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van der Waals MJ, Thornton SF, Rolfe SA, Rock L, Smith JWN, Bosma TNP, Gerritse J. Potential of stable isotope analysis to deduce anaerobic biodegradation of ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) and tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) in groundwater: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:16150-16163. [PMID: 38319419 PMCID: PMC10894111 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32109-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Understanding anaerobic biodegradation of ether oxygenates beyond MTBE in groundwater is important, given that it is replaced by ETBE as a gasoline additive in several regions. The lack of studies demonstrating anaerobic biodegradation of ETBE, and its product TBA, reflects the relative resistance of ethers and alcohols with a tertiary carbon atom to enzymatic attack under anoxic conditions. Anaerobic ETBE- or TBA-degrading microorganisms have not been characterized. Only one field study suggested anaerobic ETBE biodegradation. Anaerobic (co)metabolism of ETBE or TBA was reported in anoxic microcosms, indicating their biodegradation potential in anoxic groundwater systems. Non-isotopic methods, such as the detection of contaminant loss, metabolites, or ETBE- and TBA-degrading bacteria are not sufficiently sensitive to track anaerobic biodegradation in situ. Compound- and position-specific stable isotope analysis provides a means to study MTBE biodegradation, but isotopic fractionation of ETBE has only been studied with a few aerobic bacteria (εC -0.7 to -1.7‰, εH -11 to -73‰) and at one anoxic field site (δ2H-ETBE +14‰). Similarly, stable carbon isotope enrichment (δ13C-TBA +6.5‰) indicated TBA biodegradation at an anoxic field site. CSIA and PSIA are promising methods to detect anaerobic ETBE and TBA biodegradation but need to be investigated further to assess their full potential at field scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelle J van der Waals
- Unit Subsurface and Groundwater Systems, Deltares, Daltonlaan 600, Utrecht, 3484 BK, The Netherlands
- Present address: KWR Water Research Institute, Groningenhaven 7, 3433 PE, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
| | - Steven F Thornton
- Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield, Mappin St, Sheffield, S1 3JD, UK
| | - Stephen A Rolfe
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Luc Rock
- Shell Global Solutions International BV, Carel van Bylandtlaan 30, The Hague, 2596 HR, The Netherlands
- Present address: Shell Global Solutions (Canada) Inc, 4000 - 500 Centre Street SE, Calgary, AB, T2G 1A6, Canada
| | - Jonathan W N Smith
- Shell Global Solutions (UK) Ltd, Shell Centre, York Road, London, SE1 7NA, UK
| | - Tom N P Bosma
- Unit Subsurface and Groundwater Systems, Deltares, Daltonlaan 600, Utrecht, 3484 BK, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Gerritse
- Unit Subsurface and Groundwater Systems, Deltares, Daltonlaan 600, Utrecht, 3484 BK, The Netherlands.
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2
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Gunasekaran V, Canela N, Constantí M. Comparative Proteomic Analysis of an Ethyl Tert-Butyl Ether-Degrading Bacterial Consortium. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10122331. [PMID: 36557584 PMCID: PMC9781318 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10122331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A bacterial consortium capable of degrading ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) as a sole carbon source was enriched and isolated from gasoline-contaminated water. Arthrobacter sp., Herbaspirillum sp., Pseudacidovorax sp., Pseudomonas sp., and Xanthomonas sp. were identified as the initial populations with the 16S rDNA analysis. The consortium aerobically degraded 49% of 50 mg/L of ETBE, in 6 days. The ETBE degrading efficiency of the consortium increased to 98% even with the higher concentrations of ETBE (1000 mg/L) in the subsequent subcultures, which accumulated tert-butyl alcohol (TBA). Xanthomonas sp. and Pseudomonas sp. were identified as the predominant ETBE degrading populations in the final subculture. The metaproteome of the ETBE-grown bacterial consortium was compared with the glucose-grown bacterial consortium, using 2D-DIGE. Proteins related to the ETBE metabolism, stress response, carbon metabolism and chaperones were found to be abundant in the presence of ETBE while proteins related to cell division were less abundant. The metaproteomic study revealed that the ETBE does have an effect on the metabolism of the bacterial consortium. It also enabled us to understand the responses of the complex bacterial consortium to ETBE, thus revealing interesting facts about the ETBE degrading bacterial community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijayalakshmi Gunasekaran
- Departament d’Enginyeria Química, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av. Països Catalans, 26, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
- FA Bio, Harpenden AL5 2JQ, UK
- Correspondence: (V.G.); (M.C.); Tel.: +34-977-558457 (M.C.)
| | - Núria Canela
- Centre for Omic Sciences (COS), Joint Unit Universitat Rovira i Virgili-EURECAT, Av. Universitat 1, 43204 Reus, Spain
| | - Magda Constantí
- Departament d’Enginyeria Química, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av. Països Catalans, 26, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
- Correspondence: (V.G.); (M.C.); Tel.: +34-977-558457 (M.C.)
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3
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Nicholls HCG, Rolfe SA, Mallinson HEH, Hjort M, Spence MJ, Bonte M, Thornton SF. Distribution of ETBE-degrading microorganisms and functional capability in groundwater, and implications for characterising aquifer ETBE biodegradation potential. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:1223-1238. [PMID: 34350568 PMCID: PMC8724112 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-15606-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Microbes in aquifers are present suspended in groundwater or attached to the aquifer sediment. Groundwater is often sampled at gasoline ether oxygenate (GEO)-impacted sites to assess the potential biodegradation of organic constituents. However, the distribution of GEO-degrading microorganisms between the groundwater and aquifer sediment must be understood to interpret this potential. In this study, the distribution of ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE)-degrading organisms and ETBE biodegradation potential was investigated in laboratory microcosm studies and mixed groundwater-aquifer sediment samples obtained from pumped monitoring wells at ETBE-impacted sites. ETBE biodegradation potential (as determined by quantification of the ethB gene) was detected predominantly in the attached microbial communities and was below detection limit in the groundwater communities. The copy number of ethB genes varied with borehole purge volume at the field sites. Members of the Comamonadaceae and Gammaproteobacteria families were identified as responders for ETBE biodegradation. However, the detection of the ethB gene is a more appropriate function-based indicator of ETBE biodegradation potential than taxonomic analysis of the microbial community. The study shows that a mixed groundwater-aquifer sediment (slurry) sample collected from monitoring wells after minimal purging can be used to assess the aquifer ETBE biodegradation potential at ETBE-release sites using this function-based concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry C G Nicholls
- Groundwater Protection and Restoration Group, Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield, S1 3JD, Sheffield, UK
| | - Stephen A Rolfe
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, Alfred Denny Building, University of Sheffield, S10 2TN, Sheffield, UK
| | - Helen E H Mallinson
- Groundwater Protection and Restoration Group, Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield, S1 3JD, Sheffield, UK
| | - Markus Hjort
- Concawe, Boulevard du Souverain 165, 1160, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Michael J Spence
- Concawe, Boulevard du Souverain 165, 1160, Brussels, Belgium
- British Geological Survey, Environmental Science Centre, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UK
| | - Matthijs Bonte
- Concawe, Boulevard du Souverain 165, 1160, Brussels, Belgium
- Shell Global Solutions International B.V., Rijswijk, 2288GK, The Netherlands
- Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Steven F Thornton
- Groundwater Protection and Restoration Group, Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield, S1 3JD, Sheffield, UK.
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Thornton SF, Nicholls HCG, Rolfe SA, Mallinson HEH, Spence MJ. Biodegradation and fate of ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) in soil and groundwater: A review. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2020; 391:122046. [PMID: 32145642 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.122046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This review summarises the current state of knowledge on the biodegradation and fate of the gasoline ether oxygenate ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) in soil and groundwater. Microorganisms have been identified in soil and groundwater with the ability to degrade ETBE aerobically as a carbon and energy source, or via cometabolism using alkanes as growth substrates. Aerobic biodegradation of ETBE initially occurs via hydroxylation of the ethoxy carbon by a monooxygenase enzyme, with subsequent formation of intermediates which include acetaldehyde, tert-butyl acetate (TBAc), tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-propanol (MHP) and 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid (2-HIBA). Slow cell growth and low biomass yields on ETBE are believed to result from the ether structure and slow degradation kinetics, with potential limitations on ETBE metabolism. Genes known to facilitate transformation of ETBE include ethB (within the ethRABCD cluster), encoding a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, and alkB-encoding alkane hydroxylases. Other genes have been identified in microorganisms but their activity and specificity towards ETBE remains poorly characterised. Microorganisms and pathways supporting anaerobic biodegradation of ETBE have not been identified, although this potential has been demonstrated in limited field and laboratory studies. The presence of co-contaminants (other ether oxygenates, hydrocarbons and organic compounds) in soil and groundwater may limit aerobic biodegradation of ETBE by preferential metabolism and consumption of available dissolved oxygen or enhance ETBE biodegradation through cometabolism. Both ETBE-degrading microorganisms and alkane-oxidising bacteria have been characterised, with potential for use in bioaugmentation and biostimulation of ETBE degradation in groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- S F Thornton
- Groundwater Protection and Restoration Group, Dept of Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK
| | - H C G Nicholls
- Groundwater Protection and Restoration Group, Dept of Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK
| | - S A Rolfe
- Dept of Animal and Plant Sciences, Alfred Denny Building, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - H E H Mallinson
- Groundwater Protection and Restoration Group, Dept of Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK
| | - M J Spence
- Concawe, Environmental Science for European Refining, Boulevard du Souverain 165, 1160 Brussels, Belgium
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Nicholls HCG, Mallinson HEH, Rolfe SA, Hjort M, Spence MJ, Thornton SF. Influence of contaminant exposure on the development of aerobic ETBE biodegradation potential in microbial communities from a gasoline-impacted aquifer. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2020; 388:122022. [PMID: 31962211 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.122022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 12/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Aerobic biodegradation of ethyl tert butyl ether (ETBE) in a gasoline-impacted aquifer was investigated in laboratory microcosms containing groundwater and aquifer material from ETBE-impacted and non-impacted locations amended with either ETBE, or ETBE plus methyl tert butyl ether (MTBE). As sole substrate, ETBE was biodegraded (maximum rate of 0.54 day-1) without a lag in ETBE-impacted microcosms but with a lag of up to 66 days in non-impacted microcosms (maximum rate of 0.38 day-1). As co-substrate, ETBE was biodegraded preferentially (maximum rate of 0.25 and 0.99 day-1 in non-impacted and impacted microcosms, respectively) before MTBE (maximum rate of 0.24 and 0.36 day-1 in non-impacted and impacted microcosms, respectively). Further addition of ETBE and MTBE reduced lags and increased biodegradation rates. ethB gene copy numbers increased significantly (>100 fold) after exposure to ETBE, while overall cell numbers remained constant, suggesting that ethB-containing microorganisms come to dominate the microbial communities. Deep sequencing of 16S rRNA genes identified members of the Comamonadaceae family that increased in relative abundance upon exposure to ETBE. This study demonstrates the potential for ETBE biodegradation within the unsaturated and saturated zone, and that ETBE biodegrading capability is rapidly developed and maintained within the aquifer microbial community over extended timescales.
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Affiliation(s)
- H C G Nicholls
- Groundwater Protection and Restoration Group, Dept of Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD, United Kingdom
| | - H E H Mallinson
- Groundwater Protection and Restoration Group, Dept of Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD, United Kingdom
| | - S A Rolfe
- Dept of Animal and Plant Sciences, Alfred Denny Building, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, United Kingdom
| | - M Hjort
- Concawe, Environmental Science for European Refining, Boulevard du Souverain 165, 1160 Brussels, Belgium
| | - M J Spence
- Concawe, Environmental Science for European Refining, Boulevard du Souverain 165, 1160 Brussels, Belgium
| | - S F Thornton
- Groundwater Protection and Restoration Group, Dept of Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD, United Kingdom.
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6
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Distinct Bacterial Consortia Established in ETBE-Degrading Enrichments from a Polluted Aquifer. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/app9204247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) is a gasoline additive that became an important aquifer pollutant. The information about natural bacterial consortia with a capacity for complete ETBE degradation is limited. Here we assess the taxonomical composition of bacterial communities and diversity of the ethB gene (involved in ETBE biodegradation) in ETBE-enrichment cultures that were established from a gasoline-polluted aquifer, either from anoxic ETBE-polluted plume water (PW), or from an upstream non-polluted water (UW). We used a 16S rRNA microarray, and 16S rRNA and ethB gene sequencing. Despite the dissimilar initial chemical conditions and microbial composition, ETBE-degrading consortia were obtained from both PW and UW. The composition of ETBE-enrichment cultures was distinct from their initial water samples, reflecting the importance of the rare biosphere as a reservoir of potential ETBE degraders. No convergence was observed between the enrichment cultures originating from UW and PW, which were dominated by Mesorhizobium and Hydrogenophaga, respectively, indicating that distinct consortia with the same functional properties may be present at one site. Conserved ethB genes were evidenced in both PW and UW ETBE-enrichment cultures and in PW water. Our results suggest that the presence of ethB genes rather than the taxonomical composition of in situ bacterial communities indicate the potential for the ETBE degradation at a given site.
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van der Waals MJ, Plugge C, Meima-Franke M, de Waard P, Bodelier PLE, Smidt H, Gerritse J. Ethyl tert-butyl ether (EtBE) degradation by an algal-bacterial culture obtained from contaminated groundwater. WATER RESEARCH 2019; 148:314-323. [PMID: 30391860 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.10.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
EtBE is a fuel oxygenate that is synthesized from (bio)ethanol and fossil-based isobutylene, and replaces the fossil-based MtBE. Biodegradation of EtBE to harmless metabolites or end products can reduce the environmental and human health risks after accidental release. In this study, an algal-bacterial culture enriched from contaminated groundwater was used to (i) assess the potential for EtBE degradation, (ii) resolve the EtBE degradation pathway and (iii) characterize the phylogenetic composition of the bacterial community involved in EtBE degradation in contaminated groundwater. In an unamended microcosm, algal growth was observed after eight weeks when exposed to a day-night light cycle. In the fed-batch reactor, oxygen produced by the algae Scenedesmus and Chlorella was used by bacteria to degrade 50 μM EtBE replenishments with a cumulative total of 1250 μM in a day/night cycle (650 lux), over a period of 913 days. The microbial community in the fed-batch reactor degraded EtBE, using a P450 monooxygenase and 2-hydroxyisobutyryl-CoA mutase, to tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), ethanol and CO2 as determined using 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and gas chromatography. Stable isotope probing (SIP) with 13C6 labeled EtBE in a fed-batch vessel showed no significant difference in community profiles of the 13C and 12C enriched DNA fractions, with representatives of the families Halomonadaceae, Shewanellaceae, Rhodocyclaceae, Oxalobacteraceae, Comamonadaceae, Sphingomonadaceae, Hyphomicrobiaceae, Candidatus Moranbacteria, Omnitrophica, Anaerolineaceae, Nocardiaceae, and Blastocatellaceae. This is the first study describing micro-oxic degradation of EtBE by an algal-bacterial culture. This algal-bacterial culture has advantages compared with conventional aerobic treatments: (i) a lower risk of EtBE evaporation and (ii) no need for external oxygen supply in the presence of light. This study provides novel leads towards future possibilities to implement algal-bacterial consortia in field-scale groundwater or wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelle J van der Waals
- Deltares, Subsurface and Groundwater Systems, Daltonlaan 600, 3584 BK, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Wageningen University & Research, Laboratory of Microbiology, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Caroline Plugge
- Wageningen University & Research, Laboratory of Microbiology, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Marion Meima-Franke
- The Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Department of Microbial Ecology, Droevendaalsesteeg 10, 6708 PB, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Pieter de Waard
- Wageningen University & Research, BioNanoTechnology, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6700 EK, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Paul L E Bodelier
- The Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Department of Microbial Ecology, Droevendaalsesteeg 10, 6708 PB, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Hauke Smidt
- Wageningen University & Research, Laboratory of Microbiology, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Gerritse
- Deltares, Subsurface and Groundwater Systems, Daltonlaan 600, 3584 BK, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Vilela Steiner L, Toledo Ramos D, Rubini Liedke AM, Serbent MP, Corseuil HX. Ethanol content in different gasohol blend spills influences the decision-making on remediation technologies. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2018; 212:8-16. [PMID: 29427942 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.01.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Revised: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Gasohol blend spills with variable ethanol content exert different electron acceptor demands in groundwater and the distinct dynamics undergone by these blends underscores the need for field-based information to aid decision-making on suitable remediation technologies for each gasohol blend spill. In this study, a comparison of two gasohol releases (E10 (10:90 ethanol and gasoline, v/v) and E25 (25:75 ethanol and gasoline, v/v) under monitored natural attenuation (MNA) and nitrate biostimulation, respectively) was conducted to assess the most effective remediation strategy for each gasohol release. Microbial communities were assessed to support geochemical data as well as to enable the characterization of important population shifts that evolve during biodegradation processes in E25 and E10 field experiments. Results revealed that natural attenuation processes sufficiently supported ethanol and BTEX compounds biodegradation in E10 release, due to the lower biochemical oxygen demand they exert relative to E25 blend. In E25 release, nitrate reduction was largely responsible for BTEX and ethanol biodegradation, as intended. First-order decay constants demonstrated that ethanol degradation rates were similar (p < 0.05) for both remediation technologies (2.05 ± 0.15 and 2.22 ± 0.23, for E25 and E10, respectively) whilst BTEX compounds exhibited different degradation rates (p > 0.05) that were higher for the experiment under MNA (0.33 ± 0.06 and 0.43 ± 0.03, for E25 and E10, respectively). Therefore, ethanol content in different gasohol blends can influence the decision-making on the most suitable remediation technology, as MNA processes can be applied for the remediation of gasohol blends with lower ethanol content (i.e., 10% v/v), once the aquifer geochemical conditions provide a sufficient electron acceptor pool. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first field study to monitor two long-term gasohol releases over various time scales in order to assess feasible remediation technologies for each scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Vilela Steiner
- Federal University of Santa Catarina, Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Débora Toledo Ramos
- Federal University of Santa Catarina, Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Rubini Liedke
- Federal University of Santa Catarina, Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Maria Pilar Serbent
- State University of Santa Catarina, Department of Sanitary Engineering, Ibirama, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Henry Xavier Corseuil
- Federal University of Santa Catarina, Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
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van der Waals MJ, Pijls C, Sinke AJC, Langenhoff AAM, Smidt H, Gerritse J. Anaerobic degradation of a mixture of MtBE, EtBE, TBA, and benzene under different redox conditions. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 102:3387-3397. [PMID: 29478141 PMCID: PMC5852185 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-8853-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2017] [Revised: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The increasing use of biobased fuels and fuel additives can potentially change the typical fuel-related contamination in soil and groundwater. Anaerobic biotransformation of the biofuel additive ethyl tert-butyl ether (EtBE), as well as of methyl tert-butyl ether (MtBE), benzene, and tert-butyl alcohol (TBA, a possible oxygenate metabolite), was studied at an industrially contaminated site and in the laboratory. Analysis of groundwater samples indicated that in the field MtBE was degraded, yielding TBA as major product. In batch microcosms, MtBE was degraded under different conditions: unamended control, with medium without added electron acceptors, or with ferrihydrite or sulfate (with or without medium) as electron acceptor, respectively. Degradation of EtBE was not observed under any of these conditions tested. TBA was partially depleted in parallel with MtBE. Results of microcosm experiments with MtBE substrate analogues, i.e., syringate, vanillate, or ferulate, were in line with the hypothesis that the observed TBA degradation is a cometabolic process. Microcosms with ferulate, syringate, isopropanol, or diethyl ether showed EtBE depletion up to 86.5% of the initial concentration after 83 days. Benzene was degraded in the unamended controls, with medium without added electron acceptors and with ferrihydrite, sulfate, or chlorate as electron acceptor, respectively. In the presence of nitrate, benzene was only degraded after addition of an anaerobic benzene-degrading community. Nitrate and chlorate hindered MtBE, EtBE, and TBA degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelle J van der Waals
- Deltares, Subsurface and Groundwater Systems, Daltonlaan 600, 3584 BK, Utrecht, the Netherlands. .,Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Charles Pijls
- Tauw, Handelskade 37, 7400 AC, Deventer, the Netherlands
| | - Anja J C Sinke
- BP International Limited, Sunbury on Thames, Middlesex, TW167BP, UK
| | - Alette A M Langenhoff
- Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6708 WG, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Hauke Smidt
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Gerritse
- Deltares, Subsurface and Groundwater Systems, Daltonlaan 600, 3584 BK, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Composting-Like Conditions Are More Efficient for Enrichment and Diversity of Organisms Containing Cellulase-Encoding Genes than Submerged Cultures. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0167216. [PMID: 27936240 PMCID: PMC5147896 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cost-effective biofuel production from lignocellulosic biomass depends on efficient degradation of the plant cell wall. One of the major obstacles for the development of a cost-efficient process is the lack of resistance of currently used fungal enzymes to harsh conditions such as high temperature. Adapted, thermophilic microbial communities provide a huge reservoir of potentially interesting lignocellulose-degrading enzymes for improvement of the cellulose hydrolysis step. In order to identify such enzymes, a leaf and wood chip compost was enriched on a mixture of thermo-chemically pretreated wheat straw, poplar and Miscanthus under thermophile conditions, but in two different set-ups. Unexpectedly, metagenome sequencing revealed that incubation of the lignocellulosic substrate with compost as inoculum in a suspension culture resulted in an impoverishment of putative cellulase- and hemicellulase-encoding genes. However, mimicking composting conditions without liquid phase yielded a high number and diversity of glycoside hydrolase genes and an enrichment of genes encoding cellulose binding domains. These identified genes were most closely related to species from Actinobacteria, which seem to constitute important players of lignocellulose degradation under the applied conditions. The study highlights that subtle changes in an enrichment set-up can have an important impact on composition and functions of the microcosm. Composting-like conditions were found to be the most successful method for enrichment in species with high biomass degrading capacity.
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Puranik S, Pal RR, More RP, Purohit HJ. Metagenomic approach to characterize soil microbial diversity of Phumdi at Loktak Lake. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2016; 74:2075-2086. [PMID: 27842027 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2016.370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Loktak, one of the largest freshwater lakes of India, is known for floating islands (Phumdi), being made up of a heterogeneous biomass of vegetation and soil. This ecological site represents an exclusive environmental habitat wherein the rhizospheric microbial community of Phumdi plays a key role in biogeochemical cycling of nutrients. A culture-independent whole genome shotgun sequencing based metagenomic approach was employed to unravel the composition of the microbial community and its corresponding functional potential at this environmental habitat. Proteobacteria (51%) was found to be the most dominant bacterial phylum followed by Acidobacteria (10%), Actinobacteria (9%) and Bacteroidetes (7%). Furthermore, Loktak metagenome data were compared with available metagenomes from four other aquatic habitats, varying from pristine to highly polluted eutrophic habitats. The comparative metagenomics approach aided by statistical analysis revealed that Candidatus Solibacter, Bradyrhizobium, Candidatus Koribacter, Pedosphaera, Methylobacterium, Anaeromyxobacter, Sorangium, Opitutus and Acidobacterium genera are selectively dominant at this habitat. Correspondingly, 12 different functional categories were found to be exclusively prevalent at Phumdi compared to other freshwater habitats. These differential features have been attributed to the unique habitat at Phumdi and correlated to the phenomenon of bioremediation at Loktak Lake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sampada Puranik
- Environmental Genomics Division, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, CSIR-NEERI, Nehru Marg, Nagpur 440020, India E-mail: ; ; Equal contributors
| | - Rajesh Ramavadh Pal
- Environmental Genomics Division, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, CSIR-NEERI, Nehru Marg, Nagpur 440020, India E-mail: ; ; Equal contributors
| | - Ravi Prabhakar More
- Environmental Genomics Division, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, CSIR-NEERI, Nehru Marg, Nagpur 440020, India E-mail: ;
| | - Hemant J Purohit
- Environmental Genomics Division, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, CSIR-NEERI, Nehru Marg, Nagpur 440020, India E-mail: ;
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12
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Kato H, Mori H, Maruyama F, Toyoda A, Oshima K, Endo R, Fuchu G, Miyakoshi M, Dozono A, Ohtsubo Y, Nagata Y, Hattori M, Fujiyama A, Kurokawa K, Tsuda M. Time-series metagenomic analysis reveals robustness of soil microbiome against chemical disturbance. DNA Res 2015; 22:413-24. [PMID: 26428854 PMCID: PMC4675710 DOI: 10.1093/dnares/dsv023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 09/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Soil microbial communities have great potential for bioremediation of recalcitrant aromatic compounds. However, it is unclear which taxa and genes in the communities, and how they contribute to the bioremediation in the polluted soils. To get clues about this fundamental question here, time-course (up to 24 weeks) metagenomic analysis of microbial community in a closed soil microcosm artificially polluted with four aromatic compounds, including phenanthrene, was conducted to investigate the changes in the community structures and gene pools. The pollution led to drastic changes in the community structures and the gene sets for pollutant degradation. Complete degradation of phenanthrene was strongly suggested to occur by the syntrophic metabolism by Mycobacterium and the most proliferating genus, Burkholderia. The community structure at Week 24 (∼12 weeks after disappearance of the pollutants) returned to the structure similar to that before pollution. Our time-course metagenomic analysis of phage genes strongly suggested the involvement of the ‘kill-the-winner’ phenomenon (i.e. phage predation of Burkholderia cells) for the returning of the microbial community structure. The pollution resulted in a decrease in taxonomic diversity and a drastic increase in diversity of gene pools in the communities, showing the functional redundancy and robustness of the communities against chemical disturbance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiromi Kato
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Mori
- Department of Biological Information, Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Fumito Maruyama
- Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Atsushi Toyoda
- Center for Information Biology, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima 411-8540, Japan
| | - Kenshiro Oshima
- Department of Computational Biology, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa 277-8561, Japan
| | - Ryo Endo
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Genki Fuchu
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Miyakoshi
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Ayumi Dozono
- Department of Biological Information, Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Ohtsubo
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Yuji Nagata
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Masahira Hattori
- Department of Computational Biology, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa 277-8561, Japan
| | - Asao Fujiyama
- Center for Information Biology, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima 411-8540, Japan Principles of Informatics Research Division, National Institute of Informatics, Hitotsubashi, Tokyo 101-8430, Japan
| | - Ken Kurokawa
- Department of Biological Information, Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Masataka Tsuda
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
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13
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Bombach P, Nägele N, Rosell M, Richnow HH, Fischer A. Evaluation of ethyl tert-butyl ether biodegradation in a contaminated aquifer by compound-specific isotope analysis and in situ microcosms. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2015; 286:100-106. [PMID: 25559863 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2014.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2014] [Revised: 12/07/2014] [Accepted: 12/17/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) is an upcoming groundwater pollutant in Europe whose environmental fate has been less investigated, thus far. In the present study, we investigated the in situ biodegradation of ETBE in a fuel-contaminated aquifer using compound-specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA), and in situ microcosms in combination with total lipid fatty acid (TLFA)-stable isotope probing (SIP). In a first field investigation, CSIA revealed insignificant carbon isotope fractionation, but low hydrogen isotope fractionation of up to +14‰ along the prevailing anoxic ETBE plume suggesting biodegradation of ETBE. Ten months later, oxygen injection was conducted to enhance the biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons (PH) at the field site. Within the framework of this remediation measure, in situ microcosms loaded with [(13)C6]-ETBE (BACTRAP(®)s) were exposed for 119 days in selected groundwater wells to assess the biodegradation of ETBE by TLFA-SIP under the following conditions: (i) ETBE as main contaminant; (ii) ETBE as main contaminant subjected to oxygen injection; (iii) ETBE plus other PH; (iv) ETBE plus other PH subjected to oxygen injection. Under all conditions investigated, significant (13)C-incorporation into microbial total lipid fatty acids extracted from the in situ microcosms was found, providing clear evidence of ETBE biodegradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Bombach
- UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry, Permoserstrasse 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany; Isodetect GmbH Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5b, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Norbert Nägele
- Kuvier the Biotech Company S.L., Ctra. N-I, p.k. 234-P.E. INBISA 23ª, E-09001 Burgos, Spain
| | - Mònica Rosell
- UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry, Permoserstrasse 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany; Grup de Mineralogia Aplicada i Medi Ambient, Departament de Cristal·lografia, Mineralogia i Dipòsits Minerals, Facultat de Geologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), C/Martí i Franquès s/n, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Hans H Richnow
- UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry, Permoserstrasse 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anko Fischer
- Isodetect GmbH Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5b, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
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14
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Wang Z, Yang Y, Sun W, Dai Y, Xie S. Variation of nonylphenol-degrading gene abundance and bacterial community structure in bioaugmented sediment microcosm. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 22:2342-2349. [PMID: 25277711 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-3625-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2014] [Accepted: 09/16/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Nonylphenol (NP) can accumulate in river sediment. Bioaugmentation is an attractive option to dissipate heavy NP pollution in river sediment. In this study, two NP degraders were isolated from crude oil-polluted soil and river sediment. Microcosms were constructed to test their ability to degrade NP in river sediment. The shift in the proportion of NP-degrading genes and bacterial community structure in sediment microcosms were characterized using quantitative PCR assay and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the soil isolate belonged to genus Stenotrophomonas, while the sediment isolate was a Sphingobium species. Both of them could almost completely clean up a high level of NP in river sediment (150 mg/kg NP) in 10 or 14 days after inoculation. An increase in the proportion of alkB and sMO genes was observed in sediment microcosms inoculated with Stenotrophomonas strain Y1 and Sphingobium strain Y2, respectively. Moreover, bioaugmentation using Sphingobium strain Y2 could have a strong impact on sediment bacterial community structure, while inoculation of Stenotrophomonas strain Y1 illustrated a weak impact. This study can provide some new insights towards NP biodegradation and bioremediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Wang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
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15
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Involvement of the cytochrome P450 system EthBAD in the N-deethoxymethylation of acetochlor by Rhodococcus sp. strain T3-1. Appl Environ Microbiol 2015; 81:2182-8. [PMID: 25595756 DOI: 10.1128/aem.03764-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Acetochlor [2-chloro-N-(ethoxymethyl)-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-acetamide] is a widely applied herbicide with potential carcinogenic properties. N-Deethoxymethylation is the key step in acetochlor biodegradation. N-Deethoxymethylase is a multicomponent enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of acetochlor to 2'-methyl-6'-ethyl-2-chloroacetanilide (CMEPA). Fast detection of CMEPA by a two-enzyme (N-deethoxymethylase-amide hydrolase) system was established in this research. Based on the fast detection method, a three-component enzyme was purified from Rhodococcus sp. strain T3-1 using ammonium sulfate precipitation and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. The molecular masses of the components of the purified enzyme were estimated to be 45, 43, and 11 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Based on the results of peptide mass fingerprint analysis, acetochlor N-deethoxymethylase was identified as a cytochrome P450 system, composed of a cytochrome P450 oxygenase (43-kDa component; EthB), a ferredoxin (45 kDa; EthA), and a reductase (11 kDa; EthD), that is involved in the degradation of methyl tert-butyl ether. The gene cluster ethABCD was cloned by PCR amplification and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). Resting cells of a recombinant E. coli strain showed deethoxymethylation activity against acetochlor. Subcloning of ethABCD showed that ethABD expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3) has the activity of acetochlor N-deethoxymethylase and is capable of converting acetochlor to CMEPA.
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16
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Le Digabel Y, Demanèche S, Benoit Y, Fayolle-Guichard F, Vogel TM. Ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE)-degrading microbial communities in enrichments from polluted environments. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2014; 279:502-510. [PMID: 25108826 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2014.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2014] [Revised: 06/06/2014] [Accepted: 07/03/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) degradation capacity and phylogenetic composition of five aerobic enrichment cultures with ETBE as the sole carbon and energy source were studied. In all cases, ETBE was entirely degraded to biomass and CO2. Clone libraries of the 16S rRNA gene were prepared from each enrichment. The analyses of the DNA sequences obtained showed different taxonomic compositions with a majority of Proteobacteria in three cases. The two other enrichments have different microbiota with an abundance of Acidobacteria in one case, whereas the microbiota in the second was more diverse (majority of Actinobacteria, Chlorobi and Gemmatimonadetes). Actinobacteria were detected in all five enrichments. Several bacterial strains were isolated from the enrichments and five were capable of degrading ETBE and/or tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), a degradation intermediate. The five included three Rhodococcus sp. (IFP 2040, IFP 2041, IFP 2043), one Betaproteobacteria (IFP 2047) belonging to the Rubrivivax/Leptothrix/Ideonella branch, and one Pseudonocardia sp. (IFP 2050). Quantification of these five strains and two other strains, Rhodococcus sp. IFP 2042 and Bradyrhizobium sp. IFP2049, which had been previously isolated from one of the enrichments was carried out on the different enrichments based on quantitative PCR with specific 16S rRNA gene primers and the results were consistent with the hypothesized role of Actinobacteria and Betaproteobacteria in the degradation of ETBE and the possible role of Bradyrhizobium strains in the degradation of TBA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoann Le Digabel
- Environmental Microbial Genomics, CNRS UMR 5005, Laboratoire Ampère, École Centrale de Lyon, Université de Lyon, 36 avenue Guy de Collongue, 69134 Ecully, France; Institut Français du Pétrole Energies Nouvelles (IFPEN), Biotechnology Departement, 1-4 avenue de Bois-Préau, 92852 Rueil-Malmaison, France
| | - Sandrine Demanèche
- Environmental Microbial Genomics, CNRS UMR 5005, Laboratoire Ampère, École Centrale de Lyon, Université de Lyon, 36 avenue Guy de Collongue, 69134 Ecully, France
| | - Yves Benoit
- Institut Français du Pétrole Energies Nouvelles (IFPEN), Biotechnology Departement, 1-4 avenue de Bois-Préau, 92852 Rueil-Malmaison, France
| | - Françoise Fayolle-Guichard
- Institut Français du Pétrole Energies Nouvelles (IFPEN), Biotechnology Departement, 1-4 avenue de Bois-Préau, 92852 Rueil-Malmaison, France.
| | - Timothy M Vogel
- Environmental Microbial Genomics, CNRS UMR 5005, Laboratoire Ampère, École Centrale de Lyon, Université de Lyon, 36 avenue Guy de Collongue, 69134 Ecully, France
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