Article
Environmental Sciences
Steffen Hertle, Nick de Boni, Heico Schell, Andreas Tiehm
Summary: This study demonstrates a novel approach that combines biological and electrochemical methods to stimulate the degradation of TCE by the SF culture, even in low oxygen conditions, showing great potential for the effective treatment of TCE-contaminated sites.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Hao Liao, Shenghan Gao, Xiuli Hao, Fei Qin, Silin Ma, Wenli Chen, Qiaoyun Huang
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of two isolation procedures on soil protist communities within aggregates, revealing that wet-sieving altered aggregate size distribution and associated protistan communities, with effects dependent on soil type. However, the isolation method did not affect the detection of prominent protist taxa within aggregates.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
Eemi Ruuska, Pietari Skytta, Niko Putkinen, Tuire Valjus
Summary: In this study, researchers present a new digital elevation model of the buried bedrock surface in Western Finland, shedding light on how bedrock structures and topography contribute to the deposition of glaciofluvial sediments and groundwater flow pathways. Vertical fracture zones in the bedrock are observed as sharp breaks in the rock surface and have formed interconnected elongate bedrock depressions and rock blocks with different elevations. A narrow trench following fracture zones serves as a major hydraulic connection between two parts of the aquifer, and conductive fracture zones connect the shallow glaciofluvial aquifer system to deep groundwater in the bedrock.
EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anna Willmann, Anna-Lena Trautmann, Ariel Kushmaro, Andreas Tiehm
Summary: This study investigated the degradation potential of trichloroethene (TCE) and the effectiveness of bioaugmentation in stimulating TCE degradation in groundwater samples from different contaminated sites. The results showed that the supply of oxygen stimulated aerobic degradation of TCE, and bioaugmentation effectively enhanced TCE degradation.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lurong Yang, Jason P. Hnatko, Jack L. Elsey, John A. Christ, Kurt D. Pennell, Natalie L. Capiro, Linda M. Abriola
Summary: This study explores the influence of subsurface heterogeneity on microbial reductive dechlorination (MRD) and evaluates the suitability of microcosm-derived rate parameters for modeling complex heterogeneous systems. The results show that using microcosm-derived rate parameters in modeling can effectively predict the dechlorination process in aquifer cells and reveal spatial variations in methane generation associated with regions of longer residence times. Model sensitivity analysis suggests that natural dissolved organic carbon plays a crucial role as a fermentable substrate under electron donor limiting conditions, providing reducing equivalents for MRD.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Stephen R. H. Worthington
Summary: A comparison between a data-based geological perspective and a theory-based hydraulic perspective in bedrock aquifers near the water table showed that the geological perspective provided more accurate but less precise descriptions of aquifer characteristics due to systematic vertical variations in permeability caused by chemical weathering and compression. This indicates that the geological perspective can be a useful complementary approach to the prevailing hydraulic perspective for characterizing aquifers.
HYDROGEOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Alejandra Sofia Sanchez-Avila, Robert L. Wallace, Elizabeth J. Walsh
Summary: This study investigated the predation behavior of Actinosphaerium sp., a freshwater heliozoan, on seven rotifer species, and found that larger and more mobile rotifers were more likely to be preyed upon. Preference was shown towards Asplanchna sieboldii and Brachionus calyciflorus, while Lacinularia flosculosa had very low predation probability. Therefore, size and mobility are the primary risk factors influencing rotifer predation vulnerability.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yunjie Ma, Jakub J. Modrzynski, Yuxia Yang, Jens Aamand, Yan Zheng
Summary: Trace levels of sulfonamide antibiotics in reclaimed water pose challenges for completely removing them when restoring flows in dried rivers. This study found that biodegradation was the main removal process for sulfonamides, with some removal also occurring through sediment sorption. Additionally, the biodegradation of SMX was faster in anoxic conditions initially, but reversed over time with a longer apparent half-life, indicating the importance of understanding degradation mechanisms in different environments.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tao Li, Yuesong Tang, Lianghui Li, Haoyu Hu, Zheng Li, Jiqing He, Bochao An
Summary: This study investigates the evolution characteristics of water-flowing fractures in the Zhaogu No. 2 coal mine using physical experiments, theoretical analysis, and field investigations. The results indicate that the height and span of the water-flowing fracture zone experience four stages and the shape of the fracture evolves with the mining influence range. The interaction between water in the thick alluvium and the upper phreatic aquifer leads to a concentrated danger zone, and the expansion track of the water-flowing fracture connects this zone to the coal seam. This results in the flow of water mixed with sandstone into the fractured bedrock, causing instability in the load-bearing structure composed of thick alluvium and the roof beam.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jason P. Hnatko, Chen Liu, Jack L. Elsey, Sheng Dong, John D. Fortner, Kurt D. Pennell, Linda M. Abriola, Natalie L. Capiro
Summary: Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) inhibit the biodegradation of chlorinated ethenes, but their impact on microbial communities and in situ bioremediation is dependent on the concentration of PFAAs. Batch reactor and microcosm experiments showed that high concentrations of PFAAs delay complete biodegradation of chlorinated ethenes, while low concentrations do not affect the microbial community containing multiple strains of Dehalococcoides (Dhc) involved in the dechlorination process.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Da-won Lee, Yongtae Ahn, Kalimuthu Pandi, Joonhong Park, Seong-Teak Yun, Min Jang, Jaeyoung Choi
Summary: The study evaluated the denitrification potential in nitrate contaminated bedrock aquifers by injecting different carbon sources, among which acetate was identified as the optimum electron donor for microbial metabolic processes. The injection of acetate activated biological heterotrophic denitrification in the groundwater, leading to a significant nitrate reduction rate and an increase in the ratio of denitrification bacteria.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hyejoo Park, Hyojeon Kim, Ga-Yeong Kim, Mi-Young Lee, Young Kim, Seoktae Kang
Summary: The study showed that using Pseudomonas aeruginosa-encapsulated alginate/gellan gum microbeads for diesel biodegradation was more effective than using suspended bacteria. The microbial activity in PAGMs was well maintained, while suspended bacteria showed decreased activity after direct contact with toxic hydrocarbons.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
M. A. Nunes, R. Aravena, B. L. Parker
Summary: Groundwater in urban environments is crucial for providing freshwater for community needs. This study assessed the impact of urban, industrial, and agriculture activities on groundwater quality, focusing on the management of sedimentary bedrock aquifers.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Sara Gushgari-Doyle, Ronald S. Oremland, Ray Keren, Shaun M. Baesman, Denise M. Akob, Jillian F. Banfield, Lisa Alvarez-Cohen
Summary: The study demonstrates that microbial communities in groundwater can utilize C2H2 for reductive dechlorination of organic chlorinated compounds, expanding our understanding of biotransformation at contaminated sites and identifying a novel anaerobic acetylenotroph in the environment.
Article
Zoology
Wenyu Zou, Pan Wu, Xinyi Wei, Daying Zhou, Yingchun Deng, Yunke Jiang, Bo Luo, Wenqin Liu, Jiaxin Huo, Shichen Peng, Jiang Feng
Summary: Artificial light at night has negative effects on foraging behavior in Asian parti-colored bats, with different spectra of LED lighting affecting the bats' foraging onset, total foraging time, and food consumption differently. The peak wavelength of light is closely related to bats' foraging activity, freezing time, and echolocation vocalizations.
INTEGRATIVE ZOOLOGY
(2023)