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The Khor Al-Adaid sabkha in Qatar is among the rare extreme environments on Earth where it is possible to study the formation of dolomite—a carbonate mineral whose origin remains unclear and has been hypothetically linked to microbial activity. By combining geochemical measurements with microbiological analysis, we have investigated the microbial mats colonizing the intertidal areas of sabhka. The main aim of this study was to identify communities and conditions that are favorable for dolomite formation. We inspected and sampled two locations. The first site was colonized by microbial mats that graded vertically from photo-oxic to anoxic conditions and were dominated by cyanobacteria. The second site, with higher salinity, had mats with an uppermost photo-oxic layer dominated by filamentous anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria (FAPB), which potentially act as a protective layer against salinity for cyanobacterial species within the deeper layers. Porewater in the uppermost layers of the both investigated microbial mats was supersaturated with respect to dolomite. Corresponding to the variation of the microbial community's vertical structure, a difference in crystallinity and morphology of dolomitic phases was observed: dumbbell-shaped proto-dolomite in the mats dominated by cyanobacteria and rhombohedral ordered-dolomite in the mat dominated by FAPB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weathering processes change properties and composition of spilled oil, representing the main reason of failure of bioaugmentation strategies. Our purpose was to investigate the metabolic adaptation of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria at harsh conditions to be considered to overcome the limitations of bioaugmentation strategies at harsh conditions. Polluted soils, exposed for prolonged periods to weathered oil in harsh soils and weather conditions, were used. Two types of enrichment cultures were employed using 5% and 10% oil or diesel as sole carbon sources with varying the mineral nitrogen sources and C/N ratios. The most effective isolates were obtained based on growth, tolerance to toxicity, and removal efficiency of diesel hydrocarbons. Activities of the newly isolated bacteria, in relation to the microenvironment from where they were isoalted and their interaction with the weathered oil, showed individual specific ability to adapt when exposed to such factors, to acquire metabolic potentialities. Among 39 isolates, ten identified ones by 16S rDNA genes similarities, including special two Pseudomonas isolates and one Citrobacter isolate, showed particularity of shifting hydrocarbon-degrading ability from short chain n-alkanes (n-C12–n-C16) to longer chain n-alkanes (n-C21–n-C25) and vice versa by alternating nitrogen source compositions and C/N ratios. This is shown for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bromide ions (Br − ) are associated with toxic by-products that might be produced during the disinfection of drinking water. The removal of Br − from water using roasted date pits (RODPs) and activated carbon was investigated. The percentage removal capacity of Br − was studied under various experimental conditions including solution pH, adsorbent mass and particle size, and initial Br − concentration. Surface characterisation was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). SEMs images showed the presence of fine particles (debris) on the surface of the adsorbent solids. The raw date pits (RDPs) surface images showed a marked difference in pore sizes upon roasting, whilst FTIR spectra showed a slight shifting in –O–H, C O, and –C–O stretching in addition to –O–H bending for the RODPs. In addition to the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models, the experimental data were fitted to different adsorption kinetic models. It was found that the adsorption of Br − onto RODPs followed pseudo-second order mechanism. Removal rates of around 54% were obtained at lower pH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Microorganism-mineral interactions can affect the membrane fouling in SWRO. • Bacteria present in seawater can induce gypsum precipitation on RO membranes. • Crystals' morphology varies from needle like to floral structures under SEM-EDX. • The presence of divalent ions in a medium enhances microbial growth rates. Membrane fouling affects the performance of membrane technologies such as reverse osmosis (RO), in water treatments and desalination industries. The membrane fouling is a multifaceted phenomenon and various components of feedwater like organic and inorganic substances, and microorganisms interact with each other to further complicate and intensify the membrane fouling. In this research, the interaction between microorganisms and calcium sulfate (mineral chosen as a model scaling) was investigated. Using scanning electron microscopy – energy dispersive x-ray (SEM-EDX) technique, it was found that the variety of microorganisms present in seawater were able to form calcium sulfate crystals on the RO membrane, although no precipitation occurred under abiotic conditions (i.e. in control samples). The results of SEM-EDX were further confirmed by quantitative analysis of precipitation through ion chromatography (IC) technique, and it was found that the concentration of calcium ions remaining in the bacteria-containing medium was significantly lower than that of controls at 95 % confidence level. Furthermore, the kinetics of biomineralization and the effect of different concentrations of calcium and sulfate ions was investigated. It was found that the bacteria were able to form needle-like crystals even at the lowest concentration (Ca2+=20 mM) and at the lowest incubation times (i.e. 1 day) studied. On the other hand, the effect of calcium ions on bacterial growth was also investigated and it was noted that the presence of ions resulted in a statistically significant increase in growth rates of bacteria, showing their potential to enhance biofouling rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]