ALBERT

Description:    Particularly in the last decade, landslide susceptibility and hazard maps have been used for urban planning and site selection of infrastructures. Most of the procedures for preparing of landslide susceptibility maps need high-quality landslide inventory map. Although the rainfall and seismic activities are accepted as triggering factor for landslides, designation of the triggering factor for each landslide in the inventory is almost impossible when well-documented records are unavailable. Therefore, during preparation of landslide susceptibility map, whole landslide records in the inventory map are used together without classifying based on the triggering factors. Although seismic activity is accepted as a triggering factor, possible effect of the use of seismic activity on production of landslide susceptibility map was investigated in this study, and the subject is open to discussion. For this purpose, a series of stability analyses based on circular failure and infinite slope model were performed considering different pseudostatic conditions. The results of analyses show that gentle slopes have higher susceptibility to failure than steeper ones, even if their stability conditions (susceptibilities) are similar for static condition. The seismic forces acting on failure surfaces may not be sufficiently taken into consideration in the conventionally prepared landslide susceptibility maps. Employing the general decreasing trend in stability condition based on slope face angle and the seismic acceleration, a new procedure was introduced for preparing of the landslide susceptibility map for a scenario earthquake. The prediction performance of occurring landslides increased after the procedure was applied to the conventionally prepared landslide susceptibility map. According to the threshold independent spatial performance analyses of the proposed methodology and the produced landslide susceptibility maps, the area under ROC curve values were calculated as 0.801, 0.933, and 0.947 for the maps prepared by considering conventional method and scenario earthquakes having M w values of 5.5 and 7.5, respectively. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-22 DOI 10.1007/s10346-012-0342-8 Authors H. O. Das, General Directorate of the Bank Provinces, Ankara, Turkey H. Sonmez, Department of Geological Engineering, Applied Geology Division, Hacettepe University, 06800 Ankara, Turkey C. Gokceoglu, Department of Geological Engineering, Applied Geology Division, Hacettepe University, 06800 Ankara, Turkey H. A. Nefeslioglu, Department of Geological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Cumhuriyet University, 58140 Sivas, Turkey Journal Landslides Online ISSN 1612-5118 Print ISSN 1612-510X

Description:    Numerous field monitoring programs have been conducted to investigate the performance of an unsaturated soil slope subjected to rainfalls in wet seasons. Most case histories focus on the response of matric suction, which is one of the two stress-state variables governing unsaturated soil behaviour. However, effects due to another variable, net normal stress, are often ignored. Also, slope performance under alternative wet and dry seasons is rarely reported and analysed. In this study, a saprolitic hillslope situated in Hong Kong was instrumented heavily to investigate its seasonal movement due to changes of the two variables and also groundwater flow mechanism. Two-year seasonal variations of matric suction and net normal stress were monitored by tensiometers together with heat dissipation matric water potential sensors and earth pressure cells, respectively. During heavy rainstorms in wet season, there was a substantial recharge of the main groundwater table, causing a significant increase of positive pore-water pressure in deeper depths. Rupture surface likely developed at depths between 5.5 and 6 m, hence resulting in a “deep-seated” mode of downslope movement. The downslope movement resulted in a peak increase of horizontal stress. In dry seasons, matric suction of up to 190 kPa was recorded, and the associated soil shrinkage led to substantial upslope rebounds. The stress built up in wet seasons hence reduced. After monitoring period of 2 years, downslope ratcheting is identified. Up to 40 % of the downslope displacements were recovered by the upslope rebounds. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s10346-012-0343-7 Authors Anthony Kwan Leung, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China Charles Wang Wai Ng, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China Journal Landslides Online ISSN 1612-5118 Print ISSN 1612-510X

Description:    A thermophilic bacterium capable of degrading acrylamide, AUT-01, was isolated from soil collected from a hot spring area in Montana, USA. The thermophilic strain grew with 0.2 % glucose as the sole carbon source and 1.4 mM acrylamide as the sole nitrogen source. The isolate AUT-01 was identified as Geobacillus thermoglucosidasius based on 16S rDNA sequence. An enzyme from the strain capable of transforming acrylamide to acrylic acid was purified by a series of chromatographic columns. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 38 kDa by SDS-PAGE. The enzyme activity had pH and temperature optima of 6.2 and 70 ºC, respectively. The influence of different metals and amino acids on the ability of the purified protein to transform acrylamide to acrylic acid was evaluated. The gene from G. thermoglucosidasius encoding the acrylamidase was cloned, sequenced, and compared to aliphatic amidases from other bacterial strains. The G. thermoglucosidasius gene, amiE , encoded a 38 kDa, monomeric, heat-stable amidase that catalysed the cleavage of carbon–nitrogen bonds in acrylamide. Comparison of the amino acid sequence to other bacterial amidases revealed 99 and 82 % similarity to the amino acid sequences of Bacillus stearothermophilus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa , respectively. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s10532-012-9557-6 Authors Minseok Cha, Department of Bacteriology and Department of Food Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1550 Linden Dr., Microbial Sciences Building, Madison, WI 53706, USA Glenn H. Chambliss, Department of Bacteriology and Department of Food Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1550 Linden Dr., Microbial Sciences Building, Madison, WI 53706, USA Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    Horizontal drains, used independently or as part of a more complex remediation scheme, are frequently installed to mitigate the effects of increased groundwater in slope stabilization projects. Due to a general trial and error approach to their design, the need for improved design practices has been recognized. The procedures established by Crenshaw and Santi in 2004 made some advances in this direction, but did not account for slopes with drains that were not horizontal or for sloping low-permeability layers underneath the slide mass. Furthermore, the method outlined by Crenshaw and Santi is time-consuming and requires some trial and error calculations to achieve convergence. Therefore, the method has been modified to account for nonhorizontal elements, and a horizontal drain spreadsheet has been developed to streamline the design for projects where horizontal drains will be installed. The horizontal drain spreadsheet may be used to: (1) predict a conservative piezometric profile in a drained slope for use in slope stability analyses, (2) predict piezometric heads in any single piezometer in a drainage field, and (3) predict drain spacing for design purposes. This document explains the revisions to Crenshaw and Santi’s procedures and provides instructions for applying the method. The instructions may be used for hand calculations, but are specifically intended for use with the horizontal drain spreadsheet. The spreadsheet may be used for slopes composed of silty or clayey sands, silts, and silty or sandy clays. Content Type Journal Article Category Technical Note Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s10346-012-0337-5 Authors Diana I. Cook, Tetra Tech, 350 Indiana Street, Suite 500, Golden, CO 80401, USA Paul M. Santi, Department of Geology and Geological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1516 Illinois Street, Golden, CO 80401, USA Jerry D. Higgins, Department of Geology and Geological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1516 Illinois Street, Golden, CO 80401, USA Journal Landslides Online ISSN 1612-5118 Print ISSN 1612-510X

Description:    A thermophilic bacterium capable of low-molecular-weight polyethylene (LMWPE) degradation was isolated from a compost sample, and was identified as Chelatococcus sp. E1, through sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. LMWPE was prepared by thermal degradation of commercial PE in a strict nitrogen atmosphere. LMWPE with a weight-average-molecular-weight (Mw) in the range of 1,700–23,700 was noticeably mineralized into CO 2 by the bacterium. The biodegradability of LMWPE decreased as the Mw increased. The low molecular weight fraction of LMWPE decreased significantly as a result of the degradation process, and thereby both the number-average-molecular-weight and Mw increased after biodegradation. The polydispersity of LMWPE was either narrowed or widened, depending on the initial Mw of LMWPE, due to the preferential elimination of the low molecular weight fraction, in comparison to the high molecular weight portion. LMWPE free from an extremely low molecular weight fraction was also mineralized by the strain at a remarkable rate, and FTIR peaks assignable to C–O stretching appeared as a result of microbial action. The FTIR peaks corresponding to alkenes also became more intense, indicating that dehydrogenations occurred concomitantly with microbial induced oxidation. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s10532-012-9560-y Authors Hyun Jeong Jeon, Department of Life Science, Sangmyung University, Seoul, 110-743 Republic of Korea Mal Nam Kim, Department of Life Science, Sangmyung University, Seoul, 110-743 Republic of Korea Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    The contamination of groundwater with mercury (Hg) is an increasing problem worldwide. Yet, little is known about the interactions of Hg with microorganisms and their processes in subsurface environments. We tested the impact of Hg on denitrification in nitrate reducing enrichment cultures derived from subsurface sediments from the Oak Ridge Integrated Field Research Challenge site, where nitrate is a major contaminant and where bioremediation efforts are in progress. We observed an inverse relationship between Hg concentrations and onset and rates of denitrification in nitrate enrichment cultures containing between 53 and 1.1 μM of inorganic Hg; higher Hg concentrations increasingly extended the time to onset of denitrification and inhibited denitrification rates. Microbial community complexity, as indicated by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (tRFLP) analysis of the 16S rRNA genes, declined with increasing Hg concentrations; at the 312 nM Hg treatment, a single tRFLP peak was detected representing a culture of Bradyrhizobium sp. that possessed the merA gene indicating a potential for Hg reduction. A culture identified as Bradyrhizobium sp. strain FRC01 with an identical 16S rRNA sequence to that of the enriched peak in the tRFLP patterns, reduced Hg(II) to Hg(0) and carried merA whose amino acid sequence has 97 % identity to merA from the Proteobacteria and Firmicutes . This study demonstrates that in subsurface sediment incubations, Hg may inhibit denitrification and that inhibition may be alleviated when Hg resistant denitrifying Bradyrhizobium spp. detoxify Hg by its reduction to the volatile elemental form. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-14 DOI 10.1007/s10532-012-9555-8 Authors Yanping Wang, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, 223C Lipman Hall, 76 Lipman Dr., New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA Heather A. Wiatrowski, Department of Biology, Clark University, Worcester, MA 01610-1477, USA Ria John, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, 223C Lipman Hall, 76 Lipman Dr., New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA Chu-Ching Lin, Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan, 32001 Taiwan Lily Y. Young, Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA Lee J. Kerkhof, Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA Nathan Yee, Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA Tamar Barkay, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, 223C Lipman Hall, 76 Lipman Dr., New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    A gram-positive bacterium Citricoccus nitrophenolicus (strain PNP1 T , DSM 23311 T , CCUG 59571 T ) isolated from a waste water treatment plant was capable of effectively degrading p -nitrophenol (pNP) as a source of carbon, nitrogen and energy for growth. Degradation of pNP required oxygen and resulted in the stoichiometric release of nitrite. Strain PNP1 T also degraded 4-chlorophenol, phenol and salicylate. pNP was degraded at pH values between 6.8 and 10.0 and at temperatures between 15–32 °C. pNP at concentrations up to 150 mg L −1 were degraded during growth in media at pH ≤ 10, whereas 200 mg L −1 was completely inhibitory to growth. When incubated in an NH 4 Cl-free medium (pH 10) containing both pNP and acetate, pNP is degraded with concomitant release of nitrite which was subsequently assimilated during acetate degradation. Intact cells of strain PNP1 T suspended in NaHCO 3 /Na 2 CO 3 buffer were able to continuously degrade 200 mg L −1 pNP over a 40 day period at pH 10. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s10532-012-9559-4 Authors Marie Bank Nielsen, Department of Bioscience, Microbiology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114-116, Building 1540, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark Kjeld Ingvorsen, Department of Bioscience, Microbiology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114-116, Building 1540, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    The Second World Landslide Forum was held at the headquarters of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations on 3–9 October 2011 in Rome, Italy. The Third World Landslide Forum (WLF3) is to be held at the China National Convention Center in Beijing, China from 2 to 6 June 2014. This article first outlines the aims and background of the World Landslide Forums, reports on the Second World Landslide Forum in Rome, and then announces the plans for the Third World Landslide Forum in Beijing. Finally, it calls for contributions for the organization of WLF3 and participation in the International Consortium on Landslides (ICL) and the International Programme on Landslides. Content Type Journal Article Category ICL/IPL Activities Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s10346-012-0328-6 Authors Kyoji Sassa, International Consortium on Landslides, UNITWIN Headquarters Building, Kyoto University Uji-Campus, Uji, Kyoto, 611-0011 Japan Paolo Canuti, International Consortium on Landslides, Via La Pira 4, 50121 Florence, Italy Claudio Margottini, ISPRA-Institute for Environmental Protection & Research, Geological Survey of Italy, Vitaliano Brancati 60, 00144 Rome, Italy Yueping Yin, China Institute of Geo-Environment Monitoring, China Geological Survey, Dahuist 20#, Haidian, Beijing, China Journal Landslides Online ISSN 1612-5118 Print ISSN 1612-510X

Description:    A lead resistant bacterial strain isolated from effluent of lead battery manufacturing company of Goa, India has been identified as Enterobacter cloacae strain P2B based on morphological, biochemical characters, FAME profile and 16S rDNA sequence data. This bacterial strain could resist lead nitrate up to 1.6 mM. Significant increase in exopolysaccharide (EPS) production was observed as the production increased from 28 to 108 mg/L dry weight when exposed to 1.6 mM lead nitrate in Tris buffered minimal medium. Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy of this EPS revealed presence of several functional groups involved in metal binding viz. carboxyl, hydroxyl and amide groups along with glucuronic acid. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry analysis of alditol-acetate derivatives of acid hydrolysed EPS produced in presence of 1.6 mM lead nitrate demonstrated presence of several neutral sugars such as rhamnose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, galactose and glucose, which contribute to lead binding hydroxyl groups. Scanning electron microscope coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometric analysis of this lead resistant strain exposed to 1.6 mM lead nitrate interestingly revealed mucous EPS surrounding bacterial cells which sequestered 17 % lead (as weight %) extracellularly and protected the bacterial cells from toxic effects of lead. This lead resistant strain also showed multidrug resistance. Thus these results significantly contribute to better understanding of structure, function and environmental application of lead-enhanced EPSs produced by bacteria. This lead-enhanced biopolymer can play a very important role in bioremediation of several heavy metals including lead. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s10532-012-9552-y Authors Milind Mohan Naik, Laboratory of Bacterial Genetics and Environmental Biotechnology, Department of Microbiology, Goa University, Taleigao Plateau, Panaji, 403 206 Goa, India Anju Pandey, Laboratory of Bacterial Genetics and Environmental Biotechnology, Department of Microbiology, Goa University, Taleigao Plateau, Panaji, 403 206 Goa, India Santosh Kumar Dubey, Laboratory of Bacterial Genetics and Environmental Biotechnology, Department of Microbiology, Goa University, Taleigao Plateau, Panaji, 403 206 Goa, India Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    In this study, the mph gene encoding methyl parathion hydrolase from Pseudomonas sp. WBC-3 was expressed in Yarrowia lipolytica and the expressed methyl parathion hydrolase was displayed on cell surface of Y. lipolytica. The activity of methyl parathion hydrolase displayed on the yeast cells of the transformant Z51 was 59.5 U mg −1 of cell dry cells (450.6 U per mL of the culture) in the presence of 5.0 mM of Co 2+ . The displayed methyl parathion hydrolase had the optimal pH of 9.5 and the optimal temperature of 40 °C, respectively and was stable in the pH range of 4.5–11 and up to 40 °C. The displayed methyl parathion hydrolase was also stimulated by Co 2+ , Cu 2+ , Ni 2+ and Mn 2+ , and was not affected by Fe 2+ , Fe 3+ , Na + , K + , Ca 2+ and Zn 2+ , but was inhibited by other cations tested. Under the optimal conditions (OD 600nm  = 2.6, the substrate concentration = 100 mg L −1 and 40 °C), 90.8 % of methyl parathion was hydrolyzed within 30 min. Under the similar conditions, 98.7, 97.0, 96.5 and 94.4 % of methyl parathion in tap water (pH 9.5), tap water (pH 6.8), seawater (pH 9.5) and natural seawater (pH 8.2) were hydrolyzed, respectively, suggesting that the methyl parathion hydrolase displayed on the yeast cells can effectively remove methyl parathion in water. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s10532-012-9551-z Authors Xing-Xing Wang, School of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Yushan Road, No. 5, Qingdao, China Zhe Chi, School of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Yushan Road, No. 5, Qingdao, China Shao-Guo Ru, School of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Yushan Road, No. 5, Qingdao, China Zhen-Ming Chi, School of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Yushan Road, No. 5, Qingdao, China Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description: ICL-CGS Seminar on Geo-hazards in Xi’an Content Type Journal Article Category ICL/IPL Activities Pages 405-405 DOI 10.1007/s10346-011-0289-1 Authors Yueping Yin, China Geological Survey, Xicheng, Huangsidajie No.45, Beijing, 100037 China Xiaochuan Li, China Geological Survey, Xicheng, Huangsidajie No.45, Beijing, 100037 China Journal Landslides Online ISSN 1612-5118 Print ISSN 1612-510X Journal Volume Volume 8 Journal Issue Volume 8, Number 3

Description:    An earthquake of M w 9.0 struck the Pacific coast in northeast Japan on March 11, 2011 and was followed by a hugely damaging tsunami along 500 km of the Japanese coastline. An inland aftershock of M. 7.0 occurred on April 11; during which, surface fault ruptures appeared on land. A large variety of landslide disasters resulted from these earthquakes in various parts of northeastern Honshu, Japan. The full extent of the landslides is still being determined. This brief report introduces some of the landslide phenomena so far investigated by the Japanese Landslide Society. These are (1) failure of a water reservoir embankment dam in Sukagawa, Fukushima prefecture, (2) landslides and surface seismic fault rupture from the April 11 aftershock in Iwaki, Fukushima, (3) a concentration of surface failures at Matsushima Bay in Miyagi prefecture, and (4) small landslides on modified slopes in residential areas around Sendai city. Content Type Journal Article Category Recent Landslides Pages 339-342 DOI 10.1007/s10346-011-0281-9 Authors Toyohiko Miyagi, Tōhoku Gakuin University, Tōhoku, Japan Daisuke Higaki, Tōhoku Gakuin University, Tōhoku, Japan Hiroshi Yagi, Tōhoku Gakuin University, Tōhoku, Japan Shoji Doshida, Tōhoku Gakuin University, Tōhoku, Japan Noriyuki Chiba, Tōhoku Gakuin University, Tōhoku, Japan Jun Umemura, Tōhoku Gakuin University, Tōhoku, Japan Go Satoh, Tōhoku Gakuin University, Tōhoku, Japan Journal Landslides Online ISSN 1612-5118 Print ISSN 1612-510X Journal Volume Volume 8 Journal Issue Volume 8, Number 3

Description: 2010 Recipient of the ICL Varnes Medal: Dr. Zaiguan Lin Content Type Journal Article Category ICL/IPL Activities Pages 403-404 DOI 10.1007/s10346-011-0288-2 Authors Kyoji Sassa, UNITWIN Headquarters Building, Professor Emeritus, Kyoto University, Uji Campus, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan Journal Landslides Online ISSN 1612-5118 Print ISSN 1612-510X Journal Volume Volume 8 Journal Issue Volume 8, Number 3

Description: Discussion to the paper “Expected damage from displacement of slow-moving slides” by M.F. Mansour, N.R. Morgenstern and C.D. Martin Content Type Journal Article Category Discussion Pages 553-555 DOI 10.1007/s10346-011-0292-6 Authors Luciano Picarelli, Department of Civil Engineering, Seconda Universita di Napoli, Aversa, Italy Journal Landslides Online ISSN 1612-5118 Print ISSN 1612-510X Journal Volume Volume 8 Journal Issue Volume 8, Number 4

Description:    The international journal Landslides (ISSN 1612-510X), launched in 2004 and published by Springer Verlag, soon gained international recognition as the only specialized scientific journal in the world dedicated to different aspects of landslides, and as one of the leading world journals in the field of geological engineering. After 7 years, seven published volumes with 28 issues and 290 published papers on 2,794 pages, there is time to make a comparison with other related journals that also cover the field of landslide risk mitigation. The critical review of these seven publishing years was done using ISI Journal Citation Reports produced by Thomson Reuters, and available scientometric data from the ISI Web of Knowledge and SCOPUS. The data presented in this paper and the analysis shown may help the Editorial Board to further improve the journal into the direction of a high quality scientific journal with even higher impact on the international research community in the field of landslide risk mitigation. Content Type Journal Article Category Technical Note Pages 541-551 DOI 10.1007/s10346-011-0297-1 Authors Matjaž Mikoš, Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Jamova cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Journal Landslides Online ISSN 1612-5118 Print ISSN 1612-510X Journal Volume Volume 8 Journal Issue Volume 8, Number 4

Description:    The dense recordings of the K-NET and KiK-net nationwide strong motion network of 1,189 accelerometers show clearly the radiation and propagation properties of the strong ground motions associated with the 2011 off-the-Pacific Coast-of-Tohoku, Japan (Mw = 9.0) earthquake. The snapshots of seismic wave propagation reveal strong ground motions from this earthquake that originate from three large slips; the first two slips occurred over the plate interface of off-Miyagi at the southwest and the east of the hypocenter, and the third one just beneath the northern end of Ibaraki over the plate interface or in the crust. Such multiple shocks of this event caused large accelerations (maximum 1–2 G) and prolonged ground shaking lasting several minutes with dominant high-frequency ( T  〈 1 s) signals over the entire area of northern Japan. On the other hand, ground motions of relatively longer–period band ( T  = 1–2 s), which caused significant damage to wooden-frame houses, were about 1/2–1/3 of those observed near the source area of the destructive 1995 Kobe, Japan (M = 7.3) earthquake. Also, the long-period ( T  = 6–8 s) ground motion in the Kanto (Tokyo) sedimentary basin was at an almost comparable level of those observed during the recent Mw = 7 inland earthquakes, but not as large as that from the former M = 8 earthquakes. Therefore, the impact of the strong ground motion from the present M = 9 earthquake was not as large as expected from the previously M = 7–8 earthquakes and caused strong motion damage only to short-scale construction and according to instruments inside the buildings, both have a shorter ( T  〈 1 s) natural period. Content Type Journal Article Category Recent Landslides Pages 333-338 DOI 10.1007/s10346-011-0279-3 Authors Takashi Furumura, Center for Integrated Disaster Information Research, Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan Shunsuke Takemura, The Earthquake Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0032 Japan Shinako Noguchi, Center for Integrated Disaster Information Research, Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan Teito Takemoto, The Earthquake Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0032 Japan Takuto Maeda, Center for Integrated Disaster Information Research, Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan Kazuhisa Iwai, Center for Integrated Disaster Information Research, Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan Simanchal Padhy, Center for Integrated Disaster Information Research, Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan Journal Landslides Online ISSN 1612-5118 Print ISSN 1612-510X Journal Volume Volume 8 Journal Issue Volume 8, Number 3

Description:    At 4:40p.m. on November 23, 2008, the Gongjiafang slope collapsed on the north bank of Yangtze River in Wu Gorge of Three Gorges Reservoir. The 380,000-m 3 sliding mass consisted mainly of cataclastic rock. A video record of the major sliding incident was analyzed using the general laws of physical motion. The analysis indicated that the maximum speed and maximum acceleration of the sliding mass were 11.65 m/s and 2.23 m/s 2 , respectively, and that the maximum amplitude and the propagation velocity of the water wave near the landslide were 31.8 m and 18.36 m/s, respectively. Wave run-up investigation indicated that the maximum run-up on shore was 13.1 m, which declined to 1.1 m at Wushan dock 4 km away. The incident causes no casualties, but did result in economic losses of RMB five million. The numerical simulation model GEOWAVE was used to simulate and reproduced the impulse wave generated by the landslide; the results were in good agreement with the observed incident. The numerical simulation data were then applied to analyze the decay and amplification effects of the landslide wave in the river course. The field investigations and witness information provide valuable materials for the studies of landslide kinematics and impulse waves generated by landslides. In addition, the research results provide a useful reference for future similar waves generated by landslides in reservoirs. Content Type Journal Article Category Recent Landslides Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s10346-012-0331-y Authors Bolin Huang, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China 430074 Yueping Yin, China Institute for Geo-Environment Monitoring, Beijing, China 100081 Guangning Liu, Wuhan Centre of China Geological Survey, Wuhan, China 430223 Shichang Wang, Wuhan Centre of China Geological Survey, Wuhan, China 430223 Xiaoting Chen, Wuhan Centre of China Geological Survey, Wuhan, China 430223 Zhitao Huo, Wuhan Centre of China Geological Survey, Wuhan, China 430223 Journal Landslides Online ISSN 1612-5118 Print ISSN 1612-510X

Description: Retraction Note to: Real-time slope water table forecasting by multi-tank model combined with dual ensemble Kalman filter Content Type Journal Article Category Retraction Note Pages 1-1 DOI 10.1007/s10346-012-0321-0 Authors Jun Xiong, Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 615-8540 Japan Tomofumi Koyama, Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 615-8540 Japan Satoshi Nisiyama, Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 615-8540 Japan Yuzo Ohnishi, Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 615-8540 Japan Kenji Takahashi, Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 615-8540 Japan Journal Landslides Online ISSN 1612-5118 Print ISSN 1612-510X

Description:    The slopes of western Lesser Himalaya (at Sangaldhan Block of Udhampur near Ramban, Jammu and Kashmir India) are being severely affected by tectonic and erosional activities. These activities result in deposit of a thick cover of rock fragments and overburden just above the hard rock. The thickness of overburden cover has directly affected the stability of slope in the study area, though the traditional stability estimation techniques, rock mass rating and slope mass rating, rate this area as moderately stable which does not represent the real stability condition. In this research work, the geotechnical and geophysical surveys have been carried out to reckon the slope stability conditions more accurately as compared to traditional slope stability estimation techniques. A new rating, new slope mass rating, is developed, which gives a better picture of the stability of slopes. It incorporates a new parameter of overburden thickness profile, along with slope angle and other associated factors on the slopes of the mountainous terrains. The vertical electrical sounding surveys were conducted for the demarcation of rock–overburden interface and for determining the overburden cover. This new classification depicts an increase of 12.84 % in unstable slope areas giving a better assessment and factual picture of slope stability in our study area. This study also enumerates the importance of geophysical applications in slope stability studies. The research work is applicable in mountainous terrains such as Himalaya, and the major component of the application is the orientation of overburden or the profile of thickness in relation with slope of surface. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s10346-012-0323-y Authors R. P. Singh, Department of Geology, Centre for Advanced Studies (Environment and Neotectonic Group), University of Delhi, Delhi, 110 007, India C. S. Dubey, Department of Geology, Centre for Advanced Studies (Environment and Neotectonic Group), University of Delhi, Delhi, 110 007, India S. K. Singh, Department of Geology, Centre for Advanced Studies (Environment and Neotectonic Group), University of Delhi, Delhi, 110 007, India D. P. Shukla, Department of Geology, Centre for Advanced Studies (Environment and Neotectonic Group), University of Delhi, Delhi, 110 007, India B. K. Mishra, Department of Geology, Centre for Advanced Studies (Environment and Neotectonic Group), University of Delhi, Delhi, 110 007, India M. Tajbakhsh, Department of Watershed Management, Birjand University, Birjand, Iran P. S. Ningthoujam, Department of Geology, Centre for Advanced Studies (Environment and Neotectonic Group), University of Delhi, Delhi, 110 007, India M. Sharma, Department of Geology, HPU Regional Centre, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India N. Singh, Department of Geology, Centre for Advanced Studies (Environment and Neotectonic Group), University of Delhi, Delhi, 110 007, India Journal Landslides Online ISSN 1612-5118 Print ISSN 1612-510X

Description:    On 20 August 2005, a landslide with a volume of about 400  m 3 occurred at Fu Yung Shan Tsuen, Tsuen Wan in Hong Kong during a severe rainstorm with a return period of about 100  years on a hillside that has been disturbed locally by past human activities. The incident resulted in one fatality and permanent evacuation of residents of four squatter structures in the vicinity. A forensic investigation into the landslide was carried out to review the mechanism and probable causes of the landslide. The key contributory factors in the landslide were diagnosed. The investigation concluded that the landslide was probably caused by the loss of soil suction and transient build-up of groundwater pressure in the near-surface soil materials following prolonged and intense rainfall. The paper presents the methodology adopted for the landslide study, findings of the investigation and the lessons learnt from this fatal landslide. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s10346-012-0332-x Authors K. K. S. Ho, Geotechnical Engineering Office, Civil Engineering and Development Department, Government of the Hong Kong SAR, 101 Princess Margaret Road, Homantin, Kowloon, Hong Kong P. A. Chao, AECOM Asia Company Limited, 20/F Grand Central Plaza, 138 Shatin Rural Committee Road, Shatin, Hong Kong T. M. F. Lau, Geotechnical Engineering Office, Civil Engineering and Development Department, Government of the Hong Kong SAR, 101 Princess Margaret Road, Homantin, Kowloon, Hong Kong S. De Silva, AECOM Asia Company Limited, 20/F Grand Central Plaza, 138 Shatin Rural Committee Road, Shatin, Hong Kong Journal Landslides Online ISSN 1612-5118 Print ISSN 1612-510X

Description:    Rhodococcus sp. and Pseudomonas sp. bioremediation experiments were carried out using free and immobilized cells on natural carrier material (corncob powder) in order to evaluate the feasibility of its use in the bioremediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils. Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was performed on the 16S rRNA gene as molecular fingerprinting method in order to assess the persistence of inoculated strains in the soil over time. Immobilized Pseudomonas cells degraded hydrocarbons more efficiently in the short term compared to the free ones. Immobilization seemed also to increase cell growth and stability in the soil. Free and immobilized Rhodococcus cells showed comparable degradation percentages, probably due to the peculiarity of Rhodococcus cells to aggregate into irregular clusters in the presence of hydrocarbons as sole carbon source. It is likely that the cells were not properly adsorbed on the porous matrix as a result of the small size of its pores. When Rhodococcus and Pseudomonas cells were co-immobilized on the matrix, a competition established between the two strains, that probably ended in the exclusion of Pseudomonas cells from the pores. The organic matrix might act as protective agent, but it also possibly limited cell density. Nevertheless, when the cells were properly adsorbed on the porous matrix, the immobilization became a suitable bioremediation strategy. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s10532-012-9553-x Authors Valentina Rivelli, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milan, Italy Andrea Franzetti, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milan, Italy Isabella Gandolfi, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milan, Italy Sergio Cordoni, GioEco srl, Via Leonardo Da Vinci 13, 20090 Segrate, MI, Italy Giuseppina Bestetti, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milan, Italy Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    Given that the intensive application of sulfonamides in aquaculture, animal husbandry and malaria treatment has lead to an increase in sulfonamide discharge into the environment, there is an increasing need to find a way to remediate sulfonamide-contaminated sites. The bacterial strain DX7 was isolated from a marine environment and is capable of degrading sulfadoxine. DX7 was identified as a Pseudomonas sp. based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Approximately 30% of sulfadoxine was degraded after Pseudomonas sp. DX7 was inoculated into mineral salt plus tryptone media containing 10 mg l −1 sulfadoxine for 2 days. The degradation efficiency under different environmental conditions was characterized using HPLC. The optimal temperature and pH for sulfadoxine biodegradation were around 30°C and 6.0, respectively. The optimal concentrations of sulfadoxine and tryptone for sulfadoxine biodegradation were determined to be approximately 30 mg l −1 and between 2.0 and 8.0 g l −1 , respectively. Cytotoxicity analysis indicated that the metabolites of sulfadoxine generated by Pseudomonas sp. DX7 showed significantly reduced cytotoxicity to Hela cells. These results suggest that Pseudomonas sp. DX7 is a new bacterial resource for degrading sulfadoxine and indicate the potential of the isolated strain in the bioremediation of sulfadoxine-contaminated environments. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9522-9 Authors Weiwei Zhang, Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 17 Chunhui Road, Yantai, 264003 China Dongxue Xu, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071 China Zongliang Niu, Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 17 Chunhui Road, Yantai, 264003 China Kun Yin, Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 17 Chunhui Road, Yantai, 264003 China Ping Liu, Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 17 Chunhui Road, Yantai, 264003 China Lingxin Chen, Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 17 Chunhui Road, Yantai, 264003 China Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    Microbial enzymes that can hydrolyze organophosphorus compounds have been isolated, identified and characterized from different microbial species in order to use them in biodegradation of organophosphorus compounds. We isolated a bacterial strain Cons002 from an agricultural soil bacterial consortium, which can hydrolyze methyl-parathion (MP) and other organophosphate pesticides. HPLC analysis showed that strain Cons002 is capable of degrading pesticides MP, parathion and phorate. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and 16S rRNA amplification were performed for strain characterization and identification, respectively, showing that the strain Cons002 is related to the genus Enterobacter sp. which has a single chromosome of 4.6 Mb and has no plasmids. Genomic library was constructed from DNA of Enterobacter sp. Cons002. A gene called opdE ( O rganophosphate D egradation from E nterobacter ) consists of 753 bp and encodes a protein of 25 kDa, which was isolated using activity methods. This gene opdE had no similarity to any genes reported to degrade organophosphates. When kanamycin-resistance cassette was placed in the gene opdE , hydrolase activity was suppressed and Enterobacter sp. Cons002 had no growth with MP as a nutrients source. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9517-6 Authors Concepción Chino-Flores, Laboratorio de Investigaciones Ambientales, Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología, Universidad Autónoma del Estado Morelos, Av. Universidad 1001, Col. Chamilpa, C.P. 62209 Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico Edgar Dantán-González, Laboratorio de Investigaciones Ambientales, Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología, Universidad Autónoma del Estado Morelos, Av. Universidad 1001, Col. Chamilpa, C.P. 62209 Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico Alejandra Vázquez-Ramos, Instituto de Biotecnología, UNAM, Cuernavaca, Mexico Raunel Tinoco-Valencia, Instituto de Biotecnología, UNAM, Cuernavaca, Mexico Rafael Díaz-Méndez, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, UNAM, Cuernavaca, Mexico Enrique Sánchez-Salinas, Laboratorio de Investigaciones Ambientales, Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología, Universidad Autónoma del Estado Morelos, Av. Universidad 1001, Col. Chamilpa, C.P. 62209 Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico Ma. Luisa Castrejón-Godínez, Laboratorio de Investigaciones Ambientales, Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología, Universidad Autónoma del Estado Morelos, Av. Universidad 1001, Col. Chamilpa, C.P. 62209 Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico Fernando Ramos-Quintana, Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Cuernavaca, Mexico Ma. Laura Ortiz-Hernández, Laboratorio de Investigaciones Ambientales, Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología, Universidad Autónoma del Estado Morelos, Av. Universidad 1001, Col. Chamilpa, C.P. 62209 Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    In the present study, the bioremoval of Cr(VI) and the removal of total organic carbon (TOC) were achieved with a system composed by an anaerobic filter and a submerged biofilter with intermittent aeration using a mixed culture of microorganisms originating from contaminated sludge. In the aforementioned biofilters, the concentrations of chromium, carbon, and nitrogen were optimized according to response surface methodology. The initial concentration of Cr(VI) was 137.35 mg l −1 , and a bioremoval of 85.23% was attained. The optimal conditions for the removal of TOC were 4 to 8 g l −1 of sodium acetate, 〉0.8 g l −1 of ammonium chloride and 60 to 100 mg l −1 of Cr(VI). The results revealed that ammonium chloride had the strongest effect on the TOC removal, and 120 mg l −1 of Cr(VI) could be removed after 156 h of operation. Moreover, 100% of the Cr(VI) and the total chromium content of the aerobic reactor output were removed, and TOC removals of 80 and 87% were attained after operating the anaerobic and aerobic reactors for 130 and 142 h, respectively. The concentrations of cells in both reactors remained nearly constant over time. The residence time distribution was obtained to evaluate the flow through the bioreactors. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-14 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9523-8 Authors Daniela M. A. Leles, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Uberlândia Federal University, P.O. Box 593, Av. João Naves de Ávila, 2121, Campus Santa Mônica, Bloco 1K, Uberlândia, MG 38408-100, Brazil Diego A. Lemos, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Uberlândia Federal University, P.O. Box 593, Av. João Naves de Ávila, 2121, Campus Santa Mônica, Bloco 1K, Uberlândia, MG 38408-100, Brazil Ubirajara C. Filho, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Uberlândia Federal University, P.O. Box 593, Av. João Naves de Ávila, 2121, Campus Santa Mônica, Bloco 1K, Uberlândia, MG 38408-100, Brazil Lucienne L. Romanielo, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Uberlândia Federal University, P.O. Box 593, Av. João Naves de Ávila, 2121, Campus Santa Mônica, Bloco 1K, Uberlândia, MG 38408-100, Brazil Miriam M. de Resende, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Uberlândia Federal University, P.O. Box 593, Av. João Naves de Ávila, 2121, Campus Santa Mônica, Bloco 1K, Uberlândia, MG 38408-100, Brazil Vicelma L. Cardoso, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Uberlândia Federal University, P.O. Box 593, Av. João Naves de Ávila, 2121, Campus Santa Mônica, Bloco 1K, Uberlândia, MG 38408-100, Brazil Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    The accelerating effect of non-dissolved redox mediator (1,5-dichloroanthraquinone) on the biological denitrification was investigated in this paper using 1,5-dichloroanthraquinone immobilized by calcium alginate (CA) and a heterotrophic denitrification bacterium of Paracoccus versutus (GU111570). The results suggested that the denitrification rate was enhanced 2.1 fold by 25 mmol l −1 1,5-dichloroanthraquinone of this study, and a positive correlation was found for the denitrification rate and 1,5-dichloroanthraquinone concentrations from 0 to 25 mmol l −1 . According to the change characteristic of NO 3 − and NO 2 − during the denitrification process, the tentative accelerating mechanism of the denitrification by redox mediators was put forward, and redox mediator might play the role of reduced cofactors like NADH, N(A)DH and SDH, or the similar ubiquinol/ubiquinone (Q/QH 2 ) role during the denitrification process. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9518-5 Authors Huijuan Liu, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085 China Jianbo Guo, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085 China Jiuhui Qu, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085 China Jing Lian, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Yuhua East Road 70#, Shijiazhuang City, 050018 People’s Republic of China William Jefferson, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085 China Jingliang Yang, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Yuhua East Road 70#, Shijiazhuang City, 050018 People’s Republic of China Haibo Li, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Yuhua East Road 70#, Shijiazhuang City, 050018 People’s Republic of China Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    For waste management, methane emissions from landfills and their effect on climate change are of serious concern. Current models for biogas generation that focus on the economic use of the landfill gas are usually based on first order chemical reactions (exponential decay), underestimating the long-term emissions of landfills. The presented study concentrated on the curve fitting and the quantification of the gas generation during the final degradation phase under optimal anaerobic conditions. For this purpose the long-term gas generation (240–1,830 days) of different mechanically biologically treated (MBT) waste materials was measured. In this study the late gas generation was modeled by a log–normal distribution curve to gather the maximum gas generation potential. According to the log–normal model the observed gas sum curve leads to higher values than commonly used exponential decay models. The prediction of the final phase of landfill gas generation by a fitting model provides a basis for CO 2 balances in waste management and some information to which extent landfills serve as carbon sink. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9519-4 Authors Johannes Tintner, Department of Water, Atmosphere and Environment, Institute of Waste Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria Manfred Kühleitner, Department of Integrative Biology, Institute of Mathematics, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria Erwin Binner, Department of Water, Atmosphere and Environment, Institute of Waste Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria Norbert Brunner, Department of Integrative Biology, Institute of Mathematics, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria Ena Smidt, Department of Water, Atmosphere and Environment, Institute of Waste Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    Four identical lab scale sequencing batch reactors R, R1, R2, and R3, were used to assess nitrophenol biodegradation using a single sludge biomass containing Thiosphaera pantotropha. Nitrophenols [4-Nitrophenol (4-NP), 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) and 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (2,4,6-TNP)] were biotransformed by heterotrophic nitrification and aerobic denitrification (SND). Reactor R was used as background control, whereas R1, R2, and R3 were fed with 4-NP, 2,4-DNP, and 2,4,6-TNP, respectively. The concentration of each nitrophenol was gradually increased from 2.5 to 200 mg/l along with increase in COD, during acclimation studies . The final COD maintained was 4,500 mg/l with each nitrophenolic loading of 200 mg/l. During late phase of acclimation and HRT study, a filamentous organism started appearing in 2,4-DNP and 2,4,6-TNP bioreactors. Filaments were never found in 4-NP and background control reactor. Biochemistry and physiology behind filamentous organism development, was studied to obtain permanent solution for its removal. The effect of different input parameters such as COD loading, DO levels, SVI etc. were analyzed. The morphology and development of filamentous organism were examined extensively using microscopic techniques involving ESEM, oil immersion, phase contrast, and dark field microscopy. The organism was grown and isolated on selective agar plates and was identified as member of Streptomyses species. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9524-7 Authors P. M. Kulkarni, Research Scholar, Center for Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    Chrome mining activity has contributed intensively towards pollution of hexavalent chromium around Sukinda Valley, Orissa, India. In an attempt to study the specific contribution of exopolysaccharides (EPS) extracted from indigenous isolates towards Cr(VI) reduction, three chromium (VI) tolerant strains were isolated from the effluent mining sludge. Based on the tolerance towards Cr(VI) and EPS production capacity, one of them was selected for further work. The taxonomic identity of the selected strain was confirmed to be Enterobacter cloacae (showing 98% similarity in BLAST search to E . cloacae ) through 16S rRNA analysis. The EPS production was observed to increase with increasing Cr(VI) concentration in the growth medium, highest being 0.078 at 100 mg/l Cr(VI). The extracted EPS from Enterobacter cloacae SUKCr1D was able to reduce 31.7% of Cr(VI) at 10 mg/l concentration, which was relevant to the prevailing natural concentrations at Sukinda mine effluent sludge. The FT-IR spectral studies confirmed the surface chemical interactions of hexavalent chromium with EPS. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9527-4 Authors R. Harish, Centre for Nanobiotechnology, School of Biosciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore, 632014 India Jastin Samuel, Centre for Nanobiotechnology, School of Biosciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore, 632014 India R. Mishra, Centre for Nanobiotechnology, School of Biosciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore, 632014 India N. Chandrasekaran, Centre for Nanobiotechnology, School of Biosciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore, 632014 India A. Mukherjee, Centre for Nanobiotechnology, School of Biosciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore, 632014 India Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    The effectiveness of a passive flow sulfate-reducing bioreactor processing acid mine drainage (AMD) generated from an abandoned coal mine in Southern Illinois was evaluated using geochemical and microbial community analysis 10 months post bioreactor construction. The results indicated that the treatment system was successful in both raising the pH of the AMD from 3.09 to 6.56 and in lowering the total iron level by 95.9%. While sulfate levels did decrease by 67.4%, the level post treatment (1153 mg/l) remained above recommended drinking water levels. Stimulation of biological sulfate reduction was indicated by a +2.60‰ increase in δ 34 S content of the remaining sulfate in the water post-treatment. Bacterial community analysis targeting 16S rRNA and dsrAB genes indicated that the pre-treated samples were dominated by bacteria related to iron-oxidizing Betaproteobacteria , while the post-treated water directly from the reactor outflow was dominated by sequences related to sulfur-oxidizing Epsilonproteobacteria and complex carbon degrading Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes phylums. Analysis of the post-treated water, prior to environmental release, revealed that the community shifted back to predominantly iron-oxidizing Betaproteobacteria . DsrA analysis implied limited diversity in the sulfate-reducing population present in both the bioreactor outflow and oxidation pond samples. These results support the use of passive flow bioreactors to lower the acidity, metal, and sulfate levels present in the AMD at the Tab-Simco mine, but suggest modifications of the system are necessary to both stimulate sulfate-reducing bacteria and inhibit sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-15 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9520-y Authors Andrew S. Burns, Department of Microbiology, Southern Illinois University, 1125 Lincoln Drive, Mail Code 6508, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA Charles W. Pugh, Department of Microbiology, Southern Illinois University, 1125 Lincoln Drive, Mail Code 6508, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA Yosief T. Segid, Department of Geology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA Paul T. Behum, Environmental Resources and Policy Program, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA Liliana Lefticariu, Department of Geology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA Kelly S. Bender, Department of Microbiology, Southern Illinois University, 1125 Lincoln Drive, Mail Code 6508, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    We investigated the cellular responses of the white-rot basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium against vanillin. Based upon a proteomic survey, it was demonstrated that two flavin-containing monooxygenases (PcFMO1 and PcFMO2) are translationally up-regulated in response to exogenous addition of vanillin. To elucidate their catalytic functions, we cloned cDNAs and heterologously expressed them in Escherichia coli . The recombinant PcFMO1 showed catalytic activities against monocyclic phenols such as phenol, hydroquinone, and 4-chlorophenol. In addition, the product from hydroquinone was identified as 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene, an important intermediate in a metabolic pathway of aromatic compounds in which the aromatic ring of 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene can be further cleaved by fungal dioxygenases for mineralization. Thus, the ortho-cleavage pathway of phenolic compounds would presumably be associated with PcFMO1. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9521-x Authors Tomofumi Nakamura, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, 6-10-1 Hakozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8581, Japan Hirofumi Ichinose, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, 6-10-1 Hakozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8581, Japan Hiroyuki Wariishi, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, 6-10-1 Hakozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8581, Japan Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    Four fungal strains— Trichoderma viride , Aspergillus niger , Trichoderma koningii , and Trichoderma reesei —were selected for cellulase production using furfural residues and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) as the substrates. The filter paper activity (FPA) of the supernatant from each fungus was measured, and the performance of the enzymes from different fungal strains was compared. Moreover, the individual activities of the three components of the cellulase system, i.e., β-glucosidase, endoglucanase, and exoglucanase were evaluated. T. koningii showed the highest activity (27.81 FPU/ml) on furfural residues, while T. viride showed an activity of 21.61 FPU/ml on MCC. The FPA of the crude enzyme supernatant from T. koningii was 30% higher on furfural residues than on MCC. T. koningii and T. viride exhibited high stability and productivity and were chosen for cellulases production. The crystallinity index (CrI) of the furfural residues varied after digested by the fungi. The results indicated differences in the functioning of the cellulase system from each fungus. In the case of T. koningii , T. reesei and T. viride , furfural residues supported a better environment for cellulase production than MCC. Moreover, the CrI of the furfural residues decreased, indicating that this material was largely digested by the fungi. Thus, our results suggest that it may be possible to use the cellulases produced from these fungi for the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of lignocellulosic materials in ethanol production. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9525-6 Authors Hui-Qin Liu, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083 China Yue Feng, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083 China Dan-Qing Zhao, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083 China Jian-Xin Jiang, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083 China Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    This study outlines the relationship between antecedent precipitations and activation of the translational rock-block slides (TRBSs). This type of landslide has the peculiarity to involve wide sectors of the sedimentary bedrock, and it is emblematic in the Langhe area, in the southern hilly part of Piemonte in the Tertiary Piemonte Basin. The Langhe hills are particularly renowned for the cultivation of valuable vineyards, and therefore, constitute a place of important economic and tourist interest. Furthermore, the high density of structures and infrastructures in this area exposes a number of elements to the activity of these large landslides. In order to minimize human and economic losses, it is particularly important to establish a warning system capable of providing announcement of activation of TRBSs with sufficient advance. In this direction, the Environmental Protection Agency of Piemonte (ARPA Piemonte) developed a precipitation–threshold-based model. The model is set up on an extensive collection of historical data about the landslides movements (since 1917) and the related complete meteorological dataset. The regional weather gauge network and the forecasted precipitation amount, including snow melt’s contribution, provide input data to the model. Output model can be tested by observations derived by the regional landslides monitoring network consisting of inclinometers and groundwater gauges managed by ARPA Piemonte. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-18 DOI 10.1007/s10346-012-0319-7 Authors D. Tiranti, Department of Forecasting Systems, Environmental Protection Agency of Piemonte, Torino, Italy D. Rabuffetti, Department of Forecasting Systems, Environmental Protection Agency of Piemonte, Torino, Italy A. Salandin, Department of Forecasting Systems, Environmental Protection Agency of Piemonte, Torino, Italy M. Tararbra, Department of Geology and Geohazards, Environmental Protection Agency of Piemonte, Torino, Italy Journal Landslides Online ISSN 1612-5118 Print ISSN 1612-510X

Description:    Landslides induced by typhoon Morakot during its passage across Taiwan on 7–9 Aug 2009 claimed more than 700 lives and caused heavy economic loss. Unlike earthquake monitoring, precise locations of landslides could not be determined in near-real time because their seismic phases are difficult to identify. Here, we show that large, damaging landslide events are characterized seismically by a distinct waveform pattern of frequent intermixes of P and S waves over a time window of several tens of seconds. The predominant frequency band during these time windows ranges from 0.5 to 5 Hz. The high-frequency content is clearly deficient relative to that of local earthquakes by about one to two orders. We also demonstrate that large landslide events can be located and monitored with algorithms specifically designed for real-time seismic applications. This near-real-time monitoring capability would be particularly useful for emergency responders and government organizations to coordinate effective relief-and-rescue operations. Content Type Journal Article Category Technical Note Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s10346-012-0322-z Authors Honn Kao, Geological Survey of Canada, Pacific Geoscience Centre, 9860 West Saanich Road, Sideny, BC V8L 4B2 Canada Chih-Wen Kan, Central Weather Bureau, 64, Gongyuan Road, Taipei, 10048 Taiwan Rong-Yuh Chen, Central Weather Bureau, 64, Gongyuan Road, Taipei, 10048 Taiwan Chien-Hsin Chang, Central Weather Bureau, 64, Gongyuan Road, Taipei, 10048 Taiwan Andreas Rosenberger, Geological Survey of Canada, Pacific Geoscience Centre, 9860 West Saanich Road, Sideny, BC V8L 4B2 Canada Tzay-Chyn Shin, Central Weather Bureau, 64, Gongyuan Road, Taipei, 10048 Taiwan Pei-Ling Leu, Central Weather Bureau, 64, Gongyuan Road, Taipei, 10048 Taiwan Kai-Wen Kuo, Central Weather Bureau, 64, Gongyuan Road, Taipei, 10048 Taiwan Wen-Tzong Liang, Institute of Earth Sciences, Academia Sinica, 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nangang, Taipei 11529 Taiwan Journal Landslides Online ISSN 1612-5118 Print ISSN 1612-510X

Description:    Nitrocellulose is one of the most commonly used compounds in ammunition and paint industries and its recalcitrance to degradation has a negative impact on human health and the environment. In this study the capability of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans ATCC 13541 to degrade nitrocellulose as binder in paint was assayed for the first time. Nitrocellulose-based paint degradation was followed by monitoring the variation in nitrate, nitrite and ammonium content in the culture medium using Ultraviolet–Visible spectroscopy. At the same time cell counts and ATP assay were performed to estimate bacterial density and activity in all samples. Infrared spectroscopy and colorimetric measurements of paint samples were performed to assess chemical and colour changes due to the microbial action. Microscope observations of nitrocellulose-based paint samples demonstrated the capability of the bacterium to adhere to the paint surface and change the paint adhesive characteristics. Finally, preliminary studies of nitrocellulose degradation pathway were conducted by assaying nitrate- and nitrite reductases activity in D.   desulfuricans grown in presence or in absence of paint. We found that D.   desulfuricans ATCC 13541 is able to transform nitrocellulose as paint binder and we hypothesised ammonification as degradation pathway. The results suggest that D.   desulfuricans ATCC 13541 is a good candidate as a nitrocellulose-degrading bacterium. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s10532-012-9546-9 Authors L. Giacomucci, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Alimentari e Microbiologiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy F. Toja, Dipartimento di Chimica, Materiali e Ingegneria Chimica ‘Giulio Natta’, Politecnico di Milano, Via Mancinelli 7, 20131 Milan, Italy P. Sanmartín, Departamento de Edafología y Química Agrícola, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain L. Toniolo, Dipartimento di Chimica, Materiali e Ingegneria Chimica ‘Giulio Natta’, Politecnico di Milano, Via Mancinelli 7, 20131 Milan, Italy B. Prieto, Departamento de Edafología y Química Agrícola, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain F. Villa, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Alimentari e Microbiologiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy F. Cappitelli, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Alimentari e Microbiologiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    Laccase from Myceliophthora thermophila was covalently immobilised on Eupergit C and Eupergit C 250L yielding specific activities of up to 17 and 80 U/g, respectively. Due to its superior activity, Eupergit C 250L was chosen for further research. The somewhat lower catalytic efficiency (based on the ratio between the turnover number and the Michaelis constant, k cat /K M ) of the immobilised enzyme in comparison with that of the free enzyme was balanced by its increased stability and broader operational window related to temperature and pH. The feasibility of the immobilised laccase was tested by using a packed bed reactor (PBR) operating in consecutive cycles for the removal of Acid Green 27 dye as model substrate. High degrees of elimination were achieved (88, 79, 69 and 57% in 4 consecutive cycles), while the levels of adsorption on the support varied from 18 to 6%, proving that dye removal took place mainly due to the action of the enzyme. Finally, a continuous PBR with the solid biocatalyst was applied for the treatment of a solution containing the following endocrine disrupting chemicals: estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2) and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2). At steady-state operation, E1 was degraded by 65% and E2 and EE2 were removed up to 80% and only limited adsorption of these compounds on the support, between 12 and 22%, was detected. In addition, a 79% decrease in estrogenic activity was detected in the effluent of the enzymatic reactor while only 14% was attained by inactivated laccase. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-14 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9516-7 Authors L. Lloret, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain F. Hollmann, Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, 2628BL Delft, The Netherlands G. Eibes, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain G. Feijoo, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain M. T. Moreira, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain J. M. Lema, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    It appears that if suspended biomass washout can be reduced effectively, granule formation will be fastened in fluidized bed. Quicker reactor start-up can be anticipated especially for those system keeping slow growth bacteria such as anammox. A hybrid reactor combined fixed-bed with nonwoven fabrics as biomass carrier and fluidized bed with slow speed mechanical stirring was therefore developed, and its nitrogen removal performances was evaluated experimentally. Only in 38 days, the total nitrogen removal rate (NRR) reached to 1.9 kg(N) m −3  day −1 and then doubled within 17 days, with total nitrogen removal efficiency kept above 70%. After 180 days reactor operating, the NRR reached a maximum value of 6.6 kg(N) m −3  day −1 and the specific anammox activity was gradually constant in 0.32 kg(N) kg(VSS) −1  day −1 . Biomass attached on nonwoven fabrics could additionally improve reactor nitrogen removal by 8%. The dominant size of granular sludge reached to 0.78 mm with stirring speed adjusted from 30 to 80 rpm and the hydraulic retention time (HRT) from 8 to 1.5 h during the whole operating time. Scanning electron microscope observation showed especially compact structure of granular sludge. A 70% of anammox bacteria percentage was identified by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9515-8 Authors Yanning Gao, Faculty of Chemical, Environmental and Biological Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116023 China Zhijun Liu, Faculty of Chemical, Environmental and Biological Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116023 China Fengxia Liu, Faculty of Chemical, Environmental and Biological Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116023 China Kenji Furukawa, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kumamoto University, 2-39-1 Kurokami, Kumamoto, 860-8555 Japan Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    Petroleum hydrocarbon is an important energy resource, but it is difficult to exploit due to the presence of dominated heavy constituents such as asphaltenes. In this study, viscosity reduction of Jodhpur heavy oil (2,637 cP at 50°C) has been carried out by the biodegradation of asphalt using a bacterial strain TERIG02. TERIG02 was isolated from sea buried oil pipeline known as Mumbai Uran trunk line (MUT) located on western coast of India and identified as Garciaella petrolearia by 16S rRNA full gene sequencing. TERIG02 showed 42% viscosity reduction when asphalt along with molasses was used as a sole carbon source compared to only asphalt (37%). The viscosity reduction by asphaltene degradation has been structurally characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). This strain also shows an additional preference to degrade toxic asphalt and aromatics compounds first unlike the other known strains. All these characteristics makes TERIG02 a potential candidate for enhanced oil recovery and a solution to degrading toxic aromatic compounds. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9482-0 Authors Meeta Lavania, TERI, Darbari Seth Block, India Habitat Center, Lodhi Road, New Delhi, 110003 India Simrita Cheema, TERI, Darbari Seth Block, India Habitat Center, Lodhi Road, New Delhi, 110003 India Priyangshu Manab Sarma, TERI, Darbari Seth Block, India Habitat Center, Lodhi Road, New Delhi, 110003 India Ajoy Kumar Mandal, TERI, Darbari Seth Block, India Habitat Center, Lodhi Road, New Delhi, 110003 India Banwari Lal, TERI, Darbari Seth Block, India Habitat Center, Lodhi Road, New Delhi, 110003 India Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    The effective microbial remediation of the mercury necessitates the mercury to be trapped within the cells without being recycled back to the environment. The study describes a mercury bioaccumulating strain of Enterobacter sp., which remediated mercury from the medium simultaneous to its growth. The transmission electron micrographs and electron dispersive X-ray analysis revealed the accumulation of remediated mercury as nano-size particles in the cytoplasm as well as on the cell wall. The Enterobacter sp. in the present work was able to accumulate mercury, without being engineered in its native form. The possibility of recovering the accumulated mercury from the cells is also indicated. The applicability of the alginate immobilized cells in removing mercury from synthetic and complex industrial effluent in a batch mode was amply demonstrated. The initial load of 7.3 mg l −1 mercury in the industrial effluent was completely removed in 72 h. The cells immobilized in calcium alginate were similarly effective in the complete removal of 5 mg l −1 HgCl 2 of mercury from the synthetic effluent in less than 72 h. The immobilized cells could be reused for multiple cycles. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9483-z Authors Arvind Sinha, Enzyme and Microbial Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, 110016 India Sunil Kumar Khare, Enzyme and Microbial Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, 110016 India Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    Strain Yw12, isolated from activated sludge, could completely degrade and utilize methyl parathion as the sole carbon, phosphorus and energy sources for growth in the basic salt media. It could also completely degrade and utilize p -nitrophenol as the sole carbon and energy sources for growth in the minimal salt media. Phenotypic features, physiological and biochemical characteristics, and phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA sequence showed that this strain belongs to the genus of Agrobacterium sp. Response surface methodology was used to optimize degradation conditions. Under its optimal degradation conditions, 50 mg l −1 MP was completely degraded within 2 h by strain Yw12 and the degradation product PNP was also completely degraded within 6 h. Furthermore, strain Yw12 could also degrade phoxim, methamidophos, chlorpyrifos, carbofuran, deltamethrin and atrazine when provided as the sole carbon and energy sources. Enzymatic analysis revealed that the MP degrading enzyme of strain Yw12 is an intracellular enzyme and is expressed constitutively. These results indicated that strain Yw12 might be used as a potential and effective organophosphate pesticides degrader for bioremediation of contaminated sites. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9490-0 Authors Shenghui Wang, Graduate School, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (GS of CAAS), 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie, Beijing, 100081 China Chen Zhang, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100091 China Yanchun Yan, Graduate School, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (GS of CAAS), 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie, Beijing, 100081 China Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    Mycobacterium chubuense strain NBB4 can grow on both alkanes and alkenes as carbon sources, and was hypothesised to be an effective bioremediation agent for chlorinated aliphatic pollutants. In this study, the ability of NBB4 to biodegrade vinyl chloride (VC), cis-dichloroethene (cDCE) and 1,2-dichloroethane (DCA) was investigated under pure-culture conditions and in microcosms. Ethene-grown NBB4 cells were capable of biodegrading VC and cDCE, while ethane-grown cells could biodegrade cDCE and DCA. The stoichiometry of inorganic chloride release (1 mol/mol in each case) indicated that VC was completely dechlorinated, while cDCE and DCA were only partially dechlorinated, yielding chloroacetate in the case of DCA, and unknown metabolites in the case of cDCE. The apparent maximum specific activities (k) of whole cells against ethene, cDCE, ethane and DCA were 93 ± 4.6, 89 ± 18, 39 ± 5.5, and 4.8 ± 0.9 nmol/min/mg protein, respectively, while the substrate affinities (K S ) of whole cells with the same substrates were 2.0 ± 0.15, 46 ± 11, 11 ± 0.33 and 4.0 ± 3.2 μM, respectively. In microcosms containing contaminated aquifer sediments and groundwater, NBB4 cells removed 85-95% of the pollutants (cDCE or DCA at 2 mM) within 24 h, and the cells remained viable for 〉1 month. Due to its favourable kinetic parameters, and robust survival and biodegradation activities, strain NBB4 is a promising candidate for bioremediation of chlorinated aliphatic pollutants. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-14 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9466-0 Authors Nga B. Le, School of Molecular Bioscience, University of Sydney, Building G08, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia Nicholas V. Coleman, School of Molecular Bioscience, University of Sydney, Building G08, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    A fungus strain F-3 was selected from fungal strains isolated from forest soil in Dalian of China. It was identified as one Aspergillus sp . stain F-3 with its morphologic, cultural characteristics and high homology to the genus of rDNA sequence . The budges or thickened node-like structures are peculiar structures of hyphae of the strain. The fungus degraded 65% of alkali lignin (2,000 mg l −1 ) after day 8 of incubation at 30°C at pH 7. The removal of colority was up to 100% at 8 days. The biodegradation of lignin by Aspergillus sp . F-3 favored initial pH 7.0. Excess acid or alkali conditions were not propitious to lignin decomposing. Addition of ammonium l -tartrate or glucose delayed or repressed biodegradation activities. During lignin degradation, manganese peroxidase (28.2 U l −1 ) and laccase (3.5 U l −1 )activities were detected after day 7 of incubation. GC-MS analysis of biodegraded products showed strain F-3 could convert alkali lignin into small molecules or other utilizable products. Strain F-3 may co-culture with white rot fungus and decompose alkali lignin effectively. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9460-6 Authors Y. S. Yang, School of Environmental and Biological Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024 China J. T. Zhou, School of Environmental and Biological Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024 China H. Lu, School of Environmental and Biological Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024 China Y. L. Yuan, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Dalian University, Dalian, 116622 China L. H. Zhao, School of Environmental and Biological Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024 China Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    As a result of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Canada, specific tissues at risk of harbouring prions are not allowed to enter the food chain. Composting may be a viable alternative to rendering and land filling for the disposal of specified risk material (SRM). Two types of laboratory-scale composters, actively-heated and ambient systems were constructed to assess the biodegradation of SRM over 30 days. A second heating cycle was generated by mixing the compost after 15 days. Compared to ambient composters, temperature profiles in actively-heated composters were above 50°C for 5 and 4 days longer in the first and second composting cycles, respectively. Degradation of SRM was similar between two composter types during two composting cycles, averaging 52.2% in the first cycle and 43.9% in second cycle. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) revealed that changes in the actinobacteria populations in the first composting cycle were of a temporal nature, whereas alterations in populations in the second composting cycle were more related to active heating of compost. Sequencing of the dominant DGGE bands showed the predominance of Corynebacterium , Promicromonospora , Pseudonocardia , and Thermobifida in the first composting cycle and Corynebacterium , Mycobacterium, Nocardia, Saccharomonospora , and Streptomyces in the second composting cycle. Active heating can alter the nature of actinobacteria populations in compost, but does not appear to have a major impact on the extent of degradation of SRM. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-15 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9461-5 Authors Shanwei Xu, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G2P5, Canada G. Douglas Inglis, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research Centre, PO Box 3000, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1J4B1 Canada Tim A. Reuter, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research Centre, PO Box 3000, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1J4B1 Canada O. Grant Clark, Department of Bioresource Engineering, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec, H9X3V9 Canada Miodrag Belosevic, Department of Biological Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G2E9, Canada Jerry J. Leonard, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G2P5, Canada Tim A. McAllister, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research Centre, PO Box 3000, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1J4B1 Canada Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    The Test Area North (TAN) site at the Idaho National Laboratory near Idaho Falls, ID, USA, sits over a trichloroethylene (TCE) contaminant plume in the Snake River Plain fractured basalt aquifer. Past observations have provided evidence that TCE at TAN is being transformed by biological natural attenuation that may be primarily due to co-metabolism in aerobic portions of the plume by methanotrophs. TCE co-metabolism by methanotrophs is the result of the broad substrate specificity of microbial methane monooxygenase which permits non-specific oxidation of TCE in addition to the primary substrate, methane. Arrays of experimental approaches have been utilized to understand the biogeochemical processes driving intrinsic TCE co-metabolism at TAN. In this study, aerobic methanotrophs were enumerated by qPCR using primers targeting conserved regions of the genes pmoA and mmoX encoding subunits of the particulate MMO (pMMO) and soluble MMO (sMMO) enzymes , respectively, as well as the gene mxa encoding the downstream enzyme methanol dehydrogenase. Identification of proteins in planktonic and biofilm samples from TAN was determined using reverse phase ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with a quadrupole-time-of-flight (QToF) mass spectrometer to separate and sequence peptides from trypsin digests of the protein extracts. Detection of MMO in unenriched water samples from TAN provides direct evidence of intrinsic methane oxidation and TCE co-metabolic potential of the indigenous microbial population. Mass spectrometry is also well suited for distinguishing which form of MMO is expressed in situ either soluble or particulate. Using this method, pMMO proteins were found to be abundant in samples collected from wells within and adjacent to the TCE plume at TAN. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-15 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9462-4 Authors Andrzej J. Paszczynski, Environmental Biotechnology Institute, University of Idaho, PO Box 441052, Moscow, ID 83844-1052, USA Ravindra Paidisetti, Environmental Biotechnology Institute, University of Idaho, PO Box 441052, Moscow, ID 83844-1052, USA Andrew K. Johnson, Environmental Biotechnology Institute, University of Idaho, PO Box 441052, Moscow, ID 83844-1052, USA Ronald L. Crawford, Environmental Biotechnology Institute, University of Idaho, PO Box 441052, Moscow, ID 83844-1052, USA Frederick S. Colwell, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR USA Tonia Green, Environmental Biotechnology Institute, University of Idaho, PO Box 441052, Moscow, ID 83844-1052, USA Mark Delwiche, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID USA Hope Lee, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID USA Deborah Newby, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID USA Eoin L. Brodie, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA USA Mark Conrad, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA USA Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    Two aerobic, lab-scale, slurry-phase bioreactors were used to examine the biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in contaminated soil and the associated bacterial communities. The two bioreactors were operated under semi-continuous (draw-and-fill) conditions at a residence time of 35 days, but one was fed weekly and the other monthly. Most of the quantified PAHs, including high-molecular-weight compounds, were removed to a greater extent in the weekly-fed bioreactor, which achieved total PAH removal of 76%. Molecular analyses, including pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA genes, revealed significant shifts in the soil bacterial communities after introduction to the bioreactors and differences in the abundance and types of bacteria in each of the bioreactors. The weekly-fed bioreactor displayed a more stable bacterial community with gradual changes over time, whereas the monthly-fed bioreactor community was less consistent and may have been more strongly influenced by the influx of untreated soil during feeding. Phylogenetic groups containing known PAH-degrading bacteria previously identified through stable-isotope probing of the untreated soil were differentially affected by bioreactor conditions. Sequences from members of the Acidovorax and Sphingomonas genera, as well as the uncultivated “Pyrene Group 2” were abundant in the bioreactors. However, the relative abundances of sequences from the Pseudomonas , Sphingobium , and Pseudoxanthomonas genera, as well as from a group of unclassified anthracene degraders, were much lower in the bioreactors compared to the untreated soil. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9463-3 Authors David R. Singleton, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7431, USA Stephen D. Richardson, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7431, USA Michael D. Aitken, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7431, USA Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    Burkholderia sp. C3 can transform polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a class of ubiquitous pollutants, through multiple pathways, indicating existence of multiple dioxygenases (Seo et al., in Biodegradation 18:123–131, 2006a ). Both phn and nag -like genes in C3 were cloned and identified with the DNA sequence alignment and the gene organization in the clusters. When cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli , either the alpha- and beta-subunits of dioxygenase of the phn genes or the ferredoxin-, alpha- and beta-subunits of the nag -like genes transformed naphthalene, phenanthrene and dibenzothiophene but at different rates. The E. coli transformant containing the phn genes transformed phenanthrene faster than that containing the nag -like genes, which was consistent with higher transcription of the phnAc gene than the nagAc -like gene in C3 in response to phenanthrene. 1-Hydroxy-2-naphthanoic acid (1H2NA) and 2-hydroxy-1-naphthanoic acid (2H1NA) (3,4- and 1,2-dioxygenation metabolites of phenanthrene, respectively) were detected in the culture medium of the phn genes transformed E. coli . The concentration of 1H2NA was 262-fold higher than 2H1NA in the medium of the phn genes transformed E. coli . The results suggested that the phn genes play a major role in 1,2-/3,4-dioxygenation and 3,4-dioxygenation dominates. Twenty-eight PAH degradation-associated enzymes including those encoded by the nag -like and phn genes in phenanthrene-grown C3 cells were identified via alignment of amino acid sequences of the detected polypeptides with those in protein databases. The polypeptides were determined with nano liquid chromatography–ion trap mass spectrometry after tryptic in-gel digestion of the enzymes on 1D SDS-PAGE. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-15 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9468-y Authors Panlada Tittabutr, Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1955 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA Il Kyu Cho, Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1955 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA Qing X. Li, Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1955 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    Two stage statistical design was used to optimize xylanase production from Bacillus pumilus ASH under solid-state fermentation. Initially, Plackett–Burman designing (PB) was used for the selection of crucial production parameters. Peptone, yeast extract, incubation time, moisture level and pH were found to be the crucial factors for the xylanase production. Crucial variables were further processed through central composite designing (CCD) of response surface methodology (RSM) to maximize the xylanase yield. Each significant factor was investigated at five different levels to study their influence on enzyme production. Statistical approach resulted in 2.19-fold increase in xylanase yield over conventional strategy. The determination coefficient ( R 2 ) as shown by analysis of variance (ANOVA) was 0.9992, which shows the adequate credibility of the model. Potential of cellulase-free xylanase was further investigated for biobleaching of wheat straw pulp. Xylanase aided bleaching through XCDED 1 D 2 sequence resulted in 20 and 17% reduction in chlorine and chlorine dioxide consumption as compared to control. Significant increase in pulp brightness (%ISO), whiteness and improvement in various pulp properties was also observed. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9470-4 Authors Gaurav Garg, Department of Biotechnology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, 136 119 India Ritu Mahajan, Department of Biotechnology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, 136 119 India Amanjot Kaur, Department of Biotechnology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, 136 119 India Jitender Sharma, Department of Biotechnology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, 136 119 India Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    One hundred and two basidiomycete strains (93 species in 41 genera) that prefer a soil environment were examined for screening of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) biodegradation. Three strains within two litter-decomposing genera, Agrocybe and Marasmiellus , were selected for their DDT biotransformation capacity. Eight metabolites; 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDD), two monohydroxy-DDTs, monohydroxy-DDD, 2,2-dichloro-1,1-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethanol, putative 2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethanol and two unidentified compounds were detected from the culture with Marasmiellus sp. TUFC10101. A P450 inhibitor, 1-ABT, inhibited the formation of monohydroxy-DDTs and monohydroxy-DDD from DDT and DDD, respectively. These results indicated that oxidative pathway which was catalyzed by P450 monooxygenase exist beside reductive dechlorination of DDT. Monohydroxylation of the aromatic rings of DDT (and DDD) by fungal P450 is reported here for the first time. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9464-2 Authors Hiroto Suhara, Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, 4-101 Koyama-Minami, Tottori, 680-8553 Japan Ai Adachi, Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, 4-101 Koyama-Minami, Tottori, 680-8553 Japan Ichiro Kamei, Faculty of Agriculture, Miyazaki University, 1-1 Gakuen Kibanadai-nishi, Miyazaki, 889-2192 Japan Nitaro Maekawa, Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, 4-101 Koyama-Minami, Tottori, 680-8553 Japan Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    Combining chemical and biological treatments is a potentially economic approach to remove high concentration of recalcitrant compounds from wastewaters. In the present study, the biodegradation of 1,4-benzoquinone, an intermediate compound formed during phenol oxidation by chlorine dioxide, was investigated using Pseudomonas putida (ATCC 17484) in batch and continuous bioreactors. Batch experiments were conducted to determine the effects of 1,4-benzoquinone concentration and temperature on the microbial activity and biodegradation kinetics. Using the generated data, the maximum specific growth rate and biodegradation rate were determined as 0.94 h −1 and 6.71 mg of 1,4-benzoquinone l −1  h −1 . Biodegradation in a continuous bioreactor indicated a linear relationship between substrate loading and biodegradation rates prior to wash out of the cells, with a maximum biodegradation rate of 246 mg l −1  h −1 observed at a loading rate of 275 mg l −1  h −1 (residence time: 1.82 h). Biokinetic parameters were also determined using the steady state substrate and biomass concentrations at various dilution rates and compared to those obtained in batch cultures. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9465-1 Authors Pardeep Kumar, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, 57 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada Mehdi Nemati, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, 57 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada Gordon A. Hill, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, 57 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    In our study, early period degradation (10 days) of Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) sapwood by the brown-rot fungus Coniophora puteana (Schum.: Fr.) Karst. (BAM Ebw.15) was followed at the wood chemical composition and ultrastructurelevel, and highlighted the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). An advanced decay period of 50 days was chosen for comparison of the degradation dynamics. Scanning UV microspectrophotometry (UMSP) analyses of lignin distribution in wood cells revealed that the linkages of lignin and polysaccharides were already disrupted in the early period of fungal attack. An increase in the lignin absorption A 280 value from 0.24 (control) to 0.44 in decayed wood was attributed to its oxidative modification which has been proposed to be generated by Fenton reaction derived ROS. The wood weight loss in the initial degradation period was 2%, whilst cellulose and lignin content decreased by 6.7% and 1%, respectively. Lignin methoxyl (–OCH 3 ) content decreased from 15.1% (control) to 14.2% in decayed wood. Diffuse reflectance Fourier-transform infrared (DRIFT) spectroscopy corroborated the moderate loss in the hemicellulose and lignin degradation accompanying degradation. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra and spin trapping confirmed the generation of ROS, such as hydroxyl radicals (HO ∙ ), in the early wood degradation period. Our results showed that irreversible changes in wood structure started immediately after wood colonisation by fungal hyphae and the results generated here will assist in the understanding of the biochemical mechanisms of wood biodegradation by brown-rot fungi with the ultimate aim of developing novel wood protection methods. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s10532-010-9449-6 Authors Ilze Irbe, Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, Dzerbenes Str. 27, Riga, LV-1006 Latvia Ingeborga Andersone, Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, Dzerbenes Str. 27, Riga, LV-1006 Latvia Bruno Andersons, Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, Dzerbenes Str. 27, Riga, LV-1006 Latvia Guna Noldt, Division of Wood Biology, Department of Wood Science, Hamburg University, Leuschnerstrasse 91, 21031 Hamburg, Germany Tatiana Dizhbite, Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, Dzerbenes Str. 27, Riga, LV-1006 Latvia Nina Kurnosova, Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, Dzerbenes Str. 27, Riga, LV-1006 Latvia Mari Nuopponen, Scottish Crop Research Institute, Plant Products and Food Quality Programme, Dundee, DD2 5DA Scotland, UK Derek Stewart, Scottish Crop Research Institute, Plant Products and Food Quality Programme, Dundee, DD2 5DA Scotland, UK Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    Microbially reduced iron minerals can reductively transform a variety of contaminants including heavy metals, radionuclides, chlorinated aliphatics, and nitroaromatics. A number of Cellulomonas spp. strains, including strain ES6, isolated from aquifer samples obtained at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hanford site in Washington, have been shown to be capable of reducing Cr(VI), TNT, natural organic matter, and soluble ferric iron [Fe(III)]. This research investigated the ability of Cellulomonas sp. strain ES6 to reduce solid phase and dissolved Fe(III) utilizing different carbon sources and various electron shuttling compounds. Results suggest that Fe(III) reduction by and growth of strain ES6 was dependent upon the type of electron donor, the form of iron present, and the presence of synthetic or natural organic matter, such as anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS) or humic substances. This research suggests that Cellulomonas sp. strain ES6 could play a significant role in metal reduction in the Hanford subsurface and that the choice of carbon source and organic matter addition can allow for independent control of growth and iron reduction activity. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9457-1 Authors Robin Gerlach, Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA Erin K. Field, Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA Sridhar Viamajala, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA Brent M. Peyton, Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA William A. Apel, Biological Systems Department, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID 83415, USA Al B. Cunningham, Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    Biodegradation of the gasoline oxygenates methyl tertiary -butyl ether (MTBE) and ethyl tertiary -butyl ether (ETBE) can cause tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA) to accumulate in gasoline-impacted environments. One remediation option for TBA-contaminated groundwater involves oxygenated granulated activated carbon (GAC) reactors that have been self-inoculated by indigenous TBA-degrading microorganisms in ground water extracted from contaminated aquifers. Identification of these organisms is important for understanding the range of TBA-metabolizing organisms in nature and for determining whether self-inoculation of similar reactors is likely to occur at other sites. In this study 13 C-DNA-stable isotope probing (SIP) was used to identify TBA-utilizing organisms in samples of self-inoculated BioGAC reactors operated at sites in New York and California. Based on 16S rRNA nucleotide sequences, all TBA-utilizing organisms identified were members of the Burkholderiales order of the β - proteobacteria. Organisms similar to Cupriavidus and Methylibium were observed in both reactor samples while organisms similar to Polaromonas and Rhodoferax were unique to the reactor sample from New York. Organisms similar to Hydrogenophaga and Paucibacter strains were only detected in the reactor sample from California. We also analyzed our samples for the presence of several genes previously implicated in TBA oxidation by pure cultures of bacteria. Genes Mpe_B0532, B0541, B0555, and B0561 were all detected in 13 C-metagenomic DNA from both reactors and deduced amino acid sequences suggested these genes all encode highly conserved enzymes. One gene (Mpe_B0555) encodes a putative phthalate dioxygenase-like enzyme that may be particularly appropriate for determining the potential for TBA oxidation in contaminated environmental samples. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9455-3 Authors Denise Aslett, Department of Microbiology, 4545 Thomas Hall, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA Joseph Haas, Office of the New York State Attorney General, Environmental Protection Bureau, New York, NY 10271, USA Michael Hyman, Department of Microbiology, 4545 Thomas Hall, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    Cultivation-independent analyses were applied to study the structural diversity of the bacterial community which developed in groundwater inoculated microcosms actively metabolizing monochlorobenzene (MCB) under anaerobic conditions. Addition of 13 C-labelled MCB demonstrated that the community produced 13 CO 2 as a metabolite at slightly increasing rates over a period of 1,051 days while no 13 C-methane evolved. Genetic profiles of partial 16S rRNA genes generated with the single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) technique by PCR from directly extracted total DNA revealed that, despite the long incubation period, six replicate microcosms were characterized by almost the same microbial members. Nine distinguishable contributors to the SSCP-profiles were characterized by DNA sequencing, revealing the presence of different members from the phyla Proteobacteria , Fibrobacteres and from the candidate division OD1. DNA-stable isotope probing (SIP) was applied to distinguish the actual MCB metabolizing bacteria from the other community members. This study reveals for the first time the structural diversity of an anaerobic MCB metabolizing bacterial community. However, it also demonstrates the limitations of SIP to detect bacteria slowly metabolizing carbon sources under anaerobic conditions. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9456-2 Authors Paula M. Martínez-Lavanchy, Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany Anja Bettina Dohrmann, Institut für Biodiversität, Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut (vTI), Bundesforschungsinstitut für Ländliche Räume, Wald und Fischerei, Bundesallee 50, 38116 Braunschweig, Germany Gwenaël Imfeld, Laboratory of Hydrology and Geochemistry of Strasbourg (LHyGeS), Université de Strasbourg/ENGEES, CNRS, 1 rue Blessing, F-67084, 67070 Strasbourg, France Karin Trescher, Institut für Biodiversität, Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut (vTI), Bundesforschungsinstitut für Ländliche Räume, Wald und Fischerei, Bundesallee 50, 38116 Braunschweig, Germany Christoph C. Tebbe, Institut für Biodiversität, Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut (vTI), Bundesforschungsinstitut für Ländliche Räume, Wald und Fischerei, Bundesallee 50, 38116 Braunschweig, Germany Hans-Hermann Richnow, Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany Ivonne Nijenhuis, Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    In this study, a single-stage autotrophic nitrogen removal reactor, packed with a novel acrylic fiber biomass carrier material (Biofix), was applied for nitrogen removal from sludge digester liquor. For rapid start-up, conventional activated sludge was added to the reactor soon after the attachment of anammox biomass on the Biofix carriers, which allowed conventional activated sludge to form a protective layer of biofilm around the anammox biomass. The Nitrogen removal efficiency reached 75% within 1 week at a nitrogen loading rate of 0.46 kg-N/m 3 /day for synthetic wastewater treatment. By the end of the synthetic wastewater treatment period, the maximum nitrogen removal rate had increased to 0.92 kg-N/m 3 /day at a nitrogen loading rate of 1.0 kg-N/m 3 /day. High nitrogen removal rate was also achieved during the actual raw digester liquor treatment with the highest nitrogen removal rate being 0.83 kg-N/m 3 /day at a nitrogen loading rate of 0.93 kg-N/m 3 /day. The thick biofilm on Biofix carriers allowed anammox bacteria to survive under high DO concentration of 5–6 mg/l resulting in stable and high nitrogen removal performance. FISH and CLSM analysis demonstrated that anammox bacteria coexisted and surrounded by ammonium oxidizing bacteria. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9495-8 Authors Sen Qiao, Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering, MOE, School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2 Linggong Road, Dalian, 116024 P. R. China Takashi Nishiyama, Department of Applied Life Science, Sojo University, Ikeda 4-22-1, Kumamoto, 860-0082 Japan Tatsuo Fujii, Department of Applied Life Science, Sojo University, Ikeda 4-22-1, Kumamoto, 860-0082 Japan Zafar Bhatti, Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch, Ontario Ministry of the Environment, 2-St. Clair Ave. W, 12A F, Toronto, ON M4V 1L5, Canada Kenji Furukawa, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kumamoto University, Kurokami 2-39-1, Kumamoto, 860-8555 Japan Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    An integrated photocatalytic-biological reactor (IPBR) was used for accelerated degradation and mineralization of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) through simultaneous, intimate coupling of photocatalysis and biodegradation in one reactor. Intimate coupling was realized by circulating the IPBR’s liquid contents between a TiO 2 film on mat glass illuminated by UV light and honeycomb ceramics as biofilm carriers. Three protocols—photocatalysis alone (P), biodegradation alone (B), and integrated photocatalysis and biodegradation (photobiodegradation, P&B)—were used for degradation of different initial TCP concentrations. Intimately coupled P&B also was compared with sequential P and B. TCP removal by intimately coupled P&B was faster than that by P and B alone or sequentially coupled P and B. Because photocatalysis relieved TCP inhibition to biodegradation by decreasing its concentration, TCP biodegradation could become more important over the full batch P&B experiments. When phenol, an easy biodegradable compounds, was added to TCP in order to promote TCP mineralization by means of secondary utilization, P&B was superior to P and B in terms of mineralization of TCP, giving 95% removal of chemical oxygen demand. Cl − was only partially released during P experiments (24%), and this corresponded to its poor mineralization in P experiments (32%). Thus, intimately coupled P&B in the IPBR made it possible obtain the best features of each: rapid photocatalytic transformation in parallel with mineralization of photocatalytic products. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9498-5 Authors Yongming Zhang, Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Life and Environmental Science, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234 People’s Republic of China Xia Sun, Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Life and Environmental Science, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234 People’s Republic of China Lujun Chen, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 People’s Republic of China Bruce E. Rittmann, Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5701, USA Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    Tributyl phosphate (TBP) is an organophosphorous compound, used extensively (3000–5000 tonnes/annum) as a solvent for nuclear fuel processing and as a base stock in the formulation of fire-resistant aircraft hydraulic fluids and other applications. Because of its wide applications and relative stability in the natural environment TBP poses the problem of pollution and health hazards. In the present study, fifteen potent bacterial strains capable of using tributyl phosphate (TBP) as sole carbon and phosphorus source were isolated from enrichment cultures. These isolates were identified on the basis of biochemical and morphological characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that two isolates belonged to class Bacilli and thirteen to β and γ-Proteobacteria. All these isolates were found to be members of genera Alcaligenes, Providencia, Delftia, Ralstonia, and Bacillus. These isolates were able to tolerate and degrade up to 5 mM TBP, the highest concentration reported to date. The GC–MS method was developed to monitor TBP degradation. Two strains, Providencia sp. BGW4 and Delftia sp. BGW1 showed respectively, 61.0 ± 2.8% and 57.0 ± 2.0% TBP degradation within 4 days. The degradation rate constants, calculated by first order kinetic model were between 0.0024 and 0.0099 h −1 . These bacterial strains are novel for TBP degradation and could be used as an important bioresource for efficient decontamination of TBP polluted waste streams. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9496-7 Authors Kedar C. Ahire, Department of Microbiology, University of Pune, Pune, 411 007 India Balu P. Kapadnis, Department of Microbiology, University of Pune, Pune, 411 007 India Girish J. Kulkarni, Molecular Biology Unit, National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, 411007 India Yogesh S. Shouche, Molecular Biology Unit, National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, 411007 India Rajendra L. Deopurkar, Department of Microbiology, University of Pune, Pune, 411 007 India Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    The anaerobic thermophilic bacterium, Clostridium thermocellum , is a potent cellulolytic microorganism that produces large extracellular multienzyme complexes called cellulosomes. To isolate C. thermocellum organisms that possess effective cellulose-degrading ability, new thermophilic cellulolytic strains were screened from more than 800 samples obtained mainly from agriculture residues in Thailand using microcrystalline cellulose as a carbon source. A new strain, C. thermocellum S14, having high cellulose-degrading ability was isolated from bagasse paper sludge. Cellulosomes prepared from S14 demonstrated faster degradation of microcrystalline cellulose, and 3.4- and 5.6-fold greater Avicelase activity than those from C. thermocellum ATCC27405 and JW20 (ATCC31449), respectively. Scanning electron microscopic analysis showed that S14 had unique cell surface features with few protuberances in contrast to the type strains. In addition, the cellulosome of S14 was resistant to inhibition by cellobiose that is a major end product of cellulose hydrolysis. Saccharification tests conducted using rice straw soaked with sodium hydroxide indicated the cellulosome of S14 released approximately 1.5-fold more total sugars compared to that of ATCC27405. This newly isolated S14 strain has the potential as an enzyme resource for effective lignocellulose degradation. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9486-9 Authors Chakrit Tachaapaikoon, Post-harvest Science and Technology Division, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), 1-1 Ohwashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8686, Japan Akihiko Kosugi, Post-harvest Science and Technology Division, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), 1-1 Ohwashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8686, Japan Patthra Pason, Pilot Plant Development and Training Institute (PDTI), King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), Bangkok, Thailand Rattiya Waeonukul, Post-harvest Science and Technology Division, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), 1-1 Ohwashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8686, Japan Khanok Ratanakhanokchai, School of Bioresources and Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology, Thonburi (KMUTT), Bangkok, Thailand Khin Lay Kyu, School of Bioresources and Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology, Thonburi (KMUTT), Bangkok, Thailand Takamitsu Arai, Post-harvest Science and Technology Division, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), 1-1 Ohwashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8686, Japan Yoshinori Murata, Post-harvest Science and Technology Division, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), 1-1 Ohwashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8686, Japan Yutaka Mori, Post-harvest Science and Technology Division, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), 1-1 Ohwashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8686, Japan Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    Presence of microcystin (MC), a predominant freshwater algal toxin and a suspected liver carcinogen, in Florida’s freshwaters poses serious health threat to humans and aquatic species. Being recalcitrant to conventional physical and chemical water treatment methods, biological methods of MC removal is widely researched. Water samples collected from five sites of Lake Okeechobee (LO) frequently exposed to toxic Microcystis blooms were used as inoculum for enrichment with microcystin LR (MC-LR) supplied as sole C and N source. After 20 days incubation, MC levels were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A bacterial consortium consisting of two isolates DC7 and DC8 from the Indian Prairie Canal sample showed over 74% toxin degradation at the end of day 20. Optimal temperature requirement for biodegradation was identified and phosphorus levels did not affect the MC biodegradation. Based on 16S rRNA sequence similarity the isolate DC8 was found to have a match with Microbacterium sp. and the DC7 isolate with Rhizobium gallicum (AY972457). Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9484-y Authors A. Ramani, Department of Earth and Environment, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199-001, USA K. Rein, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA K. G. Shetty, Department of Earth and Environment, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199-001, USA K. Jayachandran, Department of Earth and Environment, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199-001, USA Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    The performance of diesel oil degradation by Candida tropicalis immobilized on various conventional matrices (sodium alginate, carboxyl methyl cellulose, chitosan) and biowaste materials (wheat bran, sawdust, peanut hull powder) was investigated using the method of entrapment and physical adsorption. The yeast species immobilized in wheat bran showed enhanced efficiency in degrading diesel oil (98%) compared to free cells culture (80%) over a period of 7 days. Copious amount of exopolysaccharides were also produced in the presence of diesel oil. The biofilm forming ability of C. tropicalis on PVC strips was evaluated using XTT (2,3-bis[2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl]-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide) reduction assay and monitored by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Yeast biofilm formed on gravels showed 97% degradation of diesel oil over a period of 10 days. The potential use of the biofilms for preparing trickling filters (gravel particles), for attenuating hydrocarbons in oily liquid wastes before their disposal in the open environment is suggested and discussed. This is the first successful attempt for ‘artificially’ establishing hydrocarbon degrading yeast biofilm on solid substrates. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9473-1 Authors Preethy Chandran, Environmental Biotechnology Division, School of Biosciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore, 632 014 Tamil Nadu, India Nilanjana Das, Environmental Biotechnology Division, School of Biosciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore, 632 014 Tamil Nadu, India Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    Reject water treatment performance was investigated by whole cell anammox sludge entrapped polyvinyl alcohol/sodium alginate gel in the stirred tank reactor (STR). The whole experiment was conducted through Phase 1 and Phase 2 in which synthetic wastewater and modified reject water were used as feeding medium, respectively. The anammox reactor demonstrated quick start-up after 22 days as well as stable and relatively high nitrogen removal rate of more than 8.0 kg-N m −3  day −1 during the two both phases even under moderately low temperature of 25 ± 0.5°C during the last 2 months of Phase 2. The matured brownish red PVA beads had good characteristics with buoyant density of 1.10 g cm −3 , settling velocity of 141 m h −1 and diameter of 4 mm. The bacterial community was identified by 16S rDNA analysis revealing the concurrent existence of KSU-1 and new kind anammox bacterium Kumadai-I after changing influent from synthetic wastewater to reject water. It was speculated that Kumadai-I might play a role as “promotion” factor together with KSU-1 on high nitrogen removal rate. These results demonstrate the potential application of whole cell anammox entrapment by PVA/alginate gel for achieving stable and high-rate nitrogen removal from high ammonium with low C/N ratio contained wastewaters, such as reject water, digester liquor or landfill leachate. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9471-3 Authors Lai Minh Quan, Graduate School of Science and Technology (GSST), Kumamoto University, 2-39-1 Kurokami, Kumamoto, 860-8555 Japan Do Phuong Khanh, Graduate School of Science and Technology (GSST), Kumamoto University, 2-39-1 Kurokami, Kumamoto, 860-8555 Japan Daisuke Hira, Graduate School of Science and Technology (GSST), Kumamoto University, 2-39-1 Kurokami, Kumamoto, 860-8555 Japan Takao Fujii, Department of Applied Life Science, Faculty of Biotechnology and Life Science, Sojo University, 4-22-1 Ikeda, Kumamoto, 860-0082 Japan Kenji Furukawa, Graduate School of Science and Technology (GSST), Kumamoto University, 2-39-1 Kurokami, Kumamoto, 860-8555 Japan Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    Groundwater contamination by the explosive hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) is a global problem. Israel’s coastal aquifer was contaminated with RDX. This aquifer is mostly aerobic and we therefore sought aerobic bacteria that might be involved in natural attenuation of the compound in the aquifer. RDX-degrading bacteria were captured by passively sampling the indigenous bacteria onto sterile sediments placed within sampling boreholes. Aerobic RDX biodegradation potential was detected in the sediments sampled from different locations along the plume. RDX degradation with the native sampled consortium was accompanied by 4-nitro-2,4-diazabutanal formation. Two bacterial strains of the genus Rhodococcus were isolated from the sediments and identified as aerobic RDX degraders. The xplA gene encoding the cytochrome P450 enzyme was partially (~500 bp) sequenced from both isolates. The obtained DNA sequences had 99% identity with corresponding gene fragments of previously isolated RDX-degrading Rhodococcus strains. RDX degradation by both strains was prevented by 200 μM of the cytochrome P450 inhibitor metyrapone, suggesting that cytochrome P450 indeed mediates the initial step in RDX degradation. RDX biodegradation activity by the T7 isolate was inhibited in the presence of nitrate or ammonium concentrations above 1.6 and 5.5 mM, respectively (100 mg l −1 ) while the T9N isolate’s activity was retarded only by ammonium concentrations above 5.5 mM. This study shows that bacteria from the genus Rhodococcus , potentially degrade RDX in the saturated zone as well, following the same aerobic degradation pathway defined for other Rhodococcus species. RDX-degrading activity by the Rhodococcus species isolate T9N may have important implications for the bioremediation of nitrate-rich RDX-contaminated aquifers. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9458-0 Authors Anat Bernstein, Department of Environmental Hydrology and Microbiology, Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 84990 Beer Sheva, Israel Eilon Adar, Department of Environmental Hydrology and Microbiology, Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 84990 Beer Sheva, Israel Ali Nejidat, Department of Environmental Hydrology and Microbiology, Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 84990 Beer Sheva, Israel Zeev Ronen, Department of Environmental Hydrology and Microbiology, Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 84990 Beer Sheva, Israel Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    Plutonium (Pu), a key contaminant at sites associated with the manufacture of nuclear weapons and with nuclear-energy wastes, can be precipitated to “immobilized” plutonium phases in systems that promote bioreduction. Ferric iron (Fe 3+ ) is often present in contaminated sites, and its bioreduction to ferrous iron (Fe 2+ ) may be involved in the reduction of Pu to forms that precipitate. Alternately, Pu can be reduced directly by the bacteria. Besides Fe, contaminated sites often contain strong complexing ligands, such as nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA). We used biogeochemical modeling to interpret the experimental fate of Pu in the absence and presence of ferric iron (Fe 3+ ) and NTA under anaerobic conditions. In all cases, Shewanella alga BrY ( S. alga ) reduced Pu(V)(PuO 2 + ) to Pu(III), and experimental evidence indicates that Pu(III) precipitated as PuPO 4(am). In the absence of Fe 3+ and NTA, reduction of PuO 2 + was directly biotic, but modeling simulations support that PuO 2 + reduction in the presence of Fe 3+ and NTA was due to an abiotic stepwise reduction of PuO 2 + to Pu 4+ , followed by reduction of Pu 4+ to Pu 3+ , both through biogenically produced Fe 2+ . This means that PuO 2 + reduction was slowed by first having Fe 3+ reduced to Fe 2+ . Modeling results also show that the degree of PuPO 4(am) precipitation depends on the NTA concentration. While precipitation out-competes complexation when NTA is present at the same or lower concentration than Pu, excess NTA can prevent precipitation of PuPO 4(am) . Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s10532-010-9451-z Authors Randhir P. Deo, Chemistry Department, Division of Natural Sciences, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Guam, Mangilao, Guam, 96923 USA Bruce E. Rittmann, Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5701, USA Donald T. Reed, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Environmental and Earth Sciences Division, Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring and Research Center, Carlsbad, NM 88220, USA Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    A leuco derivatives of triphenylmethane dyes degrading bacterium, strain CM9, was isolated from an aquafarm field. Based on morphology, physiologic tests, 16S rDNA sequence, and phylogenetic characteristics, it was identified as Sphingomonas sp. This strain was capable of degrading leucomalachite green (LMG), leucocrystal violet and leucobasic fuchsin completely. The relationship between bacterium growth and LMG degradation suggested that strain CM9 could use LMG as the sole source of carbon. The most LMG degradation activity of CM9 crude extract was observed at pH 7.0 and at 30°C. Many metal ions had little inhibition effect on the degradation activity of the crude extract. CM9 also showed strong decolorization of triphenylmethane dyes to their leuco derivatives. GC/MS analysis detected two novel metabolic products, methylbenzene and 4-aminophenol, during the LMG degradation by CM9. Content Type Journal Article DOI 10.1007/s10532-010-9447-8 Authors Jun Wu, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093 China Liguan Li, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093 China Hongwei Du, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093 China Lijuan Jiang, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093 China Qiong Zhang, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093 China Zhongbo Wei, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093 China Xiaolin Wang, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093 China Lin Xiao, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093 China Liuyan Yang, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093 China Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    Estuaries are often considered sinks for contaminants and the cleanup of salt marshes, sensitive ecosystems with a major ecological role, should be carried out by means of least intrusive approaches, such as bioremediation. This study was designed to evaluate the influence of plant–microorganisms associations on petroleum hydrocarbons fate in salt marshes of a temperate estuary (Lima River, NW Portugal). Sediments un-colonized and colonized (rhizosediments) by different plants (Juncus maritimus, Phragmites australis, Triglochin striata and Spartina patens) were sampled in four sites of the lower and middle estuary for hydrocarbon degrading microorganisms (HD), total cell counts (TCC) and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) assessment. In general, TPHs, HD and TCC were significantly higher ( P  〈 0.05) in rhizosediments than in un-colonized sediments. Also recorded were differences on the abundance of hydrocarbon degraders among the rhizosediment of the different plants collected at the same site ( J. maritimus  〈  P. australis  〈  T. striata ), with statistically significant differences ( P  〈 0.05) between J. maritimus and T. striata . Moreover, strong positive correlations—0.81 and 0.84 ( P  〈 0.05), between biotic (HD) and abiotic (organic matter content) parameters and TPHs concentrations were also found. Our data clearly suggest that salt marsh plants can influence the microbial community, by fostering the development of hydrocarbon-degrading microbial populations in its rhizosphere, an effect observed for all plants. This effect, combined with the plant capability to retain hydrocarbons around the roots, points out that salt marsh plant–microorganisms associations may actively contribute to hydrocarbon removal and degradation in estuarine environments. Content Type Journal Article DOI 10.1007/s10532-010-9446-9 Authors Hugo Ribeiro, Laboratório de Hidrobiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas de Abel Salazar (ICBAS-UP), Universidade do Porto, Largo Professor Abel Salazar, no. 2, 4099-003 Porto, Portugal Ana P. Mucha, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIMAR/CIIMAR), Universidade do Porto, Rua dos Bragas, 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal C. Marisa R. Almeida, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIMAR/CIIMAR), Universidade do Porto, Rua dos Bragas, 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal Adriano A. Bordalo, Laboratório de Hidrobiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas de Abel Salazar (ICBAS-UP), Universidade do Porto, Largo Professor Abel Salazar, no. 2, 4099-003 Porto, Portugal Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    Two chitosanases (CHSA1 and CHSA2) were purified from the culture supernatant of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus TKU024 with squid pen as the sole carbon/nitrogen source. The molecular masses of CHSA1 and CHSA2 determined by SDS-PAGE were approximately 27 and 66 kDa, respectively. The optimum pH, optimum temperature, pH stability, and thermal stability of CHSA1 and CHSA2 were (pH 6, 50°C, pH 4–10, 〈90°C) and (pH 7, 60°C, pH 6–11, 〈70°C), respectively. CHSA1 and CHSA2 had broad pH and thermal stability. CHSA1 and CHSA2 were both inhibited by EDTA and were inhibited completely by 5 mM Mn 2+ . CHSA1 and CHSA2 degraded chitosan with DD ranging from 60 to 98%, and also degraded some chitin. The most susceptible substrate was 60% deacetylated chitosan. Furthermore, TKU024 culture supernatant (1.5% SPP) incubated for 5 days has the most reducing sugars (0.63 mg/ml). With this method, we have shown that shellfish wastes may have a great potential for the production of bioactive materials. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9453-5 Authors San-Lang Wang, Life Sciences Development Center, Tamkang University, Taipei, 25137 Taiwan Wan-Nine Tseng, Department of Chemistry, Tamkang University, Taipei, 25137 Taiwan Tzu-Wen Liang, Life Sciences Development Center, Tamkang University, Taipei, 25137 Taiwan Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    Different methods for determining the toxicity and biodegradability of hazardous compounds evaluating their susceptibility to biological treatment were studied. Several compounds including chlorophenols and herbicides have been evaluated. Toxicity was analyzed in terms of EC 50 and by a simple respirometric procedure based on the OECD Method 209 and by the Microtox ® bioassay. The values of EC 50 obtained from respirometry were in all the cases higher than those from the Microtox ® test. The respirometric inhibition values of chlorophenols were related well with the number of chlorine atoms and their position in the aromatic ring. In general, herbicides showed lower inhibition, being alachlor the less toxic from this criterion. For determination of biodegradability an easier and faster alternative to the OECD Method 301, with a higher biomass to substrate ratio is proposed. When this test was negative, the Zahn-Wellens one was performed in order to evaluate the inherent biodegradability. In the fast test of biodegradability, 4-chlorocatechol and 4-chlorophenol showed a complete biodegradation by an unacclimated sludge upon 48 h. These results together with their low respirometric inhibition, allow concluding that these compounds could be conveniently removed in a WWTP. Alachlor, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol and MCPA showed a partial biodegradation upon 28 days by the Zahn-Wellens inherent biodegradability test. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s10532-010-9448-7 Authors A. M. Polo, Sección de Ingeniería Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/Francisco Tomás y Valiente 7, 28049 Madrid, Spain M. Tobajas, Sección de Ingeniería Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/Francisco Tomás y Valiente 7, 28049 Madrid, Spain S. Sanchis, Sección de Ingeniería Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/Francisco Tomás y Valiente 7, 28049 Madrid, Spain A. F. Mohedano, Sección de Ingeniería Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/Francisco Tomás y Valiente 7, 28049 Madrid, Spain J. J. Rodríguez, Sección de Ingeniería Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/Francisco Tomás y Valiente 7, 28049 Madrid, Spain Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    The enrichment culture SL2 dechlorinating tetrachloroethene (PCE) to ethene with strong trichloroethene (TCE) accumulation prior to cis -1,2-dichloroethene ( cis -DCE) formation was analyzed for the presence of organohalide respiring bacteria and reductive dehalogenase genes ( rdhA ). Sulfurospirillum -affiliated bacteria were identified to be involved in PCE dechlorination to cis -DCE whereas “ Dehalococcoides ”-affiliated bacteria mainly dechlorinated cis -DCE to ethene. Two rdhA genes highly similar to tetrachloroethene reductive dehalogenase genes ( pceA ) of S. multivorans and S. halorespirans were present as well as an rdhA gene very similar to the trichloroethene reductive dehalogenase gene ( tceA ) of “ Dehalococcoides ethenogenes ” strain 195. A single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) method was developed allowing the simultaneous detection of the three rdhA genes and the estimation of their abundance. SSCP analysis of different SL2 cultures showed that one pceA gene was expressed during PCE dechlorination whereas the second was expressed during TCE dechlorination. The tceA gene was involved in cis -DCE dechlorination to ethene. Analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region between the 16S and 23S rRNA genes revealed two distinct sequences originating from Sulfurospirillum suggesting that two Sulfurospirillum populations were present in SL2. Whether each Sulfurospirillum population was catalyzing a different dechlorination step could however not be elucidated. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9454-4 Authors Julien Maillard, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), ENAC IIE—Laboratory for Environmental Biotechnology, Station 6, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland Marie-Paule Charnay, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), ENAC IIE—Laboratory for Environmental Biotechnology, Station 6, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland Christophe Regeard, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), ENAC IIE—Laboratory for Environmental Biotechnology, Station 6, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland Emmanuelle Rohrbach-Brandt, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), ENAC IIE—Laboratory for Environmental Biotechnology, Station 6, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland Katia Rouzeau-Szynalski, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), ENAC IIE—Laboratory for Environmental Biotechnology, Station 6, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland Pierre Rossi, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), ENAC IIE—Laboratory for Environmental Biotechnology, Station 6, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland Christof Holliger, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), ENAC IIE—Laboratory for Environmental Biotechnology, Station 6, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    A novel cellulolytic bacterium was isolated from the forest soil of KNU University campus. Through 16S rRNA sequence matching and morphological observation it was identified as Nocardiopsis sp. KNU. This strain can utilize a broad range of cellulosic substrates including: carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), avicel, xylan, cellobiose, filter paper and rice straw by producing a large amount of thermoalkalotolerant endoglucanase, exoglucanase, xylanase and glucoamylase. Optimal culture conditions (Dubos medium, 37°C, pH 6.5 and static condition) for the maximal production of the cellulolytic enzymes were determined. The activity of cellulolytic and hemicelluloytic enzymes produced by this strain was mainly present extracellularly and the enzyme production was dependent on the cellulosic substrates used for the growth. Effect of physicochemical conditions and metal additives on the cellulolytic enzymes production were systematically investigated. The cellulases produced by Nocardiopsis sp. KNU have an optimal temperature of 40°C and pH of 5.0. These cellulases also have high thermotolerance as evidenced by retaining 55–70% activity at 80°C and pH of 5.0 and alkalotolerance by retaining 〉55% of the activity at pH 10 and 40°C after 1 h. The efficiency of fermentative conversion of the hydrolyzed rice straw by Saccharomyces cerevisiae (KCTC-7296) resulted in 64% of theoretical ethanol yield. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-15 DOI 10.1007/s10532-010-9450-0 Authors Ganesh D. Saratale, Department of Biochemistry, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra 416004, India Sang Eun Oh, Bioenergy Laboratory, Department of Biological Environment, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwondo 200-701, South Korea Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    This study investigated the effects of organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) addition on the anaerobic treatment of the olive-mill pomace. Biodegradability of olive-mill pomace mixed with OFMSW was examined in anaerobic bioreactors. Only OFMSW was loaded in the first (control) bioreactor, while run 1 and run 2 bioreactors included different ratio of OFMSW and olive-mill pomace. COD, BOD 5 , NH 4 –N, pH, VFA, CH 4 quantity and percentage in anaerobic bioreactors were regularly monitored. In addition, inert COD and anaerobic toxicity assay (ATA) were measured in leachate samples. The results of the study showed that 70% of OFMSW addition to olive-mill pomace has an advantage in terms of pollution parameters and methane generation. Since olive-mill pomace is not easy biodegradable, addition of high proportion of OFMSW promotes biodegradability of olive-mill pomace. Decreasing in BOD 5 /COD ratios in the run 1 and run 2 reactors carried out as 62 and 52%, respectively. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s10532-010-9452-y Authors Osman Nuri Ağdağ, Environmental Engineering Department, Pamukkale University, Kinikli Campus, 20070 Denizli, Turkey Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    Basic Violet 3 (BV) belongs to the most important group of synthetic colorants and is used extensively in textile industries. It is considered as xenobiotic compound which is recalcitrant to biodegradation. As Candida krusei could not use BV as sole carbon source, experiments were conducted to study the effect of cosubstrates on decolorization of BV in semi synthetic medium using glucose, sucrose, lactose, maltose, yeast extract, peptone, urea and ammonium sulphate. Maximum decolorization (74%) was observed in media supplemented with sucrose. Use of sugarcane bagasse extract as sole nutrient source showed 100% decolorization of BV within 24 h under optimized condition. UV–visible, FTIR spectral analysis and HPLC analysis confirmed the biodegradation of BV. Six degradation products were isolated and identified. We propose the biodegradation pathway for BV which occurs via stepwise reduction and demethylation process to yield mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, penta- and hexa-demethylated BV species which was degraded completely. The study of the enzymes responsible for decolorization showed the activities of lignin peroxidase, lacasse, tyrosinase, NADH-DCIP reductase, MG reductase and azoreductase in cells before and after decolorization. A significant increase in activities of NADH-DCIP reductase and laccase was observed in the cells after decolorization. The yeast C. krusei could show the ability to decolorize the textile dye BV using inexpensive source like sugarcane bagasse extract for decolorization. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9472-2 Authors Charumathi Deivasigamani, Environmental Biotechnology Division, School of Biosciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore, 632 014 Tamil Nadu, India Nilanjana Das, Environmental Biotechnology Division, School of Biosciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore, 632 014 Tamil Nadu, India Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    Ethanol is a renewable biofuel, and it can be produced from lignocellulosic biomass. The biomass is usually converted to hydrolysates that consist of sugar and sugar derivatives, such as furfural. Yeast ferments sugar to ethanol, but furfural higher than 3 mM is inhibitory. It can take several days for yeast cells to reduce furfural to non-inhibitory furfuryl alcohol before producing ethanol. Bioreduction of furfural to furfuryl alcohol before fermentation may relieve yeast from furfural toxicity. We observed that Cupriavidus necator JMP134, a strict aerobe, rapidly reduced 17 mM furfural to less than 3 mM within 14 min with cell turbidity of 1.0 at 600 nm at 50°C. The rapid reduction consumed ethanol. The “furfural reductase” (FurX) was purified, and it oxidized ethanol to acetaldehyde and reduced furfural to furfuryl alcohol with NAD + as the cofactor. The protein was identified with mass spectrometry fingerprinting to be a hypothetical protein belonging to Zn-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase family. The furX -inactivation mutant of C. necator JMP134 lost the ability to rapidly reduce furfural, and Escherichia coli producing recombinant FurX gained the ability. Thus, an alcohol dehydrogenase enabled bacteria to rapidly reduce furfural with ethanol as the reducing power. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9476-y Authors Qunrui Li, School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Life Sciences Building, Room 202, 100 Dairy Road, Pullman, WA 99164-7520, USA L. K. Metthew Lam, School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Life Sciences Building, Room 202, 100 Dairy Road, Pullman, WA 99164-7520, USA Luying Xun, School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Life Sciences Building, Room 202, 100 Dairy Road, Pullman, WA 99164-7520, USA Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    Lignocellulosic biomass is usually converted to hydrolysates, which consist of sugars and sugar derivatives, such as furfural. Before yeast ferments sugars to ethanol, it reduces toxic furfural to non-inhibitory furfuryl alcohol in a prolonged lag phase. Bioreduction of furfural may shorten the lag phase. Cupriavidus necator JMP134 rapidly reduces furfural with a Zn-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase (FurX) at the expense of ethanol (Li et al. 2011 ). The mechanism of the ethanol-dependent reduction of furfural by FurX and three homologous alcohol dehydrogenases was investigated. The reduction consisted of two individual reactions: ethanol-dependent reduction of NAD + to NADH and then NADH-dependent reduction of furfural to furfuryl alcohol. The kinetic parameters of the coupled reaction and the individual reactions were determined for the four enzymes. The data indicated that limited NADH was released in the coupled reaction. The enzymes had high affinities for NADH (e.g., K d of 0.043 μM for the FurX-NADH complex) and relatively low affinities for NAD + (e.g., K d of 87 μM for FurX-NAD + ). The kinetic data suggest that the four enzymes are efficient “furfural reductases” with either ethanol or NADH as the reducing power. The standard free energy change (ΔG°′) for ethanol-dependent reduction of furfural was determined to be −1.1 kJ mol −1 . The physiological benefit for ethanol-dependent reduction of furfural is likely to replace toxic and recalcitrant furfural with less toxic and more biodegradable acetaldehyde. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9477-x Authors Qunrui Li, School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Life Sciences Building, Room 202, 100 Dairy Road, Pullman, WA 99164-7520, USA L. K. Metthew Lam, School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Life Sciences Building, Room 202, 100 Dairy Road, Pullman, WA 99164-7520, USA Luying Xun, School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Life Sciences Building, Room 202, 100 Dairy Road, Pullman, WA 99164-7520, USA Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    The keratinolytic potential and protease properties of three novel Gram-negative feather-degrading bacteria isolated from Brazilian soils was described. Aeromonas hydrophila K12, Chryseobacterium indologenes A22 and Serratia marcescens P3 were able to degrade feather meal, producing high amounts of soluble proteins and forming thiol groups. The proteases of strains K12, A22 and P3 had optimal pH of 8.0, 7.5 and 6.0, respectively; this last is an uncommon feature for bacterial keratinases. The optimal temperature was in the range 45–55°C. All three proteases were active towards azokeratin and were inhibited by EDTA, suggesting that they are keratinolytic metalloproteases. The proteolytic activity of K12 was stimulated by organic solvents and the detergent SDS, suggesting its potential application for detergent formulations and peptide synthesis. Strains A22, K12 and P3 have great potential for use in biotechnological processes involving hydrolysis of keratinous byproducts. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9474-0 Authors Evelise Bach, Laboratório de Bioquímica e Microbiologia Aplicada, Departamento de Ciência e Tecnologia de Alimentos, ICTA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, 91501-970 Brazil Daniel Joner Daroit, Laboratório de Bioquímica e Microbiologia Aplicada, Departamento de Ciência e Tecnologia de Alimentos, ICTA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, 91501-970 Brazil Ana Paula Folmer Corrêa, Laboratório de Bioquímica e Microbiologia Aplicada, Departamento de Ciência e Tecnologia de Alimentos, ICTA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, 91501-970 Brazil Adriano Brandelli, Laboratório de Bioquímica e Microbiologia Aplicada, Departamento de Ciência e Tecnologia de Alimentos, ICTA, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, 91501-970 Brazil Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    We examined the degradation of amaranth, a representative azo dye, by Bjerkandera adusta Dec 1. The degradation products were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), visible absorbance, and electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectroscopy (ESI-TOF-MS). At the primary culture stage (3 days), the probable reaction intermediates were 1-aminonaphthalene-2,3,6-triol, 4-(hydroxyamino) naphthalene-1-ol, and 2-hydroxy-3-[2-(4-sulfophenyl) hydrazinyl] benzenesulfonic acid. After 10 days, the reaction products detected were 4-nitrophenol, phenol, 2-hydroxy-3-nitrobenzenesulfonic acid, 4-nitrobenzene sulfonic acid, and 3,4′-disulfonyl azo benzene, suggesting that no aromatic amines were created. Manganese-dependent peroxidase activity increased sharply after 3 days culture. Based on these results, we herein propose, for the first time, a degradation pathway for amaranth. Our results suggest that Dec 1 degrades amaranth via the combined activities of peroxidase and hydrolase and reductase action. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9478-9 Authors Nichina Gomi, R1-7 Chemical Resources Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8503 Japan Shuji Yoshida, R1-7 Chemical Resources Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8503 Japan Kazutsugu Matsumoto, Department of Chemistry, College of Science and Technology, Meisei University, 2-1-1 Hodokubo, Hino, Tokyo, 191-8506 Japan Masayuki Okudomi, Department of Chemistry, College of Science and Technology, Meisei University, 2-1-1 Hodokubo, Hino, Tokyo, 191-8506 Japan Hiroki Konno, R1-7 Chemical Resources Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8503 Japan Toru Hisabori, R1-7 Chemical Resources Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8503 Japan Yasushi Sugano, R1-7 Chemical Resources Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8503 Japan Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    A tezontle-packed up-flow reactor (TPUFR) with an immobilized bacterial consortium for biological treatment of methyl-parathion and tetrachlorvinphos was evaluated. These organophosphate pesticides are widely used in Mexico for insect and mite control, respectively. With the aim of developing a tool for pesticide biodegradation, four flow rates (0.936, 1.41, 2.19, and 3.51 l/h) and four hydraulic residence times (0.313, 0.206, 0.133, and 0.083 h) were evaluated in a TPUFR. In the bioreactor, with an operating time of 8 h and a flow of 0.936 l/h, we obtained 75% efficiency in the removal of methyl-parathion and tetrachlorvinphos. Their adsorptions in the volcanic rock were 9% and 6%, respectively. It was demonstrated that the removal of pesticides was due to the biological activity of the immobilized bacterial consortium. We confirmed the decrease in toxicity in the treated effluent from the bioreactor through the application of acute toxicity tests on Eisenia foetida . Immobilization of a bacterial consortium using tezontle as a support is innovative and an economical tool for the treatment of mixtures of organophosphorus pesticide residues. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9475-z Authors Gustavo Yáñez-Ocampo, Laboratorio de Investigaciones Ambientales, Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología, Universidad Autónoma del Estado Morelos, Cuernavaca, Mexico Enrique Sánchez-Salinas, Laboratorio de Investigaciones Ambientales, Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología, Universidad Autónoma del Estado Morelos, Cuernavaca, Mexico M. Laura Ortiz-Hernández, Laboratorio de Investigaciones Ambientales, Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología, Universidad Autónoma del Estado Morelos, Cuernavaca, Mexico Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    Buprofezin is a widely used insecticide that has caused environmental pollution in many areas. However, biodegradation of buprofezin by pure cultures has not been extensively studied, and the transformation pathway of buprofezin remains unclear. In this paper, a buprofezin co-metabolizing strain of DFS35-4 was isolated from a buprofezin-polluted soil in China. Strain DFS35-4 was preliminarily identified as Pseudomonas sp. based on its morphological, physiological, and biochemical properties, as well as 16S rRNA gene analysis. In the presence of 2.0 g l −1 sodium citrate, strain DFS35-4 degraded over 70% of 50 mg l −1 buprofezin in 3 days. Strain DFS35-4 efficiently degraded buprofezin in the pH range of 5.0–10.0 and at temperatures between 20 and 30°C. Three metabolites, 2-imino-5-phenyl-3-(propan-2-yl)-1,3,5-thiadiazinan-4-one, 2-imino-5-phenyl-1,3,5-thiadiazinan-4-one, and methyl(phenyl) carbamic acid, were identified during the degradation of buprofezin using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). A partial transformation pathway of buprofezin in Pseudomonas sp. DFS35-4 was proposed based on these metabolites. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9469-x Authors Kai Chen, Department of Microbiology, Key Lab of Microbiological Engineering of Agricultural Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People’s Republic of China Xiao-Mei Liu, Department of Microbiology, Key Lab of Microbiological Engineering of Agricultural Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People’s Republic of China Rong Li, Department of Microbiology, Key Lab of Microbiological Engineering of Agricultural Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People’s Republic of China Yuan Liu, Department of Microbiology, Key Lab of Microbiological Engineering of Agricultural Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People’s Republic of China Hai Hu, Department of Microbiology, Key Lab of Microbiological Engineering of Agricultural Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People’s Republic of China Shun-Peng Li, Department of Microbiology, Key Lab of Microbiological Engineering of Agricultural Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People’s Republic of China Jian-Dong Jiang, Department of Microbiology, Key Lab of Microbiological Engineering of Agricultural Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People’s Republic of China Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    Decolourization of anaerobically digested and polyaluminium chloride treated distillery spentwash was studied in a fungal stirred tank aerobic reactor without dilution of wastewater. Aspergillus niger isolate IITB-V8 was used as the fungal inoculum. The main objectives of the study were to optimize the stirrer speed for achieving maximum decolourization and to determine the kinetic parameters. A mathematical model was developed to describe the batch culture kinetics. Volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient ( k L a ) was obtained using dynamic method. The maximum specific growth rate and growth yield of fungus were determined using Logistic equation and using Luedeking–Piret equation. 150 rpm was found to be optimum stirrer speed for overall decolourization of 87%. At the optimum stirrer speed, volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient ( k L a ) was 0.4957 min −1 and the maximum specific growth rate of fungus was 0.224 h −1 . The values of yield coefficient ( Y x /s ) and maintenance coefficient ( m s ) were found to be 0.48 g cells (g substrate) −1 and 0.015 g substrate (g cells) −1  h −1 . Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9467-z Authors S. S. Singh, Centre for Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, 400 076 India A. K. Dikshit, Centre for Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, 400 076 India Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description:    Surfactants and inorganic ligands are pointed as efficient to simultaneous removal of heavy metals and hydrophobic organic pollutants from soil. However, the biosurfactants are potentially less toxic to soil organisms than other chemical agents. Thus, in this study the efficiency of combinations of iodide (I − ) ligand and surfactants produced by different bacterial species in the simultaneous removal of cadmium (Cd 2+ ) and phenanthrene in a Haplustox soil sample was investigated. Four microbial surfactants and the synthetic surfactant Triton X-100 were tested with different concentrations of ligand. Soil samples contaminated with Cd 2+ and phenanthrene underwent consecutive washings with a surfactant/ligand solution. The removal of Cd 2+ increased with increased ligand concentration, particularly in solutions containing biosurfactants produced by the bacterial strains Bacillus subtilis LBBMA155 (lipopeptide) and Flavobacterium sp. LBBMA168 (mixture of flavolipids) and Triton X-100. Maximum Cd 2+ removal efficiency was 99.2% for biosurfactant produced by Arthrobacter oxydans LBBMA 201 (lipopeptide) and 99.2% for biosurfactant produced by Bacillus sp. LBBMA111A (mixed lipopeptide) in the presence of 0.336 mol iodide l −1 , while the maximum efficiency of Triton X-100 removal was 65.0%. The biosurfactant solutions removed from 80 to 88.0% of phenanthrene in soil, and the removal was not influenced by the presence of the ligand. Triton X-100 removed from 73 to 88% of the phenanthrene and, differently from the biosurfactants, iodide influenced the removal efficiency. The results indicate that the use of a single washing agent, called surfactant-ligand, affords simultaneous removal of organic contaminants and heavy metals. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s10532-011-9459-z Authors Tânia M. S. Lima, Environmental Biodiversity and Biotechnology Laboratory, Microbiology Department, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, MG 36570-000, Brazil Lorena C. Procópio, Environmental Biodiversity and Biotechnology Laboratory, Microbiology Department, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, MG 36570-000, Brazil Felipe D. Brandão, Environmental Biodiversity and Biotechnology Laboratory, Microbiology Department, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, MG 36570-000, Brazil André M. X. Carvalho, Environmental Biodiversity and Biotechnology Laboratory, Microbiology Department, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, MG 36570-000, Brazil Marcos R. Tótola, Environmental Biodiversity and Biotechnology Laboratory, Microbiology Department, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, MG 36570-000, Brazil Arnaldo C. Borges, Environmental Biodiversity and Biotechnology Laboratory, Microbiology Department, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, MG 36570-000, Brazil Journal Biodegradation Online ISSN 1572-9729 Print ISSN 0923-9820

Description: Rock avalanches onto glacier surfaces, involving volumes 1 Mm 3 or more, are common in the glacier environments of NW North America. We analyse the Mount Munday rock avalanche (British Columbia) which occurred in July 1997. It involved the initial movement of 3.2 Mm 3 of granitic gneiss that underwent a high degree of fragmentation as it was emplaced on Ice Valley Glacier as a thin 2.6-km 2 debris sheet. The total height of the path was 850 m, and its length was 4,163 m yielding a fahrböschung of 10°, suggestive of a long runout in relation to volume. Potential energy expended in the movement was calculated as 4.33 × 10 13  J and its specific energy was estimated at 5,204 J/kg. A simulation of the movement using 2D DAN-W and DAN 3D strongly supports the idea that debris sheet geometry (runout and thickness) and behaviour (velocity profile) resulted from movement on a low friction surface (glacier ice). Our analysis of the debris sheet geometry of 23 unconstrained rock avalanches on glacier surfaces in NW North America indicated that the debris sheets are distinct from those in non-glacial environments in that they are (a) longer in relation to volume and (b) more extensive in area in relation to volume. These two effects result in a very thin supra-glacial debris sheet. Using image analysis software, we found that ∼85 % of the initial source rock volume was fragmented to fragment sizes less than 4.7 m 3 in volume during emplacement, and that within the debris sheet, the highest degree of fragmentation is associated with the thinnest debris. In the emplacement of rock avalanche debris sheets on glacier surfaces, the low friction glacier surface drives debris sheet thinning through spreading, which in turn results in the fragmentation of its entire thickness. We thus propose low friction surface-driven fragmentation as a process that contributes to long runout of rock avalanches on glacier surfaces and explains their distinctive debris sheet geometry.

Description: Sliding mass of landslides highly endangered the area along travel path, especially landslides with long travel distance. It is necessary to develop an effective prediction model for preliminarily evaluating landslide travel distance so as to improve disaster prevention and relocation. This paper collected 54 landslides with 347–4,170 m travel distance triggered by the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake to discuss the effectiveness of various influential factors on landslide travel distance and obtained an empirical model for its prediction. The results revealed that rock type, sliding source volume, and slope transition angle were the predominant factors on landslide travel distance. The validity of proposed model was verified by the satisfactory agreement between observations and predictions. Therefore, this model might be practically applicable in Wenchuan earthquake area and other similar geomorphological and geological regions.

Description: An ensemble algorithm of data mining decision tree (DT)-based CHi-squared Automatic Interaction Detection (CHAID) is widely used for prediction analysis in variety of applications. CHAID as a multivariate method has an automatic classification capacity to analyze large numbers of landslide conditioning factors. Moreover, it results two or more nodes for each independent variable, where every node contains numbers of presence or absence of landslides (dependent variable). Other DT methods such as Quick, Unbiased, Efficient Statistic Tree (QUEST) and Classification and Regression Trees (CRT) are not able to produce multi branches based tree. Thus, the main objective of this paper is to use CHAID method to perform the best classification fit for each conditioning factors, then, combined it with logistic regression (LR) to find the corresponding coefficients of best fitting function that assess the optimal terminal nodes. In the first step, a landslide inventory map with 296 landslide locations were extracted from various sources over the Pohang-Kyeong Joo catchment (South Korea). Then, the inventory was randomly split into two datasets, 70 % was used for training the models, and the remaining 30 % was used for validation purpose. Thirteen landslide conditioning factors were used for the susceptibility modeling. Then, CHAID was applied and revealed that some conditioning factors such as altitude, soil drain, soil texture and TWI, as terminal nodes and reflected the best classification fit. Then, a proposed ensemble technique was applied and the interpretations of the coefficients showed that the relationship between the decision tree branch nodes distance from drain, soil drain, and TWI, respectively, leads to better consequences assessment of landslides in the current study area. The validation results showed that both success and prediction rates, 75 and 79 %, respectively. This study proved the efficiency and reliability of ensemble DT and LR model in landslide susceptibility mapping.

Description: There is a clear need for integrated research on landslide disaster risk. Landslide disasters have major impacts in developing countries due to the increasing social vulnerability of both rural and urban communities. In recent decades, landslide disasters in Latin America triggered by both precipitation and earthquakes have also increased considerably. Thus, scientific contributions based on integrated risk research are quite urgent for improving the knowledge base for reducing the vulnerability of exposed communities to landslides. Thus, there is a parallel necessity to promote capacity building for young scientists in Latin America by considering the shift of disaster paradigm to recognize the “unnaturalness” of disasters. Under such a framework, there are particular goals to be pursued including: (1) Development of landslide regional networks with a commitment for understanding risk as a socially constructed process; (2) Engagement of young scientists in integrated landslide risk research; (3) Inducing a scientific multi- and transdisciplinary approach for integrated landslide risk research; (4) Development and implementation of capacity building; (5) Contributing to the dissemination and application of common methodologies on landslide disasters investigations; and (6) Strengthening collaboration on integrated landslide disaster risk research in Latin America. In this paper, we present one of the main activities of the ICL Latin-American network in terms of capacity building carried out in 2013; to that end, the first international workshop on forensic investigations of disasters associated with landslides was held in the University of Sciences and Arts of Chiapas in the city of Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico, from June 26th to July 4th, 2013.

Description: The gently concave piedmont of the marginal slope of the Flysch Carpathians in the Czech Republic has long been considered to comprise a system of pediments or coalescent alluvial fans. However, within one of the typical sections of this piedmont, large successive landslides with long travel distances of ~2.5 km have been identified through geophysical measurements and the investigation of an extensive artificial exposure. Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dating and pollen analysis demonstrate that the uppermost generations of landslide deposits have originated since ~56 ka BP during the warmer and more humid interpleniglacial conditions of Marine Isotope Stage 3 (MIS 3). The geomorphological evidence for landsliding during MIS 3 has almost completely disappeared from this region due to intensive periglacial processes operating during the Last Glacial Maximum and subsequent fluvial and anthropogenic processes operating during the Holocene. The considerable antiquity of the studied terrestrial landslide bodies is unique within the context of Europe. This study shows the value of re-examining landscape development using new techniques and fresh exposures.

Description: During the five rainy seasons following the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, at least eight catastrophic events of multiple debris flows occurred in the Yinchanggou area of Baishui River basin, in southwestern China. The deposits had some serious impacts on the transportation, communication, and reconstruction activities. It indicates the start of a period with a high-frequency debris flow activities. In this paper, a detailed review is made of the latest 12 debris flow events, which occurred on 18th August 2012. Field reconnaissance and measurements, supported by a remote sensing interpretation, were conducted to reveal the locations and morphological characteristics of debris flow catchments. A total volume of 50.26 million m 3 co-seismic landslides, triggered by the Wenchuan earthquake, served as source materials for these debris flows and/or shallow landslides. Bedrocks, which were on the hanging wall of the Yingxiu-Beichuan Fault with a mean slope gradient larger than 30°, were the most susceptible for these seism-triggered failures. The volume of debris flow deposits on individual fans vary by many orders of magnitude from 2,900 to 223,500 m 3 . The huge amount of reserves of source material compared to debris flow volumes currently deposited and taking into account the relatively low morphology index values form an indication of the early stage in the development of debris flows and the immense potential for debris flow occurrence in the future. There are two patterns of debris flow initiation which can be distinguished in this study: (a) the channel initiation pattern of concentrated overland flow erosion in the channel beds and (b) the slope initiation pattern which shows the development of new landslides and a transition into debris flows during a heavy rainfall. A catastrophic debris flow in the Haihuiqiao watershed of the Yinchanggou area was selected to show in detail the mechanism of debris flow initiation as a result of intensive erosion in loose debris materials. The critical rainfall threshold in terms of daily precipitation decreased by 77 % compared to the pre-earthquake threshold. A primary rainfall intensity–duration ( ID ) threshold curve was constructed for debris flows for an early-warning system and compared with other global rainfall thresholds. The discussion is focused on the initiation mechanisms of debris flows and the assessment of the critical meteorological threshold.

Description: Debris avalanches are complex phenomena due to the variety of mechanisms that control the failure stage and the avalanche formation. Regarding these issues, in the literature, either field evidence or qualitative interpretations can be found while few experimental laboratory tests and rare examples of geomechanical modelling are available for technical and/or scientific purposes. As a contribution to the topic, the paper firstly highlights as the problem can be analysed referring to a unique mathematical framework from which different modelling approaches can be derived based on limit equilibrium method (LEM), finite element method (FEM), or smooth particle hydrodynamics (SPH). Potentialities and limitations of these approaches are then tested for a large study area where huge debris avalanches affected shallow deposits of pyroclastic soils (Sarno-Quindici, Southern Italy). The numerical results show that LEM as well as uncoupled and coupled stress–strain FEM analyses are able to individuate the major triggering mechanisms. On the other hand, coupled SPH analyses outline the relevance of erosion phenomena, which can modify the kinematic features of debris avalanches in their source areas, i.e. velocity, propagation patterns and later spreading of the unstable mass. As a whole, the obtained results encourage the application of the introduced approaches to further analyse real cases in order to enhance the current capability to forecast the inception of these dangerous phenomena.

Description: The objective of this study was to present an advanced methodology for assessing seismic slope stability by taking into account the uncertainties related to the main input parameters. The methodology was applied on a real landslide in order to show the advantages of using the proposed procedure and establish the baseline trends of dynamic response and calculated permanent seismic displacements. It involves the following steps: preliminary analysis, probabilistic static and seismic factor of safety analysis, and permanent seismic displacement analysis. Estimating post-failure maximum seismic deformation of landslide mass and sounding properties is the most important part of this study. It involves both Newmark sliding block method and continuum mechanics approach, applied for characteristic set of input values in order to have more accurate assessment of slope performance and determine the relative importance of input parameters. The results of the analysis showed the benefits of using the proposed step-by-step methodology. The obtained difference in the results between the two methods depends strongly on the set input data for a particular analysis.

Description: This is the first landslide inventory map in the island of Lefkada integrating satellite imagery and reports from field surveys. In particular, satellite imagery acquired before and after the 2003 earthquake were collected and interpreted with the results of the field survey that took place 1 week after this strong (Mw = 6.3) event. The developed inventory map indicates that the density of landslides decreases from west to east. Furthermore, the spatial distribution of landslides was statistically analyzed in relation to the geology and topography for investigating their influence to landsliding. This was accomplished by overlaying these causal factors as thematic layers with landslide distribution data. Afterwards, weight values of each factor were calculated using the landslide index method and a landslide susceptibility map was developed. The susceptibility map indicates that the highest susceptibility class accounts for 38 % of the total landslide activity, while the three highest classes that cover the 10 % of the surface area, accounting for almost the 85 % of the active landslides. Our model was validated by applying the approaches of success and prediction rate to the dataset of landslides that was previously divided into two groups based on temporal criteria, estimation and validation group. The outcome of the validation dataset was that the highest susceptibility class concentrates 18 % of the total landslide activity. However, taking into account the frequency of landslides within the three highest susceptibility classes, more than 85 %, the model is characterized as reliable for a regional assessment of earthquake-induced landslides hazard.

Description: GIS-based landslide susceptibility maps for the Kankai watershed in east Nepal are developed using the frequency ratio method and the multiple linear regression technique. The maps are derived from comparing observed landslides with possible causative factors: slope angle, slope aspect, slope curvature, relative relief, distance from drainage, land use, geology, distance from faults and mean annual rainfall. The consistency of the maps is evaluated using landslide density analysis, success rate analysis and spatially agreed area approach. The first two analyses produce almost identical quantitative results, whereas the last approach is able to reveal spatial differences between the maps and also to improve predictions in the agreed high landslide-susceptible area.

Description: Rainfall-induced debris flows involving ash-fall pyroclastic deposits that cover steep mountain slopes surrounding the Somma-Vesuvius volcano are natural events and a source of risk for urban settlements located at footslopes in the area. This paper describes experimental methods and modelling results of shallow landslides that occurred on 5–6 May 1998 in selected areas of the Sarno Mountain Range. Stratigraphical surveys carried out in initiation areas show that ash-fall pyroclastic deposits are discontinuously distributed along slopes, with total thicknesses that vary from a maximum value on slopes inclined less than 30° to near zero thickness on slopes inclined greater than 50°. This distribution of cover thickness influences the stratigraphical setting and leads to downward thinning and the pinching out of pyroclastic horizons. Three engineering geological settings were identified, in which most of the initial landslides that triggered debris flows occurred in May 1998 can be classified as (1) knickpoints, characterised by a downward progressive thinning of the pyroclastic mantle; (2) rocky scarps that abruptly interrupt the pyroclastic mantle; and (3) road cuts in the pyroclastic mantle that occur in a critical range of slope angle. Detailed topographic and stratigraphical surveys coupled with field and laboratory tests were conducted to define geometric, hydraulic and mechanical features of pyroclastic soil horizons in the source areas and to carry out hydrological numerical modelling of hillslopes under different rainfall conditions. The slope stability for three representative cases was calculated considering the real sliding surface of the initial landslides and the pore pressures during the infiltration process. The hydrological modelling of hillslopes demonstrated localised increase of pore pressure, up to saturation, where pyroclastic horizons with higher hydraulic conductivity pinch out and the thickness of pyroclastic mantle reduces or is interrupted. These results lead to the identification of a comprehensive hydrogeomorphological model of susceptibility to initial landslides that links morphological, stratigraphical and hydrological conditions. The calculation of intensities and durations of rainfall necessary for slope instability allowed the identification of deterministic hydrological thresholds that account for uncertainty in properties and observed rainfall intensities.

Description: The goals of this work are to show the range of debris-flow volumes and watershed characteristics for several locations, and the differences in flow volumes for events triggered soon after wildfire. A dataset of 929 events was divided into groups based on location and burn status. The three unburned locations show significant differences: debris flows from the Italian Alps are larger and generate more debris per unit basin area or unit channel length than flows in the Western USA or in the Pacific Northwest. However, some of the observed differences may be attributed to the skew of the Italian Alps dataset towards larger events, and the small size and limited range of the Pacific Northwest data. For burned watersheds in the Western U.S. events, there is a clear progression in decreasing volume in debris flows as basins recover from the wildfire: it takes approximately 1 year, or at a few locations, as much as 3 years, for debris production to return to pre-fire rates. The difference is most apparent when the data are normalized for basin area (the area yield, which is 2× larger for burned basins) or for channel length (the length yield, which is 1.6× larger for burned basins). When normalized simultaneously for basin area, channel length, and channel gradient, burned areas produce significantly more debris (2.7–5.4 times as much). Burned areas in the Western USA are more sensitive to wildfire and produce larger debris flows than burned areas in more humid climates such as the Pacific Northwest.

Description: Cheekye River fan is the best-studied fan complex in Canada. The desire to develop portions of the fan with urban housing triggered a series of studies to estimate debris-flow risk to future residents. A recent study (Jakob and Friele 2010 ) provided debris-flow frequency-volume and frequency-discharge data, spanning 20-year to 10,000-year return periods that form the basis for modeling of debris flows on Cheekye River. The numerical computer model FLO-2D was chosen as a modelling tool to predict likely flow paths and to estimate debris-flow intensities for a spectrum of debris-flow return periods. The model is calibrated with the so-called Garbage Dump debris flow that occurred some 900  years ago. Field evidence suggests that the Garbage Dump debris flow has a viscous flow phase that deposited a steep-sided debris plug high in organics in centre fan, which then deflected a low-viscosity afterflow that travelled to Squamish River with slowly diminishing flow depths. The realization of a two-phase flow led to a modelling approach in which the debris-flow hydrograph was split into a high viscosity and low viscosity phase that were modelled in chronologic sequence as two separate and independent modelling runs. A perfect simulation of the Garbage Dump debris flow with modelling is not possible because the exact topography at the time of the event is, to some degree, speculative. However, runout distance, debris deposition and deposit thickness are well known and serve as a good basis for calibration. Predictive analyses using the calibrated model parameters suggest that, under existing conditions, debris flows exceeding a 50-year return period are likely to avulse onto the southern fan sector, thereby damaging existing development and infrastructure. Debris flows of several thousand years return period would inundate large portions of the fan, sever Highway 99, CN Rail, and the Squamish Valley road and would impact existing housing development on the fan. These observations suggest a need for debris-flow mitigation for existing and future development alike.

Description: The wired and wireless monitoring system installed in the Rebaixader catchment detected six debris flows and 11 debris floods between 2009 and 2012. Apart from results directly related to the processes, many experiences associated with monitoring were collected. Debris flows and debris floods showed clear differences in both the recorded data and field observations. The distinction was especially visible in the stage measurements and the ground vibration registered by the most downstream geophone. At this geophone, a positive relation between the maximum ground vibration and the volume was also observed. The triggering of most events was associated with short, high-intensity rainstorms in summer, but some were also generated in spring, when the melting of snow cover and frozen soil played an additional role. A positive correlation between the volume and both the amount and the intensity of the triggering rainfall was observed. Regarding technical aspects, a switch between a “no-event” mode with a low sample rate and an “event” mode with a fast sampling was particularly useful at the station that register the passing of a flow. In addition, the stations, which most recently were installed at Rebaixader, apply wireless devices because wireless techniques include multiple advantages against standard wired systems. Although recorded data or even video images provide detailed information on the debris-flow behavior, we strongly recommend periodic field surveys along the entire torrent to verify and improve the interpretation obtained from the monitoring system.

Description: A procedure for the design of an aerobic cometabolic process for the on-site degradation of chlorinated solvents in a packed bed reactor was developed using groundwater from an aquifer contaminated by trichloroethylene (TCE) and 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane (TeCA). The work led to the selection of butane among five tested growth substrates, and to the development and characterization from the site’s indigenous biomass of a suspended-cell consortium capable to degrade TCE (first order constant: 96 L g protein –1  day –1 at 30 °C and 4.3 L g protein –1  day –1 at 15 °C) with a 90 % mineralization of the organic chlorine. The consortium immobilization had strong effects on the butane and TCE degradation rates. The microbial community structure was slightly changed by a temperature shift from 30 to 15 °C, but remarkably affected by biomass adhesion. Given the higher TCE normalized degradation rate (0.59 day –1 at 15 °C) and attached biomass concentration (0.13 g protein  L bioreactor –1 at 15 °C) attained, the porous ceramic carrier Biomax was selected as the best option for the packed bed reactor process. The low TeCA degradation rate exhibited by the developed consortium suggested the inclusion of a chemical pre-treatment based on the TeCA to TCE conversion via β-elimination, a very fast reaction at alkaline pH. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this represents the first attempt to develop a procedure for the development of a packed bed reactor process for the aerobic cometabolism of chlorinated solvents.

Description: A novel 4-nitrotoluene-degrading bacterial strain was isolated from pesticides contaminated effluent-sediment and identified as Rhodococcus pyridinivorans NT2 based on morphological and biochemical properties and 16S rDNA sequencing. The strain NT2 degraded 4-NT (400 mg l −1 ) with rapid growth at the end of 120 h, reduced surface tension of the media from 71 to 29 mN m −1 and produced glycolipidic biosurfactants (45 mg l −1 ). The biosurfactant was purified and characterized as trehalose lipids. The biosurfactant was stable in high salinity (10 % w/v NaCl), elevated temperatures (120 °C for 15 min) and a wide pH range (2.0–10.0). The noticeable changes during biodegradation were decreased hydrophobicity; an increase in degree of fatty acid saturation, saturated/unsaturated ratio and cyclopropane fatty acid. Biodegradation of 4-NT was accompanied by the accumulation of ammonium (NH 4 + ) and negligible amount of nitrite ion (NO 2 − ). Product stoichiometry showed a carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) mass balance of 37 and 35 %, respectively. Biodegradation of 4-NT proceeded by oxidation at the methyl group to form 4-nitrobenzoate, followed by reduction and hydrolytic deamination yielding protocatechuate, which was metabolized through β-ketoadipate pathway. In vitro and in vivo acute toxicity assays in adult rat ( Rattus norvegicus ) showed sequential detoxification and the order of toxicity was 4-NT 〉4-nitrobenzyl alcohol 〉4-nitrobenzaldehyde 〉4-nitrobenzoate 〉〉 protocatechuate. Taken together, the strain NT2 could be used as a potential bioaugmentation candidate for the bioremediation of contaminated sites.

Description: The purpose of this study was to enhance the efficiency of anaerobic co-digestion with sewage sludge using pretreatment technologies and food waste. We studied the effects of various pretreatment methods (thermal, chemical, ultrasonic, and their combination) on hydrogen production and the characteristics of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) using sewage sludge alone and a mixture of sewage sludge and food waste. The pretreatment combination of alkalization and ultrasonication performed best, effecting a high solubilization rate and high hydrogen production (13.8 mL H 2 /g VSS consumed ). At a food waste:pretreated sewage sludge ratio of 2:1 in the mixture, the peak hydrogen production value was 5.0 L H 2 /L/d. As the production of hydrogen increased, propionate levels fell but butyrate concentrations rose gradually.

Description: Microbial pesticide degradation studies have until now mainly focused on bacteria, although fungi have also been shown to degrade pesticides. In this study we clarify the background for the ability of the common soil fungus Mortierella to degrade the phenylurea herbicide diuron. Diuron degradation potentials of five Mortierella strains were compared, and the role of carbon and nitrogen for the degradation process was investigated. Results showed that the ability to degrade diuron varied greatly among the Mortierella strains tested, and the strains able to degrade diuron were closely related. Degradation of diuron was fastest in carbon and nitrogen rich media while suboptimal nutrient levels restricted degradation, making it unlikely that Mortierella utilize diuron as carbon or nitrogen sources. Degradation kinetics showed that diuron degradation was followed by formation of the metabolites 1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-methylurea, 1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)urea and an hitherto unknown metabolite suggested to be 1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-methylideneurea.

Description: Various hydrocarbons have been released into the environment as a result of industrialization. An effective way of removing these materials without further environmental contamination is microbial bioremediation. Mycobacterium gilvum PYR-GCK, a bacteria isolated from a PAH polluted estuary, was studied using comparative shotgun proteomics to gain insight on its molecular activity while using pyrene and glucose as sole carbon and energy sources. Based on annotated genomic information, a confirmation analysis was first performed to confirm its pyrene degradation activity, using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry technology. One dimensional gel electrophoresis and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry technologies employed in the proteomics analysis revealed the expression of pyrene degrading gene products along with upregulated expression of proteins functioning in the glyoxylate and shikimate pathways, in the pyrene-induced cells. The study also revealed the pathway of pyrene degraded intermediates, via partial gluconeogenesis, into the pentose phosphate pathway to produce precursors for nucleotides and amino acids biosynthesis.

Description: Pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) discharged with wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents are an emerging surface water quality concern. Biological transformation has been identified as an important removal mechanism during wastewater treatment. The aim of this research was the identification of bacteria with characteristics for potential bioaugmentation to enhance PPCP removal. We report here the cultivation and characterization of bacteria capable of degrading PPCPs to ng/L concentrations. An isolation approach was developed using serial enrichment in mineral medium containing 1 mg/L of an individual PPCP as the sole organic carbon source available to heterotrophs until the original activated sludge inocula was diluted to ~10 −8 of its initial concentration, followed by colony growth on solid R2A agar. Eleven bacteria were isolated, eight that could remove triclosan, bisphenol A, ibuprofen, or 17β-estradiol to below 10 ng/L, one that could remove gemfibrozil to below 60 ng/L, and two that could remove triclosan or E2, but not to ng/L concentrations. Most bacterial isolates degraded contaminants during early growth when grown utilizing rich carbon sources and were only able to degrade the PPCPs on which they were isolated. Seven of the bacterial isolates were sphingomonads, including all the triclosan and bisphenol A degraders and the ibuprofen degrader. The study results indicate that the isolated bacteria may have a positive influence on removal in WWTPs if present at sufficient concentrations and may be useful for bioaugmentation.

Description: A diverse surfactant, including the nonionic Tween 80 and Brij 30, the anionic sodium dodecyl sulphate, the cationic surfactant Tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide, and biosurfactant Rhamnolipid were investigated under fluorine-enriched medium by Armilaria sp. F022. The cultures were performed at 25 °C in malt extract medium containing 1 % of surfactant and 5 mg/L of fluorene. The results showed among the tested surfactants, Tween-80 harvested the highest cell density and obtained the maximum specific growth rate. This due Tween-80 provide a suitable carbon source for fungi. Fluorane was also successfully eliminated (〉95 %) from the cultures within 30 days in all flasks. During the experiment, laccase production was the highest among other enzymes and Armillaria sp. F022-enriched culture containing Non-ionic Tween 80 showed a significant result for laccase activity (1,945 U/L). The increased enzyme activity was resulted by the increased biodegradation activity as results of the addition of suitable surfactants. The biotransformation of fluorene was accelerated by Tween 80 at the concentration level of 10 mg/L. Fluorene was initially oxidized at C-2,3 positions resulting 9-fluorenone. Through oxidative decarboxylation, 9-fluorenone subjected to meta-cleavage to form salicylic acid. One metabolite detected in the end of experiment, was identified as catechol. Armillaria sp. F022 evidently posses efficient, high effective degrader and potential for further application on the enhanced bioremediation technologies for treating fluorene-contaminated soil.

Description: The influence of transverse mixing on competitive aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation of a hydrocarbon plume was investigated using a two-dimensional, bench-scale flow-through laboratory tank experiment. In the first part of the experiment aerobic degradation of increasing toluene concentrations was carried out by the aerobic strain Pseudomonas putida F1. Successively, ethylbenzene (injected as a mixture of unlabeled and fully deuterium-labeled isotopologues) substituted toluene; nitrate was added as additional electron acceptor and the anaerobic denitrifying strain Aromatoleum aromaticum EbN1 was inoculated to study competitive degradation under aerobic / anaerobic conditions. The spatial distribution of anaerobic degradation was resolved by measurements of compound-specific stable isotope fractionation induced by the anaerobic strain as well as compound concentrations. A fully transient numerical reactive transport model was employed and calibrated using measurements of electron donors, acceptors and isotope fractionation. The aerobic phases of the experiment were successfully reproduced using a double Monod kinetic growth model and assuming an initial homogeneous distribution of P. putida F1. Investigation of the competitive degradation phase shows that the observed isotopic pattern cannot be explained by transverse mixing driven biodegradation only, but also depends on the inoculation process of the anaerobic strain. Transient concentrations of electron acceptors and donors are well reproduced by the model, showing its ability to simulate transient competitive biodegradation.

Description: Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) generate electricity from waste but to date the technology’s development and scale-up has been held-up by the need to incorporate expensive materials. A costly but vital component is the ion exchange membrane (IEM) which conducts protons between the anode and cathode electrodes. The current study compares natural rubber as an alternative material to two commercially available IEMs. Initially, the material proved impermeable to protons, but gradually a working voltage was generated that improved with time. After 6 months, MFCs with natural rubber membrane outperformed those with anion exchange membrane (AEM) but cation exchange membrane (CEM) produced 109 % higher power and 16 % higher current. After 11 months, polarisation experiments showed a decline in performance for both commercially available membranes while natural rubber continued to improve and generated 12 % higher power and 54 % higher current than CEM MFC. Scanning electron microscope images revealed distinct structural changes and the formation of micropores in natural latex samples that had been employed as IEM for 9 months. It is proposed that the channels and micropores formed as a result of biodegradation were providing pathways for proton transfer, reflected by the steady increase in power generation over time. These improvements may also be aided by the establishment of biofilms that, in contrast, caused declining performance in the CEM. The research demonstrates for the first time that the biodegradation of a ubiquitous waste material operating as IEM can benefit MFC performance while also improving the reactor’s lifetime compared to commercially available membranes.