DataSheet_1_Insights into saline adaptation strategies through a novel halophilic bacterium isolated from solar saltern of Yellow sea.docx

Solar salterns were placed along the coast and were frequently left unattended after use. While many studies have isolated and identified microorganisms from hypersaline environments, their role and adaptation mechanisms are still unclear. Herein, we elucidated the role of halophiles in salt-polluted areas through the recently reported Halomonas getboli YJPS3-2 from the abandoned saltern. We analyzed the expression levels of genes in the YJPS3-2 strain to identify its adaptation mechanisms to high salinity environments, by representing the process from tidal flats to abandoned salterns with varying salinity gradients. The YJPS3-2 strain primarily overexpresses genes associated with ABC transport to adapt to hypersaline environments. Interestingly, the cheA gene, which recognizes changes in the surrounding, was the most upregulated, and it was also associated with the overexpression of the MS ring and T3SS mechanisms relating to the flagellar activity. The YJPS3-2 recognized the high salt concentration in its surroundings and attempted to accumulate compatible solutes that could withstand high osmotic pressure inside the cell to adapt to the high salinity environment. Furthermore, during this process, the YJPS3-2 strain removed surrounding pollutants and secreted secondary metabolites that could be utilized by neighboring organisms. Our results suggested that this halophilic bacterium has the potential to serve as a pioneering species for thriving the surrounding while adapting to saline environments.</p

Effect-Directed Analysis Combined with Nontarget Screening to Identify Unmonitored Toxic Substances in the Environment

Effect-directed analysis (EDA) combined with nontarget screening (NTS) has established a valuable tool for the identification of unmonitored toxic substances in environmental samples. It consists of three main steps: (1) highly potent fraction identification, (2) toxicant candidate selection, and (3) major toxicant identification. Here, we discuss the methodology, current status, limitations, and future challenges of EDA combined with NTS. This method has been applied successfully to various environmental samples, such as sediments, wastewater treatment plant effluents, and biota. We present several case studies and highlight key results. EDA has undergone significant technological advancements in the past 20 years, with the establishment of its key components: target chemical analysis, bioassays, fractionation, NTS, and data processing. However, it has not been incorporated widely into environmental monitoring programs. We provide suggestions for the application of EDA combined with NTS in environmental monitoring programs and management, with the identification of further research needs

Naphthenic Acids in Coastal Sediments after the <i>Hebei Spirit</i> Oil Spill: A Potential Indicator for Oil Contamination

Naphthenic acids (NAs) as toxic components in most petroleum sources are suspected to be one of the major pollutants in the aquatic environment following oil spills, and the polarity and persistence of NAs make it a potential indicator for oil contamination. However, the contamination and potential effects of pollutants in oil spill affected areas remain unknown. To investigate NAs in oil spill affected areas, a sensitive method was first established for analysis of NAs, together with oxy-NAs in sediment samples by UPLC-QTOF-MS. Then the method was applied to determine the NA mixtures in crude oil, weathered oil, and sediments from the spilled sites after the Hebei Spirit oil spill, Taean, South Korea (Dec. 2007). Concentrations of NAs, O3–NAs, and O4–NAs were found to be 7.8–130, 3.6–44, and 0.8–20 mg kg–1 dw in sediments from the Taean area, respectively, which were much greater than those measured in the reference sites of Manlipo and Anmyundo beaches. Concentrations of NAs were 50–100 times greater than those (0.077–2.5 mg kg–1 dw) of PAHs in the same sediment samples, thus the ecological risk of NAs in oil spill affected areas deserves more attention. The sedimentary profiles of oil-derived NAs and background NAs centered around compounds with 21–35 and 12–21 carbons, respectively, indicating that the crude-derived NA mixtures originating from the 2007 oil spill were persistent. Acyclic NAsn=5–20 were easily degraded compared to cyclic NAsn=21–41 during the oil weathering processes, and the ratio of oxy-NAsn=21–41 relative to NAsn=21–41 could be a novel index to estimate the degree of oil weathering in sediments. Altogether, the persistent oil-derived NAsn=21–41 could be used as a potential indicator for oil-specific contamination, as such compounds would not be much affected by the properties of coastal sediments possibly due to the high sorption of the negatively charged compounds (NAs) in sediment

Characterization and Distribution of Trace Organic Contaminants in Sediment from Masan Bay, Korea. 1. Instrumental Analysis

Masan Bay, located on the southeast coast of Korea, is a long and narrow inlet of a semi-closed bay that receives industrial and municipal wastewaters from the cities of Masan and Changwon. In this study, sediments collected from 28 locations on Masan Bay were analyzed for total organic carbon (TOC), nonylphenol (NP), octylphenol (OP), bisphenol A (BPA), organochlorine pesticides (HCB, HCHs, CHLs, and DDTs), individual polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, and 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocabons (PAHs) to characterize their spatial distribution and contamination status. Concentrations of NP in sediment ranged from 113 to 3890 ng/g on a dry weight basis (dry wt), whereas concentrations of OP and BPA were, on average, 20−110-fold less than those of NP. PAHs were predominated by 4−6-ring compounds with concentrations in the range of 54.1−1100 ng/g dry wt. Concentrations of PCBs in sediment, which were predominated by tetra- and pentachlorobiphenyl congeners, ranged from 10.3 to 148 ng/g, dry wt. Among different OC pesticides analyzed, concentrations of DDTs were the greatest, ranging from 0.4 to 12.6 ng/g dry wt. NP concentrations were greater at coastal locations proximal to the discharges of creeks from inland areas, whereas the concentrations of PCBs and PAHs were greater near the sites of industrial and shipping activities. Concentrations of target analytes were not related to TOC. Although the mean concentrations of PCBs and PAHs in sediments were less than the suggested sediment quality guidelines (SQG), their concentrations in some locations were close to or above the SQG for toxic effects in benthic organisms

Insight into the Technical Qualification of the Sonocogreen CaO/Clinoptilolite Nanocomposite (CaO_(NP)/Clino) as an Advanced Delivery System for 5‑Fluorouracil: Equilibrium and Cytotoxicity

Clinoptilolite as a natural zeolite was integrated with green CaO nanoparticles forming the green nanocomposite CaO(NP)/Clino. The CaO(NP)/Clino composite was assessed as a potential carrier for 5-fluorouracil (5-FL) drug. The CaO(NP)/Clino carrier achieved an enhanced 5-FL loading capacity of 305.3 mg/g as compared to 163 mg/g for pure clinoptilolite. The kinetics of the 5-FL loading follow the properties of the pseudo-first-order model, while the equilibrium results are related to the Langmuir isotherm. Therefore, the 5-FL loading processes occurred in the monolayer formed by homogeneous active loading receptors on the surface of the CaO(NP)/Clino carrier. The Gaussian energy of the 5-FL loading reaction (9.2 KJ/mol) reflected the dominant effect for the chemical mechanisms, especially the zeolitic ion-exchange mechanisms. Additionally, the thermodynamic parameters suggested endothermic, feasible, and spontaneous properties for the occurred 5-FL loading reactions. The release profile of 5-FL from CaO(NP)/Clino has continuous and long properties (150 h) at pH 1.2 (gastric fluid) and pH 7.4 (intestinal fluid). The kinetic studies of the release reactions show considerable agreement with Higuchi, Hixson–Crowell, and Korsmeyer–Peppas models. Such high fitting results and the diffusion exponent values (0.49 at pH 1.2 and 0.48 at pH 7.4) reflected the release properties of the Fickian transport behavior involving complex erosion and diffusion mechanisms. The cytotoxicity study of CaO(NP)/Clino on colorectal normal cells (CCD-18Co) declare the safe and biocompatible effect as a carrier for the 5-FL drug. Additionally, CaO(NP)/Clino as a carrier causes considerable enhancement for the cytotoxic effect of the loaded 5-FL drug on colon cancer cells (HCT-116)

Green functionalization of clinoptilolite with MgO nano-platelets as adsorbent for different species of antibiotic residuals (levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and pefloxacin); equilibrium studies

Clinoptilolite zeolite was functionalized with green MgO nanoplatelets utilizing the extract of green tea leaves in the presence of sonication irradiation forming green nanocomposite (MgO(NP)/Clino). The MgO(NP)/Clino was evaluated as an enhanced adsorbent for three types of quinolones antibiotics (levofloxacin (LF), ciprofloxacin (CF), and pefloxacin (PF)). The maximum MgO(NP)/Clino uptake capacities for LF (169.4 mg/g), CF (196 mg/g), and PF (185.18 mg/g) was higher than both clinoptilolite and MgO components. The kinetic behaviors of LF, CF, and PF adsorption follow the Pseudo-First order model with equilibration intervals of 240 min (LF), 240 min (CF), and 180 min (LF). The equilibrium investigation suggests Langmuir isotherm properties of monolayer and homogenous uptake processes for LF, CF, and PF. The Gaussian energies of LF (6.65 kJ/mol), CF (6.3 kJ/mol), and PF (7.4 kJ/mol) related to physical, spontaneous, and exothermic adsorption mechanisms considering the thermodynamic parameters. The MgO(NP)/Clino achieved remarkable capacities for LF, CF, and PF antibiotics either in the co-presence of anions (SO42-, PO43-, and NO3−) or metal cations (Cd2+, Zn2+, and Pb2+). The recyclability assessment of MgO(NP)/Clino emphasized its high stability considering the five studied cycles.</p

Polychlorinated Naphthalenes and Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Fishes from Michigan Waters Including the Great Lakes

Polychlorinated naphthalene (PCN) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners were measured in whole body and fillet of fishes collected from Michigan waters, including the Great Lakes, during 1996−1997. PCNs were found in all the fishes analyzed including those from Siskiwit Lake, a remote lake located near the southern shoreline of Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior. Concentrations of total PCNs in fishes ranged from 19 to 31 400 pg/g, wet wt, and varied depending on sampling location and species. Fishes from the Detroit River contained the greatest concentrations of both PCNs and PCBs. Concentrations of total PCNs in fishes from Michigan waters were significantly correlated with the concentrations of PCBs. As with total PCN concentrations, the profiles of PCN isomer/congener distribution in fishes varied among sampling locations and species. Fishes from the Detroit River contained PCN profile similar to that of Halowax 1014, whereas those from Siskiwit Lake and Lake Superior contained greater proportions of congeners which have great bioaccumulative potential. Estimated concentrations of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents (TEQs) of PCNs ranged from 0.007 to 11 pg/g, wet wt. PCN congeners 66/67 and 69 accounted for greater than 80% of the TEQs contributed by PCNs. TEQs contributed by PCBs, estimated based on H4IIE bioassay-derived TEFs, were in the range of 0.06−11 pg/g, wet wt, which were similar to those contributed by PCNs. When international TEFs (I-TEFs) for coplanar PCBs were applied, estimated PCB-TEQs ranged from 0.46 to 79 pg/g, wet wt, which were 5−10 times greater than those that were estimated from H4IIE TEFs. PCB congener 126 contributed greater than 50% of the TEQs contributed by PCBs in all the fishes. Overall, when similarly derived TEFs were used, PCNs contributed 2−57% of the sum of TEQs of PCNs and PCBs

Insight into the Loading Properties of Na⁺ Green-Functionalized Clinoptilolite as a Potential Carrier for the 5‑Fluorouracil Drug, its Release Kinetics, and Cytotoxicity

Herein, natural zeolite (clinoptilolite) was functionalized by Na+ ions (G.Na+/Clino) utilizing a green tea extract prepared by a green production method as a potential carrier for the 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) drug with enhanced physicochemical behaviors. The G.Na+/Clino-modified product showed enhanced surface area (312 m2/g) and ion-exchange capacity (387 mequiv/100 g). The loading studies reflect high and controlled loading properties of G.Na+/Clino with an actual loading capacity of 291 and 462 mg/g, respectively. The loading reactions of 5-Fu into G.Na+/Clino were of pseudo-second-order kinetics and exhibited Langmuir isotherm properties. This suggested a monolayer and homogeneous loading process by chemical complexation and ion-exchange mechanisms with a Gaussian energy value of 10.47 kJ/mol. Additionally, these reactions were of endothermic and spontaneous nature based on the determined thermodynamic parameters. The release studies demonstrated the 5-Fu release profile for about 150 h at pH 1.2 and for 80 h at pH 7.4. The release reactions had non-Fickian transport properties and were controlled by both erosion and diffusion mechanisms, considering the release kinetic findings and the values of the diffusion exponent (0.42 at pH 1.2 and 0.37 at pH 7.4). The composite showed remarkable biocompatibility based on the measured cell viability and a cytotoxic effect on normal colorectal cells (CCD-18Co). Additionally, the application of G.Na+/Clino as an inorganic carrier for the 5-Fu drug prompted the cytotoxic effect of the drug on colon cancer cell treatment (HCT-116)

Concentrations of 18 metals (mean ± SE, n = 5) in proportion to calcium concentrations in <i>S</i>. <i>suberosa</i>, <i>E</i>. <i>complexa</i> and <i>E</i>. <i>reticulata</i> of combined, soft inner layer and coenosark.

<p>Concentrations of 18 metals (mean ± SE, n = 5) in proportion to calcium concentrations in <i>S</i>. <i>suberosa</i>, <i>E</i>. <i>complexa</i> and <i>E</i>. <i>reticulata</i> of combined, soft inner layer and coenosark.</p

Concentrations (mean values in μg/g DW, n = 5) of 18 metals in soft inner layer and coenosarc of <i>S</i>. <i>suberosa</i>, <i>E</i>. <i>complexa</i> and <i>E</i>. <i>reticulata</i>.

<p>Concentrations (mean values in μg/g DW, n = 5) of 18 metals in soft inner layer and coenosarc of <i>S</i>. <i>suberosa</i>, <i>E</i>. <i>complexa</i> and <i>E</i>. <i>reticulata</i>.</p