Comparative study of the biodegrading activity of
Pseudomonas sp. and Penicillium sp. in soil polluted with the hazardous materials
plumbum and hydrargyrumCristina M. Rivera Quiles
RISE Program
ProblemWhich microbial species under study
(Pseudomonas sp. or Penicillium sp.) will present higher biodegrading potential in soils polluted with plumbum and hydrargyrum?
HypothesisThe bacterial species Pseudomonas sp. will
present higher biodegrading activity of hydrargyrum and plumbum.
Background Hydrargyrum and plumbum are both highly toxic heavy metals.
In the past plumbum was found in many places and up to today it
can still be found in bullets, batteries, building construction.
Mercury was known to be a part of thermometers, float valves,
fluorescent lamps.
Some of the effects of the presence of these heavy metals in soil are:
Agriculturally inefficient soils
Acquirement of lethal diseases by exposure to polluted enviroments.
Bioremediation can be a cost-effective, high
efficiency, and eco-friendly way to remediate
polluted soil.
Biostiumlation and bioaugmentation are ways of
bioremediation.
Pseudomonas are
bacteria known for
their rapid growth,
high accessibility
and degrading
potential.Penicillium is a species of fungi
which is also know for its rapid growth, high accessibility, and it has also been known to degrade toxic substances.
ImportanceThe pertinence of this project is to find a
way to help cleanup soils that is:Cost-effectiveEco-friendlyHighly efficient
Finding a better way to clean up polluted soil and be able to prevent consequences like:
HydrargariaPlumbismLoss of clean soilsDeath and decrease of plants and animals.
MaterialsPlumbum polluted soilHydrargyrum polluted soil10 beakersNutrient fertilizerMicropipettesIncubatorPetri dishesPseudomonas sp. stock (in nutrient agar)Penicillium sp. stock (in PDA)Pseudomonas sp. culture (in nutrient broth)Penicillium sp. culture (in potato detrox broth)Atomic absorption spectrophotometer
MethodologyA source of soil polluted with Hydrargyrum and
another source of soil but polluted with plumbum,
will be located and samples of the soil collected.
Each of the samples will be taken to the laboratory
and an atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) will
be done.
After that, five samples for each contaminant will be
created.
Soil polluted with hydrargyrum
polluted soil polluted soilPolluted soil
(Control)
x2x2 x1
Pseudomonas sp.
Nutrient fertilizer
Penicillium sp.
Nutrient fertilizer
Soil polluted with plumbum
Pseudomonas sp.
polluted soilPolluted soil
(Control)
x2 x2 x1
Nutrient fertilizer
polluted soil
Penicillium sp.
Nutrient fertilizer
MethodologyThe beakers will be incubated at 30°C.
Weekly qualitative and quantitative reports will
be done and analyzed, including color change,
gas presence, pH levels and humidity.
After a period of approximately 3 months (more
or less) the samples will be studied using the
Atomic absorption spectrophotometer.
Data AnalysisThe results of the AAS will be compared to
those in the beginning of the experiment, and to those in the controls.
The simulator with the lowest presence of metals in each ecosystem will determine which microorganism is best for the degradation of each pollutant.
Possible SetbacksFactors that affect the success and rate of
microbial degradation are: nutrient availabilitymoisture contentpH
The quality of the sampling area.
Future StudiesMy projections are to develop a prototype of
heavy metal degrading microorganism culture as inoculums into quadrants on a larger scale in order to obtain the bioremediation.
Also, design a cost effective and sustainable biodegradation method to improve the environmental quality of soils.
And continue to work with other microorganisms and try to increase their potential as an agent of bioremediation.
Refrences Olmsted, D., & Pearson, C. (2013, June 18). Mercury and Autism: Together
Again (Pollution Study) - AGE OF AUTISM. Retrieved from http://www.ageofautism.com/2013/06/mercury-and-autism-together-again-pollution-study.html
Winsor, Van Rossum, Lo, Khaira, Whiteside, Hancock, & Brinkman. (2011). Pseudomonas Genome Database: Improved comparative analysis and population genomics capability for Pseudomonas genomes. Retrieved June 18, 2015, from http://www.pseudomonas.com/
Groundwater Forum. (n.d.). Groundwater. Retrieved from http://www.euwfd.com/html/groundwater.html
Lead Poisoning. (2015, June 11). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Lead_poisoning
Mercury Poisoning. (2015, June 18). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_poisoning
Schroeder, L., Tempesta, E., & Andreacchi, S. (2013, March 14). Ritualistic use of mercury remains a mystery-but health effects aren't. Retrieved from http://newsarchive.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news-219201.html
References Gadd, G., & Griffiths, A. (1978). Microorganisms and heavy metal toxicity.
Retrieved from http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02013274
Gadd, G., & Griffiths, A. (1978). Microorganisms and heavy metal toxicity. Retrieved from http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02013274
Rajendran, P., Muthkrishnan, J., & Gunasekaran, P. (2003, September 1). Microbes in heavy metal remediation. Retrieved from http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/17153/1/IJEB 41(9) 935-944.pdf
Rashad, M. (2007, October 17). Bioremediation of heavy metals in soil. Retrieved from http://www.academia.edu/3424375/Bioremediation_of_heavy_metals_in_soil
Leitão, A. (2009, April 9). Potential of Penicillium Species in the Bioremediation Field. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2681198/#b17-ijerph-06-01393
Donlon, D., & Bauder, J. (n.d.). Bioremediation of Contaminated Soil. Retrieved from http://waterquality.montana.edu/docs/methane/Donlan.shtml
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