Yannick Mamindy-Pajany

Influence of uranium on bacterial communities: a comparison of natural uranium-rich soils with controls.

This study investigated the influence of uranium on the indigenous bacterial community structure in natural soils with high uranium content. Radioactive soil samples exhibiting 0.26% - 25.5% U in mass were analyzed and compared with nearby control soils containing trace uranium. EXAFS and XRD analyses of soils revealed the presence of U(VI) and uranium-phosphate mineral phases, identified as sabugalite and meta-autunite. A comparative analysis of bacterial community fingerprints using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) revealed the presence of a complex population in both control and uranium-rich samples. However, bacterial communities inhabiting uraniferous soils exhibited specific fingerprints that were remarkably stable over time, in contrast to populations from nearby control samples. Representatives of Acidobacteria, Proteobacteria, and seven others phyla were detected in DGGE bands specific to uraniferous samples. In particular, sequences related to iron-reducing bacteria such as Geobacter and Geothrix were identified concomitantly with iron-oxidizing species such as Gallionella and Sideroxydans. All together, our results demonstrate that uranium exerts a permanent high pressure on soil bacterial communities and suggest the existence of a uranium redox cycle mediated by bacteria in the soil.

The toxicity of composted sediments from Mediterranean ports evaluated by several bioassays.

This work investigates the ecotoxicological evaluation of contaminated dredged sediments from French Mediterranean navy harbour (A), commercial port (B) and two composite specimens (C) and (D) coming from the mixture of A and B with other port sediments. The toxicity of elutriates from these sediments is estimated using embryo-toxicity test, Microtox® solid phase test, LuminoTox, phytotoxicity tests and genotoxicity test. Bioassay responses are not clearly correlated with chemical contamination in the whole sediment and vary as a function of tested organisms. The highest contaminated samples (A and C) are almost always more toxic than the less contaminated samples (B and D). Among composite sediments, the mixture effect with other sediments is not efficient to decrease toxicity in sample C, suggesting that other parameters influence toxicity level such as particle size or organic matter content. These parameters should be taken into consideration in order to improve the efficiency of the mixture process and produce composite sediments with low toxicity.

Arsenic in marine sediments from French Mediterranean ports: Geochemical partitioning, bioavailability and ecotoxicology

This work investigates arsenic mobility, bioavailability and toxicity in marine port sediments using chemical sequential extraction and laboratory toxicity tests. Sediment samples were collected from two different Mediterranean ports, one highly polluted with arsenic and other inorganic and organic pollutants (Estaque port (EST)), and the other one, less polluted, with a low arsenic content (Saint Mandrier port (SM)). Arsenic distribution in the solid phase was studied using a sequential extraction procedure specifically developed for appraising arsenic mobility in sediments. Toxicity assessment was performed on sediment elutriates, solid phases and aqueous arsenic species as single substance using the embryo-toxicity test on oyster larvae (Crassostrea gigas) and the Microtox test with Vibrio fischeri. Toxicity results showed that all sediment samples presented acute and sub-chronic toxic effects on oyster larvae and bacteria, respectively. The Microtox solid phase test allow to discriminate As-contaminated samples from the less contaminated ones, suggesting that toxicity of whole sediment samples is related to arsenic content. Toxicity of dissolved arsenic species as single substance showed that Vibrio fischeri and oyster larvae are most sensitive to As(V) than As(III). The distribution coefficient (Kd) of arsenic in sediment samples was estimated using results obtained in chemical sequential extractions. The Kd value is greater in SM (450 Lkg(-1)) than in EST (55 Lkg(-1)), indicating that arsenic availability is higher for the most toxic sediment sample (Estaque port). This study demonstrates that arsenic speciation play an important role on arsenic mobility and its bioavailability in marine port sediments.

Ecotoxicological evaluation of Mediterranean dredged sediment ports based on elutriates with oyster embryotoxicity tests after composting process

The ecotoxicological effect of dredged sediments was estimated by embryo-larval toxicity of the oyster Crassosstrea gigas in sediment elutriates (filtered and unfiltered). The study covers the main ports from the French Mediterranean coast. Composted sediments from a navy harbour (A), a commercial port (B) and two composite specimens (C and D) obtained after mixing various sediments were taken into consideration. Effective concentrations affecting 50% of larvae (EC50) were obtained from different elutriate concentrations (from 0 to 100%). Toxicity results obtained from filtered elutriates decreased according to the following gradient: sample A (5.68%), B (20.50%), C (37.60%) and D (47.17%). Chemical concentrations in whole sediments were in agreement with those in elutriates. Among the measured contaminants in elutriates, Cu and Zn resulted as the main contributors to toxicity. Dissolved organic carbon played an important role by exerting a protective effect against the toxicity of dissolved Cu. Toxicity results were interpreted on the basis of toxicity scores to give indication about sediment quality which provided more severe judgement than risk score based on chemical concentrations in sediments.

Comparison of mineral-based amendments for ex-situ stabilization of trace elements (As, Cd, Cu, Mo, Ni, Zn) in marine dredged sediments: a pilot-scale experiment.

Trace element pollution of marine dredged sediments is an emerging problem all over the world. Comparing to other wastes, trace elements stabilization is more difficult both due to the wide range of contaminants present in the marine sediments and their inherent physicochemical properties. In this study, a pilot-scale experiment was performed to stabilize As, Cd, Cu, Mo, Ni, and Zn in a multi-contaminated sediment sample using hematite, zero-valent iron and zeolite. Results showed that iron-based amendments were able to reduce the leaching and the bioavailability of trace elements in the sediment sample, while zeolite was unsuitable. Chemical stabilization through iron-based amendments seems to be a promising approach as a low-cost alternative to traditional stabilization methods involving chemical reagents.

Ex situ remediation of contaminated sediments using mineral additives: assessment of pollutant bioavailability with the Microtox solid phase test.

The aim of this work is to assess the potential ecotoxicological effects of contaminated sediments treated with mineral additives. The Microtox solid phase test was used to evaluate the effect of mineral additives on the toxicity of sediment suspensions. Four Mediterranean port sediments were studied after dredging and bioremediation: Sample A from navy harbor, sample B from commercial port and samples C and D from pleasure ports. Sediment samples were stabilized with three mineral additives: hematite, zero-valent iron and zeolite. Results show that all studied mineral additives can act as stabilizer agent in highly contaminated sediments (A and C) by decreasing dissolved metal concentrations and sediment toxicity level. On the contrary, for the less contaminated samples (B and D) hematite and zeolite can provoke toxic effect towards Vibrio fischeri since additive particles can favor bacteria retention and decrease bioluminescence emission.

Minerals as additives for decreasing the toxicity of Mediterranean contaminated dredged sediments

The management of dredged sediments is a priority issue in the Mediterranean sea where sediments are historically polluted. The aims of this study were to evaluate the toxicity of port sediment samples and the effect of three mineral additives (hematite, zerovalent iron (ZVI) and natural zeolite (NZ)) on sediment elutriate toxicity. Four sediments (A, B, C and D) were provided by port authorities after composting procedure; particle size, particulate organic carbon, metals and organic pollutants (TBT, PAHs, PCBs) were determined in whole sediments. Elutriates from these composted sediments were analyzed by determining toxicity level using oyster (Crassostrea gigas) larvae bioassay, metal and dissolved organic carbon concentrations. Toxicity, measured on undiluted elutriates (250 g/L), decreased as follows: A≥B>C∼D. The treatment of sediments with mineral additives (5%) revealed that hematite tends to decrease the elutriate toxicity in all samples, particularly in samples B and C. This effect may be related to metal concentration decrease in elutriates, in particular Cu and Zn, that have a significant toxic effect on oyster larvae. ZVI and NZ have a variable influence on elutriate toxicity. Results suggest that hematite may be a possible candidate for decreasing chemical concentration and improving the quality of elutriates. Hematite could be used for sediment stabilization prior to the deposit in a specific site or landfill.

Arsenic in Marina Sediments from the Mediterranean Coast: Speciation in the Solid Phase and Occurrence of Thioarsenates

Arsenic speciation was determined in marina sediments of the French Mediterranean coast. The sediment from L′Estaque marina was highly impacted by both metallurgical activities and by the commercial port of Marseille, in contrast to the sediment from St. Mandrier marina that was less polluted. In the solid phases, As(III) was the dominant species in the L′Estaque sediment, whereas As(V) was the main form in the St. Mandrier sediment, with total As concentrations in the range 160–350 mg/kg and 17–20 mg/kg, respectively. In both sites, arsenic was the major trace element detected in interstitial water, its concentration reaching values higher than 1 mg/L in the L′Estaque sediment. Sulfate-reduction seemed to be more active in the L′Estaque site, probably because of the availability of easily biodegradable organic matter. This condition favored the formation of thioarsenates that were quantified here for the first time in a polluted marine sediment. Thioarsenates represented 69 ± 24% of total dissolved As in the 15–60 cm depth sediment layer. Our results suggest that bacterial activity may significantly contribute to increased arsenic solubility and mobility in harbor sediments, where crude oil input stimulates sulfate-reducers.

Mechanism of Salt Contamination of Karstic Springs Related to the Messinian Deep Stage. The Speleological Model of Port Miou (France)

Submarine karstic springs are frequent on the Mediterranean shore but most of them are brackish which prohibits their use. The numerous attempts to catch these springs ended in failure. Recent studies on the development of karst systems and the paleogeography of the Mediterranean sea explain these failures. Studies on the shores of south-eastern France have enabled us to propose an operating model that explains the mechanism of salt contamination. The Port Miou system (Cassis, France) is a two kilometers long submarine gallery developped in the limestone series of Calanques (Marseille, France). The average discharge is between 2 to 5 m3/s but the water is brackish. In the 70s a dam was built to prevent sea intrusion in the cave but the water remained brackish upstream of the dam. The use of helium, and then rebreathers by cave divers, made it possible to explore a vertical pit down to -179 m below the sea level at the end of the cave. At that depth, the water is still brackish. Important quantity of titanium was observed at the surface of the cave sediment upstream of the dam and at the end of the cave. The titanium comes from the residual product of a factory of alumina that is discharged in the Cassidaigne submarine canyon, at a depth of 300 m b.s.l., a few kilometers south to the spring. This residual product locally called «red mud» is very rich in titanium. This supports the model of a sea water aspiration in a deep gallery connected to the canyon. The Cassidaigne canyon that cuts a limestone plateau with dolines and caves is probably a pocket valley. Its presence is related to the several stages of lowering of the Mediterranean sea at the Messinian Deep Stage that allowed the existence of cave networks up to several hundreds of meters below the present sea level. The sea water is now sucked into the system. A similar example exists in Kefalonia island (Greece) where a sea intrusion is observed in coastal sinkholes. This model explains why the different attempts to diminish the salinity of these brackish springs, by construction of dams close to the outlets, have failed.

Tests de lixiviation et de stabilisation d'un sédiment portuaire contaminé à l'arsenic

ABSTRACT This research investigated the potential mobility of arsenic and its stabilization from contaminated dredged sediment by means of batch and column experiments. Leaching experiments were conducted according to the XP X 31–210 AFNOR (1998) protocol as a function of the contact time. Results showed that (1) leaching medium becomes alkaline (pH = 8) and soluble salt concentrations increase, (2) arsenic is weakly mobilize (60–150 μg/kg dry sediment) and (3) arsenic and iron concentrations are well correlated (R2 = 0,84). In different leaching media, arsenic mobility increased as follows: ultra pure water > acetic acid > phosphoric acid. Chemical stabilization by means of mineral amendment (5 % hematite) reduced arsenic mobility (30 to 40 %) in leachates from batch and column experiments.