Geochemical constraints on the Hadean environment from mineral fingerprints of prokaryotes

The environmental conditions on the Earth before 4 billion years ago are highly uncertain, largely because of the lack of a substantial rock record from this period. During this time interval, known as the Hadean, the young planet transformed from an uninhabited world to the one capable of supporting, and inhabited by the first living cells. These cells formed in a fluid environment they could not at first control, with homeostatic mechanisms developing only later. It is therefore possible that present-day organisms retain some record of the primordial fluid in which the first cells formed. Here we present new data on the elemental compositions and mineral fingerprints of both Bacteria and Archaea, using these data to constrain the environment in which life formed. The cradle solution that produced this elemental signature was saturated in barite, sphene, chalcedony, apatite, and clay minerals. The presence of these minerals, as well as other chemical features, suggests that the cradle environment of life may have been a weathering fluid interacting with dry-land silicate rocks. The specific mineral assemblage provides evidence for a moderate Hadean climate with dry and wet seasons and a lower atmospheric abundance of CO2 than is present today.Fil: Novoselov, Alexey A.. Universidad de Concepción; ChileFil: Silva, Dailto. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; BrasilFil: Schneider, Jerusa. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; BrasilFil: Abrevaya, Ximena Celeste. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciónes Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio. - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio; ArgentinaFil: Chaffin, Michael S.. State University Of Colorado Boulder; Estados UnidosFil: Serrano, Paloma. Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre For Polar And Marine Research,; AlemaniaFil: Navarro, Margareth Sugano. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; BrasilFil: Conti, Maria Josiane. André Tosello Institute; BrasilFil: Souza Filho, Carlos Roberto de. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; Brasi

Espécies tropicais de pteridófitas em associação com fungos micorrízicos arbusculares em solo contaminado com arsênio

The symbiosis of plants with mycorrhizal fungi represents an alternative to be considered during the processes of revegetation and rehabilitation of arsenic-contaminated soil. The aim of this study was to evaluate under greenhouse conditions the effect of arsenic on the mycorrhizal association of two species of tropical fern (Thelypteris salzmannii and Dicranopteris flexuosa). T. salzmannii had higher rates of colonization and higher density of spores while D. flexuosa showed greater sensitivity to smaller concentrations of arsenic and association with mycorrhizal fungi. Our results indicate that screening and selection of mycorrhizal fungal isolates/species is possible and effective for phytoremediation of arsenic-contaminated soils

Evapotranspiration toilet: a safe and sustainable treatment for black water

A bacia de evapotranspiração (BET) é uma das possíveis soluções para tratamento de esgoto em comunidades rurais e outras áreas isoladas. Ainda pouco difundido, esse sistema destaca-se por aliar plantas com grande potencial de evapotranspiração ao tratamento biológico realizado por bactérias anaeróbias, produzindo pouca quantidade de lodo e gerando pouco ou nenhum efluente final. Dessa forma, é possível o aproveitamento da água e de grande parte dos nutrientes contidos no esgoto doméstico pelas plantas do sistema, sem necessidade de pós tratamento ou de contato direto dos usuários com o efluente. O presente estudo avaliou a eficiência e a operação de uma unidade implantada em uma área rural de Campinas (SP). A BET construída apresentou eficiência de remoção acima de 90% para DQO e DBO, acima de 98% para turbidez e sólidos suspensos totais e de 58% para fósforo. Além disso, o trabalho aborda aspectos sociais como a facilidade de construção e manutenção desse sistema de tratamento de esgoto e a aceitação da tecnologia pelos usuários67220115127The evapotranspiration toilet (EVT) is one of the possible solutions for sewage treatment in rural communities or isolated areas. Although the system is still poorly widespread, it stands out for not generating final effluent or large amounts of sludge. Thus, it is possible for plants to use most of the nutrients contained in domestic wastewater, without the need of post treatment or manual contact with the effluent. This study evaluates the operation, treatment capacity of the technology implemented in the rural area of Campinas (Brazil). The systems’ removal efficiency is over 90% for COD and BOD, above 98% for turbidity and total suspended solids and 58% for phosphorus. In addition, the paper discusses the user acceptance of the technology constructive and maintenance characteristic

Vermifiltration: the use of earthworms as a new alternative for sewage treatment

A vermifiltração é uma tecnologia inovadora baseada no processo de vermicompostagem para o tratamento de efluentes sanitários, porém ainda não há normas nacionais ou internacionais para o seu dimensionamento. Dessa forma, a presente pesquisa avaliou a viabilidade técnica de quatro vermifiltros (VFs) empregados como etapa única de tratamento de esgoto sanitário, concebidos com duas configurações distintas de camadas do leito filtrante. Os VFs 1 e 2 continham um leito duplicado e dividido em 5 camadas de serragem combinadas com argila expandida e outros materiais; os VFs 3 e 4 possuíam um leito único com 6 camadas. A taxa de aplicação superficial (TAS) empregada nos VFs 1 e 3 foi de 500 a 1.600 Lm-2dia-1 e nos VFs 2 e 4 de 250 a 800 Lm-2dia-1 . Todos os VFs apresentaram remoções acima de 85% de DBO e 75% de DQO. As duas TAS empregadas proporcionaram de 40 a 50% de nitrificação. Sendo assim, o VF3, de leito único e maior TAS, demonstrou-se mais atraente em termos de economia de materiais e simplicidade de montagem67220128140Vermifiltration is an innovative technology based on vermicomposting process for sewage treatment. However, there are no Brazilian or international standards for its designing. Thus, the present research evaluated the technical feasibility of four vermifilters (VFs) used as a single sewage treatment stage, designed with two distinct configurations of filter beds. VFs 1 and 2 contained a duplicated bed divided into 5 layers of sawdust combined with expanded clay and other materials; VFs 3 and 4 had a single 6-layer bed. The surface application rate employed in VFs 1 and 3 was from 500 to 1,600 L.m-2.day-1 and in VFs 2 and 4 from L.m-2.day-1. All filters had removals above 85% of BOD and 75% of COD. The two application rates used provided 40 to 50% of nitrification. Therefore, the single-bed unit with higher application rate, the VF 3, proved to be more attractive in terms of material economy and simplicity of assembl

Soil microbiological atributtes of a brown latosol submitted to different management systems and liming

This work was conducted in Guarapuava, state of Paraná, in a southern brazilian oxisol, in a trial established in 1978. The aim of this work was to analyse the effect of different soil management systems and liming on the microbial biomass and its activity related to C and N in the soil. The managment systems evaluated were: no-tillage with lime incorporated (PDinc); no-tillage without liming (PDsem); reduced tillage system with lime incorporated (PRinc); reduced tillage system without liming (PRsem); conventional tillage with lime incorporated (PCinc), and; conventional tillage without liming (PCsem). Soil samples were collected in the 0-10 cm soil layer, at two distinct times (january and august, 2006), in order to quantify the levels of the microbial biomass carbon (MBC), by the wet oxidation method after fumigation for 24 hours; total organic carbon (TOC), by the chemical analyses with wet sulfocromic oxidation; microbial biomass of nitrogen (MBN) and total nitrogen (TN), both by distillation and digestion; MBC:TOC ratio, and MBN:TN ratio. The microbial activity estimation was determined through the microbial basal respiration of the soil samples (evoluted C-CO2) according to Jäggi. The results of C-CO2 and MBC were used to calculate the metabolic quotient (qCO2) that represents the content of C-CO2 evoluted in a range time for unity of microbial C. The MBC determination was performed by titulation, and MBN by pre-digestion and distillation according to Kjeldahl method. The colonization and hyphal length were also evaluated according to the methodology proposed by Koske & Gemma and Melloni, respectively. The C-CO2 and qCO2 showed the higher rates in conventional tillage, and the lower in No-tillage, what allows discriminate the systems in relation to C sustainability in the soil. The contents of MBC varied among the managment system, and the contents of organic-C did not vary among tillage systems, varying only between sampling times. The three factors (managment system, liming and sampling times) interacted to determine the MBN variation and MBC:MBN ratio. The mycorrhizal colonization and hyphal length were higher in the no-tillage system.O trabalho foi conduzido no município de Guarapuava, PR, em um Latossolo Bruno alumínico, utilizando-se um experimento implantado em 1978. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar os efeitos dos diferentes sistemas de manejo do solo e calagem sobre a biomassa microbiana e sua atividade em relação ao C e N do solo. Avaliaram-se três sistemas de manejo do solo sem aplicação de calcário e três com calcário incorporado: Plantio direto sem calcário (PDsem) e com calcário incorporado (PDinc); Preparo reduzido sem calcário (PRsem) e com calcário incorporado (PRinc) e; Preparo convencional sem calcário (PCsem) e com calcário incorporado (PCinc). As amostragens foram realizadas na camada de 0-10 cm de solo, em janeiro e agosto de 2006, para a quantificação dos teores de carbono da biomassa microbiana (Cmic), pelo processo de oxidação úmida após fumigação por 24 horas; carbono orgânico total (Corg), através da análise química com oxidação sulfocrômica úmida; nitrogênio da biomassa microbiana (Nmic) e nitrogênio total (Ntotal), ambos através da destilação e digestão; relação Cmic:Corg e relação Nmic:Ntotal. A atividade microbiana foi estimada através da respiração basal microbiana das amostras de solo (evolução de C-CO2) seguindo a metodologia descrita por Jäggi. Utilizou-se os resultados de CCO2 e do Cmic para calcular o quociente metabólico (qCO2), que representa a quantidade de CCO2 evoluída em um determinado tempo, por unidade de C microbiano. A determinação do CBM foi realizada por titulação e do Nmic por pré-digestão e destilação, conforme o método de Kjeldahl. Foi avaliada, ainda, a colonização e comprimento extra-radicular total do solo, seguindo a metodologia proposta por Koske & Gemma e Melloni, respectivamente. A C-CO2 e o qCO2 tiveram taxas maiores no preparo convencional e menores no plantio direto permitindo, assim, discriminar os sistemas quanto à sustentabilidade do C no solo. Os teores de CBM variaram conforme o sistema de manejo testado, diferentemente dos teores de C-orgânico, que variaram somente entre as épocas de amostragem. Os três fatores (sistemas de manejo, calagem e época de coleta) interagiram para determinar a variação do Nmic e a relação Cmic:Nmic. A colonização micorrízica e o seu comprimento extra-radicular foram maiores no sistema plantio direto em relação aos demais sistemas estudadosCoordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superio

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi-assisted Phytoremediation Of A Lead-contaminated Site

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Knowledge of the behavior of plant species associated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and the ability of such plants to grow onmetal-contaminated soils is important to phytoremediation. Here, we evaluate the occurrence and diversity of AMF and plant species as well as their interactions in soil contaminated with lead (Pb) from the recycling of automotive batteries. The experimental area was divided into three locations: a non-contaminated native area, a coarse rejects deposition area, and an area receiving particulate material fromthe chimneys during the Pb melting process. Thirty-nine AMF species from six families and 10 genera were identified. The Acaulospora and Glomus genera exhibited the highest occurrences both in the bulk (10 and 6) and in the rhizosphere soils (9 and 6). All of the herbaceous species presented mycorrhizal colonization. The highest Pb concentrations (mg kg(-1)) in roots and shoots, respectively, were observed in Vetiveria zizanoides (15,433 and 934), Pteris vitata (9343 and 865), Pteridim aquilinun (1433 and 733), and Ricinus communis (1106 and 625). The diversity of AMF seems to be related to the area heterogeneity; the structure communities of AMF are correlated with the soil Pb concentration. We found that plant diversity was significantly correlated with AMF diversity (r = 0.645; P > 0.05) in areas with high Pb soil concentrations. A better understanding of AMF communities in the presence of Pb stress may shed light on the interactions between fungi and metals taking place in contaminated sites. Such knowledge can aid in developing soil phytoremediation techniques such as phytostabilization. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.5728697CAPES [23038007617201195]FACEPE [BCT-0135-5.01/12]CAPES/COFECUB [7963-13-0]Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Potential Of Different Am Fungi (native From As-contaminated And Uncontaminated Soils) For Supporting Leucaena Leucocephala Growth In As-contaminated Soil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi inoculation is considered a potential biotechnological tool for an ecofriendly remediation of hazardous contaminants. However, the mechanisms explaining how AM fungi attenuate the phytotoxicity of metal(oid)s, in particular arsenic (As), are still not fully understood. The influence of As on plant growth and the antioxidant system was studied in Leucaena leucocephala plants inoculated with different isolates of AM fungi and exposed to increasing concentrations of As (0, 35, and 75 mg dm(-3)) in a Typic Quartzipsamment soil. The study was conducted under greenhouse conditions using isolates of AM fungi selected from uncontaminated soils (Acaulospora morrowiae, Rhizophagus clams, Gigaspora albida; and a mixed inoculum derived from combining these isolates, named AMF Mix) as well as a mix of three isolates from an As-contaminated soil (A. morrowiae, R. clams, and Paraglomus occultum). After 21 weeks, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase (GR) were determined in the shoots in addition to measuring plant height and mineral contents. In general, AM fungi have shown multiple beneficial effects on L. leucocephala growth. Although the activity of most of the stress-related enzymes increased in plants associated with AM fungi, the percentage increase caused by adding As to the soil was even greater for non-mycorrhizal plants when compared to AM-fungi inoculated ones, which highlights the phytoprotective effect provided by the AM symbiosis. The highest P/As ratio observed in AM-fungi plants, compared to non-mycorrhizal ones, can be considered a good indicator that the AM fungi alter the pattern of As(V) uptake from As-contaminated soil. Our results underline the role of AM fungi in increasing the tolerance of L. leucocephala to As stress and emphasize the potential of the symbiosis L. leucocephala-R. clams for As-phytostabilization at moderately As-contaminated soils. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.224125135Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientffico e Tecnologico (CNPq)Coordenacdo de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Ensino Superior (CAPES)Fundacdo de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG)CAPES-PNPD program (PROJECT PNPD) [20131777]Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi-assisted phytoremediation of a lead-contaminated site

Knowledge of the behavior of plant species associated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and the ability of such plants to grow onmetal-contaminated soils is important to phytoremediation. Here, we evaluate the occurrence and diversity of AMF and plant species as well as their interactions in soil contaminated with lead (Pb) from the recycling of automotive batteries. The experimental area was divided into three locations: a non-contaminated native area, a coarse rejects deposition area, and an area receiving particulate material fromthe chimneys during the Pb melting process. Thirty-nine AMF species fromsix families and 10 genera were identified. The Acaulospora and Glomus genera exhibited the highest occurrences both in the bulk (10 and 6) and in the rhizosphere soils (9 and 6). All of the herbaceous species presented mycorrhizal colonization. The highest Pb concentrations (mg kg−1) in roots and shoots, respectively, were observed in Vetiveria zizanoides (15,433 and 934), Pteris vitata (9343 and 865), Pteridim aquilinun (1433 and 733), and Ricinus communis (1106 and 625). The diversity of AMF seems to be related to the area heterogeneity; the structure communities of AMF are correlated with the soil Pb concentration. We found that plant diversity was significantly correlated with AMF diversity (r = 0.645; P N 0.05) in areas with high Pb soil concentrations. A better understanding of AMF communities in the presence of Pb stress may shed light on the interactions between fungi and metals taking place in contaminated sites. Such knowledge can aid in developing soil phytoremediation techniques such as phytostabilization

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi-assisted phytoremediation of a lead-contaminated site

Knowledge of the behavior of plant species associated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and the ability of such plants to grow onmetal-contaminated soils is important to phytoremediation. Here, we evaluate the occurrence and diversity of AMF and plant species as well as their interactions in soil contaminated with lead (Pb) from the recycling of automotive batteries. The experimental area was divided into three locations: a non-contaminated native area, a coarse rejects deposition area, and an area receiving particulate material fromthe chimneys during the Pb melting process. Thirty-nine AMF species from six families and 10 genera were identified. The Acaulospora and Glomus genera exhibited the highest occurrences both in the bulk (10 and 6) and in the rhizosphere soils (9 and 6). All of the herbaceous species presented mycorrhizal colonization. The highest Pb concentrations (mg kg(-1)) in roots and shoots, respectively, were observed in Vetiveria zizanoides (15,433 and 934), Pteris vitata (9343 and 865), Pteridim aquilinun (1433 and 733), and Ricinus communis (1106 and 625). The diversity of AMF seems to be related to the area heterogeneity; the structure communities of AMF are correlated with the soil Pb concentration. We found that plant diversity was significantly correlated with AMF diversity (r = 0.645; P > 0.05) in areas with high Pb soil concentrations. A better understanding of AMF communities in the presence of Pb stress may shed light on the interactions between fungi and metals taking place in contaminated sites. Such knowledge can aid in developing soil phytoremediation techniques such as phytostabilization5728697COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À CIÊNCIA E TECNOLOGIA DO ESTADO DE PERNAMBUCO - FACEPE7963-13-0; 23038007617201195sem informaçã

Benzimidazoles in wastewater: Analytical method development, monitoring and degradation by photolysis and ozonation

Pharmaceutical residues are constantly released into natural waters, mainly from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) whose processes are unable to completely eliminate them. Among these drugs, the occurrence of benzimidazoles, a class of antiparasitics for human and veterinary use, has been reported in WWTP effluents and surface waters. In this study, an SPE-UHPLC-MS/MS method was developed and optimized for extraction and quantitation of benzimidazoles in influents and effluents of a local WWTP and in hospital wastewater. The extraction procedure was optimized using response surface methodology (Box-Behnken design) and the optimal parameters were as follows: 2.0 mL of loading solvent consisting of a mixture of water:methanol (95:5, v/v) and temperature at 43 degrees C. In hospital wastewater, albendazole (ABZ) and its principal metabolite ricobendazole (RBZ) were the main benzimidazole-related contaminants and were found at concentrations of up to 3810 and 3894 ng L-1, respectively. The WWTP system was able to remove from 46% to 95% of the ABZ quantified in the influent, discharging an effluent with 16-441 ng L-1 of ABZ. The concentrations of other benzimidazoles and metabolites in the WWTP effluents remained below 350 ng L-1. WWTP effluents fortified with 50 mu g L-1 of ABZ required 26.7 mg(o3) L-1 to remove ABZ and RBZ. After ozonation, the COD and BOD5 of the effluents were reduced by 27%. Photolysis by UVA radiation was not effective to remove ABZ and FBZ from the effluent samples232729737CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP4657682014-8; 140370/2015-3; 154061/2018-2PNPD 201317772013/09543-7; 2014/50951-4; 2018/03571-2; 2014/16622-