase continued to increase, probably due to the formation of toxic metabolites. The concentration of water-extractable phenols was too low to explain the toxicity of the extract. Also the impact of PAHs and oil products was excluded. Thus, the relatively low concentration of phenols in the oil-shale region soils is most probably the reflection of both natural attenuation and pollution aging. Therefore, the impact of phenolic compounds to the net bioavailable hazard is probably not so remarkable as has been considered. The actual pollutants causing the soils from the oil-shale region, however, need to be elucidated.