Previous studies have made some progress with the use of microbial community properties as assessment criteria for rehabilitation success of post-mining areas. Currently, there is a need for reference ranges of specific properties in rehabilitated post-mining sites to make this approach more practical. The aim of this investigation was to compare assessment parameters indicative of microbial community function (enzymatic assays) and structure (phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis) in rehabilitated asbestos and coal discard sites and to establish ranges of minimum and maximum values for these parameters in both types of sites. The range established for dehydrogenase activity in coal discard sites was 24.3–339.5 μg INF g−1 2 h−1 and for asbestos 44.5–544.6 μg INF g−1 2 h−1. Ranges were also established for β-glucosidase, urease, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase. Complete PLFA profiles were determined and ranges established for major PLFA groups and ratios in both types of discard. From the PLFA profiles, viable microbial biomass was determined as 6,080–29,851 and 8,128–47,242 pmol g−1 dry weight for the coal and asbestos discard sites, respectively. While similar ranges were observed for both types of discard, a canonical correspondence analysis that accounts for functional and structural characteristics showed that sites clustered according to the origin of the samples.

Among the many anthropogenic abiotic stresses, manganese (Mn) toxicity has been recognized for its impact on aquatic ecosystems as well as on the biological components of these ecosystems, including aquatic plants. The objective of this study was to determine the Mn accumulation ability of aquatic macrophytes (Azolla caroliniana, Salvinia minima and Spirodela polyrhiza) and evaluate the morphophysiological responses of the species that gather the highest amount of Mn when exposed to a supra-optimal supply of manganese. The experiments were conducted in the laboratory, and the effects of Mn were evaluated based on plant growth; the concentration of total chlorophyll, carotenoids, and anthocyanins; the enzymatic activity of catalase and peroxidase; and leaf anatomy. All of the studied species accumulated Mn in their tissues. Moreover, it was observed that this accumulation was dependent on the concentration of the metal in solution. S. polyrhiza showed higher concentrations of Mn in its tissues (17.062 mg g−1 dry weight (DW)), followed by S. minima (4.283 mg g−1 DW) and A. caroliniana (1.341 mg g−1 DW). Despite the Mn accumulation in all species, S. polyrhiza was the only one selected for further analyses because of its greater ability to accumulate Mn. The high Mn concentration found in tissues of S. polyrhiza suggests that this species has the potential to sequester and accumulate this metal. However, a sensitive response in the plants exposed to higher Mn concentrations (0.4 mM) was observed. The phytotoxicity effects of this accumulation were responsible for a decrease in the plant growth, a reduction in the pigment content (total chlorophyll, carotenoids, and anthocyanins), a low activity of catalase, and the disarrangement of the leaf aerenchyma.

A Cd-, Pb-, Zn-, Cu-resistant endophytic yeast CBSB78 was isolated from surface-sterilized rape roots. The isolate was identified as Cryptococcus sp. based on the ITS1–5.8S–ITS2 sequence analysis. The strain was resistant to 20 mM Cd²⁺, 20 mM Pb²⁺, 10 mM Zn²⁺, and 7 mM Cu²⁺. The yeast CBSB78 was a low indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) producer and possessed low 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase activity. Overall, 29.4–244 % of survival rates increased and the dry weight of Brassica alboglabra showed a 41.1 % increase when it was inoculated into the seedlings. The inoculation of CBSB78 could also increase the extraction amounts of Cd, Pb, and Zn by B. alboglabra simultaneously in the multi-metal contaminated soils, which showed the potential to improve extraction efficacy of Cd, Pb, Zn by B. alboglabra seedlings in the field.

In the present study, a novel synthesized adsorbent material based on 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes was used to increase the Pb²⁺ adsorption from aqueous solutions in a flow injection solid-phase extraction system coupled to flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Spectroscopic and microscopic techniques (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy) were employed to confirm the chemical modification of the adsorbent surface. Preconcentration conditions (sample pH, flow rate, buffer solution, and eluent concentrations) were optimized using factorial and Doehlert matrix designs that made it possible to construct a linear graph in the 5.0- to 130.0-μg L⁻¹ range (r = 0.9999) and estimate detection and quantification limits (1.7 and 5.7 μg L⁻¹, respectively). The method precision was found to be 4.20 and 1.97 % for 5.0 and 100.0 μg L⁻¹ Pb²⁺ solutions, respectively. When using the 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes, the sensitivity for the Pb²⁺ trace determination was improved to 95 % compared with the oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes, thus evidencing the significant enhancement of the adsorption capacity. The developed method was successfully applied to the analysis of Pb²⁺ species in different water samples and the PACS-2 marine sediment-certified reference material.

Groundwater drains used to manage saline watertables in the semi-arid zone of south-western Australia can discharge acidic saline water with high concentrations of metals to waterways. Mitigating the acidity impacts of the waters requires sulfate-reducing bioreactors capable of functioning under semi-arid conditions with limited source materials. Two simple pilot-scale bioreactor designs using straw and sheep manure mixtures were evaluated over several years. The bioreactors increased pH from <3.5 to >5.5 for 125–260 days, with concurrent evidence of sulfate reduction, >85% reductions in net acidity and >90% reductions in Al and most trace elements (e.g. Pb, Cu, Ni, Zn, Ce and La). When outflow pH < 5.5 (remaining greater than inflows), reduction in net acidity was 10–80% but concentrations of Pb, Cu and Ni remained >80% reduced over periods of 250 to >700 days. Rates of alkalinity generation initially exceeded 10 g CaCO3/m2/day in both bioreactors thereafter decreasing to >1–2 CaCO3/m2/day. Al and Fe retention was implicated in trace metal removal when pH < 5.5, mediated by biological alkalinity generation. High evaporation rates limited bioreactor function by restricting outflows with no benefits to alkalinity generation rates. This experiment showed that simple bioreactors can neutralise acidic waters and remove metals for short durations and show capacity for sustained reduction in acidity and metal concentrations over several years despite low alkalinity generation.

One of the main environmental impacts of concentrated animal feeding operations is soil degradation in the vicinity of the livestock breeding facilities due to substances such as ammonia emitted from the various stages of the process. In this research, the soil degradation effects of an intensive hog farming operation (IHFO) located at a Mediterranean limestone soil coastal area have been investigated. Soil samples of the upper mineral soil were taken in various distances and directions from the IHFO boundaries. Thirteen experimental cycles were carried out in the duration of 1.5 years starting in March 2009 until October 2010. The soil samples were analysed on total, exchangeable and water-soluble Ca, Mg and K as well as water-soluble ammonium concentrations. Significantly lower concentrations of the exchangeable and water-soluble base cations were observed on soil samples at increasing proximity downwind from the farm (south). Southern soil average concentrations of exchangeable base cations ranged between 78.6 and 128.52 mmol Ca²⁺ kg⁻¹ soil, 8.42–21.39 mmol Mg²⁺ kg⁻¹ soil and 4.25–8.1 mmol K⁺ kg⁻¹ soil, respectively. Southern soil average concentrations of water-soluble base cations ranged between 0.57 and 2.17 mmol Ca²⁺ kg⁻¹ soil, 0.16–0.89 mmol Mg²⁺ kg⁻¹ soil and 0.48–0.95 mmol K⁺ kg⁻¹ soil, respectively.

While interest in and adoption of graywater reuse for irrigation has rapidly grown in recent years, little is known about the long-term effects of graywater irrigation. Concerns exist in relation to the presence of pathogenic organisms, fate of personal care products, and accumulation of salts. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the long-term effects of graywater irrigation to soil quality under real conditions where homeowners may not always apply graywater in a highly controlled manner. Four households from different climatic and geological conditions were selected for sampling (AZ, CA, CO, and TX) where graywater was applied for irrigation for a minimum of 5 years. Soil samples were collected in areas irrigated with graywater and areas irrigated with freshwater within the same yard. Soil cores were taken at depths of 0–15, 15–30, and 30–100 cm and analyzed separately for surfactants, antimicrobials, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), electrical conductivity (EC), extractable boron, fecal indicator organisms (E. coli, enterococci, and Clostridium perfringens), and soil dehydrogenase activity. In surface soil samples (0–15 cm), the average total surfactant concentration (over all sites) was higher in graywater-irrigated soil (0.078 ± 0.033) compared to freshwater-irrigated soil (0.030 ± 0.025 mg kg⁻¹). This difference was not found to be significant (P > 0.05). Triclosan and triclocarban were detected in surface soil samples at some locations (3.8–6.3 and 3.5–9.1 μg kg⁻¹, respectively), but not in samples deeper than 15 cm. Among the sampling locations, the TX household appeared to be most impacted by graywater, as evidenced by elevated SAR, potentially toxic levels of B, and relatively high numbers of E. coli and enterococci due to 30 years of graywater application for irrigation.

Aircraft and pavement deicing formulations and other potential freezing point depressants were tested for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Propylene glycol-based aircraft deicers exhibited greater BOD5 than ethylene glycol-based aircraft deicers, and ethylene glycol-based products had lower degradation rates than propylene glycol-based products. Sodium formate pavement deicers had lower COD than acetate-based pavement deicers. The BOD and COD results for acetate-based pavement deicers (PDMs) were consistently lower than those for aircraft deicers, but degradation rates were greater in the acetate-based PDM than in aircraft deicers. In a 40-day testing of aircraft and pavement deicers, BOD results at 20°C (standard) were consistently greater than the results from 5°C (low) tests. The degree of difference between standard and low temperature BOD results varied among tested products. Freshwater BOD test results were not substantially different from marine water tests at 20°C, but glycols degraded slower in marine water than in fresh water for low temperature tests. Acetate-based products had greater percentage degradation than glycols at both temperatures. An additive component of the sodium formate pavement deicer exhibited toxicity to the microorganisms, so BOD testing did not work properly for this formulation. BOD testing of alternative freezing point depressants worked well for some, there was little response for some, and for others there was a lag in response while microorganisms acclimated to the freezing point depressant as a food source. Where the traditional BOD5 test performed adequately, values ranged from 251 to 1,580 g/kg. Where the modified test performed adequately, values of BOD28 ranged from 242 to 1,540 g/kg.

The paper presents results of a long-term investigations of tritium activity concentrations in precipitation and radiocesium activity concentrations in ground level air in Belgrade, Serbia. Samples were collected at three locations in Belgrade (Meteorological Station of Belgrade MS at Zeleno Brdo (ZB), Meteorological Station MS Usek (USEK), and Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences (VINS)). Presented data cover the period 1985–1997. Significantly higher tritium levels were measured in samples in VINS compared with off-site location, while the impact of research reactor for 137Cs was not detected. It was found that the value of the symmetrical index n is higher for VINS in case of tritium, compared to other locations, which is in accordance with the fact that the highest average monthly concentrations of tritium were obtained in the samples from the cited place. Although the highest value of index n in case of 137Cs was also obtained for VINS, average monthly concentrations of 137Cs in ground level air for this location were the lowest. The 137Cs concentration in the ground level air is described by a kinetic equation of the first order and provides a good description of the time changes in these concentrations.

Increasing environmental pollution is connected with broad applications of dyes and imperfection of dyeing technology. Decolourization of triphenylmethane brilliant green and disazo Evans blue by bacterial and fungal strains and toxicity (phyto- and zootoxicity) of degradation by-products were investigated. Influence of incubation method on dyes removal was evaluated (static, semi-static, shaken). Dead biomass was used for sorption estimation. Toxicity of treated dyes was measured to estimate possible influence on aquatic ecosystems. The zootoxicity test was done with Daphnia magna and phytotoxicity with Lemna minor. Samples were classified according to ACE 89/BE 2/D3 Final Report Commission EC. The best results of removal for all tested strains were reached in shaken samples. In opposite to fungi, bacterial strains decolourized brilliant green more effectively than Evans blue. The most effective bacterial strain was Erwinia spp. (s12) and fungal strains were Polyporus picipes (RWP17) and Pleurotus ostreatus (BWPH and MB). Decolourization of brilliant green was connected with decrease of zootoxicity (D. magna) and phytotoxicity (L. minor). Removal of Evans blue was connected with no changes in zootoxicity and decrease of phytotoxicity in most of samples.