Respirometry for assessing the biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons.

The respiration method using the Micro-Oxymax respirometer was applied to evaluate the bioremediation potential of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils in two biopiles at the oil refinery in Czechowice-Dziedzice, Poland. In biopiles 1 and 2, two different technologies, i.e., enhanced (engineered) bioremediation and monitored natural attenuation (MNA) were used, respectively. In biopiles 1 and 2, the bioremediation process lasted 6 years and 8 months, respectively. The biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons was evaluated on the basis of CO2 production and O2 uptake. The CO2 production and O2 consumption rates during hydrocarbon biodegradation were calculated from the slopes of cumulative curve linear regressions. The results confirmed the hydrocarbon biodegradation process in both biopiles. However, in biopile 2 the process was more effective compared to biopile 1. In biopile 2, the O2 consumption and CO2 production means were 3.37 and 2.4 milliliters per kilogram of soil (dry weight) per minute, respectively. Whereas, in biopile 1, the O2 consumption and CO2 production means were 1.52 and 1.07 milliliters per kilogram of soil (dry weight) per minute, respectively. The mean biodegradation rate for biopile 2 was two times higher--67 mg hydrocarbons kg d.w.(-1)day(-1) compared with biopile 1, where the mean was 30 mg hydrocarbons kg d.w.(-1)day(-l). The results were correlated with petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations and microbial activity measured by dehydrogenase assay.

[Test for the effects of mutagenic toxic fungal metabolites originating from municipal landfill sites]. / Badanie efektu mutagennego metabolitów grzybów toksynotwórczych pochodzacych z wysypiska odpadów komunalnych.

The purpose of the study is to assess the mutagenic effect of mycotoxins produced by moulds growing on municipal landfill sites. Mutagenicity of toxic fungal metabolites was determined by the Salmonella plate incorporation assay with two strains of bacteria: TA98 and TA100, with and without metabolic activation. The results obtained indicate that there is a severe hazard caused by these mycotoxins detected main by TA98 with metabolic activation. The most mutagenic mixture of mycotoxins acting directly on both strains was produced by Aspergillus nidulans. The highest mutagenic effect detected by TA98 with metabolic activation was found in the mixture of mycotoxins produced by one of three isolated Aspergillus fumigatus varieties.

[The occurrence of keratinolytic fungi in the polluted environment of the Labedy District in Gliwice]. / Wystepowanie grzybów keratynolitycznych w zanieczyszczonym srodowisku dzielnicy Gliwic-Labedy.

This study was undertaken to find relationships between the degree of bacteriological contamination with qualitative composition of potentially pathogenic keratinolytic fungal population in soil, sediment and air samples from the Labedy district in Gliwice (Poland). The examined soil samples were characterized by the predominance of Botryotrichum piluliferum, Chrysosporium anamorph of Arthroderma curreyi, Myceliophthora anamorph of Ctenomyces serratus, Chrysosporium pannicola and Trichphyton ajelloi. These species are typical for keratinolytic mycoflora in moderate climate soils, and their abundance was certainly resulted from the assembly of keratin remains in the soil environment. In the light of the weak bacteriological and mycological differentiation of the examined soil samples, however, it is difficult to determine categorically the extent to which the remains were originated from sewage via soil flooding by sewage or air transportation, or from the local human and animal population. Subsequently, the population of keratinolytic fungi in sediments was found to be clearly dependent of the degree of water contamination with sewage. In badly polluted sediments, Chrysosporium pannicola, Chrysosporium anamorph of Aphanoascus fulvescens, Chrysosporium keratinophilum, Trichophyton ajelloi and Microsporum cookei were prevalent species. Keratinolytic fungi were only a small part of airborne fungal population in sewage bioaerosoles. Geomyces pannorum, a soil species better known by its celullotytic than keratinolytic properties, predominated in air samples. Some pathogenic species, such as Aspergillus flavus, Aureobasidium pullulans, Chrysporium anamorph of Aphanoascus fulvescens, Candida spp., Geotrichum candidum, Microsporum canis, Sporothrix schenckii and Trichosporon beigelii, were recovered in the present study. This confirms that the sewage-contaminated environments in an important storage place of pathogenic fungi, mostly from the opportunistic subgroup.

A statistical evaluation of the occurrence of keratinolytic fungi in the sediments of two dam reservoirs.

Sediments from two dam reservoirs "Przeczyce" and "Plawniowice" were examined for keratinolytic fungi. The results show the dependence of keratinolytic fungi in sediments on the degree of water contamination with sewage. Ch. keratinophilum is species associated with sewage inputs to superficial water.

[Keratinophilic fungi in domestic gardens]. / Grzby keratynofilne w ogródkach przydomowych.

The quantitative compositions and growth of keratinophilic fungi in fertile and polluted soils of home-attached gardens in Upper Silesia were reported. The investigated soil samples were characterized by intensive growth of these fungi. In total, 49 species of microscopic fungi were isolated and identified. The main factors influencing the occurrence of keratinophilic fungi in soil were discussed.

[Keratinophilic fungi in waste water sediments]. / Grzyby keratynofilne w osadach sciekowych.

In 21 samples of various kinds of waste water sediments derived from 10 waste water treatment plants of Upper Silesia, the occurrence of keratinophilic fungi was examined. A 2-year recultivation cycle of one of the sediments was investigated. Keratinophilic fungi were found to occur abundantly in waste water sediments. The qualitative and quantitative composition of these fungi depends on the origin and composition of waste water sediments, stabilization degree of their organic matter, hydration degree and structure. It was postulated that keratinophilic fungi may be utilized as microbiological indices of the transformations of organic matter of waste water sediments as well as of the degree of their deactivation from the sanitary standpoint. These fungi can be particularly useful upon utilization of the sediments for recultivation and fertilization of grounds.

Interactions between selected geophilic fungi and pathogenic dermatophytes.

Interactions between selected geophilic fungi (keratinolytic and keratinophylic species) and pathogenic dermatophytes were examined in dual cultures on Sabouraud glucose agar (SGA). It was demonstrated that Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes together with T. mentagrophytes var., quinceanum are the species most sensitive to the influences of the geophilic fungi. Microsporum persicolor was found to be more resistant to these influences. Only a few geophilic species inhibited the growth of M. canis on SGA. Keratinophilic species, unable to initiate hair decomposition but utilize the products of this process, exerted the larger inhibitory effect on the pathogenic dermatophytes than keratinolytic fungi.

A preliminary study on the occurrence of keratinolytic fungi in the street sweepings from Chorzów.

The street sweepings from the city of Chorzów were surveyed for keratinolytic fungi. Out of 106 Petri dishes examined, 98 (92.4%) were positive for these micro-organisms. Altogether, 185 fungal appearances belonging to 15 species were observed. Chrysosporium keratinophilum, Malbranchea flava, Ch. europae, Sporothrix schenckii, ch. anamorphs of Aphanoascus reticulisporus/fulvescens, Ch. an. Arthroderma curreyi, and M. an. Uncinocarpus reessi predominated in the sweepings. The occurrence of Ch. keratinophilum, Ch. europae, Ch. an. A. curreyi, and S. schenckii could depend on the content of heavy metals and the individual fractions in the sweepings. The epidemiological aspect of the presence of pathogenic fungi in the street dust was briefly discussed.

First isolation of Microsporum racemosum Borelli in Poland.

During a study of keratinolytic fungi in the ash heap ground, considerably influenced by the municipal landfill site, a rare potentially pathogenic dermatophyte, Microsporum racemosum Borelli, was recognized. This is the first report on its isolation in Poland. Morphological and ecological features of the fungus are discussed.

A study of keratinolytic fungi in mountain sediments. I. Hair-baiting data.

Sediments form mountain streams in Brenna (Beskid Slaski) were examined for keratinolytic fungi. A rare psychrophilic dermatophyte, Keratinophyton ceretanicus, occurred abundantly in the sediments. The qualitative and qualitative compositions of keratinolytic fungi depended on the water contamination with sewage and on the contents of plant organic material, small mineral particles and salts in the sediments.

General assessment of the influence of a municipal landfill site and environmental factors on the occurrence of keratinolytic fungi in soil.

The study was to generally determine the influence of a municipal landfill site and environmental factors on the distribution of keratinolytic fungi in soil. The landfill site in Sosnowiec was selected for examination. Keratinolytic fungi occurred abundantly in soils of the landfill site examined and its surrounding area. Of 495 soil samples (Petri dishes) examined, 379 (76.56%) were found to be positive for keratinolytic fungi. Altogether, 1131 strains from 26 species were isolated from the samples. Among the fungi, some species with pathogenic properties (Microsporum racemosum, M. cookei, M. gypseum, Aphanoascus fulvescens and Scopulariopsis brevicaulis) were recorded. The influence of environmental factors on the qualitative and quantitative composition of keratinolytic fungi in the soils was complex. Among these factors, exchangeable acidity (pH in 1 M KCl, in particular), faecal bacterial contamination and the level of water deficit in soil were the most important. The conclusion has been drawn that municipal landfill sites are the sources of potentially pathogenic fungi with keratinolytic properties.

Keratinophilic fungi in bottom sediments of surface waters.

Samples of bottom sediments from several artificial lakes, ponds, rivers and sewage in the Silesia Region of Poland were examined for keratinophilic fungi. The intensity of growth on hair-bait, as well as the qualitative and quantitative distribution of keratomycetes in bottom sediments, depended on the level of sewage contamination of the water.