Long-term and excessive application of chlorimuron-ethyl has led to a series of environmental problems. Strain Hansschlegelia sp. CHL1, a highly efficient chlorimuron-ethyl degrading bacterium isolated in our previous study, was employed in the current soil bioremediation study. The residues of chlorimuron-ethyl in soils were detected, and the changes of soil microbial communities were investig...

In the present study the potential of the earthworm Eisenia fetida to process large amounts of waste was evaluated through continuous feeding reactors in which new layers of rabbit manure were added sequentially to form an age gradient inside the reactors. An optimal moisture level, ranging from 66% to 76%, was maintained throughout the process using an automatic watering system. The pH was clo...

The paper “Anaerobic oxidation of methane in grassland soils used for cattle husbandry” reports interesting laboratory data showing methane oxidation in an agricultural soil under anaerobic conditions. Moreover, by using 13CH4 the authors are able to trace the carbon into PLFA and make some interpretation on methanotrophic sources. In concert with geochemical data and calculations, it appears p...

Triclosan (TCS) is a widely used antimicrobial agent found at high concentrations in biosolids produced during municipal wastewater treatment. The effect of adding TCS, in the presence or absence of biosolids, on the composition of an agricultural soil microbial community was measured using phospholipid fatty acid analysis (PLFA). Most changes observed in microbial community composition were at...

The paper “Anaerobic oxidation of methane in grassland soils used for cattle husbandry” reports interesting laboratory data showing methane oxidation in an agricultural soil under anaerobic conditions. Moreover, by using 13CH4 the authors are able to trace the carbon into PLFA and make some interpretation on methanotrophic sources. In concert with geochemical data and calculations, it appears p...

Signature lipid biomarker (SLB) analysis is a useful tool for identifying microorganisms and characterizing microbial communities in natural systems. Specific fatty acids, especially phospholipids (PLFA), are essential membrane components, make up a relatively constant proportion of the microorganisms under natural conditions and their patterns provide insight into the bacterial and fungal comm...

Phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) are key components of microbial cell membranes. The analysis of PLFAs extracted from soils can provide information about the overall structure of terrestrial microbial communities. PLFA profiling has been extensively used in a range of ecosystems as a biological index of overall soil quality, and as a quantitative indicator of soil response to land management an...

A bench-scale study was conducted to investigate 2,4-D biodegradation rates at different concentrations (10, 100 and 1000 microg per gram of dry weight) in distinct sediments samples collected on the River Ythan, Northeast-Scotland. Mineralisation of 14C 2,4-D occurred mostly within 30 days for all tested concentrations with a degradation rate ranging from 5 to 750 microg d(-1). Biodegradation ...