Yuyi Yang

Biosorption of Acid Black 172 and Congo Red from aqueous solution by nonviable Penicillium YW 01: Kinetic study, equilibrium isotherm and artificial neural network modeling

The main objective of this work was to investigate the biosorption performance of nonviable Penicillium YW 01 biomass for removal of Acid Black 172 metal-complex dye (AB) and Congo Red (CR) in solutions. Maximum biosorption capacities of 225.38 and 411.53 mg g(-1) under initial dye concentration of 800 mg L(-1), pH 3.0 and 40 °C conditions were observed for AB and CR, respectively. Biosorption data were successfully described with Langmuir isotherm and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The Weber-Morris model analysis indicated that intraparticle diffusion was the limiting step for biosorption of AB and CR onto biosorbent. Analysis based on the artificial neural network and genetic algorithms hybrid model indicated that initial dye concentration and temperature appeared to be the most influential parameters for biosorption process of AB and CR onto biosorbent, respectively. Characterization of the biosorbent and possible dye-biosorbent interaction were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy.

Concentrations, Source and Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Soils from Midway Atoll, North Pacific Ocean

This study was designed to determine concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil samples collected from Midway Atoll and evaluate their potential risks to human health. The total concentrations of 16 PAHs ranged from 3.55 to 3200 µg kg−1 with a mean concentration of 198 µg kg−1. Higher molecular weight PAHs (4–6 ring PAHs) dominated the PAH profiles, accounting for 83.3% of total PAH mass. PAH diagnostic ratio analysis indicated that primary sources of PAHs in Midway Atoll could be combustion. The benzo[a]pyrene equivalent concentration (BaPeq) in most of the study area (86.5%) was less than 40 µg kg−1 BaPeq and total incremental lifetime cancer risks of PAHs ranged from 1.00×10−10 to 9.20×10−6 with a median value of 1.24×10−7, indicating a minor carcinogenic risk of PAHs in Midway Atoll.

Occurrence, distribution and seasonal variations of polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in surface waters of the East Lake, China.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the surface water of the East Lake, China were investigated in winter (2012) and summer (2013). A hundred and eight samples were collected from 36 sampling sites and analyzed for the 31 PCB and 10 PBDE congeners. Concentrations of both PCBs and PBDEs showed obvious seasonal variations. The average PCB concentrations in the East Lake ranged from 3.17 to 6.09 ng L(-1) in winter and 0.19 to 0.99 ng L(-1) in summer. CB-44, 105, 118 and 179 were dominant in both winter and summer. The average PBDE concentrations in the East Lake ranged from 2.92 to 5.54 ng L(-1) in winter and 0.67 to 1.51 ng L(-1) in summer. BDE-47 was predominant in both winter and summer, which accounted for more than 37% of the total PBDEs concentration from all sampling sites. Independent-Samples t-test showed statistical significance of ΣPCBs and ΣPBDEs between winter and summer samples. The analysis of distribution, pattern and seasonal variations indicated the different potential sources of PCBs and PBDEs in the East Lake. The potential eco-toxicological risk was also discussed in the study.

Competitive biosorption of Acid Blue 25 and Acid Red 337 onto unmodified and CDAB-modified biomass of Aspergillus oryzae.

The performance of unmodified and cetyldimethylethyl ammonium bromide (CDAB) modified nonviable Aspergillus oryzae for removal of Acid Blue 25 (AB 25) and Acid Red 337 (AR 337) was investigated in single and binary systems. In single system, the biosorption capacities of CDAB-modified biosorbent reached 160.36 and 280.39mg g(-1) for AB 25 and AR 337, respectively, which were 1.52 and 1.66 times higher than that of unmodified biosorbent. In binary system, the biosorption capacities of unmodified and CDAB-modified biosorbents for both dyes decreased significantly compared to that in single system. Relative competitiveness analysis demonstrated that there existed critical initial concentration ratio which determined the predominance of dyes during biosorption process. The biosorption of AB 25 was found to be in dominant position at initial concentration ratio of [AB 25]/[AR 337] above 0.63. Kinetic analysis indicated that intraparticle diffusion was the limiting step for biosorption of two dyes onto biosorbents.

Concentration, Distribution, Source, and Risk Assessment of PAHs and Heavy Metals in Surface Water from the Three Gorges Reservoir, China

ABSTRACT Fifteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals (Cr, Ni, As, Cd, Pb, and Hg) were quantified in 19 surface water sites of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China. The total concentrations of 15 PAHs and six heavy metals in the 19 sample sites ranged from 130.8 ng L−1 to 227.5 ng L−1 and 3.2 μg L−1 to 6.0 μg L−1, respectively. The mean concentration of As was the highest among the six heavy metals (2.1 ± 0.3 μg L−1), followed by Cr (0.5 ± 0.3 μg L−1), Ni (1.3 ± 0.1 μg L−1), Cd (0.2 ± 0.01 μg L−1), Pb (0.07 ± 0.08 μ g L−1) and Hg (0.05 ± 0.08 μg L−1). The isomer ratio results suggest that PAHs at most sites were mainly from petroleum combustion, while coal and biomass combustion was the main source at sites 1, 2, 6, 7, 9, 14, and 17. Based on principal component analysis, the main source of heavy metals was anthropogenic activities and weathering of bedrocks. Depending on characteristic of RQ(NCs) ≥ 1 and RQ(MPCs) < 1, BaA showed higher potential ecological risk than other PAHs, therefore, all sampling site needed to be paid much more attention, included some remedial actions. Meanwhile, after assessing human health risk of heavy metal, it was unlikely to experience adverse health effects, even exposing through more pathways and six kinds of heavy metals simultaneously.

Biosorption of Acid Blue 25 by unmodified and CPC-modified biomass of Penicillium YW01: Kinetic study, equilibrium isotherm and FTIR analysis

The main objective of this work was to investigate the biosorption performance of unmodified and Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC)-modified biomass of Penicillium YW 01 for Acid Blue 25 (AB 25). Maximum biosorption capacity of AB 25 onto CPC-modified biosorbent was 118.48 mg g(-1) under phosphoric-phosphate buffer with initial dye concentration of 200 mg L(-1) at 30°C. The biosorption pattern of AB 25 onto unmodified biosorbent in aqueous solution and phosphoric-phosphate buffer was well fitted with both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. While the equilibrium data of CPC-modified biosorbent in aqueous solution and phosphoric-phosphate buffer failed to fit the Freundlich isotherm model, indicating the monolayer biosorption formed onto CPC-modified biosorbent. The values of initial biosorption rate of biosorbent in phosphoric-phosphate buffer were found to be higher than that of corresponding values in aqueous solution, indicating phosphoric-phosphate buffer enhanced the initial biosorption rate of biosorption process. Weber-Morris model analysis indicated that the boundary layer effect had more influence on the biosorption process in phosphoric-phosphate buffer. The BET surface area of CPC-modified biosorbent (0.5761 m(2) g(-1)) was larger than that of unmodified biomass (0.3081 m(2) g(-1)). Possible dye-biosorbent interactions were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Occurrence, distribution and risk assessment of polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in nine water sources.

Water quality of water sources is a critical issue for human health in South China, which experiences rapid economic development and is the most densely populated region in China. In this study, the pollution of organohalogen compounds in nine important water sources, South China was investigated. Twenty six organohalogen compounds including seventeen polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and nine polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were detected using gas chromatograph analysis. The concentrations of total PCBs ranged from 0.93 to 13.07ngL(-1), with an average value of 7.06ngL(-1). The total concentrations of nine PBDE congeners were found in range not detected (nd) to 7.87ngL(-1) with an average value of 2.59ngL(-1). Compositions of PCBs and PBDEs indicated the historical use of Aroclors 1248, 1254 and 1260, and commercial PBDEs may be the main source of organohalogen compounds in water sources in South China. The nine water sources could be classified into three clusters by self-organizing map neural network. Low halogenated PCBs and PBDEs showed similar distribution in the nine water sources. Cancer risks of PCBs and PBDEs via water consumption were all below 10(-6), indicating the water quality in the nine water sources, South China was safe for human drinking.

Computational Identification and Analysis of the Key Biosorbent Characteristics for the Biosorption Process of Reactive Black 5 onto Fungal Biomass

The performances of nine biosorbents derived from dead fungal biomass were investigated for their ability to remove Reactive Black 5 from aqueous solution. The biosorption data for removal of Reactive Black 5 were readily modeled using the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Kinetic analysis based on both pseudo-second-order and Weber-Morris models indicated intraparticle diffusion was the rate limiting step for biosorption of Reactive Black 5 on to the biosorbents. Sorption capacities of the biosorbents were not correlated with the initial biosorption rates. Sensitivity analysis of the factors affecting biosorption examined by an artificial neural network model showed that pH was the most important parameter, explaining 22%, followed by nitrogen content of biosorbents (16%), initial dye concentration (15%) and carbon content of biosorbents (10%). The biosorption capacities were not proportional to surface areas of the sorbents, but were instead influenced by their chemical element composition. The main functional groups contributing to dye sorption were amine, carboxylic, and alcohol moieties. The data further suggest that differences in carbon and nitrogen contents of biosorbents may be used as a selection index for identifying effective biosorbents from dead fungal biomass.

Antibiotic resistance genes in surface water of eutrophic urban lakes are related to heavy metals, antibiotics, lake morphology and anthropic impact

Urban lakes are impacted by heavy human activities and represent potential reservoirs for antibiotic resistance genes. In this study, six urban lakes in Wuhan, central China were selected to analyze the distribution of sulfonamide resistance (sul) genes, tetracycline resistance (tet) genes and quinolone resistance (qnr) genes and their relationship with heavy metals, antibiotics, lake morphology and anthropic impact. sul1 and sul2 were detected in all six lakes and dominated the types of antibiotic resistance genes, which accounted for 86.28–97.79% of the total antibiotic resistance gene abundance. For eight tested tet genes, antibiotic efflux pumps (tetA, tetB, tetC, and tetG) genes were all observed in six lakes and had higher relative abundance than ribosomal protection protein genes (tetM and tetQ). For 4 plasmid mediated quinolone resistance genes, only qnrD is found in all six lakes. The class I integron (intI1) is also found to be a very important media for antibiotic resistance gene propagation in urban lakes. The results of redundancy analysis and variation partitioning analysis showed that antibiotic and co-selection with heavy metals were the major factors driving the propagation of antibiotic resistance genes in six urban lakes. The heavily eutrophic Nanhu Lake and Shahu Lake which located in a high density building area with heavy human activities had the higher relative abundance of total antibiotic resistance genes. Our study could provide a useful reference for antibiotic resistance gene abundance in urban lakes with high anthropic impact.

Construction of an integrated enzyme system consisting azoreductase and glucose 1-dehydrogenase for dye removal.

Azo dyes are toxic and carcinogenic and are often present in industrial effluents. In this research, azoreductase and glucose 1-dehydrogenase were coupled for both continuous generation of the cofactor NADH and azo dye removal. The results show that 85% maximum relative activity of azoreductase in an integrated enzyme system was obtained at the conditions: 1U azoreductase:10U glucose 1-dehydrogenase, 250mM glucose, 1.0mM NAD(+) and 150μM methyl red. Sensitivity analysis of the factors in the enzyme system affecting dye removal examined by an artificial neural network model shows that the relative importance of enzyme ratio between azoreductase and glucose 1-dehydrogenase was 22%, followed by dye concentration (27%), NAD(+) concentration (23%) and glucose concentration (22%), indicating none of the variables could be ignored in the enzyme system. Batch results show that the enzyme system has application potential for dye removal.