Environmental Biotechnology: Theory, Methods and Applications

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2024 | Viewed by 7457

Special Issue Editor

Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
Interests: environmental toxicology; environmental risk assessment; contamination remediation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the past few decades, much progress has been achieved in environmental biotechnology advances. However, more and more environmental contaminants are posing a serious threat to various non-target organisms, for example, bees, birds, fishes, etc. Studies on the environmental fate, toxic effects, and environmental risk of the environmental and agricultural contaminants (e.g., pesticides, heavy metals, pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs), and microplastics) have become increasingly important in recent years. Potential remediation methods and technologies for environmental and agricultural contaminants have also been developed rapidly.

Much progress has been achieved in investigating the environmental toxicology of various contaminants; however, there are still gaps in knowledge to be filled.

This Special Issue welcomes manuscripts from researchers working on the following themes relating to the toxicity and toxicology of environmental pollutants in air, dust, sediment, soil, and water, and natural toxins in the environment:

  • Environmental and agricultural contaminants (e.g., pesticides, heavy metals, pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs), and microplastics);
  • Biotransformation and metabolism of toxigenic compounds, food chains for toxin accumulation, or biodegradation;
  • Assays of toxicity, endocrine disruption, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, and ecosystem impact;
  • Environmental risk assessment, environmental guidelines, and environmental policy for toxicants;
  • Technologies and techniques that can be utilized to effectively remediate environmental contamination and reduce environmental risks.

Dr. Liangang Mao
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • ecotoxicity
  • environment
  • toxicology
  • toxicity
  • non-target organism
  • non-point-source pollutant
  • combined pollution
  • pesticide
  • antibiotic
  • POPs
  • heavy metal
  • microplastic
  • endocrine disruption
  • genotoxicity
  • carcinogenicity
  • immunotoxicity
  • hepatotoxicity
  • soil contamination
  • air pollution
  • water pollution

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 4001 KiB  
Article
System Dynamics Modeling for Effective Strategies in Water Pollution Control: Insights and Applications
by S. Hooman Mousavi, M. R. Kavianpour, Jorge Luis García Alcaraz and Omid A. Yamini
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(15), 9024; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13159024 - 07 Aug 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1524
Abstract
Water pollution is a significant environmental challenge with implications for both the natural world and human well-being. To better understand and manage the complex interactions within water pollution systems, such as waste dumping in the sea, system dynamics modeling has emerged as a [...] Read more.
Water pollution is a significant environmental challenge with implications for both the natural world and human well-being. To better understand and manage the complex interactions within water pollution systems, such as waste dumping in the sea, system dynamics modeling has emerged as a valuable tool. This simulation-based approach employs feedback loops and cause-and-effect relationships to capture the dynamic behavior of such systems over time. By simulating various waste disposal scenarios and assessing their impacts on the environment and human health, system dynamics modeling aids policymakers and waste managers in devising effective strategies for the sustainable management of dumping sites into the sea. In this manuscript, we present a system dynamics approach to model water pollution control. Our study entails the development of a conceptual model that encompasses pollution sources, pollutant transport and fate, and their effects on water quality and human health. By calibrating and validating the model using data from a case study in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, United States, we ensure its accuracy and reliability. The results highlight the model’s versatility in simulating different pollution control scenarios, particularly those involving dredging discharge and powerhouse effluent. Through these simulations, we gain valuable insights into the potential impacts of various pollution control measures on water pollution dynamics. Our research underscores the significance of system dynamics modeling in comprehending intricate water pollution systems, including those associated with waste dumping in the sea. By identifying effective strategies for water pollution control, this approach offers invaluable support in safeguarding marine ecosystems and human communities. In conclusion, system dynamics modeling proves to be a powerful tool for sustainable water pollution management. This research demonstrates its utility in analyzing dumping sites in the sea and provides essential findings to inform effective pollution control strategies. Emphasizing the broader context of water pollution, this study contributes to advancing knowledge and fostering sustainable practices to protect our precious water resources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Biotechnology: Theory, Methods and Applications)
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14 pages, 1616 KiB  
Article
Isolation and Characterization of Brucella spp., Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Plastic Degrading Bacteria in Al-Ahsa Region, Saudi Arabia
by Narjes J. Alamer, Munirah F. Aldayel and Ashraf Khalifa
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(7), 4629; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13074629 - 06 Apr 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2095
Abstract
Plastic pollution is one of the most serious environmental issues, causing severe environmental damage. It is of vital importance to find an efficient and eco-friendly approach to biodegrading plastics. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize different bacterial isolates from [...] Read more.
Plastic pollution is one of the most serious environmental issues, causing severe environmental damage. It is of vital importance to find an efficient and eco-friendly approach to biodegrading plastics. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize different bacterial isolates from water samples in the Al-Ahsa region of Saudi Arabia. The ability to degrade low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic was evaluated using multiple approaches, including changes in the media pH values, weight loss, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The water samples were collected from plastic-contaminated sites in Al-Ahsa, and bacterial isolates were obtained using a mineral nutrient medium (MNM) enriched with LDPE as the only carbon and energy source. Two bacterial isolates (APCK5 and APCZ14) were obtained and they showed potential LDPE degradation, as evidenced by changes in media pH (from 7.0 ± 0.03 to 6.17 ± 0.05 and 6.22 ± 0.03), LDPE weight reduction (8.1 ± 0.63% and 18.85 ± 0.96%, respectively), and FTIR and GC–MS analyses. Based on 16S rRNA gene similarities, APCZ14 and APCK5 were determined to be most closely related to the genus Brucella. APCZ14 exhibited a 99.48% homology with Brucella cytisi, whereas APCK5 showed a 99.33% similarity level to Brucella tritici. In conclusion, both bacterial strains had high efficiency in plastic biodegradation and could be developed for wide use as an eco-friendly method to remove or reduce plastic pollutants from the environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Biotechnology: Theory, Methods and Applications)
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15 pages, 1970 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Methyl Tert-Butyl Ether Removal by Mixed Consortium: Performance and Adaptability
by Tingyu Hua, Shanshan Li, Ling Wang and Wei Yan
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(4), 2144; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13042144 - 07 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1025
Abstract
Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) is widely used as a gasoline additive with toxicity and carcinogenicity, and has caused environmental pollution worldwide. Biodegradation is a promising method for the removal of MTBE from contaminated sites. In this paper, three strains with high adaptability [...] Read more.
Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) is widely used as a gasoline additive with toxicity and carcinogenicity, and has caused environmental pollution worldwide. Biodegradation is a promising method for the removal of MTBE from contaminated sites. In this paper, three strains with high adaptability and different degrading characteristics to MTBE were cultured. The kinetic models were established to systematically simulate the biodegradation of MTBE by various strains at different concentrations. Moreover, the removal of MTBE in a synergistic system containing a mixture of three pure strains was studied. The mixed consortium enhanced MTBE removal at high concentrations (30–50 mg/L), and the degradation efficiency was increased by about 20% compared to pure strains at a concentration of 30 mg/L. Further, the mixed consortium degraded MTBE nearly three times faster than any of the individual, indicating that the co-cultures of three pure cultures improved both efficiency and the rate of MTBE biodegradation. In addition, it was found that the mixed consortium effectively removed MTBE in the presence of other gasoline components, and exhibited stronger adaptability, especially at low or high temperatures. This study supports the cultivation of a mixed consortium to remediate MTBE-contaminated environments, either as a single substrate or in environments containing other gasoline components. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Biotechnology: Theory, Methods and Applications)
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Review

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24 pages, 1684 KiB  
Review
Modified Biochar as a More Promising Amendment Agent for Remediation of Pesticide-Contaminated Soils: Modification Methods, Mechanisms, Applications, and Future Perspectives
by Lixuan Pan, Liangang Mao, Haonan Zhang, Pingping Wang, Chi Wu, Jun Xie, Bochi Yu, Muhammad Umair Sial, Lan Zhang, Yanning Zhang, Lizhen Zhu, Hongyun Jiang, Yongquan Zheng and Xingang Liu
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(22), 11544; https://doi.org/10.3390/app122211544 - 14 Nov 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2270
Abstract
With the acceleration of the process of agricultural modernization, many pesticides (insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides) are applied to the field and finally brought into the soils, causing serious damage to the environment. The problem of pesticide pollution has become increasingly prominent. This has [...] Read more.
With the acceleration of the process of agricultural modernization, many pesticides (insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides) are applied to the field and finally brought into the soils, causing serious damage to the environment. The problem of pesticide pollution has become increasingly prominent. This has highlighted the urgent need for effective and efficient remediation treatment technology for pesticide-contaminated soils. Biochar has a high specific surface area, high porosity, and strong adsorption capacity, making it a soil amendment agent and carbon fixation agent that can improve soil health and enhance adsorption capacity for pesticides to remediate contaminated soils. Recently, efforts have been made to enhance the physicochemical and adsorption properties of biochar by preparing modified biochar, and it has been developed to expand the application of biochar. Specifically, the following aspects were reviewed and discussed: (i) source and modification methods of biochar for pesticide remediation; (ii) the effect of biochar on the environmental fate of remediating pesticides; (iii) the effect of biochar on pesticide-contaminated soils; and (iv) potential problems for the large-scale promotion and application of biochar remediation of pesticides. In conclusion, this review may serve as a reference and guide for pesticide remediation, hence reducing the environmental concerns associated with pesticides in soil. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Biotechnology: Theory, Methods and Applications)
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