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