0428同步年報-2021-全

068 ACTIVITY REPORT 2021 terephthalate and the remaining two composed of unknown plastics. Both temporal spatial distributions of I. argentinus with ingested artifacts were widely dispersed ( Figs. 3(a) and 3(b) ). There was a slightly higher opportunity for I. argentinus to ingest artifacts at sites near coastal areas. Moreover, the larger I. argentinus also had a higher risk of artifact ingestion than those of smaller size ( Fig. 3(c) ). In summary, this study demonstrated the risk of persistent and indigestible artifacts in the stomachs of squids and helps to raise concerns locally about the major environmental problem of micro- and macro-plastics in seas. Further exploration of the interactions between the I. argentines dietary requirements and the dynamics of prey quality and availability as well as constant risks of artifact ingestion for the squids will make a substantial contribution to the local levels of management and conservation strategies. This study opens an effective example to link FTIR application to marine biology. (Reported by Chia-Ying Ko, National Taiwan University) This report features the work of Chia-Ying Ko and her collaborators published in Front. Mar. Sci. 8 , 675560 (2021). TLS 14A1 IR Microscopy • ATR-FTIR • Environmental Science, Chemistry, Pollutants Reference 1. S.-W. Chang, R.-G. Chen, T.-H. Liu, Y.-C. Lee, C.-S. Chen, T.-S. Chiu, C.-Y. Ko, Front. Mar. Sci. 8 , 675560 (2021). Microorganisms Feeding on Iron and Sulfur Might Be a Key to Develop Fe Ore Tailings into Functional Soil The mineral weathering in alkaline Fe ore tailings has been identified as a key prerequisite to eco-engineered tailings- soil formation for sustainable mine-site rehabilitation. Fig. 3 : Risks of artifact ingestion for Argentine shortfin squid Illex argentinus in the southwest Atlantic. Percentage distributions of artifact ingestion by (a) sampling site, (b) month and (c) mantle length. [Reproduced from Ref. 1] B illions of tons of iron (Fe) ore tailings have been generated from processing and extracting Fe oxides in the Fe ore mining industry. Eco-engineering tailings into soils is an emerging technology to convert hostile tailings into a soil-like substrate (or technosol) for the establishment of sustainable plant and microbial communities, by applying a suite of abiotic and biotic inputs (organic matter, functional microorganisms and pioneer plants). Two primary barriers to the initiation of soil formation in the Fe ore tailings are (1) highly alkaline pH conditions that prohibit the colonization of tolerant native plants and soil microorganisms and (2) the fine texture, relatively benign mineral matrix and high mechanical properties. Functional sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB), such as A. ferrooxidans , drive biological oxidation of elemental sulfur (S 0 ) to form acids, which might neutralize alkaline Fe tailings and concomitantly transform Fe/Si-minerals in the tailings. To investigate the role of A. ferrooxidans in alkaline pH neutralization and mineral weathering under tailings’ conditions is hence warranted. Key questions to be answered might include (1) whether A. ferrooxidans could colonize and survive in the alkaline Fe ore tailings, (2) whether A. ferrooxidans could oxidize S 0 for neutralization of neutralizing alkaline pH in the tailings and (3) whether A. ferrooxidans activities could stimulate Fe-bearing mineral weathering and secondary mineral formation in the tailings.