scholarly journals Microbial Biomass and Phosphomonoesterase Activity of the Willow  (Salix sp.) Rhizosphere in a Heavy Metal Polluted Soil

2006 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 241-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Szili-Kovács ◽  
G. Máthé-Gáspár ◽  
P. Máthé ◽  
A. Anton

The applicability of the chloroform fumigation extraction method was tested for detecting soil microbial biomass and p-nitrophenyl phosphate (pNP) for acid phosphatase activity to study their response to heavy metal pollution in the rhizosphere soil of planted willow (Salix sp.).   The experimental site was located in the Toka River Valley (North-East Hungary) along the riverbank that had been severely polluted by flooding. The river had transported heavy metal and arsenic ions from several heaps deposited imprudently near a historic lead and zinc mining site. A phytoremediation experiment was set up by planting willow trees with the aim of extracting toxic elements from the soil. A strong significant difference between the control and the metal-contaminated rhizosphere soils resulted much lower microbial biomass values in the polluted soils, which suggests disturbance in the organic matter transformation dynamics. A significant increase in acid phosphomonoesterase activity was determined in the soil due to the pollution. The phosphatase enzyme production of living organisms may be stimulated by the measured higher moisture content and significantly lower LE-soluble phosphorus content of the polluted soil samples. The correlation established between soil water content and phosphatase activity was positive (r = +0.85), while that between LE-P content and phosphatase activity was negative (r = -0.69). The most important stimulating effect was attributable to the lower available phosphorus content, resulting from the heavy metal (Pb, Zn) content of polluted soil. Both measured biological parameters therefore were suitable for indicating soil pollution, but the change was adverse, the biomass decreased, while phosphatase activity increased. Microbial biomass and phosphatase activity were not correlated, indicating the different account of ecological factors that alter the biological properties of a soil.

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 72-84
Author(s):  
C O AKACHUKU ◽  
V P TOMBERE

The study examined the effect of polluted soil on early growth performance of Pentaclethra macro-phlylla. The objectives of the study were to determine the heavy metal content of the soil and the effect on the growth of this species. Soil samples were collected from an abandoned Sunshine battery facto-ry in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State using soil auger. The samples, collect-ed at different soil depths and at various distances, were divided into two parts. A part was analysed in the laboratory to determine the heavy metal content of the soil using digestion and atomic absorption methods, while the other part was used in raising Pentaclethra macrophyla seedlings in polypots. The result of analysis of variance of the soil samples considering the distances showed significant differ-ence in the distribution of copper and lead only (P<0.05), while no significant difference occurred among the concentrations of all the heavy metals at different soil depths. The ranges of concentration of metals in the polluted soil samples in mg/kg were Zn (13.90-41.30), Bo (11.40-27.10), Cd (61.10-77.10), Cu (5.35-49.75), Pb (53.10-153.70), As (0.40-4.50) and Se (1.80-4.30), while the control rec-orded the least amount of Pb (2.40-4.30 mg/kg). On the average, seedlings raised in soils collected from the point of waste disposal (epicentre) had the least growth values in terms of total leaf number (166), stem height (21.90cm), branch number (1.4) and branchlet number (8.8). This signifies stunted growth, which is likely due to the high concentrations of Pb and Cu. Factories should therefore be compelled to eliminate heavy metals before disposing their waste into the environment.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Carretta ◽  
Alessandra Cardinali ◽  
Giuseppe Zanin ◽  
Roberta Masin

&lt;p&gt;Glyphosate is the most used herbicide worldwide, especially in conservation agriculture, where the lack of mechanical weed control often necessitates chemical inputs. In conservation agriculture, the elimination of tillage operations leads to changes in soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. Consequently, herbicide environmental fate may be potentially altered relatively to conventional tillage systems. The aim of this study was, therefore, to investigate the effect of conservation agriculture and conventional tillage on the adsorption of glyphosate and on the dissipation of glyphosate and its primary metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) at two depths, 0&amp;#8722;5 and 5&amp;#8722;20 cm.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The field trial was conducted from October 2018 to April 2019 at the Padua University Experimental Farm, North-East Italy. Glyphosate was applied as a formulated product (Roundup Power 2.0) at a dose of 1.44 kg/ha of the active ingredient. The dissipation of glyphosate and the formation/dissipation of AMPA were followed for 182 days after their application. The concentrations of glyphosate and AMPA in the soil were analysed by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The dissipation of glyphosate was described by the first-order multicompartment model (FOMC), whereas the model for AMPA was composed of an FOMC degradation model for glyphosate and the single first-order degradation model for AMPA. The estimated trend of concentrations over time for both glyphosate and AMPA were used to derive their DT50 (time required for 50% dissipation of the initial concentration).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The results indicate an increase in glyphosate adsorption in non-tilled soil compared to the tilled soil, at both depths. Glyphosate initial dissipation was fast, followed by a slower decline. At 0&amp;#8211;5 cm no significant difference was observed in glyphosate persistence between the two soil managements, whereas at 5&amp;#8211;20 cm glyphosate was more persistent in non-tilled soil (DT50 18 days) than in tilled soil (DT50 8 days). The fast initial dissipation of glyphosate was reflected in an increase in the concentration of AMPA. AMPA persisted longer than glyphosate but, for this metabolite, no apparent effect was observed in response to the different soil management. The higher persistence of glyphosate under conservation tillage might increase the risk of on-site soil pollution due to the accumulation of this chemical, especially in the case of repeated applications of glyphosate. Nevertheless, high glyphosate adsorption observed in non-tilled soil may reduce the leaching potential to lower soil depths.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This abstract falls in the group &amp;#8220;Soil contamination&amp;#8221; and the subgroup &amp;#8220;Experimental assessment&amp;#8221;.&lt;/p&gt;


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 1788-1797
Author(s):  
E.A.S. Lyngdoh ◽  
◽  
Sanjay Swami ◽  

Aim: To assess the ability of phosphorus to counteract harmful effects of heavy metals by reducing their concentration and increasing the maize yield. Methodology: Bulk surface soil sample (0-15 cm) was collected from heavy metal polluted soil of coal mine areas of Sutnga. Two pot experiments were conducted. Ten kg capacity pots were laid out for three phytoremediating crop and replicated 33 times. The processed soil was used for filling the pots. The first pot experiment was conducted to assess the phytoremediation efficiency of Helianthus annus and Vigna ungniculata on heavy metal polluted soil. Thereafter in the second pot experiment Zea mays L. was planted in pots maintained under experiment 1 and subsequently eleven levels of phosphorus i.e. 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 mg P kg-1 soil were super imposed in non-phytoremediated soil, phytoremediated soils through SSP. The elemental uptake and concentration of available phosphorus and heavy metal was determined.? Results: From the first pot culture experiment, it was observed that heavy metals content in soil after harvesting of phytoremediating crops reduced significantly in both the phytoremediated soils as compared to non-phytoremediated soil. From the second pot experiment it was observed that phosphorus as well as the heavy metals concentration and uptake in maize decreased significantly with increasing doses of phosphorus added in non phytoremediated soil.? Interpretation: This study clearly indicates that sunflower can be successfully grown as a phytoremediating crop in coal mine affected soils of Jaintia hills for phytoremediation of heavy metal polluted soils.


2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (7) ◽  
pp. 1695-1698
Author(s):  
Marin Rusanescu ◽  
Carmen Otilia Rusanescu ◽  
Gheorghe Voicu ◽  
Mihaela Begea

A calcium bentonite from Orasu Nou deposit (Satu Mare Romania) was used as raw material. We have conducted laboratory experiments to determine the influence of bentonite on the degree of heavy metal retention. It has been observed that the rate of retention increases as the heavy metal concentration decreases. Experimental studies have been carried out on metal retention ( Zn) in bentonite. In this paper, we realized laboratory experiments for determining the influence of metal (Zn) on the growth and development of two types of plants (Pelargonium domesticum and Kalanchoe) and the effect of bentonite on the absorption of pollutants. These flowers were planted in unpolluted soil, in heavy metal polluted soil and in heavy metal polluted soil to which bentonite was added to observe the positive effect of bentonite. It has been noticed that the flowers planted in unpolluted soil and polluted with heavy metals to which bentonite has been added, the flowers have flourished, the leaves are still green and the plants whose soils have been polluted with heavy metals began to dry after 6 days, three weeks have yellowish leaves and flowers have dried. Experiments have demonstrated the essential role of bentonite for the removal of heavy metals polluted soil.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (13) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Mohebzadeh ◽  
Babak Motesharezadeh ◽  
Mohammad Jafari ◽  
Salman Zare ◽  
Maryam Saffari Aman

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 171
Author(s):  
Gaurav Mishra ◽  
Rosa Francaviglia

Northeast (NE) India is a typical tropical ecosystem with a luxuriant forest vegetation cover, but nowadays forests are under stress due to exploitation and land use changes, which are known to affect soil health and productivity. However, due to a scarcity of data, the influence of land uses and altitude on soil properties of this peculiar ecosystem is poorly quantified. This study presents the changes in soil properties in two districts of Nagaland (Mon and Zunheboto) in relation to land uses (forest, plantation, jhum and fallow jhum), altitude (<500 m, 500–1000 m, >1000 m) and soil texture (coarse, medium, fine). For this, a random soil sampling was performed in both the districts. Results indicated that soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and available potassium (K) were significantly influenced by land uses in the Mon district, while in Zunheboto a significant difference was observed in available phosphorus (P) content. SOC stocks showed an increasing trend with elevation in both districts. The influence of altitude on P was significant and the maximum concentration was at lower elevations (<500 m). In Mon, soil texture significantly affected SOC stocks and the available N and P content. The variability in soil properties due to land uses, altitudinal gradients and textural classes can be better managed with the help of management options, which are still needed for this ecosystem.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Noorfariza Nordin ◽  
Suhaily Mohd Hairon ◽  
Najib Majdi Yaacob ◽  
Anees Abdul Hamid ◽  
Seoparjoo Azmel Mohd Isa ◽  
...  

Abstract Background People with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are best managed by a chronic care model that is associated with enhanced quality of care and improved patient outcome. Assessing patients’ perceived quality of care is crucial in improving the healthcare delivery system. Hence, this study determined the perceived quality of care among people with T2DM and explored its associations with (i) sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and (ii) types of healthcare clinics to guide future planning. Methods A cross-sectional study involving 20 primary healthcare clinics in the North East Region of Peninsular Malaysia and people with T2DM as the sampling unit was conducted from February to May 2019. The pro forma checklist, interview-guided Skala Kepuasan Interaksi Perubatan-11, and Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (Malay version; PACIC-M) questionnaire were used for data collection. Univariate analysis and linear regression were used to determine the status of perceived quality of care and the factors associated with the perceived quality of care, respectively. Results Overall, data from 772 participants were analyzed. The majority was from the Malay ethnic group (95.6%) with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level of 8.91% (2.30). The median (interquartile range [IQR]) of the number of medical officers available at each clinic was 6 (7), with Family Doctor Concept (FDC) clinics having a higher number of medical officers than non-FDC clinics (p = 0.001). The overall mean (SD) PACIC-M score was 2.65 (0.54) with no significant difference between scores of patients treated in the two clinic types (p = 0.806). Higher perceived quality of care was associated with lower number of medical officers (adjusted regression coefficient [Adj.β], − 0.021; p-value [p], 0.001), and greater doctor–patient interaction in all domains: distress relief (Adj.β, 0.033; p, < 0.001), rapport (Adj.β, 0.056; p, < 0.001), and interaction outcome (Adj.β, 0.022; p, 0.003). Conclusion Although there was no significant difference found between clinic type, this study reflects that patients are comfortable when managed by the same doctor, which may support a better doctor-patient interaction. A larger specialized primary care workforce could improve diabetes care in Malaysia.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nattaphop Noothuan ◽  
Kantamas Apitanyasai ◽  
Somsak Panha ◽  
Anchalee Tassanakajon

Abstract Objective Snails secrete different types of mucus that serve several functions, and are increasingly being exploited for medical and cosmetic applications. In this study, we explored the protein pattern and compared the biological properties of the mucus secreted from the mantle collar and foot of two snail species, Lissachatina fulica and Hemiplecta distincta. Result Protein profile showed a different pattern between the two species and between the two secretory parts. The mantle-specific protein bands were further characterized and among them was an antibacterial protein, achacin. Accordingly, the mucus from the mantle exhibited the higher antibacterial activity than that from the foot in both snail species. The mucus from H. distincta, first reported here, also showed antibacterial properties, but with a lower activity compared to that for L. fulica. Snail mucus also exhibited anti-tyrosinase activity and antioxidant activity but with no significant difference between the foot and mantle mucus. These results indicate some different protein compositions and biological activities of snail slime from the mantle and foot, which might be associated with their specific functions in the animal and are useful for medical applications.


2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elijah Abakpa Adegbe ◽  
Oluwaseyi Oluwabukola Babajide ◽  
Lois Riyo Maina ◽  
Shola Elijah Adeniji

Abstract Background Heavy metal accumulation in the ecosystem constitutes a potential toxic effect which is hazardous to human health. Increasing environmental pollution has necessitated the use of cattle egrets to evaluate the levels of heavy metal contamination, to establish their use in biomonitoring of heavy metals and to provide data for monitoring pollution in the environment. Results The present study assessed the utilization of Bubulcus ibis in monitoring pollution in five abattoirs, namely Agege, Bariga, Kara, Itire and Idi-Araba, all situated in Lagos State. The concentration of five (5) heavy metals, cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) was determined in the liver, muscle and feather of Bubulcus ibis using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The trend of metal accumulation was in the order: Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd > Ni for all the sampled tissues. The mean tissue concentrations of the metals were significantly different (p < 0.05) among the sites. The highest levels of metal concentration were reported in the liver in all the locations. Mean concentration of Cd in Kara (0.003 ± 0.00058) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those found at Agege (0.0013 ± 0.00058) and Idi-Araba (0.001 ± 0.001). A significant difference (p < 0.05) was also observed between the mean concentrations of Cu in Bariga (0.01 ± 0.001) and Idi-Araba (0.003 ± 0.001). Conclusion All the studied heavy metals were present in the liver, muscle and feathers of the cattle egrets. The contamination levels were ascertained from the study which indicated that cattle egrets are useful in biomonitoring studies and the generated data will serve as baseline data which could be compared with data from other locations for monitoring heavy metal pollution.


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