Phytoremediation of Alberta oil sand tailings using native plants and a fungal endophyte species

Non-Peer ReviewedThe Athabasca Oil Sands produce a high volume byproduct called tailing sands (TS). Typically, TS are remediated by planting young trees in large quantities of mulch (from elsewhere) plus mineral fertilizer. This is costly and labour intensive. Fungal endophytes colonize host plants without causing disease. Some endophytes confer plant tolerance to harsh environments. Trichoderma harzianum strain TSTh20-1 was isolated from a plant growing on Athabasca oil tailings sand (TS). TS are a high volume waste product from oil sand extraction that the industry is required to remediate. TS are low in organic carbon and mineral nutrients, and are hydrophobic due to residual hydrocarbons. In greenhouse trials, TSTh20-1 supports growth of tomato seedlings on TS without fertilizer. TSTh20-1 is a promising candidate for economical TS remediation. We tested 23 plant species for seed germination and growth on TS in the presence of TSTh20-1. The four best candidates are currently being used in microcosm-scale growth trials, and for outdoor mesocosm trials this summer. Potential mechanisms that contribute to endophyte-induced plant growth promotion are also being assessed. TSTh20-1 is nutritionally frugal, which may be characteristic of other plant fungal endophytes. We are also tagging TSTh20-1 with GFP to follow it in the plant and in the environment

Endophytic Fungus, TSTh20-1, promotes plant growth on oil sands tailings

Non-Peer Reviewe

GreenSTEM’s microbe technology is an efficient, effective, and affordable way to clean up fuel and chemical spills

Non-Peer ReviewedPetroleum hydrocarbons are used as fuel and for chemical synthesis. If spilled, fuels and chemicals poison our soil and water, causing local environmental disasters. Bioremediation uses organisms to clean up (remediate) pollutants. We have isolated and characterized microbe strains from contaminated sites, and use them to remediate contaminated sites elsewhere. We identify our strains using their DNA sequences and their appearance. Some microbes, called fungal endophytes, form symbioses, in other words metabolic partnerships between a plant and a fungus. These symbioses have been shown to stimulate plant growth and root formation, even on contaminated soil. Surprisingly, some of our other microbes can degrade hydrocarbons underground, without plants. GreenSTEM has powerful technology: we use native microbes to degrade hydrocarbons and chemicals as they grow on the contaminants as food. Based on our progress to date with fuels and other chemicals, we anticipate isolating new strains specific for other intractable toxins

Закономерности накопления водорода в титановом сплаве ВТ1-0 при электролитическом и газофазном наводороживании

В настоящем исследовании я изучил макроскопические свойства титанового сплава (BT1-0) и его свойства в субмикронной структуре, а также способы определения количества, распределения и состояния накопленного водорода для разработки методов предотвращения водородного охрупчивания.In the present study, I studied the macroscopic properties of titanium alloy (BT1-0) and its properties under submicron structure, and how to determine the quantity, distribution and state of accumulated hydrogen to develop methods for preventing hydrogen embrittlement

Neurovascular dysfunction in vascular dementia, Alzheimer’s and atherosclerosis

Efficient blood supply to the brain is of paramount importance to its normal functioning and improper blood flow can result in potentially devastating neurological consequences. Cerebral blood flow in response to neural activity is intrinsically regulated by a complex interplay between various cell types within the brain in a relationship termed neurovascular coupling. The breakdown of neurovascular coupling is evident across a wide variety of both neurological and psychiatric disorders including Alzheimer’s disease. Atherosclerosis is a chronic syndrome affecting the integrity and function of major blood vessels including those that supply the brain, and it is therefore hypothesised that atherosclerosis impairs cerebral blood flow and neurovascular coupling leading to cerebrovascular dysfunction. This review will discuss the mechanisms of neurovascular coupling in health and disease and how atherosclerosis can potentially cause cerebrovascular dysfunction that may lead to cognitive decline as well as stroke. Understanding the mechanisms of neurovascular coupling in health and disease may enable us to develop potential therapies to prevent the breakdown of neurovascular coupling in the treatment of vascular brain diseases including vascular dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and stroke

Pulmono-atrial shunt and lung assist to treat right ventricular failure

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