Crude oil contamination has been shown to impair reproduction in aquatic animals through carcinogenic and genotoxic properties. Here, we assessed the endocrine-disrupting function of crude oil on male reproductive system based on testicular histology, sex steroid hormones, and fertility endpoints in adult male goldfish (Carassius auratus), which were exposed to 0.02- to 2-mg/L crude oil for 21 days (Experiment #1) or to 5- to 250-mg/L crude oil for 9 days (Experiment #2). The crude oil contained 0.22-mg/L nickel (Ni), 1.10-mg/L vanadium (V), and 12.87-mg/L polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Twenty-four hours after adding crude oil, the sum of PAHs ranged from 0.30 to 2.28 μg/L in the aquaria containing 0.02- and 250-mg/L crude oil, respectively. Water analyses for heavy metals in Experiment #2 showed high concentrations (mg/L) of Ni (0.07-0-09) and V (0.10-0.21). For both experiments, exposure to crude oil did not impact gonadosomatic index; however, testes showed histopathological defects including hyperplasia or hypertrophy of Sertoli cells, depletion of the Leydig cells, necrosis of germ cells, and fibrosis of lobular wall. In Experiment #1, sperm production and motility, testosterone (T), and 17β-estradiol (E2) were not significantly different among treatments. In Experiment #2, the number of spermiating males decreased by ~50% following exposure to 250-mg/L crude oil. Sperm production, motility kinematics, T, and the T/E2 ratio significantly decreased in males exposed to ≥ 50-mg/L crude oil; however, E2 remained unchanged. Results show crude oil-induced imbalance of sex steroid hormones disrupts spermatogenesis resulting in diminished sperm production and motility.
- MeSH
- Water Pollutants, Chemical * toxicity MeSH
- Endocrine Disruptors * toxicity MeSH
- Goldfish * physiology MeSH
- Sperm Motility * drug effects MeSH
- Gonadal Steroid Hormones * metabolism blood MeSH
- Petroleum * toxicity MeSH
- Reproduction drug effects MeSH
- Spermatozoa * drug effects pathology MeSH
- Testis * drug effects pathology MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Male MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
The taxonomic position of three actinobacterial strains, BCCO 10_0061T, BCCO 10_0798T, and BCCO 10_0856T, recovered from bare soil in the Sokolov Coal Basin, Czech Republic, was established using a polyphasic approach. The multilocus sequence analysis based on 100 single-copy genes positioned BCCO 10_0061T in the same cluster as Lentzea waywayandensis, strain BCCO 10_0798T in the same cluster as Lentzea flaviverrucosa, Lentzea californiensis, Lentzea violacea, and Lentzea albidocapillata, and strain BCCO 10_0856T clustered together with Lentzea kentuckyensis and Lentzea alba. Morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics of these strains support their assignment to the genus Lentzea. In all three strains, MK-9(H4) accounted for more than 80 % of the isoprenoid quinone. The diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The whole-cell sugars were rhamnose, ribose, mannose, glucose, and galactose. The major fatty acids (>10 %) were iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, and C16 : 0. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, methyl-phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxy-phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylinositol. The genomic DNA G+C content of strains (mol%) was 68.8 for BCCO 10_0061T, 69.2 for BCCO 10_0798T, and 68.5 for BCCO 10_0856T. The combination of digital DNA-DNA hybridization results, average nucleotide identity values and phenotypic characteristics of BCCO 10_0061T, BCCO 10_0798T, and BCCO 10_0856T distinguishes them from their closely related strains. Bioinformatic analysis of the genome sequences of the strains revealed several biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) with identities >50 % to already known clusters, including BGCs for geosmin, coelichelin, ε-poly-l-lysine, and erythromycin-like BGCs. Most of the identified BGCs showed low similarity to known BGCs (<50 %) suggesting their genetic potential for the biosynthesis of novel secondary metabolites. Based on the above results, each strain represents a novel species of the genus Lentzea, for which we propose the name Lentzea sokolovensis sp. nov. for BCCO 10_0061T (=DSM 116175T), Lentzea kristufekii sp. nov. for BCCO 10_0798T (=DSM 116176T), and Lentzea miocenica sp. nov. for BCCO 10_0856T (=DSM 116177T).
- MeSH
- Actinobacteria * MeSH
- Actinomycetales * MeSH
- Bacteria MeSH
- DNA, Bacterial genetics MeSH
- Phosphatidylethanolamines MeSH
- Phylogeny MeSH
- Fatty Acids chemistry MeSH
- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S genetics MeSH
- Sequence Analysis, DNA MeSH
- Bacterial Typing Techniques MeSH
- Coal MeSH
- Base Composition MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Czech Republic MeSH
Biodiesel is a type of sustainable, biodegradable energy made from natural sources like vegetable oils, animal fat, and from microbes. Unlike traditional diesel, it has a lower carbon footprint and produces fewer harmful emissions when burned. Biodiesel has gained popularity as a more sustainable substitute for hydrocarbon-based diesel and may be utilized in diesel engines without any modification. In this review, biodiesel from microorganisms such as algae, yeast, and fungi and advantages over another feedstock were discussed. The life cycle evaluation of biodiesel is a thorough assessment of the ecological and economic effects of biodiesel production and use, from the extraction of raw ingredients to the waste disposal process. The life cycle analysis considers the entire process, including the production of feedstocks, the production of biodiesel, and the use of biodiesel in vehicles and other applications. Life cycle analysis of biodiesel produced from microorganisms takes into consideration the environmental impact and sustainability of each step in the production process, including the impact on land use, water use, greenhouse gas emissions, and the availability of resources. In this section, biodiesel produced from microorganisms and other raw materials, its comparisons, and also steps involved in the life cycle such as the cultivation of microorganisms, harvesting of biomass, and conversion to biodiesel were discussed. The processes like extraction and purification, hydrothermal liquefaction, and their environmental impacts were examined by using various LCA software from the previously mentioned process.
The remoteness and low population in the Arctic allow us to study global environmental processes, where the analysis of indicators can provide useful information about local and distant pollution sources. Fresh snow represents a convenient indicator of regional and transboundary atmospheric contamination sources, entrapping aerosols, and particulates like a natural autosampler of the environment. Lead stable isotopes are widely used to trace and monitor local and distant pollution sources. However, the behavior of Pb within different snow components is still not thoroughly studied, and its significance could be underestimated if only larger particulates are accounted for. We collected snow and samples from potential sources (fuel, rocks, coal) in three Arctic localities: Nuuk (Greenland), Reykjavik (Iceland), and Longyearbyen (Svalbard). We separated the filtrate from the filter residue through 0.45 μm nitrocellulose membranes to isolate the low-diameter particles associated with long-range transport from larger particles of mostly local natural origin. Filtrates yielded higher EFs (enrichment factor as the Pb/Al ratio relative to the upper crust) than filtration residues (80 ± 104 and 2.1 ± 1.1, respectively), and Pb isotope signals similar to fuel and coal (206Pb/207Pb are 1.199 ± 0.028 in coal, 1.168 ± 0.029 in filtrates, 1.163 ± 0.013 in fuel, 1.137 ± 0.045 in residues, and 0.985 ± 0.020 in rocks). In contrast to filtrates, the filter residues present wider ranges of Pb isotope compositions and crustal contributions and lower EFs, so we suggest that filtrate contains Pb from fuel combustion more selectively, while the residue carries a more considerable contribution of local mineral dust that can mask the contribution of other anthropogenic or distant natural sources. These findings add weight to the notion that filtrates are a more selective measure of metal deposition from long-range anthropogenic emissions compared to analyzing bulk melted snow or only filter residues.
The aim of the current study was to screen and identify heavy metal (chromium, cadmium, and lead) associated bacteria from petroleum-contaminated soil of district Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan to develop ecofriendly technology for contaminated soil remediation. The petroleum-contaminated soil was collected from 99 different localities of district Muzaffarabad and the detection of heavy metals via an atomic absorption spectrometer. The isolation and identification of heavy metals-associated bacteria were done via traditional and molecular methods. Resistogram and antibiogram analysis were also performed using agar well diffusion and agar disc diffusion methods. The isolated bacteria were classified into species, i.e., B. paramycoides, B. albus, B. thuringiensis, B. velezensis, B. anthracis, B. pacificus Burkholderia arboris, Burkholderia reimsis, Burkholderia aenigmatica, and Streptococcus agalactiae. All heavy metals-associated bacteria showed resistance against both high and low concentrations of chromium while sensitive towards high and low concentrations of lead in the range of 3.0 ± 0.0 mm to 13.0 ± 0.0 mm and maximum inhibition was recorded when cadmium was used. Results revealed that some bacteria showed sensitivity towards Sulphonamides, Norfloxacin, Erythromycin, and Tobramycin. It was concluded that chromium-resistant bacteria could be used as a favorable source for chromium remediation from contaminated areas and could be used as a potential microbial filter.
- MeSH
- Anti-Bacterial Agents * pharmacology MeSH
- Bacteria * drug effects classification isolation & purification genetics MeSH
- Chromium metabolism MeSH
- Cadmium analysis MeSH
- Soil Pollutants * analysis MeSH
- Microbial Sensitivity Tests * MeSH
- Lead MeSH
- Soil chemistry MeSH
- Soil Microbiology * MeSH
- Petroleum microbiology analysis MeSH
- Metals, Heavy * pharmacology analysis MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Pakistan MeSH
Biogas desulfurization based on anoxygenic photosynthetic processes represents an alternative to physicochemical technologies, decreasing the risk of O2 and N2 contamination. This work aimed at assessing the potential of Allochromatium vinosum and Chlorobium limicola for biogas desulfurization under different light intensities (10 and 25 klx) and H2S concentrations (1 %, 1.5 % and 2 %) in batch photobioreactors. In addition, the influence of rising biogas flow rates (2.9, 5.8 and 11.5 L d-1 in stage I, II and III, respectively) on the desulfurization performance in a 2.3 L photobioreactor utilizing C. limicola under continuous mode was assessed. The light intensity of 25 klx negatively influenced the growth of A. vinosum and C. limicola, resulting in decreased H2S removal capacity. An increase in H2S concentrations resulted in higher volumetric H2S removal rates in C. limicola (2.9-5.3 mg L-1 d-1) tests compared to A. vinosum (2.4-4.6 mg L-1 d-1) tests. The continuous photobioreactor completely removed H2S from biogas in stage I and II. The highest flow rate in stage III induced a deterioration in the desulfurization activity of C. limicola. Overall, the high H2S tolerance of A. vinosum and C. limicola supports their use in H2S desulfurization from biogas.
- MeSH
- Biofuels MeSH
- Chlorobi * MeSH
- Photobioreactors MeSH
- Hydrogen Sulfide * MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
BACKGROUND: The article is concerned with an evaluation of the current state of emergency readiness of industrial companies in the event of dangerous substance leakage and with a presentation of textile sorbents used for the purposes of capturing an escaped substance. METHODS: A part of the article is concerned with the experimental designation of sorption capacity of hydrophobic, chemical, and universal sorption mats for chosen polar (water and alcohol) and non-polar (oil and gasoline) liquids. Experiments were realized according to Standard Test Method for Sorbent Performance of Adsorbents for use on Crude Oil and Related Spills, American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM F726-17), type I. and Test methods for non-woven fabrics, European Union International Organization for Standardization (EN ISO 9073-6:2004). The aim of the article is an experimental designation of sorption capacity of textile sorption mats using two different methods, a comparison of the acquired results and a comparison of the acquired data with the data given by the manufacturer. RESULTS: Textile sorbents, which can, owing to their sorption ability, allow the elimination or mitigation of a negative impact of a possible accident in the company connected with an escape of a liquid dangerous substance were tested and compared with the established values. Based on the obtained results it is possible to state that sorption capacities of the chemical and universal mat for the substrate water are equal and consistent with the data given by the manufacturer. Textile sorption mats also have a comparable sorption capacity. The sorption capacity on the substrate gasoline is the same in all textile sorbents. The adsorption capacity per unit mass all type's sorbents was similar for non-polar liquids (gasoline was values from 6.41 to 6.57 and oil was values from 9.54 to 10.24). CONCLUSION: The acquired results confirmed the universality of textile sorption mats for gasoline. Sorption capacities of the chemical and universal mat for the substrate water are equal and match the data given by the manufacturer. Textile sorption mats have a maximum sorption output up to 60 s, afterwards the sorption capacity values remain unchanged.
- MeSH
- Adsorption MeSH
- Gasoline MeSH
- Water Pollutants, Chemical * analysis MeSH
- Petroleum * MeSH
- Water MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to evaluate the extent of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure in coke oven workers from Eastern Slovakia by cytogenetic analysis of human peripheral lymphocytes. METHODS: A total of 81 peripheral blood samples were collected from PAH-exposed workers (mean age 45.84 ± 9.73 years) and 30 samples constituted the control group (41.93 ± 15.39 years). The samples were processed using routine cytological analysis. Conventional cytogenetic analysis of human peripheral lymphocytes has been used to evaluate the effects of PAHs. RESULTS: Comparison of the aberrant cells in the total exposed with the controls showed a significant difference (p < 0.05). A high level of significance (p < 0.001) was observed when comparing the gaps between the exposed group and the control group. There was a significant difference (p < 0.01) in aberrant cells and chromatid breaks (p < 0.05) in the GR1 working subgroup compared with the control group. The results of the correlation analysis did not show a significant relationship between the length of occupational exposure and the frequency of aberrant cells (r = 0.071, p = 0.529). Similarly, no association was observed between smoking among coke plant workers and the frequency of aberrant cells (r = 0.117, p = 0.538). CONCLUSION: Cytogenetic analysis showed an increased frequency of chromosomal aberrations in coke oven workers in Eastern Slovakia.
- MeSH
- Cytogenetic Analysis MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Coke * analysis MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Lymphocytes chemistry MeSH
- Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons * toxicity analysis MeSH
- Occupational Exposure * adverse effects analysis MeSH
- Pyrenes analysis MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Slovakia MeSH
