Alkalophiles

Alkalophiles are a class of extremophiles capable of survival in alkaline (pH roughly 8.5–11) environments, growing optimally around a pH of 10. At such high pH, the normal cellular functions are detrimentally affected for mesophilic organisms. The alkalophiles successfully manage stability of DNA, plasma membrane, and function of cytosolic enzymes, as well as other unfavorable physiological changes at such an elevated pH. A recent development in NextGen sequencing technology facilitates identifying uncultivable organisms amongst the extreme environments. In recent years, distribution of alkalophiles was reported from Soda Lake, marine environments, saline deserts, and natural thermal vents to natural water bodies. Although alkalophiles were first reported in 1889, their enzymatic and industrial applications still make them an interesting area of research. This chapter provides basic information on environmental distribution, taxonomy, physiology, bioenergetics, and survival mechanism and enzymes produced by alkalophilic organisms.

Occupational and Environmental Health Concerns on Unsafe Acts and Conditions in Poultry Production Sites in Ido-Osi, Ekiti State, Nigeria

Aim: Many food animal production facilities are sited close to human residence. This research work seeks to establish the occupational and environmental burdens of unsafe acts and conditions in backyard poultry production sites in the area of study in order to validate the compliance level of poultry farmers to common safety regulations. Place and Duration of Study: Microbiology Department, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, from February 2017 to December 2019. Methodology: A well-structured questionnaire was administered to farm managers and residents within the area of study. Data on poultry management attitudes and history of water use were collected. The coordinates of the poultry sites, natural water bodies, source area and their relative distances were determined using the Geographical System Information Software, Mapit GIS. Fecal droppings from poultry birds were randomly sampled with a sterile swab stick and transferred into a factory-packed polythene bag. The suspension of the fecal droppings was streaked on Eosin Methylene Blue agar plates and incubated at 37°C for 18-24 hours. Waste-water, soil from disposal sites, and poultry feed samples were also collected in sterile universal bottles, serially diluted and cultured. E. coli isolates were characterized using relevant biochemical tests. The modified paper disc-diffusion method was used to determine the isolates’ sensitivity to nine tested antibiotics. The results were interpreted based on the procedures of the clinical and laboratory standard institutes. Results: Majority of the poultry farms under survey, 83% adopted the intensive ranging system of farming while few adopted the free range system. Layers were the most reared, 50%. There was no documented health, safety and regulatory protocols used on all the farms leading to variations in poultry management practices. Accumulated poultry droppings were periodically disposed between 3-4 days into open fields, flowing water bodies and pits. Among the three adopted waste disposal options, disposal into open field was rampant, 67%. Also, some of the poultry farmers, 42% applied the collected poultry droppings as farm yard manure. Family members constitute the major labor force, 92% on the farm. There were contacts between few of the farmers and their clients during routine farm activities. Majority of the farmers, 83.3% were not kitted with commonly-used personal protective equipment while coverall was only used by few. The five natural water bodies found within the area of study were majorly used for agricultural, domestic, and, recreational purposes. There was history of diarrhea in respondents, 12% with exposure to the water bodies. Socio-demographic data show that young, married-males with tertiary education comprise the major farming population. The relative distance of poultry farms to residential site is ≤ 6 meters while the proximity of poultry farms to natural water sources is between 160 meters to 4,596 meters. Antibiotic sensitivity test shows that multiple antibiotic-resistant bacteria were present in poultry droppings, waste water and soil from poultry waste disposal sites. Bacterial resistance to the fluoroquinolones, sulphonamide, tetracycline, aminoglycoside and penicillin was high. Conclusion: The findings on unsafe act audit of the poultry production sites assert that safety of public health is dependent on the quality of water and soil found in human environment. Unsafe acts and conditions with the inherent occupational hazards in poultry production sites are attributed to non-functional health, safety and environment management system. Antibiotic resistant bacteria in poultry droppings constitute biological hazard to humans. Exposure to these biological hazards predisposes the public to infections. Human and environmental health can be improved by reviewing the national guidelines and standards for environmental pollution control.

A City as a Source of Introduction for Tropical Alien Species (Egeria Densa Planch., Pistia Stratiotes L. & Eichornia Crassipes (Mart.) Solms) in Natural Ecosystems with a Temperate Climate

This paper is concerned with the study of ecology and invasive behaviour of southern tropical invaders (Egeria densa, Pistia stratiotes, Eichornia crassipes) in the setting of urban landscape water bodies with a temperate climate (the case of Kyiv, Ukraine). The article explores the role of a city as a source of invasions. It shows that escape from aquaculture (aquariums or decorative ponds) or deliberate release into natural water bodies are the main settlement solution. A brief historical background of these species found in water bodies of Ukraine has been presented. Favourable treatment for modern invasions of pantropical species has been analysed. Phytocoenotic special aspects of the communities formed by these species and ways and possibilities of naturalization of species in natural water bodies have been explored. Production indicators are being analysed.

Analysis of Hydrogeochemical Characteristics of Tunnel Groundwater Based on Multivariate Statistical Technology

Following tunnel excavation, which is influenced by hydraulic fracturing and geological structure, a series of hydrochemical reactions occur in the karst aquifer, which has a significant impact on groundwater hydrology and the earth process. Based on five sets of 38 samples collected in the Tongzi Tunnel in 2020 and 2021, the main geochemical processes and water quality conditions of the karst aquifer system during tunnel construction were revealed by multivariate statistical analysis and graphical methods. The results showed that water-rock action is the main mechanism controlling groundwater chemistry in the study area; HCO3-, Ca2+, and Mg2+ are associated with the widely distributed carbonate rocks in the study area. SO42- is derived from gypsum and sulfate rocks and special strata, which are another important source of Ca2+. Sodium-containing silicates and reverse cation exchange as the causal mechanisms of Na+ whereas F- is derived from fluorite. According to the mineral saturation index calculations, the dissolution and precipitation of minerals such as alum, gypsum, calcite, dolomite, and salt rock have an important influence on the main chemical components in water. The 38 samples were subjected to cluster analysis, and the results could be classified into seven categories. The representative clusters 1, 3, and 5 were selected for principal component analysis. Clusters 1 and 5 of groundwater represent weathering, dissolution, and ion exchange of carbonate and sulfate rocks and are closely related to the lithologic limestone, limestone intercalated with carbonaceous mudstone, carbonaceous mudstone, and coal-measure strata in the aquifer. Cluster 3 is dominated by upper surface river water and characterizes the geochemistry in natural water bodies dominated by the dissolution of carbonate, sulfate, and salt rocks. Finally, groundwater quality is mostly found in Class IV, with NO3- and F- being the main contaminants in the water.

Analysis of Мethodological Аpproaches for Developping Nutrient Standards in Surface Waters

Analysis of a large scale of monitoring data, basis for developping new approaches to environmental regulation and control strengthening subject to natural water bodies regional status have been performed. Existing rating system assessments (MAD, LOC) of biogenic elements in wastewater which desuetude doen not meet modern requirements of multifactorial situational analysis have been stated. Methodological aspects of eutrophication factors management and ways of their minimization have been considered.

Nutrient Regulation of Relative Dominance of Cylindrospermopsin-Producing and Non-cylindrospermopsin-Producing Raphidiopsis raciborskii

Raphidiopsis raciborskii (previously Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii) can produce cylindrospermopsin (CYN) which is of great concern due to its considerable toxicity to human and animals. Its CYN-producing (toxic) and non-CYN-producing (non-toxic) strains co-exist commonly in natural water bodies, while how their relative dominance is regulated has not been addressed. In this study, we combined field investigation with laboratory experiments to assessed the relationship between toxic and non-toxic R. raciborskii abundances under different nutrient levels. The rpoC1- and cyrJ-based qPCR was applied for quantifying total and toxic R. raciborskii abundances, respectively. The field survey showed that toxic R. raciborskii was detected in 97 of 115 reservoirs where its proportion ranged from 0.3% to 39.7% within the R. raciborskii population. Both total and toxic R. raciborskii abundances increased significantly with trophic level of these reservoirs, consistent with our monoculture and co-culture experiments showing in an increase in R. raciborskii growth with increasing nitrogen (N) or phosphorus (P) concentrations. In the monoculture experiments, growth rates of non-toxic and toxic strains from Australia or China were not significantly different under the same culture conditions. On the other hand, in the co-culture experiments, the toxic strains displayed a significantly faster growth than non-toxic strains under nutrient-replete conditions, resulting in an obvious shift toward the dominance by toxic strains from day 3 to the end of the experiments, regardless of the strain originating from Australia or China. The reverse was found under N- or P-limited conditions. Our results indicated that the toxic strains of R. raciborskii have a competitive advantage relative to the non-toxic strains in a more eutrophic world. In parallel to an increase in dominance, both toxic strains grown in the mixed population significantly increased CYN production under nutrient-replete conditions as compared to nutrient-limited conditions, suggesting that CYN may be of significance for ecological advantage of toxic R. raciborskii. These results highlight the importance of nutrient availability in regulating abundances and strain dominance of two genotypes of R. raciborskii. Our findings demonstrated that elevated nutrients would favor the growth of CYN-producing R. raciborskii and CYN production, leading to more blooms with higher toxicity at global scale.

Nanobiocatalysts and photocatalyst in dye degradation

In the modern era, the world today is in a mission for a new method of environmental bioremediation in faltering the damage, especially in polluted water. Recently, the global direction is regulated toward an alteration from the usual chemical-based methods to a supplementary ecofriendly green alternative. In this perspective, biocatalysts are appreciated as an economical and clean substitute which was meant to catalyze degradation of unmanageable chemicals in a rapid, green and ecologically stable manner. Among the various sources of water pollution, the textile manufacturing industries were thought to be a major dispute due to release of effluents in natural water bodies such as rivers. Other industries like paper, pulp and tannery pharmaceutical industries were also responsible in contaminating the water bodies. Photocatalysis was considered as an auspicious method for the removal of dyes from the natural bodies, specifically those with hard organic compounds; using enzymes. The present chapter briefly emphasizes on the effective methods used for degradation of dye effluents; their importance of photocatalytic and biocatalytic solution to the current environmental difficulties and future opportunities are discussed.

Water as a tool for development. An analysis of the conflict of the Ñuble River, Chile

<p>After three decades of neoliberal policies, there are growing concerns in Chile about how nature is used and understood. These concerns are reflected in the relationship between humans and natural water bodies which has reconceptualised the use of and access to water, especially for rural communities. These reconceptualisations have been affected by the model of water rights and river basin governance adopted which have raised issues about social inequality. As a result, rural communities have argued for greater participation in decision-making on matters that affect their lives. This thesis explores conflict that arose around the Punilla Dam Project on the Ñuble River, Biobío Region in Chile. The research employs a political ecology perspective to explore the socio-environmental outcomes of water management in this case and in Chile more generally. The case illustrates how water is important for Chile as a tool for development, the role environmental institutions play, and the tensions between peasant communities, irrigators and hydroelectric interests, while placing these tensions in the context of wider economic and political structures. It is clear that water is key in Chile, hence an examination of the encounter between the model of development and nature is required. I argue that the outcomes of these encounters will increase social inequality and marginalisation, showing that a water project is not always good for all. The omission of these issues in places often rich both in biodiversity and socio-cultural heritage is a cause of concern for Chile and more globally.</p>

Water as a tool for development. An analysis of the conflict of the Ñuble River, Chile

<p>After three decades of neoliberal policies, there are growing concerns in Chile about how nature is used and understood. These concerns are reflected in the relationship between humans and natural water bodies which has reconceptualised the use of and access to water, especially for rural communities. These reconceptualisations have been affected by the model of water rights and river basin governance adopted which have raised issues about social inequality. As a result, rural communities have argued for greater participation in decision-making on matters that affect their lives. This thesis explores conflict that arose around the Punilla Dam Project on the Ñuble River, Biobío Region in Chile. The research employs a political ecology perspective to explore the socio-environmental outcomes of water management in this case and in Chile more generally. The case illustrates how water is important for Chile as a tool for development, the role environmental institutions play, and the tensions between peasant communities, irrigators and hydroelectric interests, while placing these tensions in the context of wider economic and political structures. It is clear that water is key in Chile, hence an examination of the encounter between the model of development and nature is required. I argue that the outcomes of these encounters will increase social inequality and marginalisation, showing that a water project is not always good for all. The omission of these issues in places often rich both in biodiversity and socio-cultural heritage is a cause of concern for Chile and more globally.</p>

TREATMENT OF A TEXTILE WASTEWATER USING AN ELECTROCOAGULATION REACTOR POWERED BY PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR ENERGY

The textil industry uses a variety of dyes in the stage of coloring. The liquid effluent resulting at the end of the process has high turbidity and a large chemical oxygen demand. If these byproducts are dumped into natural water bodies, even in small quantities, they may produce damage to the aquatic environment and to human health. Electrocoagulation is becoming an efficient technique for the removal of pollutants from industrial effluents, it is easy to operate, and produces little sludge at the end of the treatment. In the present study, the use of an electrocoagulation reactor with aluminum electrodes proved efficient for turbidity removal from synthetic industrial effluents. The use of a solar plate of photovoltaic electricity for the functioning of the reactor was evaluated. Ideal time of treatment was 20 minutes. The use of a conventional energy source removed 63% of the turbidity. Using the voltaic solar energy source, a removal of 72% of turbidity was attained. We conclude that it is possible to use the alternative solar energy source in order to minimize costs resulting from electrical energy consumption, and, at the same time, to obtain the best results in the removal of pollutants.