Shiyin Li

Isolation and identification of an anti-algal compound from Artemisia annua and mechanisms of inhibitory effect on algae

The goals of this work were to isolate and identify an anti-algal compound from extracts of Artemisia annua and study its mode of action on Microcystis aeruginosa. The anti-algal compound was isolated from the extracts using column chromatography and activity-guided fractionation methods. Artemisinin with strong anti-algal activity was identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and (1)H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. The EC(50) of artemisinin on M. aeruginosa was 3.2mg L(-1). Artemisinin decreased the soluble protein content and increased the superoxide dismutase activity and ascorbic acid content of M. aeruginosa, but exerted no effect on soluble sugar content. The results suggested the mode of action of artemisinin on algae may primarily be the increasing level of reactive oxygen species in algae cells. The results of our research could aid in the development of new anti-algal substances and lead to further study of mechanisms of inhibitory effect on algae.

Effect of linoleic acid sustained-release microspheres on Microcystis aeruginosa antioxidant enzymes activity and microcystins production and release.

The objective of this work was to identify the optimal dose range for good anti-algal effect of linoleic acid (LA) sustained-release microspheres and investigate their impact on the antioxidant enzymes (super oxide dismutase, Catalase and Peroxidase) activity changes of Microcystis aeruginosa, as well as the production and release of microcystins (MCs). Based on measured changes in algal cell density and inhibitory ratio (IR), the optimal dose of LA microspheres was 0.3 g L(-1) with over 90% of IR in this study. The Chlorophyll a content and antioxidant enzymes activity in the LA microspheres group decreased markedly until beyond the minimal detection limit after 16 d and 9 d, respectively. In addition, LA microspheres demonstrated no significant impact on the extracellular release of MCs during the culturing period. The amount of intracellular microcystin-LR (MC-LR) per 10(6) algal cells in LA microspheres group was highest among all groups during the whole experimental process. Under the sustained stress of LA released from LA microspheres, the LA microspheres could decrease the production and release of algal toxins. There was no increase in the total amount of MC-LR in the algal cell culture medium. These indicated that LA sustained-release microspheres represent a high degree of ecological safety and their practical applications for the treatment of water undergoing algal blooms need further study.

Insights into tetracycline adsorption onto kaolinite and montmorillonite: experiments and modeling

Adsorption of tetracycline (TC) on kaolinite and montmorillonite was investigated using batch adsorption experiments with different pH, ionic strength, and surface coverage. As a result, pH and ionic strength-dependent adsorption of TC was observed for the two clay minerals. The adsorption of TC decreased with the increase of pH and ionic strength, and high initial TC concentration had high adsorption. In addition, a triple-layer model was used to predict the adsorption and surface speciation of TC on the two minerals. As a result, four complex species on kaolinite (≡X−∙H3TC+, ≡X−∙H2TC±, ≡SOH0∙H2TC±, and ≡SOH0∙HTC−) and three species on montmorillonite (≡X−∙H3TC+, ≡X−∙H2TC±, and ≡SOH0∙HTC−) were structurally constrained by spectroscopy, and these species were also successfully fitted to the adsorption edges of TC. Three functional groups of TC were involved in these adsorption reactions, including the positively charged dimethylamino group, the C=O amide I group, and the C=O group at the C ring. Combining adsorption experiments and model in this study, the adsorption of TC on kaolinite and montmorillonite was mainly attributed to cation exchange on the surface sites (≡X−) compared to surface complexation on the edge sites (≡SOH) at natural soil pH condition. Moreover, the surface adsorption species, the corresponding adsorption modes, and the binding constants for the surface reactions were also estimated.

Effects of Artemisinin on Photosystem II Performance of Microcystis aeruginosa by In Vivo Chlorophyll Fluorescence

Effects of artemisinin (derived from Artemisia annua) on the photosynthetic activity of Microcystis aeruginosa was investigated by using chlorophyll a (Chl a) fluorescence transient O-J-I–P and JIP-test after exposure to elevated artemisinin concentration. High artemisinin concentration resulted in a significant suppression in photosynthesis and respiration. Results showed that the OJIP curves flattened and the maximal fluorescence yield reached at the J step under artemisinin stress. The decreased values of the energy needed for the RCs’ closure (Sm) and the number of oxidation and reduction (N) suggested that the reduction times of primary bound plastoquinone (QA) was also decreased. The absorption flux (ABS/RC) per photosystem II (PSII) reaction center and the electron transport flux (ET0/RC) decreased with increasing artemisinin concentration. Excess artemisinin had little effect on the trapping flux (TR0/RC). The results showed that the decrease of photosynthesis in exposure to excess artemisinin may be a result of the inactivation of PSII reaction centers and the inhibition of electron transport in the acceptor side.

Surface-bound humic acid increased rhodamine B adsorption on nanosized hydroxyapatite

ABSTRACT In this study, humic acid-bound nanosized hydroxyapatite (HA-nHAP) was developed as a novel adsorbent, and the potential of using HA-nHAP for the adsorption of rhodamine B (RhB) from aqueous solution as functions of pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time, ionic strength, and temperature was investigated. The results indicated that the HA binding significantly increased the adsorption of RhB due to the introduction of abundant negatively charged functional groups. The adsorption capacity of HA-nHAP for RhB was found to be pH-dependent, and the optimal pH value was found to be 6.0. The adsorption equilibrium data obeyed Sips and Freundlich isotherms and the kinetic data were well described by the Elovich kinetic model. According to the Sips equation, the maximum adsorption capacity for RhB was 24.12 mg/g. The temperature and ionic strength experiment showed that they both had an effect on the adsorption capacity of HA-nHAP. Thermodynamic study confirmed that the adsorption was a spontaneous, endothermic, and more random arrangement process. The present investigation showed that HA-nHAP is a promising adsorbent for the removal of RhB from aqueous solution. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Simple combination of humic acid with biogenic hydroxyapatite achieved highly efficient removal of methylene blue from aqueous solution

Biogenic hydroxyapatite (bHAP) derived from eggshell waste impregnated with humic acid (HA) was utilized as an adsorbent to remove methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution. bHAP simply coupled with HA resulted in highly efficient MB removal due to the introduction of negatively charged groups, which could enhance the adsorption of cationic dyes through electrostatic interactions as confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Adsorption experiment data indicated that MB adsorption by HA-impregnated bHAP (HA-bHAP) obeyed a pseudo-second-order equation, and the adsorption amount of MB increased with both the increases in solution pH and temperature. The adsorption isotherm agreed well with the Sips model, and the maximum adsorption capacity at the given conditions was 393.47 mg g−1. Regeneration studies exhibited that HA-bHAP could be recyclable for a long time. Overall, the results reported herein demonstrated the potential of HA-bHAP for the removal of MB and other cationic dyes from aqueous solution.

Characterization of unsaturated fatty acid sustained-release microspheres for long-term algal inhibition.

The unsaturated fatty acid (linoleic acid) sustained-release microspheres were prepared with linoleic acid (LA) using alginate-chitosan microcapsule technology. These LA sustained-release microspheres had a high encapsulation efficiency (up to 62%) tested by high performance liquid chromatography with a photo diode array. The dry microspheres were characterized by a scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction measurement, dynamic thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectral analysis. The results of characterization showed that the microspheres had good thermal stability (decomposition temperature of 236°C), stable and temperature independent release properties (release time of more than 40 d). Compared to direct dosing of LA, LA sustained-released microspheres could inhibit Microcystis aeruginosa growth to the non-growth state. The results of this study suggested that the LA sustained-release microspheres may be a potential candidate for algal inhibition.

Preparation and characterization of anti-algal sustained-release granules and their inhibitory effects on algae

The objectives of this work were to prepare and characterize an anti-algal sustained-release granule, then study its mode of action on Microcystis aeruginosa. The anti-algal sustained-release granule was prepared with artemisinin using alginate-chitosan microcapsule technology and characterized by a high performance liquid chromatography with an evaporative light-scattering detector, Fourier transform infrared spectral analysis, and a scanning electron microscope. The optimum preparation (in %, w/v) using the orthogonal method was: 2.5 sodium alginate; 0.25 chloride; 0.6 artemisinin; 2 calcium chloride; and 1.5 mL of the cross-linking agent, glutaraldehyde. These artemisinin sustained-release granules had a high encapsulation efficiency (up to 68%) and good release properties (release time of more than 40 d). Artemisinin sustained-release granules released cumulatively in a solution containing M. aeruginosa, and the stress on algae increased gradually within 30 d. Artemisinin sustained-release granules decreased the content of the soluble protein, Chlorophyll a in 30 d, increased the superoxide dismutase activity of M. aeruginosa, but exerted no effect on the soluble sugar content. Compared to direct dosing of artemisinin, algae can be inhibited longer and more effectively by the artemisinin sustained-release granules. The results of our research can aid in the development of new anti-algal sustained-release granules and lead to further study of their application in the field.

Highly efficient adsorption of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution by Fe3+ impregnated biochar

ABSTRACT Biochar (BC) has been widely used as a low-cost adsorbent for the removal of contaminants from water and soil. However, the adsorption ability of BC towards heavy metal oxyanions (e.g., Cr(VI)) is relatively low due to the negatively charged surface of BC. In this study, pristine BC was impregnated with Fe3+ to improve its Cr(VI) adsorption capability. Fe3+-impregnated BC (Fe3+-BC) was successfully synthesized by a simple impregnation method and used for the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution. Various factors affecting the adsorption, such as impregnation ratio, pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time, temperature, and the presence of humic acid, were investigated in detail. Results showed that Fe3+-BC had strong adsorption ability to Cr(VI) with a maximum adsorption capacity of 197.80 mg/g, which were not only significantly higher than that of the pristine BC, but also were superior to many previously reported adsorbents. It was favorable for Cr(VI) adsorption under the condition of acidic and high temperature. The adsorption data obeyed Sips and Langmuir isotherms and the kinetic data were well described by the pseudo-first-order kinetic model. The results herein revealed that the Fe3+-impregnated BC had a good potential as a highly efficient material for adsorption of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

A novel method for photo-oxidative degradation of diatrizoate in water via electromagnetic induction electrodeless lamp

In this study, an electromagnetic induction electrodeless lamp (EIEL) was first introduced into UV advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) for photodegradation of Diatrizoate (DTZ), which was the most persistent iodinated X-ray contrast medium (ICM), and traditional Hg lamps were taken as references. Direct photolysis rate of DTZ under EIEL irradiation was 1.34 times as that under Hg irradiation, but the electric energy consumption was 0.87 times. In this sense, the combination of EIEL and oxidants (O2, H2O2 and S2O82-(PS)) was further investigated. The remarkably increased photodegradation rates were observed in UV/PS system due to primary contribution rate of SO4- (62.5%) based on the results of radical concentrations and second-order rate constants of DTZ with SO4- and OH. Inorganic ions influencing the photodegradation process were investigated. The effect of natural organic materials (NOMs) in UV/PS system was studied based on contribution ratios of light screening effect and quenching. Transformation mechanisms of DTZ in UV/PS system included deiodination, intramolecular cyclization, decarboxylation, deacetylation and deamination, which were further confirmed by frontier electron density calculations. The study indicated that UV/PS with EIEL irradiation has the potential to remove pharmaceuticals in contaminated aquatic environments.