Preliminary results on growing second generation biofuel crop miscanthus X Giganteus at the polluted military site in Ukraine

Citation: Pidlisnyuk, V., Trögl, J., Stefanovska, T., Shapoval, P., & Erickson, L. (2016). Preliminary results on growing second generation biofuel crop miscanthus X Giganteus at the polluted military site in Ukraine. Nova Biotechnologica et Chimica, 15(1), 77-84. doi:10.1515/nbec-2016-0008The semi-field research on using second-generation biofuel crop Miscanthus x giganteus for restoration of former military site in Kamenetz-Podilsky, Ukraine was carried out during two vegetation seasons. Despite high metal pollution of soil, in particular, by Fe, Mn, Ti, and Zr, no growth inhibition was observed. The concentrations followed pattern soil > roots > stems > leaves. Accumulation of particular metals in roots was different: Fe, Mn and Ti were accumulated rather palpably after the first vegetation season and less tangible after the second one. Cu, Pb and Zn were less accumulative in both vegetation seasons, and for As and Pb the accumulative concentrations were very small. Accumulations in the aboveground parts of the plant in comparison to roots were significantly lower in case of Fe, Ti, Mn, Cu, Zn, Sr and even statistically comparable to zero in case of As, Pb and Zr. Calculated translocation ratio of metals in the plant's parts preferably indicated lack of metals' hyper accumulation. Generally, no correlations were observed between concentrations of metals in the soil and in the upper plant's parts. The research confirmed the ability of Miscanthus x giganteus to grow on the military soils predominantly contaminated by metals. © by Josef Trögl 2016

New perspectives on the bioremediation of endocrine disrupting compounds from wastewater using algae-, bacteria- and fungi-based technologies

Growing population and industrialization have resulted in a significant contamination of freshwater by a variety of micropollutants including endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Wastewater treatment plants cannot completely remove EDC yet, which then end up in wastewater effluents, and they are discharged directly into the environment. Rising concerns over the current EDC management strategies have created interest in sustainable and environmentally responsible wastewater treatment technologies. One promising option for remediation of EDC is to enhance treatment plants’ performance using microbial communities, microalgae or fungi. Here, the efficacy of these biological candidates is quantitatively reviewed, along with the operational conditions under which the highest degradation performance of selected classes of EDC, i.e., hormones, phenols, phthalates, pharmaceuticals, pesticides and formulation ingredients, is achieved. Using a formal meta-analysis, the main findings are highlighted: (1) the effect of Exposure time on biodegradation varies by EDC class, and this is influenced by Organism class (QM (df = 4) = 13.43, p = 0.0094); (2) the effect of the Organism class size (i.e., monoculture vs. multi-cultures) is influenced by EDC class (QM (df = 3) = 8.7470, p = 0.0329); (3) EDC complexity of contamination affects biodegradation (QM (df = 4) = 10.6652, p = 0.0306); (4) the effect of Organism class significantly varies by Delivery mechanism, and it is influenced by Carrier Material (QM (df = 5) = 14.3498, p = 0.0135); (5) biodegradation is affected by the unique features of EDC within the same EDC class, and (6) results are not impacted by the initial EDC concentration in the trials

Removal of nitrates from high-salinity wastewaters from desulphurization process with denitrifying bacteria encapsulated in Lentikats Biocatalyst

Successful elimination of high concentrations of N–NO-x (up to 250 mg/L) from high salinity wastewaters (up to 35 g/L Cl- + 17 g/L SO4 2-) originating from desulphurization process within coal power stations was achieved using pure cultures of denitrifying bacteria encapsulated in porous polyvinyl alcohol lenses (so called Lentikats Biocatalyst, LB). Laboratory batch tests revealed inhibitory influence of the raw wastewater on the denitrification activity, which was partially mitigated by the addition of P–PO4 3-. In following continuous tests, the denitrification activities reached the range 150–450 mg N/h/kg LB, i.e., values suitable for industrial scale applications. The higher activities were achieved under a lower salinity, higher N–NOx- influent concentrations and a prolonged retention time. The effluent N–NOx- concentrations were below the determination limit of 5 mg/L. After a period of 3 months, a significant decrease of denitrification activity of Lentikats Biocatalyst was observed. Addition of nutrients into the wastewater enabled fast regeneration of the initial activity. The overall results proved the applicability of Lentikats Biocatalysts for the removal of nitrates from high-salinity desulphurization water and other industrial wastewaters of similar character

Metals uptake behaviour in Miscanthus x giganteus plant during growth at the contaminated soil from the military site in Sliač, Slovakia

Peculiarities of metals uptake by the biofuel crop Miscanthus x giganteus were explored during plant growth at soil from the military site (Sliač, Slovakia). The experiment was carried out in greenhouse during two vegetation seasons. Research soil was predominantly elevated in Fe and Ti, while other metals (As, Cu, Mn, Sr, Zn and Zr) were presented at order of magnitude lower concentrations. No inhibition of plant growth was observed. The calculated Bioconcentration Factor showed that levels of metals’ accumulation by plant roots, stems and leaves were independent of metals’ concentrations in the soil. The accumulation of metals by stems and leaves was much lower than by roots. As, Zr, Ti were almost not accumulated by stems and leaves during both seasons; accumulation of Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn and Sr was not essential which confi rmed that biomass of M. x giganteus might be processed for the energy purpose

Metals uptake behaviour in Miscanthus x giganteus

Peculiarities of metals uptake by the biofuel crop Miscanthus x giganteus were explored during plant growth at soil from the military site (Sliač, Slovakia). The experiment was carried out in greenhouse during two vegetation seasons. Research soil was predominantly elevated in Fe and Ti, while other metals (As, Cu, Mn, Sr, Zn and Zr) were presented at order of magnitude lower concentrations. No inhibition of plant growth was observed. The calculated Bioconcentration Factor showed that levels of metals’ accumulation by plant roots, stems and leaves were independent of metals’ concentrations in the soil. The accumulation of metals by stems and leaves was much lower than by roots. As, Zr, Ti were almost not accumulated by stems and leaves during both seasons; accumulation of Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn and Sr was not essential which confi rmed that biomass of M. x giganteus might be processed for the energy purpose

Draft Genome Sequence of the Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon-Degrading, Genetically Engineered Bioluminescent Bioreporter Pseudomonas fluorescens HK44 ▿

Pseudomonas fluorescens strain HK44 (DSM 6700) is a genetically engineered lux-based bioluminescent bioreporter. Here we report the draft genome sequence of strain HK44. Annotation of ∼6.1 Mb of sequence indicates that 30% of the traits are unique and distributed over five genomic islands, a prophage, and two plasmids