Catalytic Cooperation between a Copper Oxide Electrocatalyst and a Microbial Community for Microbial Electrosynthesis.

Electrocatalytic metals and microorganisms can be combined for CO2 conversion in microbial electrosynthesis (MES). However, a systematic investigation on the nature of interactions between metals and MES is still lacking. To investigate this nature, we integrated a copper electrocatalyst, converting CO2 to formate, with microorganisms, converting CO2 to acetate. A co-catalytic (i. e. metabolic) relationship was evident, as up to 140 mg L-1 of formate was produced solely by copper oxide, while formate was also evidently produced by copper and consumed by microorganisms producing acetate. Due to non-metabolic interactions, current density decreased by over 4 times, though acetate yield increased by 3.3 times. Despite the antimicrobial role of copper, biofilm formation was possible on a pure copper surface. Overall, we show for the first time that a CO2 -reducing copper electrocatalyst can be combined with MES under biological conditions, resulting in metabolic and non-metabolic interactions.

Cadmium uptake kinetics in parts of the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa at high exposure concentrations.

BACKGROUND: Seagrass species have been recommended as biomonitors of environmental condition and as tools for phytoremediation, due to their ability to concentrate anthropogenic chemicals. This study aims to provide novel information on metal accumulation in seagrasses under laboratory conditions to support their use as a tool in the evaluation and abatement of contamination in the field. We investigated the kinetics of cadmium uptake into adult leaf blades, leaf sheaths, rhizomes and roots of Cymodocea nodosa in exposure concentrations within the range of cadmium levels in industrial wastewater (0.5-40 mg L-1). RESULTS: A Michaelis-Menten-type equation satisfactorily described cadmium accumulation kinetics in seagrass parts, particularly at 0.5-5 or 10 mg L-1. However, an S equation best described the uptake kinetics in rhizomes at 5 mg L-1 and roots at 10 and 20 mg L-1. Equilibrium concentration and uptake rate tended to increase with the exposure concentration, indicating that seagrass displays a remarkable accumulation capacity of cadmium and reflect high cadmium levels in the surrounding medium. Concerning leaf blades and rhizomes, the bioconcentration factor at equilibrium (range 73.3-404.3 and 14.3-86.3, respectively) was generally lower at higher exposure concentrations, indicating a gradual reduction of available binding sites. Leaf blades and roots accumulated more cadmium with higher rate than sheaths and rhizomes. Uptake kinetics in leaf blades displayed a better fit to the Michaelis-Menten-type equation than those in the remaining plant parts, particularly at 0.5-10 mg L-1. A marked variation in tissue concentrations mainly after the steady state was observed at 20 and 40 mg L-1, indicative of the stress induced on seagrass cells. The maximum concentrations observed in seagrass parts at 5 and 10 mg L-1 were comparatively higher than those previously reported for other seagrasses incubated to similar exposure concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Cymodocea nodosa displays a remarkable cadmium accumulation capacity and reflects high cadmium levels in the surrounding medium. Kinetic models satisfactorily describe cadmium uptake in seagrass parts, primarily in adult leaf blades, at high exposure concentrations, permitting to predict cadmium accumulation in field situations. Cymodocea nodosa appeared to be a valuable tool in the evaluation and abatement of cadmium contamination in coastal areas.