[Effects of Microplastics on the Leaching of Nutrients and Cadmium from Soil].

The environmental effects of microplastics, which are considered a type of emerging contaminants, have attracted increasing concern due to their small size, large specific surface area, strong adsorption capacity, and low degradability. Microplastics can change soil properties and affect the migration ability of nutrients and pollutants in soil, but their effects on the leaching of soil nutrients and heavy metals have not been sufficiently studied. A soil column leaching experiment was conducted to explore the effects of polystyrene (PS) and polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics at different mass fractions (0%, 0.2%, and 2%) on the leaching of nutrients and cadmium under simulated rainfall scenarios. The results showed that increasing rainfall intensity enhanced the leaching of nutrients and cadmium from soil. During downpour conditions, 2% PS significantly increased the leaching of total nitrogen and the content of available phosphorus in soil and reduced the leaching of inorganic phosphorus and the content of ammonium nitrogen in the soil, whereas it increased the content of available potassium during heavy rain. By comparison, 2% PLA reduced the leaching of nitrate nitrogen during heavy rain and intense rainfall and decreased the content of ammonium nitrogen in soil during intense rainfall and downpour conditions and the content of total nitrogen in soil during downpours. In addition, 0.2% PLA significantly increased cadmium leaching during downpours. To conclude, the effects of microplastics on the leaching of nutrients and cadmium were dependent on the type and concentration of microplastics, as well as the rainfall level. Our findings showed that the microplastics derived from both nondegradable PS and biodegradable PLA could affect the leaching of nutrients and heavy metals from soil.

[Biological Effects of ZnO Nanoparticles as Influenced by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Inoculation and Phosphorus Fertilization].

ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) are widely used in many applications, such as plastics, ceramics, glass, cement, rubber, lubricants, paints, pigments, batteries, fire retardants, catalysts, and anti-microbial agents. They directly or indirectly enter aquatic and terrestrial environments through application, accidental release, contaminated soil/sediments, or atmospheric fallouts. When present in excess, ZnO NPs can induce phytotoxicity and reduce plant growth and yields. ZnO NPs can also cause Zn accumulation in edible parts of food crops, and then subsequently enter human bodies and pose a significant health risk. Arbuscular mycorrhizae are ubiquitous symbiotic associations in nature formed between arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and most higher plants in terrestrial ecosystems. In addition to their well-known contribution to plant nutrient acquisition and growth, AM fungi can improve plant tolerance to various environmental stresses, but mycorrhizal effects vary with environmental conditions such as phosphorus status in both soil and plants. AM fungi have been shown to alleviate the negative effects of ZnO NPs and zinc accumulation in plants, however, the role of phosphorus fertilization has been neglected. A greenhouse pot culture experiment was conducted using maize as the test plant inoculated with or without AM fungus Funneliformis mosseae. Four levels of phosphorus (0, 20, 50 or 100 mg·kg-1) and two levels of ZnO NPs (0 or 500 mg·kg-1) were applied to pots. Shoots and roots were harvested separately after two months of growth. Mycorrhizal infection, plant biomass, P and Zn concentrations and uptake in plants, and soil DTPA-extractable zinc and pH were determined. The results showed that ZnO NPs did not significantly affect the growth of maize, but inhibited root mycorrhizal infection and plant phosphorus uptake, and led to the accumulation of zinc in plants. ZnO NPs and high phosphorus supply decreased root mycorrhizal infection, but AM inoculation significantly promoted plant growth under all phosphorus supply levels. Phosphorus application and AM inoculation increased soil pH, but reduced the bioavailability of Zn derived from ZnO NPs, decreased the translocation and accumulation of zinc in maize shoots, and thus produced beneficial effects on plants. In general, AM inoculation showed positive mycorrhizal effect, especially under low phosphorus conditions and addition of ZnO NPs. Our results showed for the first time that both AM fungi and phosphate fertilizer could help to mitigate soil pollution and the ecological and health risks posed by ZnO NPs.

[Effects of ZnO Nanoparticles, ZnSO4 and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus on the Growth of Maize].

As one of the most widely used metal-based nanoparticles (NPs), ZnO NPs have been shown to be toxic to organisms. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can improve mineral nutrition and increase the resistance of host plants. However, little is known on the interaction between ZnO NPs and other Zn pollutants, as well as the effect of AM fungi on their biological effects. The present greenhouse pot culture experiment studied the effects of inoculation with or without AM fungus Funneliformis mosseae BEG 167 on the growth of maize in soil supplemented with ZnO NPs and ZnSO4 (500 mg · kg⁻¹) seperately or in combination. The results showed that ZnO NPs inhibited mycorrhizal colonization and the growth of maize plants, showing similar phytotoxicity and effects to ZnSO4at the same concentration (500 mg · kg⁻¹). Compared with the nonmycorrhizal controls, AM fungal inoculation decreased Zn concentrations or uptake in maize plants, and showed a better growth-promoting effect in the combination treatment. Our results showed for the first time that there was a complex interaction in their biological toxicity between ZnO NPs and ZnSO4, while AM fungal inoculation exhibited a protective effect under combined pollution of ZnO NPs and ZnSO4.

[Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis influences the biological effects of nano-ZnO on maize].

Engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) can be taken up and accumulated in plants, then enter human bodies via food chain, and thus cause potential health risk. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi form mutualistic symbioses with the majority of higher plants in terrestrial ecosystems, and potentially influence the biological effects of ENPs. The present greenhouse pot culture experiment studied the effects of inoculation with or without arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Acaulospora mellea on growth and nutritional status of maize under different nano-ZnO levels (0, 500, 1 000, 2000 and 3 000 mg x kg(-1)) artificially added into soil. Results showed that with the increasing nano-ZnO levels in soil, mycorrhizal colonization rate and biomass of maize plants showed a decreasing trend, total root length, total surface area and total volume reduced, while Zn concentration and uptake in plants gradually increased, and P, N, K, Fe, and Cu uptake in shoots all decreased. Compared with the controls, arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation improved the growth and P, N and K nutrition of maize, enhanced total root length, total surface area and total volume, and increased Zn allocation to roots when nano-ZnO was added. Our results firstly show that nano-ZnO in soil induces toxicity to arbuscular mycorrhizae, while arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation can alleviate its toxicity and play a protective role in plants.

Contribution of AM inoculation and cattle manure to lead and cadmium phytoremediation by tobacco plants.

Lead and cadmium are both highly toxic pollutants and pose potential risks to the environment and human health. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) inoculation and organic amendments may make a potential contribution to phytoremediation of these toxic metals, but their effects remain unclear. We conducted a pot culture experiment to study the contribution of AM inoculation and/or cattle manure to phytoremediation of two soils artificially polluted with 0, 350, 500 and 1000 mg Pb per kg soil or 0, 1, 10, 100 mg Cd per kg soil using tobacco plants. Results showed that AM colonization was greatly reduced when exposed to more heavy metals especially Cd, whereas organic amendment alleviated metal stress and showed protective effects. In general, AM inoculation and cattle manure, singly or in combination, all significantly increased tobacco growth and Pb and Cd accumulation in shoots and roots, while decreased DTPA-extractable Pb and Cd concentrations in soil, and combination treatments (MN) produced the most pronounced positive effects. Improved plant P nutrition, higher soil pH and lower available metal concentrations contributed by AM inoculation and/or organic amendment may be the main strategies to alleviate metal toxicity and enhance phytoremediation efficiency. Our results indicate that AM fungi and organic manure play a synergistic positive role both in phytoextraction and phytostabilization of Cd and Pb.

[Heavy metal pollution in street dusts from different functional zones of Luoyang City and its potential ecological risk].

The concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr, Cd) in street dusts were investigated in six different functional zones of Luoyang City, i.e., urban-rural continuum, urban artery, industrial district, urban green space, residential district, and business district. The pollution levels and potential ecological risk of heavy metals were assessed by the methods of potential ecological risk index suggested by Håkanson. The results showed that heavy metal concentrations in street dusts from different functional zones of Luoyang City were all higher than soil background values in Henan, with average concentrations of Zn (1019.75 mg x kg(-1)) > Cr (401.63 mg x kg(-1)) > Cu (240.94 mg x kg(-1)) > Pb (176.04 mg x kg(-1)) > Cd (2.33 mg x kg(-1)). Cd was the most seriously polluted metal in all functional zones, and the average pollution index (Cf(i)) reached 35.84, following by Zn (16.32) > Cu (12.05) > Pb (7.90) > Cr (6.36). Heavy metal concentrations and pollution levels varied greatly in different functional zones, and industrial zone had the highest total contents and the heaviest pollution. The integrated potential ecological risk index (RI) in different functional zones all reached very strong levels, with an order of industrial district (1709.51) > urban green space (1581.50) > business district (1 297.45) > residential district (1 111.25) > urban artery (889.97) > urban-rural continuum (641.39). Among the surveyed heavy metals, Cd accounted for the major potential ecological risk, and the average potential ecological risk index (Er(i)) reached 1075.16 (extremely strong risk level) in all six functional zones. The average Er(i) of Cu and Pb reached 60.23 and 40.77 respectively, belonging to moderate risk level, while Zn (16.32) and Cr (12.71) only reached slight risk level. A reduction in industrial and traffic pollution might be the key measure to decrease the heavy metal pollution and potential risk in street dusts.

Inoculations with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi increase vegetable yields and decrease phoxim concentrations in carrot and green onion and their soils.

BACKGROUND: As one of the most widely used organophosphate insecticides in vegetable production, phoxim (C(12)H(15)N(2)O(3)PS) is often found as residues in crops and soils and thus poses a potential threat to public health and environment. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi may make a contribution to the decrease of organophosphate residues in crops and/or the degradation in soils, but such effects remain unknown. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A greenhouse pot experiment studied the influence of AM fungi and phoxim application on the growth of carrot and green onion, and phoxim concentrations in the two vegetables and their soil media. Treatments included three AM fungal inoculations with Glomus intraradices BEG 141, G. mosseae BEG 167, and a nonmycorrhizal control, and four phoxim application rates (0, 200, 400, 800 mg l(-1), while 400 mg l(-1) rate is the recommended dose in the vegetable production system). Carrot and green onion were grown in a greenhouse for 130 d and 150 d. Phoxim solution (100 ml) was poured into each pot around the roots 14d before plant harvest. Results showed that mycorrhizal colonization was higher than 70%, and phoxim application inhibited AM colonization on carrot but not on green onion. Compared with the nonmycorrhizal controls, both shoot and root fresh weights of these two vegetables were significantly increased by AM inoculations irrespective of phoxim application rates. Phoxim concentrations in shoots, roots and soils were increased with the increase of phoxim application rate, but significantly decreased by the AM inoculations. Soil phosphatase activity was enhanced by both AM inocula, but not affected by phoxim application rate. In general, G. intraradices BEG 141 had more pronounced effects than G. mosseae BEG 167 on the increase of fresh weight production in both carrot and green onion, and the decrease of phoxim concentrations in plants and soils. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our results indicate a promising potential of AM fungi for enhancing vegetable production and reducing organophosphorus pesticide residues in plant tissues and their growth media, as well as for the phytoremediation of organophosphorus pesticide-contaminated soils.

Quinone profiles of microbial communities in sediments of Haihe River-Bohai Bay as influenced by heavy metals and environmental factors.

A total of 11 sediment samples were collected from the sites along Haihe River-Bohai Bay, with site 1 at the beginning of Haihe River and site 11 in Bohai Bay, about 150 km away from site 1. Quinone profiles were used for the analysis of microbial community as influenced by pollutants in water and sediments, such as heavy metals, and other environmental factors. Nineteen species of quinones were found at site 1 while only six species at sites 10 and 11. Both the diversity of quinone species (DQ) and the number of quinones were higher in the sediments from Haihe River and the near-sea area of Bohai Bay than in those from the deep-sea area. The ß diversity values were significantly higher, while Jaccard indexes of similarity were much lower among non-contiguous pairs of sites as compared with the contiguous ones. Cluster analysis indicated that quinone profiles may be grouped into two main clusters (sites 1-7 and sites 8-11), and there were higher similarities within the groups than between groups. Quinone species composition varied at different sites. Ubiquinones such as UQ-8, UQ-9, and UQ-10 and menaquinones such as MK-6, MK-7, MK-8 were isolated from all the sites and accounted for the largest proportions. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that both the number of quinone species and DQ correlated positively with total organic carbon contents in water and sediments, but negatively correlated with salinity and electroconductivity and did not correlate significantly with heavy metal contents in water.

Dynamics of phoxim residues in green onion and soil as influenced by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.

Organophosphorus pesticides in crops and soil pose a serious threat to public health and environment. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi may make a contribution to organophosphate degradation in soil and consequently decrease chemical residues in crops. A pot culture experiment was conducted to investigate the influences of Glomus caledonium 90036 and Acaulospora mellea ZZ on the dynamics of phoxim residues in green onion (Allium fistulosum L.) and soil at different harvest dates after phoxim application. Results show that mycorrhizal colonization rates of inoculated plants were higher than 70%. Shoot and root fresh weights did not vary with harvest dates but increased significantly in AM treatments. Phoxim residues in plants and soil decreased gradually with harvest dates, and markedly reduced in AM treatments. Kinetic analysis indicated that phoxim degradation in soil followed a first-order kinetic model. AM inoculation accelerated the degradation process and reduced the half-life. G. caledonium 90036 generally produced more pronounced effects than A. mellea ZZ on both the plant growth and phoxim residues in plants and soil. Our results indicate a promising potential of AM fungi for the control of organophosphate residues in vegetables, as well as for the phytoremediation of organophosphorus pesticide-contaminated soil.

[Influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation on growth and phoxim residue of carrot (Daucus carota L.)].

A pot culture experiment was carried out to study the influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on the growth and phoxim residue of carrot (Daucus carota L). Four levels of phoxim (0, 200, 400, 800 mg x L(-1)) and two AM fungal inocula, Glomus intraradices BEG 141(141), Glomus mosseae BEG 167 (167),and one nonmycorrhizal inoculum (CK), were applied to the sterilized soil. The plants were harvested after 5 months of growth and phoxim was irrigated into the root zone 14 d before plant harvest. Although decreasing with the increase of phoxim dosage, root infection rates of all the mycorrhizal plants were higher than 70%. Phoxim showed no significant dose effect on shoot wet weights and root yields, which were all increased by AM inoculation at four phoxim dosages. Phoxim residues in shoots and roots increased with the increase of phoxim dosage, but decreased by AM inoculation. In general, Glomus intraradices BEG 141 showed more pronounced effects on the growth and phoxim residue of carrot than Glomus mosseae BEG 167 did. Our results show a promising potential of AM fungi in carrot production and controlling pesticide residues.

Adsorption of cadmium (II) ions from aqueous solution by a new low-cost adsorbent--bamboo charcoal.

Batch adsorption experiments were conducted for the adsorption of Cd (II) ions from aqueous solution by bamboo charcoal. The results showed that the adsorption of Cd (II) ions was very fast initially and the equilibrium time was 6h. High pH (>or=8.0) was favorable for the adsorption and removal of Cd (II) ions. Higher initial Cd concentrations led to lower removal percentages but higher adsorption capacity. As the adsorbent dose increased, the removal of Cd increased, while the adsorption capacity decreased. Adsorption kinetics of Cd (II) ions onto bamboo charcoal could be best described by the pseudo-second-order model. The adsorption behavior of Cd (II) ions fitted Langmuir, Temkin and Freundlich isotherms well, but followed Langmuir isotherm most precisely, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 12.08 mg/g. EDS analysis confirmed that Cd (II) was adsorbed onto bamboo charcoal. This study demonstrated that bamboo charcoal could be used for the removal of Cd (II) ions in water treatment.

Simultaneous removal of 2,4-dichlorophenol and Cd from soils by electrokinetic remediation combined with activated bamboo charcoal.

An in situ electrokinetic remediation technique was designed by combining the uniform electrokinetic technology with a new-type of bamboo charcoal as adsorbent. A bench-scale experiment was conducted to investigate the application of this technique for simultaneous removal of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) and Cd from a sandy loam at different periodic polarity-reversals. The contaminated soil was artificially spiked with 100 mg/kg 2,4-DCP and 500 mg/kg Cd. Two modes of polarity-reversal intervals of 12 and 24 h were included. After 10.5 d of operation, about 75.97% of Cd and 54.92% of 2,4-DCP were removed from soil at intervals of 24 h, whilst only 40.13% of Cd and 24.98% of 2,4-DCP were removed at intervals of 12 h. Soil water contents under two operation modes both significantly decreased, but evenly distributed spatially. Soil pH values under two operation modes were all maintained in the range from 7.2 to 7.4, close to the initial value. The electricity consumption per day was 12.24 and 11.61 kWh/m(3)/d, respectively at polarity-reversal intervals of 12 and 24 h. In conclusion, at polarity-reversal interval of 24 h, electroremediation combined with activated bamboo charcoal was effective in simultaneous removal of 2,4-DCP and Cd from soil. Our results indicate a promising potential in in situ electroremediation of soils co-contaminated with organics and heavy metals.

Role of microbial inoculation and chitosan in phytoextraction of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd by Elsholtzia splendens--a field case.

A field experiment was carried out to study the effect of microbial inoculation on heavy metal phytoextraction by Elsholtzia splendens and whether chitosan could have a synergistic effect with the microbial inocula. The microbial inocula consisted of a consortium of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and two Penicillium fungi. Three treatments were included: the control, inoculation with microbial inocula, and the inoculation combined with chitosan. Microbial inoculation increased plant biomass especially shoot dry weight, enhanced shoot Cu, Zn and Pb concentrations but did not affect Cd, leading to higher shoot Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd uptake. Compared with microbial inoculation alone, chitosan application did not affect plant growth but increased shoot Zn, Pb and Cd concentrations except Cu, which led to higher phytoextraction efficiencies and partitioning to shoots of Zn, Pb and Cd. These results indicated synergistic effects between microbial inocula and chitosan on Zn, Pb and Cd phytoextraction.

Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal inoculation on heavy metal accumulation of maize grown in a naturally contaminated soil.

A pot culture experiment was carried out to study heavy metal (HM) phytoaccumulation from soil contaminated with Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd by maize (Zea mays L.) inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (AMF). Two AM fungal inocula--MI containing only one AM fungal strain (Glomus caledonium 90036) and MII consisting of Gigaspora margarita ZJ37, Gigaspora decipens ZJ38, Scutellospora gilmori ZJ39, Acaulospora spp., and Glomus spp.--were applied to the soil under unsterilized conditions. The control received no mycorrhizal inoculation. The maize plants were harvested after 10 wk of growth. MI-treated plants had higher mycorrhizal colonization than MII-treated plants. Both MI and MII increased P concentrations in roots, but not in shoots. Neither MI nor MII had significant effects on shoot or root dry weight (DW). Compared with the control, shoot Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd concentrations were decreased by MI but increased by MII. Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd uptake into shoots and roots all increased in MII-treated plants, while in MI-treated plants Cu, Zn, and Pb uptake into shoots and Cd uptake into roots decreased but Cu, Zn, and Pb uptake into roots and Cd into shoots increased. MII was more effective than MI in promoting HM extraction efficiencies. The results indicate that MII can benefit HMphytoextraction and, therefore, show potential in the phytoremediation of HM-contaminated soils.

[Influence of arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi on growth and cu uptake of Elsholtzia splendens].

A pot culture experiment was carried out to study the influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on the growth and Cu uptake of E. splendens. Five levels of Cu (0, 50, 100, 200, 400mg x kg(-1)) and two AM fungal inocula, Glomus caledonium 90036 (36) and Acaulospora mellea ZZ (ZZ), and one nonmycorrhizal inoculum (CK), were applied to the soil under sterilized conditions. The plants were harvested after 60 days of growth. Although decreasing with the increase of Cu levels, root infection rates of all the mycorrhizal plants were >50%, which showed that AM fungi colonized E. splendens roots easily. Shoot and root dry matter yields were all increased by two AM inocula at all Cu levels. Shoot Cu concentrations in the plants treated with two AM inocula increased at 200mg x kg(-1) Cu level and below, but did not change significantly at 400mg x kg(-1) Cu level. Root Cu concentrations in the plants treated with two AM inocula did not change at 0 mg x kg(-1) Cu level, but decreased at 50 mg x kg(-1) Cu level and above. In comparison with nonmycorrhizal plants, shoot Cu uptake by mycorrhizal plants all increased at any Cu level, while root Cu uptake increased only at 100 mg x kg(-1) Cu level. In general, AM fungal inoculation can increase Cu translocation from roots to shoots and shoot Cu uptake by E. splendens.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal status of wild plants in saline-alkaline soils of the Yellow River Delta.

A survey was made of the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) status of five dominant wild plants Tamarix chinensis, Phragmites communis, Suaeda glauca, Aeluropus littoralis var. sinensis and Cirsium setosum in saline-alkaline soils of the Yellow River Delta that show low plant diversity. All of the species were colonized and showed typical AM structures (arbuscules, vesicles). The colonization percentage ranged from 0.2% to 9.5%, where C. setosum was the highest. The species richness of AMF at the different sites ranged from 2.00 to 2.40 per 50 ml soil, with an average of 2.16. Species diversity ranged from 1.99 to 2.22 per 50 ml soil, with an average of 2.13. Spore density ranged from 3 to 30 per 50 ml soil, with an average of 12. Glomus was the dominant genus, with a frequency and relative abundance of 88.1% and 68.4%, respectively. G. caledonium, with a frequency and relative abundance of 15.0% and 4.6%, respectively, was the dominant species. Differences were also observed in the distribution of AMF in different soil layers. Although there were still AM fungal spores in the layer 40 cm below the surface, most spores were found at a depth of 0-40 cm.