Comparison of indigenous and exogenous microbial populations during slurry phase biodegradation of long-term hydrocarbon-contaminated soil

Native freshwater lake microbial community response to an in situ experimental dilbit spill

With the increase in crude oil transport throughout Canada, the potential for spills into freshwater ecosystems has increased and additional research is needed in these sensitive environments. Large enclosures erected in a lake were used as mesocosms for this controlled experimental dilbit (diluted bitumen) spill under ambient environmental conditions. The microbial response to dilbit, the efficacy of standard remediation protocols on different shoreline types commonly found in Canadian freshwater lakes, including a testing of a shoreline washing agent were all evaluated. We found that the native microbial community did not undergo any significant shifts in composition after exposure to dilbit or the ensuing remediation treatments. Regardless of the treatment, sample type (soil, sediment, or water), or type of associated shoreline, the community remained relatively consistent over a 3-month monitoring period. Following this, metagenomic analysis of polycyclic aromatic and alkane hydrocarbon degradation mechanisms also showed that while many key genes identified in PAH and alkane biodegradation were present, their abundance did not change significantly over the course of the experiment. These results showed that the native microbial community present in a pristine freshwater lake has the prerequisite mechanisms for hydrocarbon degradation in place, and combined with standard remediation practices in use in Canada, has the genetic potential and resilience to potentially undertake bioremediation.

Efficient bioremediation of PAHs-contaminated soils by a methylotrophic enrichment culture

Bioaugmentation effectively enhances microbial bioremediation of hazardous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from contaminated environments. While screening for pyrene-degrading bacteria from a former manufactured gas plant soil (MGPS), the mixed enrichment culture was found to be more efficient in PAHs biodegradation than the culturable pure strains. Interestingly, analysis of 16S rRNA sequences revealed that the culture was dominated by a previously uncultured member of the family Rhizobiaceae. The culture utilized C1 and other methylotrophic substrates, including dimethylformamide (DMF), which was used as a solvent for supplementing the culture medium with PAHs. In the liquid medium, the culture rapidly degraded phenanthrene, pyrene, and the carcinogenic benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), when provided as the sole carbon source or with DMF as a co-substrate. The efficiency of the culture in the bioremediation of PAHs from the MGPS and a laboratory waste soil (LWS) was evaluated in bench-scale slurry systems. After 28 days, 80% of Σ16 PAHs were efficiently removed from the inoculated MGPS. Notably, the bioaugmentation achieved 90% removal of four-ringed and 60% of highly recalcitrant five- and six-ringed PAHs from the MGPS. Likewise, almost all phenanthrene, pyrene, and 65% BaP were removed from the bioaugmented LWS. This study highlights the application of the methylotrophic enrichment culture dominated by an uncultured bacterium for the efficient bioremediation of PAHs.

Enhanced biodegradation of crude oil in soil by a developed bacterial consortium and indigenous plant growth promoting bacteria

AIMS

This study aimed to develop an efficient, cost-effective and eco-friendly bacterial consortium to degrade petroleum sludge.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Four bacterial strains belonging to genera Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas were selected to constitute three different consortia based on their initial concentration. The highest degradation rate (78%) of 1% (v/v) crude oil after 4 weeks of incubation was recorded when the concentration of biosurfactant (BS) producing isolate was high. Genes, such as alkB, almA, cyp153, pah-rhdGN, nah, phnAC and cat23 were detected using the polymerase chain reaction method and their induction levels were optimal at pH 7·0. A crude oil sludge was artificially constituted, and its bacterial composition was investigated using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The results showed that the soil bacterial community was dominated by plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) after crude oil treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate the decontamination of the crude oil contaminated soil was more effective in the presence of both the constituted consortium and PGPB compared to the presence of PGPB alone.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study showed that the PGPB (Taibaiella) present in petroleum uncontaminated soil can promote the soil decontamination. The addition of both efficient hydrocarbon-degrading and BS producing bacteria is also necessary to improve the decontamination.

Strategy to improve crude oil biodegradation in oligotrophic aquatic environments: W/O/W fertilized emulsions and hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria

We studied petroleum biodegradation by biostimulation by using water in oil in water (W/O/W) double emulsions. These emulsions were developed using seawater, canola oil, surfactants, and mineral salts as sources of NPK. The emulsions were used in the simulation of hydrocarbon bioremediation in oligotrophic sea water. Hydrocarbon biodegradation was evaluated by CO2 emissions from microcosms. We also evaluated the release of inorganic nutrients and the stability of the emulsion's droplets. The double emulsions improved CO2 emission from the microcosms, suggesting the increase in the hydrocarbon biodegradation. Mineral nutrients were gradually released from the emulsions supporting the hydrocarbon biodegradation. This was attributed to the formation of different diameters of droplets and therefore, varying stabilities of the droplets. Addition of the selected hydrocarbonoclastic isolates simulating bioaugmentation improved the hydrocarbon biodegradation. We conclude that the nutrient-rich W/O/W emulsion developed in this study is an effective biostimulation agent for bioremediation in oligotrophic aquatic environments.

Long-term effects of copper exposure to agricultural soil function and microbial community structure at a controlled and experimental field site

The long-term effect of heavy metals on soil microbial communities and their function is relatively unknown and little work has been done in field settings. To address this gap, we revisited a field-based experiment, 12 years after the application of copper (Cu) to agricultural soils, with treatment concentrations ranging from 0 to 3310 mg Cu kg^-1 soil. We measured the long-term effects of Cu exposure to soils using multiple functionality assessments and environmental DNA-based community analyses. The assessment results revealed that soils that received moderate to high Cu doses had still not recovered functionality 12-years post exposure. However, plots that received doses of 200 mg kg^-1 Cu or less appeared to have a functionality index not dissimilar to control plots. Environmental DNA analyses of the microbial communities revealed a high level of beta diversity in low Cu treatment plots, whereas communities within high Cu treatment plots had similar community structures to one another (low beta diversity), indicating that specific Cu-tolerant or dormant taxa are selected for in high-Cu environments. Interestingly, high Cu plots had higher within-sample taxa counts (alpha diversity) compared with controls and low Cu plots. We hypothesise that taxa in high Cu plots activated dormancy mechanisms, such that their genetic signal remained present, whilst the functionality of the soil was reduced. Many species identified in high Cu plots are known to have associated dormancy mechanisms and survive in high stress environments. Understanding how these mechanisms collectively contribute to contaminant outcomes is of great importance for the goals of predicting and managing microbial communities and their function. As we found that Cu concentrations above 200 mg kg^-1 can cause significant functionality loss and a selective pressure on microbial communities, it is recommended that Cu concentrations above 200 mg kg^-1are avoided in agricultural soils.

Potential risks of antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes in bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soils

Bioremediation represents a sustainable approach to remediating petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soils. One aspect of sustainability includes the sourcing of nutrients used to stimulate hydrocarbon-degrading microbial populations. Organic nutrients such as animal manure and sewage sludge may be perceived as more sustainable than conventional inorganic fertilizers. However, organic nutrients often contain antibiotic residues and resistant bacteria (along with resistance genes and mobile genetic elements). This is further exacerbated since antibiotic resistant bacteria may become more abundant in contaminated soils due to co-selection pressures from pollutants such as metals and hydrocarbons. We review the issues surrounding bioremediation of petroleum-hydrocarbon contaminated soils, as an example, and consider the potential human-health risks from antibiotic resistant bacteria. While awareness is coming to light, the relationship between contaminated land and antibiotic resistance remains largely under-explored. The risk of horizontal gene transfer between soil microorganisms, commensal bacteria and/or human pathogens needs to be further elucidated, and the environmental triggers for gene transfer need to be better understood. Findings of antibiotic resistance from animal manures are emerging, but even fewer bioremediation studies using sewage sludge have made any reference to antibiotic resistance. Resistance mechanisms, including those to antibiotics, have been considered by some authors to be a positive trait associated with resilience in strains intended for bioremediation. Nevertheless, recognition of the potential risks associated with antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes in contaminated soils appears to be increasing and requires further investigation. Careful selection of bacterial candidates for bioremediation possessing minimal antibiotic resistance as well as pre-treatment of organic wastes to reduce selective pressures (e.g., antibiotic residues) are suggested to prevent environmental contamination with antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes.

Thermophilic composting of hydrocarbon residue with sewage sludge and fish sludge as cosubstrates: Microbial changes and TPH reduction

The hydrocarbon residue in petroleum product storage tanks is waste generated in large quantities that must be properly managed to reduce its risk to the environment. By comparing the effect of two organic cosubstrates, the aim of our research is to determine the feasibility of composting as a bioremediation method for the treatment of the solid phase of the hydrocarbon residue. For this purpose, four treatments of the pollutant waste were established in triplicate: waste only; waste with bulking agent (1:2); waste with fish sludge and bulking agent (1:2:6); and waste with municipal sewage sludge and bulking agent (1:2:6). The composting system consisted of 12 reactors with a capacity of 30 L, each equipped with aeration and temperature control. Both at the beginning and the end of the experiment (20 days), we evaluated the physicochemical parameters, the structure of the microbial community through phospholipid fatty acid analysis, and the total petroleum hydrocarbon content (TPH). Treatments with cosubstrates maintained thermophilic temperatures, during 14 and 8 days in fish and municipal sludge respectively, while in the controls mesophilic conditions were maintained. The incorporation of fish sludge decreased TPH present in the initial mixture by 39.5%. The municipal sludge treatment resulted in a lower of temperatures and a TPH decrease close to 23.9%. In the control treatments, there was a slight TPH decrease, mainly due to the forced ventilation. Although, both composting treatments with cosubstrates proved adequate for the bioremediation of residue from hydrocarbon storage tanks, fish sludge presented best bioremediation conditions. Municipal sewage sludge provided a bioaugmentation effect due to its rich diversity and microbial biomass. Fish sludge could have biostimulant and surfactant effect producing an aliphatic mixture of pollutant waste with the nutritional requirements to promote the development of fungal communities.

Molecular and Microbiological Insights on the Enrichment Procedures for the Isolation of Petroleum Degrading Bacteria and Fungi

Autochthonous bioaugmentation, by exploiting the indigenous microorganisms of the contaminated environment to be treated, can represent a successful bioremediation strategy. In this perspective, we have assessed by molecular methods the evolution of bacterial and fungal communities during the selective enrichment on different pollutants of a soil strongly polluted by mixtures of aliphatic and polycyclic hydrocarbons. Three consecutive enrichments were carried out on soil samples from different soil depths (0-1, 1-2, 2-3 m), and analyzed at each step by means of high-throughput sequencing of bacterial and fungal amplicons biomarkers. At the end of the enrichments, bacterial and fungal contaminants degrading strains were isolated and identified in order to (i) compare the composition of enriched communities by culture-dependent and culture-independent molecular methods and to (ii) obtain a collection of hydrocarbon degrading microorganisms potentially exploitable for soil bioremediation. Molecular results highlighted that for both bacteria and fungi the pollutant had a partial shaping effect on the enriched communities, with paraffin creating distinct enriched bacterial community from oil, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons generally overlapping; interestingly neither the soil depth or the enrichment step had significant effects on the composition of the final enriched communities. Molecular analyses well-agreed with culture-dependent analyses in terms of most abundant microbial genera. A total of 95 bacterial and 94 fungal strains were isolated after selective enrichment procedure on different pollutants. On the whole, isolated bacteria where manly ascribed to Pseudomonas genus followed by Sphingobacterium, Bacillus, Stenothrophomonas, Achromobacter, and Serratia. As for fungi, Fusarium was the most abundant genus followed by Trichoderma and Aspergillus. The species comprising more isolates, such as Pseudomonas putida, Achromobacter xylosoxidans and Ochromobactrum anthropi for bacteria, Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium solani for fungi, were also the dominant OTUs assessed in Illumina.

Bioremediation of petroleum-contaminated soil using aged refuse from landfills

This study explored the effects and mechanisms of petroleum-contaminated soil bioremediation using aged refuse (AR) from landfills. Three treatments of petroleum-contaminated soil (47.28 mg·g^-1) amended with AR, sterilized aged refuse (SAR) and petroleum-contaminated soil only (as a control) were tested. During 98 days of incubation, changes in soil physicochemical properties, residual total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH), biodegradation kinetics, enzyme activities and the microbial community were investigated. The results demonstrated that AR was an effective soil conditioner and biostimulation agent that could comprehensively improve the quality of petroleum-contaminated soil and promote microbial growth, with an 74.64% TPH removal rate, 22.36 day half-life for SAR treatment, compared with the control (half-life: 138.63 days; TPH removal rate: 22.40%). In addition, the petroleum-degrading bacteria isolation results demonstrated that AR was also a petroleum-degrading microbial agent containing abundant microorganisms. AR addition significantly improved both the biotic and abiotic conditions of petroleum-contaminated soil without other additives. The cooperation of conditioner addition, biostimulation and bioaugmentation in AR treatment led to better bioremediation effects (half-life: 13.86 days; TPH removal rate: 89.83%). In conclusion, AR amendment is a cost-effective, easy-to-use method facilitating in situ large-scale application while simultaneously recycling huge amounts of AR from landfills.

Separating and characterizing functional alkane degraders from crude-oil-contaminated sites via magnetic nanoparticle-mediated isolation

Uncultivable microorganisms account for over 99% of all species on the planet, but their functions are yet not well characterized. Though many cultivable degraders for n-alkanes have been intensively investigated, the roles of functional n-alkane degraders remain hidden in the natural environment. This study introduces the novel magnetic nanoparticle-mediated isolation (MMI) technology in Nigerian soils and successfully separates functional microbes belonging to the families Oxalobacteraceae and Moraxellaceae, which are dominant and responsible for alkane metabolism in situ. The alkR-type n-alkane monooxygenase genes, instead of alkA- or alkP-type, were the key functional genes involved in the n-alkane degradation process. Further physiological investigation via a BIOLOG PM plate revealed some carbon (Tween 20, Tween 40 and Tween 80) and nitrogen (tyramine, l-glutamine and d-aspartic acid) sources promoting microbial respiration and n-alkane degradation. With further addition of promoter carbon or nitrogen sources, the separated functional alkane degraders significantly improved n-alkane biodegradation rates. This suggests that MMI is a promising technology for separating functional microbes from complex microbiota, with deeper insight into their ecological functions and influencing factors. The technique also broadens the application of the BIOLOG PM plate for physiological research on functional yet uncultivable microorganisms.

Bioremediation strategies of hydrocarbons and microbial diversity in the Trindade Island shoreline--Brazil

This study analyzed the microbial diversity colonizing the surface of an oil sample during its contact with water, off the Trindade Island coast and simulated the efficiency of eight different bioremediation strategies for this environment. The diversity analysis was performed using acrylic coupons that served as the support for an oil inclusion at sea. The coupons were sampled over 30 days, and T-RFLP multiplex was employed to access the diversity of fungi, Bacteria and Archaea present on the oil surface. The bioremediation strategies were simulated in a respirometer. The results showed that the bacterial domain was the most dominant in oil colonization and that the richness of the species attached to the oil gradually increases with the exposure time of the coupons. The combination of biostimulation and bioaugmentation with a native population was proven to be an effective strategy for the remediation of oil off the Trindade Island shoreline.

The metabolism of neonicotinoid insecticide thiamethoxam by soil enrichment cultures, and the bacterial diversity and plant growth-promoting properties of the cultured isolates

A soil enrichment culture (SEC) rapidly degraded 96% of 200 mg L(-1) neonicotinoid insecticide thiamethoxam (TMX) in MSM broth within 30 d; therefore, its metabolic pathway of TMX, bacterial diversity and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) activities of the cultured isolates were studied. The SEC transformed TMX via the nitro reduction pathway to form nitrso, urea metabolites and via cleavage of the oxadiazine cycle to form a new metabolite, hydroxyl CLO-tri. In addition, 16S rRNA gene-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis revealed that uncultured rhizobacteria are predominant in the SEC broth and that 77.8% of the identified bacteria belonged to uncultured bacteria. A total of 31 cultured bacterial strains including six genera (Achromobacter, Agromyces, Ensifer, Mesorhizobium, Microbacterium and Pseudoxanthomonas) were isolated from the SEC broth. The 12 strains of Ensifer adhaerens have the ability to degrade TMX. All six selected bacteria showed PGPR activities. E. adhaerens TMX-23 and Agromyces mediolanus TMX-25 produced indole-3-acetic acid, whereas E. adhaerens TMX-23 and Mesorhizobium alhagi TMX-36 are N2-fixing bacteria. The six-isolated microbes were tolerant to 200 mg L(-1) TMX, and the growth of E. adhaerens was significantly enhanced by TMX, whereas that of Achromobacter sp. TMX-5 and Microbacterium sp.TMX-6 were enhanced slightly. The present study will help to explain the fate of TMX in the environment and its microbial degradation mechanism, as well as to facilitate future investigations of the mechanism through which TMX enhances plant vigor.

Life in the "plastisphere": microbial communities on plastic marine debris

Plastics are the most abundant form of marine debris, with global production rising and documented impacts in some marine environments, but the influence of plastic on open ocean ecosystems is poorly understood, particularly for microbial communities. Plastic marine debris (PMD) collected at multiple locations in the North Atlantic was analyzed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and next-generation sequencing to characterize the attached microbial communities. We unveiled a diverse microbial community of heterotrophs, autotrophs, predators, and symbionts, a community we refer to as the "Plastisphere". Pits visualized in the PMD surface conformed to bacterial shapes suggesting active hydrolysis of the hydrocarbon polymer. Small-subunit rRNA gene surveys identified several hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria, supporting the possibility that microbes play a role in degrading PMD. Some Plastisphere members may be opportunistic pathogens (the authors, unpublished data) such as specific members of the genus Vibrio that dominated one of our plastic samples. Plastisphere communities are distinct from surrounding surface water, implying that plastic serves as a novel ecological habitat in the open ocean. Plastic has a longer half-life than most natural floating marine substrates, and a hydrophobic surface that promotes microbial colonization and biofilm formation, differing from autochthonous substrates in the upper layers of the ocean.