Selecting phototrophic species of native biocrusts in arid and semi-arid regions
Journal Title: Environmental Health Engineering and Management Journal - Year 2021, Vol 8, Issue 3
Abstract
Background: Biological soil crusts (BSCs) that are able to produce sticky extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) play an important role in the formation of soil aggregates, thereby, reducing soil erosion. In this study, experiments were undertaken to identify biocrust species that produce EPS, in order to combat desertification in the Sejzi desert of Iran. Methods: A biocrust distribution map of Sejzi plain was prepared using Landsat 8 OLI images, then, various sampling points were selected. Some physicochemical parameters of samples from lichendominated and non-biocrusted areas were measured. The relationship between soil parameters and biocrusts presence was confirmed based on the Pearson’s correlation coefficient and principal component analysis (PCA) method. The type of chemical compounds in the soil content were determined via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), including polysaccharides. To estimate the degradability of polysaccharides, each soil sample was placed under defined UV-B radiation for 24, 48, and 72 hours at three replications. Results: There was no significant correlation between moss and lichen species with the amount of EPS (%) values and various occurring cyanolichen species in three biocrusted soil samples, which included Collema coccophorum, Collema tenax, Peccania terricola, and Placidium squamulosum. It was speculated that these polysaccharides were produced by the photobiotic partners (microalgae or cyanobacteria) and secreted to the soil. Conclusion: According to the results, the cyanobacteria species of biocrusted samples might have high potential to combat desertification and soil stabilization in Sejzi desert.
Authors and Affiliations
Leila Kashi Zenouzi, Seyed Hasan Kaboli, Kazem Khavazi, Mohammad Sohrabi, Mohammad Khosroshahi, Ulf Karsten
Comparing the performance of UV/Acetylacetone and UV/O3 processes for treatment of olive mill wastewater
Background: Olive mill wastewater (OMW) is characterized by its high organic content and refractory compounds. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficiency of UV/O3 and UV/ acetylacetone (UV/AcAc) pro...
Removal of metoprolol from aqueous solutions by the activated carbon prepared from pine cones
Background: Metoprolol (MTP) with its low biodegradability is one of the most dominant micropollutant in the effluent of wastewater treatment plants. The aim of this study was to investigate the removal of metoprolol f...
Effects of operational parameters on methyl tert-butyl ether removal by permeable reactive barrier from polluted waters
Background: Recalcitrant organics remediation from water resources continues to be a significant environmental problem and there is a continued effort to demonstrate practicable and economical treatment options for pol...
Antibiotic resistance, virulence factors, and phylogenetic groups of Escherichia coli isolated from hospital wastewater: A case study in the west of Iran
Background: The appropriate management of hospital wastewater is an essential process to prevent the spread of pathogenic strains of bacteria including Escherichia coli in this study, the antibiotic resistance, virulen...
Investigation of heavy metals concentration in soil around a PbZn mine and ecological risk assessment
Background: Soil pollution with heavy metals seriously threatens soil quality, food safety, and human health. This study was conducted to determine the soil pollution level and ecological risk assessment of different hea...