Biodegradation of hexabromocyclododecane by Rhodopseudomonas palustris YSC3 strain: A free-living nitrogen-fixing bacterium isolated in Taiwan.

The persistent organic pollutant, brominated flame retardant, hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), identified as an emerging contaminant has been detected in various environmental matrix. The increased level of this toxic organic compound in the environment has been associated with serious human health risks. The results obtained from this study revealed that various Rhodopseudomonas palustris strains isolated from paddy soil in Taiwan possessed good HBCD biodegradation capability when they were cultured aerobically. Among these strains, YSC3 was considered as one of the most potential isolates for HBCD degradation. The optimum HBCD biodegradation occurred at neutral pH and at 35 °C in all our pH and temperature tests at an initial HBCD concentration of 1 ppm. HBCD degradation kinetics generally decreased with the increase of initial HBCD concentration. The study also suggested that the cultivation temperature played a vital role on YSC3 for its initiation of cellular HBCD degradation. The relative-molar ratio of the released bromide ions during the biodegradation of HBCD was observed in the range between 1 and 3.5, suggesting that the debromination reactions occurred. Concomitant with the loss of HBCD, there was a concurrent production of two metabolites, pentabromocyclododecanol and pentabromocyclododecene, which were determined by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry techniques. On the basis of the obtained results, the possible biodegradation pathways were also proposed in this study.

The effect of zerovalent iron on the microbial degradation of hexabromocyclododecane.

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), a commonly used brominated flame retardant (BFR), has been listed as a persistent organic pollutant (POP). In order to remediate HBCD in the environment, the influence of microscale zerovalent iron (MZVI) on the HBCD degrading microcosm was evaluated. In the acclimated microcosm collected from river sediment, 49% of HBCD was initially removed through adsorption and then 30% of HBCD was biodegraded through non-debromination processes. In contrast to MZVI only, over 60% of HBCD was gradually degraded by MZVI through a debromination reaction. In the microcosm-MZVI combined system, the biodegradation ability of the microcosm was inhibited. The aqueous chemistry was changed by the addition of MZVI, which led to the alteration of microbial composition and biodegradation ability. These better understandings can facilitate an evaluation of the impact of MZVI on HBCD biodegradation when ZVI was used to remediate this BFR.

Influence of water chemistry on the environmental behaviors of commercial ZnO nanoparticles in various water and wastewater samples.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are widely used nanomaterials and their environmental impacts have received increasing attention. The fate and toxicity of ZnO NPs in the environment are determined by their stability and dissolution. In this study, the influence of water chemistry on aggregation, sedimentation, and dissolution of ZnO NPs was investigated. The stabilized ZnO NPs aggregated and precipitated when the aqueous pH closed to their zero point of charge (pHzpc). Counter-ions neutralized the surface charge of NPs and promoted their destabilization. However, a high concentration of counter-ion (SO42-, >10meq/L) made the NPs more stable because of the inverted surface potential. The stability of ZnO NPs was maintained by high concentration of Suwannee River humic acid (SRHA, 10mg/L) even the concentration of electrolytes was high. The influence of water chemistry on the stability and dissolution of ZnO NPs was further demonstrated in different wastewaters. In one wastewater sample, ZnO NPs was unexpectedly stable and with a high dissolution, which was due to the effects of pH value, organic matter concentration, as well as the concentration of counter ions. Our findings facilitate the predictions of the fate of stabilized ZnO NPs in the environment.

The effect of electrolytes on the aggregation kinetics of three different ZnO nanoparticles in water.

Nanoscale ZnO particles are receiving increasing attention because they are widely used in commercial products, but they do have potentially hazardous effects. The aggregation behavior of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) in the environment contributes to the real risk assessment of nano-toxicity, and the real size of the nano-aggregates should be investigated. In this study, the influences of electrolytes on the stabilities of three ZnO NPs were compared: the commercial powder (NP1), the lab synthesized suspension (NP2) and the commercial suspension (NP3). The initial particle size of NP2 and NP3 in water was at a nanoscale whilst NP1 tended to form microscale aggregates. The capping reagents helped to retain their suspension. The stability of ZnO NPs depends on their zeta potential under specific pH value, ionic types and ionic strength. In general, neutralization plays a major role in aggregation. The effect of divalent counter-ions on ZnO NP aggregation was more than that of monovalent ones. The stabilities of NP2 and NP3 were confirmed by the large critical coagulation concentration (CCC) values of these particles. The experimental results also fit the Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory. The aggregation of different ZnO NPs is relevant to their basic properties and is influenced by electrolytes, which decreases the possibility of the penetration of NPs into cells to cause toxicity in the environment. An understanding of the basic properties of NPs is crucial for assessing their fate in the environment as well as for setting up usage regulation and treatment strategy.

Biodegradation of bisphenol A with diverse microorganisms from river sediment.

The wide distribution of bisphenol A (BPA) in the environment is problematic because of its endocrine-disrupting characteristics and toxicity. Developing cost-effective remediation methods for wide implementation is crucial. Therefore, this study investigated the BPA biodegradation ability of various microorganisms from river sediment. An acclimated microcosm completely degraded 10 mg L(-1) BPA within 28 h and transformed the contaminant into several metabolic intermediates. During the degradation process, the microbial compositions fluctuated and the final, predominant microorganisms were Pseudomonas knackmussii and Methylomonas clara. From the original river sediment, we isolated four distinct strains, which deplete the BPA over 7-9 days. They were all genetically similar to P. knackmussii. The degradation ability of mixed strains was higher than that of single strain but was far less than that of the microbial consortium. The novel BPA degradation ability of P. knackmussii and its role in the decomposing microcosm were first demonstrated. Our results revealed that microbial diversity plays a crucial role in pollutant decomposition.

Degradation of polyurethane by bacterium isolated from soil and assessment of polyurethanolytic activity of a Pseudomonas putida strain.

The increasing usage and the persistence of polyester polyurethane (PU) generate significant sources of environmental pollution. The effective and environmental friendly bioremediation techniques for this refractory waste are in high demand. In this study, three novel PU degrading bacteria were isolated from farm soils and activated sludge. Based upon 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequence blast, their identities were determined. Particularly robust activity was observed in Pseudomonas putida; it spent 4 days to degrade 92% of Impranil DLN(TM) for supporting its growth. The optimum temperature and pH for DLN removal by P. putida were 25 °C and 8.4, respectively. The degradation and transformation of DLN investigated by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy show the decrease in ester functional group and the emergence of amide group. The polyurethanolytic activities were both presented in the extracellular fraction and in the cytosol. Esterase activity was detected in the cell lysate. A 45-kDa protein bearing polyurethanolytic activity was also detected in the extracellular medium. This study presented high PU degrading activity of P. putida and demonstrated its responsible enzymes during the PU degradation process, which could be applied in the bioremediation and management of plastic wastes.

Adsorption and sequential degradation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers with zerovalent iron.

The widely used flame retardants, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), have been regulated owing to their persistence and toxicity. However, the high and increasing accumulation amount of PBDEs in the environment raises a big concern for public safety. In this study, the removal processes of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) and monobromodiphenyl ether (BDE-3) with microscale zerovalent iron (MZVI) were investigated to get better understandings for the removal mechanism based upon adsorption and degradation. The removal kinetics of both compounds was analyzed and revealed two-step kinetics: a fast removal step at the beginning of the reaction and a follow-up slow removal step. By-products generated during the entire process followed a stepwise sequence. The content of brominated compounds on the surface of MZVI was measured. About 10-20% of BDE-209 and 15-30% of BDE-3 were adsorbed on MZVI. The adsorption of BDE-209 and BDE-3 on MZVI was confirmed through the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Surface adsorption of PBDEs on MZVI dominates the removal mechanism in the beginning and further debromination with MZVI was found. Finally, about 70% of BDE-209 and 60% of BDE-3 was degraded by MZVI within about one month. Our findings provide evidences for understanding the removal mechanism of PBDEs with MZVI and its great longevity on the PBDE degradation, which can facilitate the remediation design.

Microbial degradation of 4-monobrominated diphenyl ether with anaerobic sludge.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are widely used flame retardant additives for many plastic and electronic products. Owing to their ubiquitous distribution in the environment, multiple toxicity to humans, and increasing accumulation in the environment, the fate of PBDEs is of serious concern for public safety. In this study, the degradation of 4-monobrominated diphenyl ether (BDE-3) in anaerobic sludge and the effect of carbon source addition were investigated. BDE-3 can be degraded by two different anaerobic sludge samples. The by-products, diphenyl ether (DE) and bromide ions, were monitored, indicating the reaction of debromination within these anaerobic samples. Co-metabolism with glucose facilitated BDE-3 biodegradation in terms of kinetics and efficiency in the Jhongsing sludge. Through the pattern of amplified 16S rRNA gene fragments in denatured gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), the composition of the microbial community was analyzed. Most of the predominant microbes were novel species. The fragments enriched in BDE-3-degrading anaerobic sludge samples are presumably Clostridium sp. This enrichment coincides with the H(2) gas generation and the facilitation of debromination during the degradation process. Findings of this study provide better understanding of the biodegradation of brominated DEs and can facilitate the prediction of the fate of PBDEs in the environment.

Synergistic effect of microscale zerovalent iron particles combined with anaerobic sludges on the degradation of decabromodiphenyl ether.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are widely used flame retardants. Owing to their toxicity and increasing accumulation in the environment, the fate of PBDEs in nature is of serious concern. The combined effects of microscale zerovalent iron (MZVI) and anaerobic sludge in decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) degradation were investigated. The co-incubation resulted in 63% and 29% enhancement of removal ability when compared to the single component conditions. By-products generated during the entire process followed a stepwise sequence with non-uniform accumulation rates. Microbes hindered the accessibility of MZVI to BDE-209 and reduced the removal ability in the initial stage (<12 h). According to the analysis of the microbial community change, co-incubation with MZVI leads to the enrichment of heterotrophic microbial populations bearing nitrate- or iron-reducing activities. The interaction between MZVI and microbes contributed to the synergistic effect. Our findings provide evidence for this synergistic effect and offer an alternative for developing better remediation strategies.

Nak regulates localization of clathrin sites in higher-order dendrites to promote local dendrite growth.

VIDEO ABSTRACT: During development, dendrites arborize in a field several hundred folds of their soma size, a process regulated by intrinsic transcription program and cell adhesion molecule (CAM)-mediated interaction. However, underlying cellular machineries that govern distal higher-order dendrite extension remain largely unknown. Here, we show that Nak, a clathrin adaptor-associated kinase, promotes higher-order dendrite growth through endocytosis. In nak mutants, both the number and length of higher-order dendrites are reduced, which are phenocopied by disruptions of clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Nak interacts genetically with components of the endocytic pathway, colocalizes with clathrin puncta, and is required for dendritic localization of clathrin puncta. More importantly, these Nak-containing clathrin structures preferentially localize to branching points and dendritic tips that are undergoing active growth. We present evidence that the Drosophila L1-CAM homolog Neuroglian is a relevant cargo of Nak-dependent internalization, suggesting that localized clathrin-mediated endocytosis of CAMs facilitates the extension of nearby higher-order dendrites.

Nak regulates Dlg basal localization in Drosophila salivary gland cells.

Protein trafficking is highly regulated in polarized cells. During development, how the trafficking of cell junctional proteins is regulated for cell specialization is largely unknown. In the maturation of Drosophila larval salivary glands (SGs), the Dlg protein is essential for septate junction formation. We show that Dlg was enriched in the apical membrane domain of proximal cells and localized basolaterally in distal mature cells. The transition of Dlg distribution was disrupted in nak mutants. Nak associated with the AP-2 subunit alpha-Ada and the AP-1 subunit AP-1gamma. In SG cells disrupting AP-1 and AP-2 activities, Dlg was enriched in the apical membrane. Therefore, Nak regulates the transition of Dlg distribution likely through endocytosis of Dlg from the apical membrane domain and transcytosis of Dlg to the basolateral membrane domain during the maturation of SGs development.

Population differentiation and gene flow revealed by microsatellite DNA markers in the house mouse (Mus musculus castaneus) in Taiwan.

We analyzed population subdivision and gene flow of the Southeast Asian house mouse (Mus musculus castaneus) in Taiwan by using six microsatellite DNA markers. Seven populations of the house mouse (187 individuals), including one from Fukien Province in southeastern China, which is separated from Taiwan by the Taiwan Strait, were analyzed in this study. The overall polymorphic level at the six loci was high (He = 0.76) although individual populations varied in their levels of heterozygosity (He = 0.35-0.83). For the populations within Taiwan, there was no evidence of isolation by distance and the level of gene flow was not (inversely) correlated to geographic distances. Gene flow was estimated to be higher across the Taiwan Strait than within the island of Taiwan. These observations of gene flow cannot be understood unless in the context of the historical human settlements and agricultural expansion, and the commensal habits of the species. We also discussed the causes of population subdivision and genetic variation among populations in terms of ecological characteristics of the house mouse in Taiwan.