Displaying publications 461 - 480 of 1099 in total

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  1. Environmental impact and human health effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and remedial strategies: A detailed review
    Venkatraman G, Giribabu N, Mohan PS, Muttiah B, Govindarajan VK, Alagiri M, et al.
    Chemosphere, 2024 Mar;351:141227.
    PMID: 38253087 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141227
    Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) profoundly impact public and environmental health. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of their intricate functions, exposure pathways, and potential health implications is imperative to implement remedial strategies and legislation effectively. This review seeks to explore PAH mobility, direct exposure pathways, and cutting-edge bioremediation technologies essential for combating the pervasive contamination of environments by PAHs, thereby expanding our foundational knowledge. PAHs, characterised by their toxicity and possession of two or more aromatic rings, exhibit diverse configurations. Their lipophilicity and remarkable persistence contribute to their widespread prevalence as hazardous environmental contaminants and byproducts. Primary sources of PAHs include contaminated food, water, and soil, which enter the human body through inhalation, ingestion, and dermal exposure. While short-term consequences encompass eye irritation, nausea, and vomiting, long-term exposure poses risks of kidney and liver damage, difficulty breathing, and asthma-like symptoms. Notably, cities with elevated PAH levels may witness exacerbation of bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Bioremediation techniques utilising microorganisms emerge as a promising avenue to mitigate PAH-related health risks by facilitating the breakdown of these compounds in polluted environments. Furthermore, this review delves into the global concern of antimicrobial resistance associated with PAHs, highlighting its implications. The environmental effects and applications of genetically altered microbes in addressing this challenge warrant further exploration, emphasising the dynamic nature of ongoing research in this field.
    Matched MeSH terms: Soil
  2. Fulltext Draft Genome Sequences of Two Antimicrobial-Producing Burkholderia sp. Strains, MSh1 and MSh2, Isolated from Malaysian Tropical Peat Swamp Forest Soil
    Ong KS, Aw YK, Gan HM, Yule CM, Lee SM
    Genome Announc, 2014;2(5).
    PMID: 25301661 DOI: 10.1128/genomeA.01032-14
    We report the draft genome sequences of two antimicrobial-producing isolates, Burkholderia sp. strains MSh1 and MSh2, which were isolated from tropical peat swamp forest soil. Putative genes related to different antimicrobial production have been annotated in both genome sequences.
    Matched MeSH terms: Soil
  3. Fulltext Draft Genome Sequence of Paenibacillus sp. Strain MSt1 with Broad Antimicrobial Activity, Isolated from Malaysian Tropical Peat Swamp Soil
    Aw YK, Ong KS, Yule CM, Gan HM, Lee SM
    Genome Announc, 2014;2(5).
    PMID: 25301658 DOI: 10.1128/genomeA.01024-14
    We report the draft genome sequence of Paenibacillus sp. strain MSt1, which has broad-range antimicrobial activity, isolated from tropical peat swamp soil. Genes involved in antimicrobial biosynthesis are found to be present in this genome.
    Matched MeSH terms: Soil
  4. Fulltext Biochemical and molecular characterization of potential phosphate-solubilizing bacteria in acid sulfate soils and their beneficial effects on rice growth
    Panhwar QA, Naher UA, Shamshuddin J, Jusop S, Othman R, Latif MA, et al.
    PLoS One, 2014;9(10):e97241.
    PMID: 25285745 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0097241
    A study was conducted to determine the total microbial population, the occurrence of growth promoting bacteria and their beneficial traits in acid sulfate soils. The mechanisms by which the bacteria enhance rice seedlings grown under high Al and low pH stress were investigated. Soils and rice root samples were randomly collected from four sites in the study area (Kelantan, Malaysia). The topsoil pH and exchangeable Al ranged from 3.3 to 4.7 and 1.24 to 4.25 cmol(c) kg(-1), respectively, which are considered unsuitable for rice production. Total bacterial and actinomycetes population in the acidic soils were found to be higher than fungal populations. A total of 21 phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) including 19 N2-fixing strains were isolated from the acid sulfate soil. Using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, three potential PSB strains based on their beneficial characteristics were identified (Burkholderia thailandensis, Sphingomonas pituitosa and Burkholderia seminalis). The isolated strains were capable of producing indoleacetic acid (IAA) and organic acids that were able to reduce Al availability via a chelation process. These PSB isolates solubilized P (43.65%) existing in the growth media within 72 hours of incubation. Seedling of rice variety, MR 219, grown at pH 4, and with different concentrations of Al (0, 50 and 100 µM) was inoculated with these PSB strains. Results showed that the bacteria increased the pH with a concomitant reduction in Al concentration, which translated into better rice growth. The improved root volume and seedling dry weight of the inoculated plants indicated the potential of these isolates to be used in a bio-fertilizer formulation for rice cultivation on acid sulfate soils.
    Matched MeSH terms: Soil/chemistry*; Soil Microbiology*
  5. Fulltext Draft Genome Sequence of Jeotgalibacillus soli DSM 23228, a Bacterium Isolated from Alkaline Sandy Soil
    Goh KM, Chan KG, Yaakop AS, Chan CS, Ee R, Tan WS, et al.
    Genome Announc, 2015;3(3).
    PMID: 25999554 DOI: 10.1128/genomeA.00512-15
    Jeotgalibacillus soli, a bacterium capable of degrading N-acyl homoserine lactone, was isolated from a soil sample in Portugal. J. soli constitutes the only Jeotgalibacillus species isolated from a non-marine source. Here, the draft genome, several interesting glycosyl hydrolases, and its putative N-acyl homoserine lactonases are presented.
    Matched MeSH terms: Soil
  6. Radionuclide emissions from a coal-fired power plant
    Amin YM, Khandaker MU, Shyen AK, Mahat RH, Nor RM, Bradley DA
    Appl Radiat Isot, 2013 Oct;80:109-16.
    PMID: 23891979 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2013.06.014
    Current study concerns measurement of radioactivity levels in areas surrounding a 2420 MW thermal power plant fueled predominantly by bituminous coal. The concentrations of (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K in onsite bottom-ash were found to be 139 Bq/kg, 108 Bq/kg and 291 Bq/kg, respectively, the levels for these radiolnuclides in soil decreasing with distance from the power plant. At the plant perimeter the respective radionuclide concentrations were 87 Bq/kg, 74 Bq/kg and 297 Bq/kg. In a nearby town, the corresponding concentrations were 104 Bq/kg, 52 Bq/kg and 358 Bq/kg, suggestive of use of TENORM affected soils. The mean radium equivalent activities (Raeq) in soil and ash sample in the town were 205 Bq/kg and 316 Bq/kg, respectively. The Kapar plant ash/slag appears to contain a higher level of TENORM than the world average. The degree of contamination is much higher inside the town where slag has been mixed with topsoil as landfill or as simple domestic waste. For the prevailing levels of exposure and a worst case senario, the predicted committed effective dose due to ingestion and inhalation for intake durations of 1- and 30 years would be 4.2 μSv and 220 μSv, respectively.
    Matched MeSH terms: Soil
  7. Fulltext Post mortem changes in relation to different types of clothing
    Teo CH, Pawita AH, Khairul O, Atiah Ayunni AG, Noor Hazfalinda H
    Malays J Pathol, 2013 Jun;35(1):77-85.
    PMID: 23817398 MyJurnal
    Post mortem changes are important in estimating post mortem interval (PMI). This project's aim was to study the effect of burial and type of clothing on rate of decomposition, which can contribute to estimating PMI for victims. 12 rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) carcasses were separated into 3 groups: no clothing, light clothing and heavy clothing. Control subjects were placed on the ground surface while test subjects were buried at 30 cm depth graves. Soil samples prior and after decomposition were collected for soil pH and moisture analysis. Post mortem change was assessed using a Total Body Score system. The head, neck and limb regions were found to decay faster than the body trunk region. Mummifi cation occurred on body parts that were exposed directly to the atmosphere while adipocere formed on some buried subjects. Burial delayed decomposition due to lower insect activity and lower soil temperature. The soil layer also blocked the accessibility of majority of the arthropods, causing further delay in decomposition. Clothing enhanced decay for bodies on ground surface because it provided protection for maggots and retained moisture on tissues. However, clothing delayed decomposition in buried bodies because it physically separated the bodies from soil and arthropods. Higher sun exposure and repetitive exhumation showed acceleration of decomposition. The decomposition process increased soil pH and moisture percentage values. Soil pH initially increased until pH 8.0-8.4 followed by a slight decrease while soil moisture percentage changed inconsistently. Burial was significant in affecting post mortem change, F(1,11)=12.991, p<0.05 while type of clothing was not significant, F(2,9)=0.022, p=0.978 and combination of both type of clothing and burial factors were also not significant, F(2,3)=0.429, p=0.686. For validation, an accuracy of 83.33% was achieved based on soil pH and soil moisture percentage analysis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Soil
  8. Fulltext Molecular Characterization of Leptospira spp. in Environmental Samples from North-Eastern Malaysia Revealed a Pathogenic Strain, Leptospira alstonii
    Azali MA, Yean Yean C, Harun A, Aminuddin Baki NN, Ismail N
    J Trop Med, 2016;2016:2060241.
    PMID: 27127522 DOI: 10.1155/2016/2060241
    The presence of pathogenic Leptospira spp. in the environment poses threats to human health. The aim of this study was to detect and characterize Leptospira spp. from environmental samples. A total of 144 samples comprised of 72 soil and 72 water samples were collected from markets and recreational areas in a north-eastern state in Malaysia. Samples were cultured on Ellinghausen and McCullough modified by Johnson and Harris media. Leptospires were positive in 22.9% (n = 33) of the isolates. Based on partial sequences of 16S rRNA, a pathogenic leptospire, Leptospira alstonii (n = 1/33), was identified in 3% of the isolates followed by intermediate leptospire (L. wolffii, n = 1/33, and L. licerasiae, n = 7/33) and nonpathogenic leptospire, L. meyeri (n = 22/33) in 24.2% and 66.7%, respectively. This study demonstrates the presence of a clinically significant pathogenic L. alstonii in the environments which could pose health risks to the occupants and visitors.
    Matched MeSH terms: Soil
  9. Evaluation of radionuclides transfer from soil-to-edible flora and estimation of radiological dose to the Malaysian populace
    Khandaker MU, Mohd Nasir NL, Asaduzzaman K, Olatunji MA, Amin YM, Kassim HA, et al.
    Chemosphere, 2016 Jul;154:528-536.
    PMID: 27085312 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.03.121
    Malaysia, a rapidly growing industrial country, is susceptible to pollution via large-scale industrial engagements and associated human activities. One particular concern is the potential impact upon the quality of locally resourced vegetables, foodstuffs that contain important nutrients necessary for good health, forming an essential part of the Malaysian diet. As a part of this, it is of importance for there to be accurate knowledge of radioactive material uptake in these vegetables, not least in respect of any public health detriment. Herein, using HPGe γ-ray spectrometry, quantification has been performed of naturally occurring radionuclides in common edible vegetables and their associated soils. From samples analyses, the soil activity concentration ranges (in units of Bq/kg) for (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K were respectively 1.33-30.90, 0.48-26.80, 7.99-136.5 while in vegetable samples the ranges were 0.64-3.80, 0.21-6.91, 85.53-463.8. Using the corresponding activities, the transfer factors (TFs) from soil-to-vegetables were estimated, the transfers being greatest for (40)K, an expected outcome given the essentiality of this element in support of vigorous growth. The TFs of (226)Ra and (232)Th were found to be in accord with available literature data, the values indicating the mobility of these radionuclides to be low in the studied soils. Committed effective dose and the associated life-time cancer risk was estimated, being found to be below the permissible limit proposed by UNSCEAR. Results for the studied media show that the prevalent activities and mobilities pose no significant threat to human health, the edible vegetables being safe for consumption.
    Matched MeSH terms: Soil/chemistry*; Soil Pollutants, Radioactive/analysis*
  10. Classification of thermophilic actinobacteria isolated from arid desert soils, including the description of Amycolatopsis deserti sp. nov
    Busarakam K, Brown R, Bull AT, Tan GY, Zucchi TD, da Silva LJ, et al.
    Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 2016 Feb;109(2):319-34.
    PMID: 26809280 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-015-0635-8
    The taxonomic position of 26 filamentous actinobacteria isolated from a hyper-arid Atacama Desert soil and 2 from an arid Australian composite soil was established using a polyphasic approach. All of the isolates gave the diagnostic amplification product using 16S rRNA oligonucleotide primers specific for the genus Amycolatopsis. Representative isolates had chemotaxonomic and morphological properties typical of members of the genus Amycolatopsis. 16S rRNA gene analyses showed that all of the isolates belong to the Amycolatopsis methanolica 16S rRNA gene clade. The Atacama Desert isolates were assigned to one or other of two recognised species, namely Amycolatopsis ruanii and Amycolatopsis thermalba, based on 16S rRNA gene sequence, DNA:DNA relatedness and phenotypic data; emended descriptions are given for these species. In contrast, the two strains from the arid Australian composite soil, isolates GY024(T) and GY142, formed a distinct branch at the periphery of the A. methanolica 16S rRNA phyletic line, a taxon that was supported by all of the tree-making algorithms and by a 100 % bootstrap value. These strains shared a high degree of DNA:DNA relatedness and have many phenotypic properties in common, some of which distinguished them from all of the constituent species classified in the A. methanolica 16S rRNA clade. Isolates GY024(T) and GY142 merit recognition as a new species within the A. methanolica group of thermophilic strains. The name proposed for the new species is Amycolatopsis deserti sp. nov.; the type strain is GY024(T) (=NCIMB 14972(T) = NRRL B-65266(T)).
    Matched MeSH terms: Soil/chemistry; Soil Microbiology*
  11. Fulltext Adsorption of DDT and PCB by Nanomaterials from Residual Soil
    Taha MR, Mobasser S
    PLoS One, 2015;10(12):e0144071.
    PMID: 26659225 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144071
    This paper presents the findings of a study on adsorption of dichlorodiphenythreechloroethen (DDT) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on three nanomaterials including Multi walled Carbon Nanotube (MWNT), nano-clay and nano-alumina. DDT and PCBs are of significant concern due their high toxicity and long environmental half-lives. Experiments were conducted using batch adsorption procedures at different DDT and PCBs concentrations, from 10 to 60 mg/L. The amounts of MWNT, nano-clay and Nano-alumina used were 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, 1%, 2% and 10%. The adsorption of PCBs solution onto the MWNT, nano-clay and nano-alumina was characterized by an initial rapid adsorption which eventually became constant within 22, 20, and 17 hours, respectively. The adsorption of DDT solution onto the MWNT, nano-clay and nano-alumina was also characterized by an initial rapid adsorption which gradually became constant within 22, 22 and 16 hours, respectively. Results of this study indicated that MWNT was a better adsorbent material compared to nano-clay and nano-alumina for both contaminants in this study. While at 10% of MWNT 88.9% and 77% of DDT and PCB were removed by MWNT, respectively. The effect of pH and temperature were also investigated.
    Matched MeSH terms: Soil/chemistry*; Soil Pollutants/isolation & purification*
  12. Long-term impact of biochar on the immobilisation of nickel (II) and zinc (II) and the revegetation of a contaminated site
    Shen Z, Som AM, Wang F, Jin F, McMillan O, Al-Tabbaa A
    Sci Total Environ, 2016 Jan 15;542(Pt A):771-6.
    PMID: 26551277 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.10.057
    A field remediation treatment was carried out to examine the long-term effect of biochar on the immobilisation of metals and the revegetation of a contaminated site in Castleford, UK. The extracted concentrations of nickel (Ni) (II) and zinc (Zn) (II) in the carbonic acid leaching tests were reduced by 83-98% over three years. The extracted Ni (II) and Zn (II) concentrations three years after the treatment were comparable to a cement-based treatment study carried out in a parallel manner on the same site. The sequential extraction results indicated that biochar addition (0.5-2%) increased the residue fractions of Ni (II) (from 51% to 61-66%) and Zn (II) (from 7% to 27-35%) in the soils through competitive sorption, which may have resulted in the reduction of leachabilities of Ni (II) (from 0.35% to 0.12-0.15%) and Zn (II) (from 0.12% to 0.01%) in the plots with biochar compared with that without biochar three years after the treatment. The germination of grass in the plots on site failed. Further laboratory pot study suggested that larger amounts of biochar (5% or more) and compost (5% or more) were needed for the success of revegetation on this site. This study suggests the effectiveness and potential of biochar application in immobilising heavy metals in contaminated site in the long term.
    Matched MeSH terms: Soil
  13. A strategy for bioremediation of nuclear contaminants in the environment
    Li Z, He Y, Sonne C, Lam SS, Kirkham MB, Bolan N, et al.
    Environ Pollut, 2023 Feb 15;319:120964.
    PMID: 36584860 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120964
    Radionuclides released from nuclear contamination harm the environment and human health. Nuclear pollution spread over large areas and the costs associated with decontamination is high. Traditional remediation methods include both chemical and physical, however, these are expensive and unsuitable for large-scale restoration. Bioremediation is the use of plants or microorganisms to remove pollutants from the environment having a lower cost and can be upscaled to eliminate contamination from soil, water and air. It is a cheap, efficient, ecologically, and friendly restoration technology. Here we review the sources of radionuclides, bioremediation methods, mechanisms of plant resistance to radionuclides and the effects on the efficiency of biological adsorption. Uptake of radionuclides by plants can be facilitated by the addition of appropriate chemical accelerators and agronomic management, such as citric acid and intercropping. Future research should accelerate the use of genetic engineering and breeding techniques to screen high-enrichment plants. In addition, field experiments should be carried out to ensure that this technology can be applied to the remediation of nuclear contaminated sites as soon as possible.
    Matched MeSH terms: Soil
  14. Land suitability analysis for turmeric crop for humid tropical Kerala, India, under current and future climate scenarios using advanced geospatial techniques
    Banu M, Krishnamurthy KS, Srinivasan V, Kandiannan K, Surendran U
    J Sci Food Agric, 2024 May;104(7):4176-4188.
    PMID: 38385763 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.13299
    BACKGROUND: Turmeric cultivation primarily thrives in India, followed by Bangladesh, Cambodia, Thailand, China, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. India leads globally in both area and production of turmeric. Despite this, there is a recognized gap in research regarding the impact of climate change on site suitability of turmeric. The primary objective of the present study was to evaluate both the present and future suitability of turmeric cultivation within the humid tropical region of Kerala, India, by employing advanced geospatial techniques. The research utilized meteorological data from the Indian Meteorological Department for the period of 1986-2020 as historical data and projected future data from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6). Four climatic scenarios of shared socioeconomic pathway (SSP) from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change AR6 model of MIROC6 for the year 2050 (SSP 1-2.6, SSP 2-4.5, SSP 3-7.0 and SSP 5-8.5) were used.

    RESULTS: The results showed that suitable area for turmeric cultivation is declining in future scenario and this decline can be primarily attributed to fluctuations in temperature and an anticipated increase in rainfall in the year 2050. Notable changes in the spatial distribution of suitable areas over time were observed through the application of geographic information system (GIS) techniques. Importantly, as per the suitability criteria provided by ICAR-National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning (ICAR-NBSS & LUP), all the districts in Kerala exhibited moderately suitable conditions for turmeric cultivation. With the GIS tools, the study identified highly suitable, moderately suitable, marginally suitable and not suitable areas of turmeric cultivation in Kerala. Presently 28% of area falls under highly suitable, 41% of area falls under moderately suitable and 11% falls under not suitable for turmeric cultivation. However, considering the projected scenarios for 2050 under the SSP framework, there will be a significant decrease in highly suitable area by 19% under SSP 5-8.5. This reduction in area will have an impact on the productivity of the crop as a result of changes in temperature and rainfall patterns.

    CONCLUSION: The outcome of the present research suggests that the state of Kerala needs to implement suitable climate change adaptation and management strategies for sustaining the turmeric cultivation. Additionally, the present study includes a discussion on potential management strategies to address the challenges posed by changing climatic conditions for optimizing turmeric production in the region. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

    Matched MeSH terms: Soil
  15. Integrated nutrient recycling: Ammonia recovery from thermophilic composting of shrimp aquaculture sludge via self-heated bench-scale reactor and mango plant growth enhancement by the compost
    Tie HO, Che Man H, Koyama M, Syukri F, Md Yusoff F, Toda T, et al.
    Waste Manag, 2024 May 15;180:55-66.
    PMID: 38520898 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2024.03.021
    Due to the rapid growth of the aquaculture industry, large amounts of organic waste are released into nature and polluted the environment. Traditional organic waste treatment such as composting is a time-consuming process that retains the ammonia (NH3) in the compost, and the compost produced has little economic value as organic fertilizer. Illegal direct discharge into the environment is therefore widespread. This study investigates the recovery of NH3 through thermophilic composting of shrimp aquaculture sludge (SAS) and its application as a soil conditioner for the growth of mango plants. A maximum composting temperature of 57.10 °C was achieved through self-heating in a 200 L bench-scale reactor, resulting in NH3 recovery of 224.04 mol/ton-ds after 14 days. The addition of calcium hydroxide and increased aeration have been shown to increase NH3 volatilization. The recovered NH3 up to 3 kg-N can be used as a source of clean nitrogen for high-value microalgae cultivation, with a theoretical yield of up to 34.85 kg-algae of microalgae biomass from 1 ton-ds of SAS composting. Despite the high salinity, SAS compost improved mango plant growth and disease resistance. These results highlight the potential of SAS compost as a sustainable source of clean nitrogen for microalgae cultivation and soil conditioner, contributing to a waste-free circular economy through nutrient recycling and sustainable agriculture.
    Matched MeSH terms: Soil
  16. Fulltext Temporal dynamics of soil microbial C and N cycles with GHG fluxes in the transition from tropical peatland forest to oil palm plantation
    Midot F, Goh KM, Liew KJ, Lau SYL, Espenberg M, Mander Ü, et al.
    Appl Environ Microbiol, 2025 Jan 31;91(1):e0198624.
    PMID: 39714193 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01986-24
    Tropical peatlands significantly influence local and global carbon and nitrogen cycles, yet they face growing pressure from anthropogenic activities. Land use changes, such as peatland forests conversion to oil palm plantations, affect the soil microbiome and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, the temporal dynamics of microbial community changes and their role as GHG indicators are not well understood. This study examines the dynamics of peat chemistry, soil microbial communities, and GHG emissions from 2016 to 2020 in a logged-over secondary peat swamp forest in Sarawak, Malaysia, which transitioned to an oil palm plantation. This study focuses on changes in genetic composition governing plant litter degradation, methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes. Soil CO2 emission increased (doubling from approximately 200 mg C m-2 h-1), while CH4 emissions decreased (from 200 µg C m-2 h-1 to slightly negative) following land use changes. The N2O emissions in the oil palm plantation reached approximately 1,510 µg N m-2 h-1, significantly higher than previous land uses. The CH4 fluxes were driven by groundwater table, humification levels, and C:N ratio, with Methanomicrobia populations dominating methanogenesis and Methylocystis as the main CH4 oxidizer. The N2O fluxes correlated with groundwater table, total nitrogen, and C:N ratio with dominant nirK-type denitrifiers (13-fold nir to nosZ) and a minor role by nitrification (a threefold increase in amoA) in the plantation. Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria encoding incomplete denitrification genes potentially impact N2O emissions. These findings highlighted complex interactions between microbial communities and environmental factors influencing GHG fluxes in altered tropical peatland ecosystems.IMPORTANCETropical peatlands are carbon-rich environments that release significant amounts of greenhouse gases when drained or disturbed. This study assesses the impact of land use change on a secondary tropical peat swamp forest site converted into an oil palm plantation. The transformation lowered groundwater levels and changed soil properties. Consequently, the oil palm plantation site released higher carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide compared to previous land uses. As microbial communities play crucial roles in carbon and nitrogen cycles, this study identified environmental factors associated with microbial diversity, including genes and specific microbial groups related to nitrous oxide and methane emissions. Understanding the factors driving microbial composition shifts and greenhouse gas emissions in tropical peatlands provides baseline information to potentially mitigate environmental consequences of land use change, leading to a broader impact on climate change mitigation efforts and proper land management practices.
    Matched MeSH terms: Soil/chemistry; Soil Microbiology*
  17. Biodiversity and Functional Attributes of Rhizospheric Microbiomes: Potential Tools for Sustainable Agriculture
    Kour D, Kour H, Khan SS, Khan RT, Bhardwaj M, Kailoo S, et al.
    Curr Microbiol, 2023 Apr 26;80(6):192.
    PMID: 37101055 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-023-03300-5
    The quest for increasing agricultural yield due to increasing population pressure and demands for healthy food has inevitably led to the indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers. On the contrary, the exposure of the crops to abiotic stress and biotic stress interferes with crop growth further hindering the productivity. Sustainable agricultural practices are of major importance to enhance production and feed the rising population. The use of plant growth promoting (PGP) rhizospheric microbes is emerging as an efficient approach to ameliorate global dependence on chemicals, improve stress tolerance of plants, boost up growth and ensure food security. Rhizosphere associated microbiomes promote the growth by enhancing the uptake of the nutrients, producing plant growth regulators, iron chelating complexes, shaping the root system under stress conditions and decreasing the levels of inhibitory ethylene concentrations and protecting plants from oxidative stress. Plant growth-promoting rhizospheric microbes belong to diverse range of genera including Acinetobacter, Achromobacter, Aspergillus, Bacillus, Burkholderia, Flavobacterium, Klebsiella, Micrococcus, Penicillium, Pseudomonas, Serratia and Trichoderma. Plant growth promoting microbes are an interesting aspect of research for scientific community and a number of formulations of beneficial microbes are also commercially available. Thus, recent progress in our understanding on rhizospheric microbiomes along with their major roles and mechanisms of action under natural and stressful conditions should facilitate their application as a reliable component in the management of sustainable agricultural system. This review highlights the diversity of plant growth promoting rhizospheric microbes, their mechanisms of plant growth promotion, their role under biotic and abiotic stress and status of biofertilizers. The article further focuses on the role of omics approaches in plant growth promoting rhizospheric microbes and draft genome of PGP microbes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Soil Microbiology
  18. How plants respond to heavy metal contamination: a narrative review of proteomic studies and phytoremediation applications
    Al-Obaidi JR, Jamaludin AA, Rahman NA, Ahmad-Kamil EI
    Planta, 2024 Mar 29;259(5):103.
    PMID: 38551683 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-024-04378-2
    Heavy metal pollution caused by human activities is a serious threat to the environment and human health. Plants have evolved sophisticated defence systems to deal with heavy metal stress, with proteins and enzymes serving as critical intercepting agents for heavy metal toxicity reduction. Proteomics continues to be effective in identifying markers associated with stress response and metabolic processes. This review explores the complex interactions between heavy metal pollution and plant physiology, with an emphasis on proteomic and biotechnological perspectives. Over the last century, accelerated industrialization, agriculture activities, energy production, and urbanization have established a constant need for natural resources, resulting in environmental degradation. The widespread buildup of heavy metals in ecosystems as a result of human activity is especially concerning. Although some heavy metals are required by organisms in trace amounts, high concentrations pose serious risks to the ecosystem and human health. As immobile organisms, plants are directly exposed to heavy metal contamination, prompting the development of robust defence mechanisms. Proteomics has been used to understand how plants react to heavy metal stress. The development of proteomic techniques offers promising opportunities to improve plant tolerance to toxicity from heavy metals. Additionally, there is substantial scope for phytoremediation, a sustainable method that uses plants to extract, sequester, or eliminate contaminants in the context of changes in protein expression and total protein behaviour. Changes in proteins and enzymatic activities have been highlighted to illuminate the complex effects of heavy metal pollution on plant metabolism, and how proteomic research has revealed the plant's ability to mitigate heavy metal toxicity by intercepting vital nutrients, organic substances, and/or microorganisms.
    Matched MeSH terms: Soil
  19. Evaluation of factors causing lateral migration of light non-aqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs) in onshore oil spill accidents
    Waqar A
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2024 Feb;31(7):10853-10873.
    PMID: 38214856 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-31844-x
    Contamination of groundwater by harmful substances poses significant risks to both drinking water sources and aquatic ecosystems, making it a critical environmental concern. Most on-land spill events release organic molecules known as light non-aqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs), which then seep into the ground. Due to their low density and organic composition, they tend to float as they reach the water table. LNAPLs encompass a wide range of non-aqueous phase liquids, including various petroleum products, and can, over time, develop carcinogenic chemicals in water. However, due to frequent changes in hydraulic head, the confinement may fail to contain them, causing them to extend outward. When it contaminates water wells, people cannot reliably consume the water. The removal of dangerous contaminants from groundwater aquifers is made more challenging by LNAPLs. It is imperative to analyze the mechanisms governing LNAPL migration. As a response to this need and the associated dispersion of contaminants into adjacent aquifers, we have conducted a comprehensive qualitative literature review encompassing the years 2000-2022. Groundwater variability, soil structure, and precipitation have been identified as the three primary influential factors, ranked in the following order of significance. The rate of migration is shown to rise dramatically in response to changes in groundwater levels. Different saturation zones and confinement have a major effect on the lateral migration velocity. When the various saturation zones reach a balance, LNAPLs will stop moving. Although higher confinement slows the rate of lateral migration, it speeds up vertical migration. Beyond this, the lateral or vertical movement is also influenced by differences in the permeability of soil strata. Reduced mobility and tighter containment are the outcomes of migrating through fine-grained, low-porosity sand. The gaseous and liquid phases of LNAPLs move more quickly through coarse-grained soils. Due to the complexities and uncertainties associated with LNAPL behavior, accurately foreseeing the future spread of LNAPLs can be challenging. Although studies have utilized modeling techniques to simulate and predict LNAPL migration, the inherent complexities and uncertainties in the subsurface environment make it difficult to precisely predict the extent of LNAPL spread in the future. The granular soil structure considerably affects the porosity and pore pressure.
    Matched MeSH terms: Soil
  20. An integrated investigation of hydrocarbon pollution in Ahoada area, Niger Delta Region, Nigeria
    Umar HA, Khanan MFA, Shiru MS, Ahmad A, Rahman MZA, Din AHM
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2023 Nov;30(55):116848-116859.
    PMID: 36633746 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-25144-z
    This study investigates hydrocarbon pollution in the Ahoada community of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The study uses a geographic information system (GIS) for mapping oil spill hotspots in the region. The resistivity method was used to delineate the extent of hydrocarbon pollution to a depth of 19.7 m in the Ahoada area of the region. Three categories of soil samples, impacted soil (IMS), remediated soil (RS), and control soil (CS), were collected and analyzed for the presence of BTEX, PAH, TPH, TOC, and TOG. The concentrations of the samples from the IMS and RS were compared to that of the CS to determine the extent of pollution. The GIS mapping shows that the most polluted areas in the Niger Delta Region are Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta states. Results of the geophysical images revealed contaminants' presence to depths beyond 20 m at some locations in the study area. The highest depth of contaminant travel was at Ukperede. Soil samples' analysis showed that the range of concentrations of TPH in IMS at Oshie was 17.27-58.36 mg/kg; RS was 11.73-50.78 mg/kg which were higher than the concentrations of 0.68 mg/kg in the CS. PAHs are more prevalent in Ukperede, ranging from 54.56 to 77.54 mg/kg. BTEX concentrations ranged from 0.02 to 0.38 mg/kg for IMP and 0.01-2.7 mg/kg for RS against a CS value of 0.01 mg/kg. The study revealed that there are characteristically high resistivity values in the samples which were corroborated by the findings from the resistivity survey. TOC was found to be higher in the IMS and RS than in the CS, demonstrating that a significant quantity of the hydrocarbon has undergone appreciable decomposition.
    Matched MeSH terms: Soil
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