The Application of Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron Promotes Soil Remediation While Negatively Affecting Soil Microbial Biomass and Activity

The use of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) particles for soil remediation is gaining increased attention. However, there are concerns about the potential adverse effects of nZVI on soil microbial communities and, hence, soil quality. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of the application of nZVI on soil microbial parameters (as bioindicators of soil quality) during the nanoremediation of soil artificially contaminated with lindane (10 mg gamma-HCH kg(-1) DW soil) and zinc (1,500 mg Zn kg(-1) DW soil). nZVI particles were also applied to non-contaminated soil. The following nZVI doses were applied twice: 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg nZVI g(-1) DW soil. Nine weeks after nZVI application, the following parameters were determined in soil samples: lindane concentration, extractable Zn concentration, microbial biomass carbon (C-MB), bacterial and fungal abundance (gene copy numbers by qPCR), enzyme activities (beta-glucosidase, beta-glucosaminidase, xylosidase, acid phosphatase, arylsulphatase, and Leu-aminopeptidase) and bacterial richness by ARISA profiles. The application of nZVI reduced lindane and extractable Zn concentrations following a dose-dependent pattern. The presence of contaminants reduced soil microbial biomass and activity. The application of nZVI negatively affected the microbial quality of the contaminated soil but not of the non-contaminated soil. This observation might reflect a "stress-on-stress" effect, i.e., the already stressed microbial populations present in the contaminated soil were more sensitive to the application of nZVI (a second stress) than those present in the non-contaminated soil.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness through NANORRIZORREM-2 Project (AGL2016-76592-R)

Agroecosystem Health Cards: A Practical Tool for Sustainable Management of Grasslands

The traditional grazing activity carried out for centuries in mountainous areas of the Basque Country (Northern Atlantic Spain) facilitated the presence of different extensive pasture habitats, such as those included in the Gorbeia Natural Park and surrounding valleys (43° 02’N, 2° 49’W). Currently, these pastures are highly valued due to the ecosystem services they provide. In this context, one of the main objectives of the LIFE-SOILMONTANA project (ref. LIFE 10 NAT/ES/579) is to develop a practical tool that allows grassland managers (farmers, scientists and authorities) to auto-evaluate the suitability of alternative agronomic practices in relation to the conservation of these ecosystem services through the conservation of their biodiversity, especially soil biodiversity

Zero-valent iron nanoparticles and organic amendment assisted rhizoremediation of mixed contaminated soil using Brassica napus

Soil is one of our most important natural resources. Regrettably, the expansion of human activities has resulted in the degradation of the soil resource due to contamination with a myriad of organic and inorganic compounds. The remediation of mixed contaminated soils, i.e. soils contaminated with both organic compounds and metals, is challenging as it requires actions to simultaneously decrease metal-induced risks and organic contaminant concentrations. Here, we evaluated the effect of the addition of zero-valent iron nanoparticles (nanoremediation) and organic amendments (biostimulation) on the rhizoremediation, using Brassica napus plants, of soil simultaneously contaminated with zinc (2500 mg kg(-1)) and lindane (100 mg kg(-1)). We used a factorial design with three factors (amendment, nZVI, plant) to evaluate the impact of the applied remediation actions on lindane and extractable Zn concentrations, as well as on soil health recovery as manifested by the values of different soil microbial indicators. The studied microbial indicators were not negatively affected by nZVI application. The application of nZVI was the most effective factor regarding the targeted reduction in lindane concentration (51% average reduction in nZVI treated soils). The highest reduction in extractable Zn was achieved in the presence of B. napus, nZVI and organic amendments (99 and 95% reduction in horse manure-amended and sewage sludge-amended soils, respectively). The combination of the three factors led to the highest values of soil microbial indicators (although a significant triple interaction was not observed for all parameters), especially when combined with horse manure amendment: in this case, prokaryotic richness increased by 64%, respiration by 376%, eukaryotic abundance by 333%, and prokaryotic abundance by 437%, compared to untreated soils. The combination of remediation approaches (rhizoremediation with B. napus, nanoremediation with nZVI, biostimulation with organic amendments) can help overcome the limitations of each individual strategy.This work was supported by the European Union through Interreg SUDOE Program (Project Phy2SUDOE SOE4/P5/E1021), the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry, and Competitiveness through NANORRIZORREM-2 (AGL2016-76592-R) and PRADA projects (PID2019-110055RB-C21 and PID2019-110055RB-789 C22), MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/FEDER, UE, and Consolidated Research Group of the Basque Government (GV ITO18-16). JH is the recipient of a predoctoral fellowship from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. We sincerely thank Dr. Fernando Blanco for technical assistance

The Application of Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron Promotes Soil Remediation While Negatively Affecting Soil Microbial Biomass and Activity

The use of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) particles for soil remediation is gaining increased attention. However, there are concerns about the potential adverse effects of nZVI on soil microbial communities and, hence, soil quality. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of the application of nZVI on soil microbial parameters (as bioindicators of soil quality) during the nanoremediation of soil artificially contaminated with lindane (10 mg γ-HCH kg−1 DW soil) and zinc (1,500 mg Zn kg−1 DW soil). nZVI particles were also applied to non-contaminated soil. The following nZVI doses were applied twice: 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg nZVI g−1 DW soil. Nine weeks after nZVI application, the following parameters were determined in soil samples: lindane concentration, extractable Zn concentration, microbial biomass carbon (CMB), bacterial and fungal abundance (gene copy numbers by qPCR), enzyme activities (β-glucosidase, β-glucosaminidase, xylosidase, acid phosphatase, arylsulphatase, and Leu-aminopeptidase) and bacterial richness by ARISA profiles. The application of nZVI reduced lindane and extractable Zn concentrations following a dose-dependent pattern. The presence of contaminants reduced soil microbial biomass and activity. The application of nZVI negatively affected the microbial quality of the contaminated soil but not of the non-contaminated soil. This observation might reflect a “stress-on-stress” effect, i.e., the already stressed microbial populations present in the contaminated soil were more sensitive to the application of nZVI (a second stress) than those present in the non-contaminated soil

Recent Trends in Sustainable Remediation of Pb-Contaminated Shooting Range Soils: Rethinking Waste Management within a Circular Economy

Soil metal contamination in recreational shooting ranges represents a widespread environmental problem. Lead (Pb) is the primary component of traditional ammunition, followed by metalloids such as antimony (Sb) and arsenic (As). Lead-based bullets and pellets deposited on the soil surface are subject to steady weathering; hence, metal(loid)s are released and accumulated in the underlying soil, with potential adverse consequences for ecosystem function and human health. Amongst the currently available environmentally-safe technologies for the remediation of metal-contaminated soils, chemical immobilization is recognized as the most practical and cost-effective one. This technology often uses inorganic and organic amendments to reduce metal mobility, bioavailability and toxicity (environmental benefits). Likewise, amendments may also promote and speed up the re-establishment of vegetation on metal-affected soils, thus facilitating the conversion of abandoned shooting ranges into public green spaces (social benefit). In line with this, the circular economy paradigm calls for a more sustainable waste management, for instance, by recycling and reusing by-products and wastes in an attempt to reduce the demand for raw materials (economic benefit). The objective of this manuscript is to present a state-of-the-art review of the different industrial and agro-food by-products and wastes used for the remediation of metal-contaminated shooting range soils.This work was financially supported by PRADA project (PID2019-110055RB-C21 and PID2019-110055RB-C22) from MINECO, Phy2SUDOE project (SOE4/P5/E1021) funded by the Interreg Sudoe Programme through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Consolidated Research Group of the Basque Government (GV ITO18-16) and, finally, OTRI project 2020.0670

Long-term effects of phytomanagement with populus sp. on soil biodiversity

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effects of sulfamethazine and tetracycline at molecular, cellular and tissue levels in Eisenia fetida earthworms

Soil contamination by antibiotics is a global issue of great concern that contributes to the rise of bacterial antibiotic resistance and can have toxic effects on non-target organisms. This study evaluated the variations of molecular, cellular, and histological parameters in Eisenia fetida earthworms exposed to sulfamethazine (SMZ) and tetracycline (TC), two antibiotics commonly found in agricultural soils. The earthworms were exposed for 14 days to a series of concentrations (0, 10, 100, and 1000 mg/kg) of both antibiotics. SMZ and TC did not affect the survival of E. fetida, however, other effects at different levels of biological complexity were detected. The two highest concentrations of SMZ reduced the viability of coelomocytes. At the highest TC concentration, there was a noticeable decline in cell viability, acetylcholinesterase activity (neurotoxicity), and the relative presence of mucopolysaccharides in the epidermis (mucous production). Glutathione S-transferase activity decreased in all TC treatments and at the highest SMZ concentration. However, levels of malondialdehyde and protein carbonyls did not change, suggesting an absence of oxidative stress. Tetracycline was neurotoxic to E. fetida and changed the integrity of the epidermis. Both antibiotics altered the intestinal microbiota of E. fetida, leading to a reduction in the relative abundance of bacteria from the phyla Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes, while causing an increase in the phylum Actinobacteroidota. All observed changes indicate that both SMZ and TC can disrupt the earthworms' immune system and gut microbiome, while fostering the growth of bacteria that harbour antibiotic resistance genes. Finally, both antibiotics exerted additional metabolic and physiological effects that increased the vulnerability of E. fetida to pathogens.Partially funded by the Basque Government (KONTRAE, KK2020-00007; Consolidate groups, IT1446-22, IT1743-22), Joint Research Laboratory on Environmental Antibiotic Resistance (Euskampus), “Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, CAPES” (001), and “Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, CNPq” (313503/2021-4). Also grateful to the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) for the pre-doctoraI fellowship of I. Vergara-Luis. We extend our deepest gratitude to Ainhoa Ugarte and Ane Arrizabalaga for the micrographs

Aldibereko teknika biologikoen bitartezko lurzoru kutsatuen erremediazioa

Anthropogenic activities led to the proliferation of polluted sites or potentially polluted sites around the world; including Basque Country. Technologies to remediate or clean these soils, mainly polluted by heavy metals or organic pollutants are diverse and of different nature. On the one hand, classic physicochemical remediation techniques can be found; with high yields and short application times; but, high costs and high ecological impacts. On the other hand, biological techniques could be found. These technologies are cheaper and more environmental-friendly; but, they require long application times. Among most used bioremediation technologies plant-based phytoremediation, worm based vermiremediation, and mibrobia based bioremediation (or bioaugmentation) can be found. This paper deals with the main features of these techniques and their applicability; both as single remediadion techniques or combined.; Gaur egun ugariak dira mundu mailan zein Euskal Herrian jarduera antropikoek kutsatuta dauden edo kutsatuta egon daitezkeen lurrak. Metal astun edo elementu organikoekin kutsatuta dauden lurzoru horiek erremediatzeko teknikak anitzak eta izaera ezberdinekoak dira. Alde batetik, erremediazio-teknika fisiko-kimiko klasikoak daude, errendimendu altu eta aplikazio-denbora laburrak dituztenak, baina, kontrara, kostu altu eta inpaktu ekologiko handiak dituztenak. Bestetik, teknika biologikoak daude, merkeagoak eta ingurumenarekiko adeitsuagoak, baina, aplikazio-denbora luzeak behar dituztenak. Horien artean daude landareekin gauzatzen den fitoerremediazioa, zizareekin gauzatzen den bermierremediazioa zein mikrobioekin gauzatzen den bioerremediazioa. Lan honetan, teknika horien ezaugarri nagusiak eta aplikagarritasuna jorratzen dira, bakarkako erremediazio-teknika zein teknika konbinatu gisa