1
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Puigserver D, Herrero J, Carmona JM. Mobilization pilot test of PCE sources in the transition zone to aquitards by combining mZVI and biostimulation with lactic acid. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 877:162751. [PMID: 36921871 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The potential toxic and carcinogenic effects of chlorinated solvents in groundwater on human health and aquatic ecosystems require very effective remediation strategies of contaminated groundwater to achieve the low legal cleanup targets required. The transition zones between aquifers and bottom aquitards occur mainly in prograding alluvial fan geological contexts. Hence, they are very frequent from a hydrogeological point of view. The transition zone consists of numerous thin layers of fine to coarse-grained clastic fragments (e.g., medium sands and gravels), which alternate with fine-grained materials (clays and silts). When the transition zones are affected by DNAPL spills, free-phase pools accumulate on the less conductive layers. Owing to the low overall conductivity of this zone, the pools are very recalcitrant. Little field research has been done on transition zone remediation techniques. Injection of iron microparticles has the disadvantage of the limited accessibility of this reagent to reach the entire source of contamination. Biostimulation of indigenous microorganisms in the medium has the disadvantage that few of the microorganisms are capable of complete biodegradation to total mineralization of the parent contaminant and metabolites. A field pilot test was conducted at a site where a transition zone existed in which DNAPL pools of PCE had accumulated. In particular, the interface with the bottom aquitard was where PCE concentrations were the highest. In this pilot test, a combined strategy using ZVI in microparticles and biostimulation with lactate in the form of lactic acid was conducted. Throughout the test it was found that the interdependence of the coupled biotic and abiotic processes generated synergies between these processes. This resulted in a greater degradation of the PCE and its transformation products. With the combination of the two techniques, the mobilization of the contaminant source of PCE was extremely effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Puigserver
- Department of Mineralogy, Petrology and Applied Geology. Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), Water Research Institute (IdRA-UB), Serra Húnter Tenure-elegible Lecturer, C/ Martí i Franquès, s/n, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Jofre Herrero
- Department of Mineralogy, Petrology and Applied Geology, Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), Water Research Institute (IdRA-UB), C/ Martí i Franquès, s/n, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - José M Carmona
- Department of Mineralogy, Petrology and Applied Geology, Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), Water Research Institute (IdRA-UB), C/ Martí i Franquès, s/n, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain.
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2
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Richards PM, Ewald JM, Zhao W, Rectanus H, Fan D, Durant N, Pound M, Mattes TE. Natural Biodegradation of Vinyl Chloride and cis-Dichloroethene in Aerobic and Suboxic Conditions. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:56154-56167. [PMID: 35322370 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-19755-1] [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: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Chlorinated ethene (CE) groundwater contamination is commonly treated through anaerobic biodegradation (i.e., reductive dechlorination) either as part of an engineered system or through natural attenuation. Aerobic biodegradation has also been recognized as a potentially significant pathway for the removal of the lower CEs cis-1,2-dichloroethene (cDCE) and vinyl chloride (VC). However, the role of aerobic biodegradation under low oxygen conditions typical of contaminated groundwater is unclear. Bacteria capable of aerobic VC biodegradation appear to be common in the environment, while aerobic biodegradation of cDCE is less common and little is known regarding the organisms responsible. In this study, we investigate the role of aerobic cDCE and VC biodegradation in a mixed contaminant plume (including CEs, BTEX, and ketones) at Naval Air Station North Island, Installation Restoration Site 9. Sediment and groundwater collected from the plume source area, mid-plume, and shoreline were used to prepare microcosms under fully aerobic (8 mg/L dissolved oxygen (DO)) and suboxic (< 1 mg/L DO) conditions. In the shoreline microcosms, VC and cDCE were rapidly degraded under suboxic conditions (100% and 77% removal in < 62 days). In the suboxic VC microcosms, biodegradation was associated with a > 5 order of magnitude increase in the abundance of functional gene etnE, part of the aerobic VC utilization pathway. VC and cDCE were degraded more slowly under fully aerobic conditions (74% and 30% removal) in 110 days. High-throughput 16S rRNA and etnE sequencing suggest the presence of novel VC- and cDCE-degrading bacteria. These results suggest that natural aerobic biodegradation of cDCE and VC is occurring at the site and provide new evidence that low (< 1 mg/L) DO levels play a significant role in natural attenuation of cDCE and VC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick M Richards
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 4105 Seamans Center, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Jessica M Ewald
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 4105 Seamans Center, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Weilun Zhao
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 4105 Seamans Center, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Heather Rectanus
- Geosyntec Consultants, Inc, 10211 Wincopin Circle, 4th Floor, Columbia, MD, 21044, USA
| | - Dimin Fan
- Geosyntec Consultants, Inc, 10211 Wincopin Circle, 4th Floor, Columbia, MD, 21044, USA
| | - Neal Durant
- Geosyntec Consultants, Inc, 10211 Wincopin Circle, 4th Floor, Columbia, MD, 21044, USA
| | - Michael Pound
- Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Southwest, 750 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA, 92132, USA
| | - Timothy E Mattes
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 4105 Seamans Center, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.
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3
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Di Franca ML, Matturro B, Crognale S, Zeppilli M, Dell’Armi E, Majone M, Petrangeli Papini M, Rossetti S. Microbiome Composition and Dynamics of a Reductive/Oxidative Bioelectrochemical System for Perchloroethylene Removal: Effect of the Feeding Composition. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:951911. [PMID: 35923400 PMCID: PMC9340161 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.951911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlorinated solvents still represent an environmental concern that requires sustainable and innovative bioremediation strategies. This study describes the microbiome composition of a novel bioelectrochemical system (BES) based on sequential reductive/oxidative dechlorination for complete perchloroethylene (PCE) removal occurring in two separate but sequential chambers. The BES has been tested under various feeding compositions [i.e., anaerobic mineral medium (MM), synthetic groundwater (SG), and real groundwater (RG)] differing in presence of sulfate, nitrate, and iron (III). In addition, the main biomarkers of the dechlorination process have been monitored in the system under various conditions. Among them, Dehalococcoides mccartyi 16S rRNA and reductive dehalogenase genes (tceA, bvcA, and vcrA) involved in anaerobic dechlorination have been quantified. The etnE and etnC genes involved in aerobic dechlorination have also been quantified. The feeding composition affected the microbiome, in particular when the BES was fed with RG. Sulfuricurvum, enriched in the reductive compartment, operated with MM and SG, suggesting complex interactions in the sulfur cycle mostly including sulfur oxidation occurring at the anodic counter electrode (MM) or coupled to nitrate reduction (SG). Moreover, the known Mycobacterium responsible for natural attenuation of VC by aerobic degradation was found abundant in the oxidative compartment fed with RG, which was in line with the high VC removal observed (92 ± 2%). D. mccartyi was observed in all the tested conditions ranging from 8.78E + 06 (with RG) to 2.35E + 07 (with MM) 16S rRNA gene copies/L. tceA was found as the most abundant reductive dehalogenase gene in all the conditions explored (up to 2.46 E + 07 gene copies/L in MM). The microbiome dynamics and the occurrence of biomarkers of dechlorination, along with the kinetic performance of the system under various feeding conditions, suggested promising implications for the scale-up of the BES, which couples reductive with oxidative dechlorination to ensure the complete removal of highly chlorinated ethylene and mobile low-chlorinated by-products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria L. Di Franca
- Water Research Institute-National Research Council (IRSA-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Bruna Matturro
- Water Research Institute-National Research Council (IRSA-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Crognale
- Water Research Institute-National Research Council (IRSA-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Zeppilli
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Mauro Majone
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Simona Rossetti
- Water Research Institute-National Research Council (IRSA-CNR), Rome, Italy
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4
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Richards PM, Liang Y, Johnson RL, Mattes TE. Cryogenic soil coring reveals coexistence of aerobic and anaerobic vinyl chloride degrading bacteria in a chlorinated ethene contaminated aquifer. WATER RESEARCH 2019; 157:281-291. [PMID: 30959331 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.03.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Vinyl chloride (VC) is a common groundwater contaminant and known human carcinogen. Three major bacterial guilds are known to participate in VC biodegradation: aerobic etheneotrophs and methanotrophs, and anaerobic organohalide-respiring VC-dechlorinators. We investigated the spatial relationships between functional genes representing these three groups of bacteria (as determined by qPCR) with chlorinated ethene concentrations in a surficial aquifer at a contaminated site. We used cryogenic soil coring to collect high-resolution aquifer sediment samples and to preserve sample geochemistry and nucleic acids under field conditions. All samples appeared to be anaerobic (i.e., contained little to no dissolved oxygen). VC biodegradation associated functional genes from etheneotrophs (etnC and/or etnE), methanotrophs (mmoX and/or pmoA), and anaerobic VC-dechlorinators (bvcA and/or vcrA) coexisted in 48% of the samples. Transcripts of etnC/etnE and bvcA/vcrA were quantified in contemporaneous groundwater samples, indicating co-located gene expression. Functional genes from etheneotrophs and anaerobic VC-dechlorinators were correlated to VC concentrations in the lower surficial aquifer (p < 0.05). Methanotroph functional genes were not correlated to VC concentrations. Cryogenic soil coring proved to be a powerful tool for capturing high-spatial resolution trends in geochemical and nucleic acid data in aquifer sediments. We conclude that both aerobic etheneotrophs and anaerobic VC-dechlorinators may play a significant role in VC biodegradation in aquifers that have little dissolved oxygen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick M Richards
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 4105 Seamans Center, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Yi Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Richard L Johnson
- OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Timothy E Mattes
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 4105 Seamans Center, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.
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5
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Temme HR, Carlson A, Novak PJ. Presence, Diversity, and Enrichment of Respiratory Reductive Dehalogenase and Non-respiratory Hydrolytic and Oxidative Dehalogenase Genes in Terrestrial Environments. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1258. [PMID: 31231342 PMCID: PMC6567934 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Organohalide-respiring bacteria have been linked to the cycling and possible respiration of chlorinated natural organic matter (Cl-NOM) in uncontaminated soils and sediments. The importance of non-respiratory hydrolytic/oxidative dechlorination processes in the cycling of Cl-NOM in terrestrial soil and sediment, however, is still not understood. This research analyzes the dechlorination potential of terrestrial systems through analysis of the metagenomes of urban lake sediments and cultures enriched with Cl-NOM. Even with the variability in sample type and enrichment conditions, the potential to dechlorinate was universal, with reductive dehalogenase genes and hydrolytic or oxidative dehalogenase genes found in all samples analyzed. The reductive dehalogenase genes detected grouped taxonomically with those from organohalide-respiring bacteria with broad metabolic capabilities, as opposed to those that obligately respire organohalides. Furthermore, reductive dehalogenase genes and two haloacid dehalogenase genes increased in abundance when sediment was enriched with high concentrations of Cl-NOM. Our data suggests that both respiratory and non-respiratory dechlorination processes are important for Cl-NOM cycling, and that non-obligate organohalide-respiring bacteria are most likely involved in these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna R Temme
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Aaron Carlson
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Paige J Novak
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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6
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Liu X, Wu Y, Wilson FP, Yu K, Lintner C, Cupples AM, Mattes TE. Integrated methodological approach reveals microbial diversity and functions in aerobic groundwater microcosms adapted to vinyl chloride. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2018; 94:5045312. [DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiy124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Xikun Liu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 4105 Seamans Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Yang Wu
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, University Town, Nanshan District, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Fernanda P Wilson
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Engineering Building, 428 S. Shaw Lane, Room 3546, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Ke Yu
- School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, University Town, Nanshan District, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Carly Lintner
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 4105 Seamans Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Alison M Cupples
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Engineering Building, 428 S. Shaw Lane, Room 3546, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Timothy E Mattes
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 4105 Seamans Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
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7
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Weatherill JJ, Atashgahi S, Schneidewind U, Krause S, Ullah S, Cassidy N, Rivett MO. Natural attenuation of chlorinated ethenes in hyporheic zones: A review of key biogeochemical processes and in-situ transformation potential. WATER RESEARCH 2018; 128:362-382. [PMID: 29126033 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.10.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2017] [Revised: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/28/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Chlorinated ethenes (CEs) are legacy contaminants whose chemical footprint is expected to persist in aquifers around the world for many decades to come. These organohalides have been reported in river systems with concerning prevalence and are thought to be significant chemical stressors in urban water ecosystems. The aquifer-river interface (known as the hyporheic zone) is a critical pathway for CE discharge to surface water bodies in groundwater baseflow. This pore water system may represent a natural bioreactor where anoxic and oxic biotransformation process act in synergy to reduce or even eliminate contaminant fluxes to surface water. Here, we critically review current process understanding of anaerobic CE respiration in the competitive framework of hyporheic zone biogeochemical cycling fuelled by in-situ fermentation of natural organic matter. We conceptualise anoxic-oxic interface development for metabolic and co-metabolic mineralisation by a range of aerobic bacteria with a focus on vinyl chloride degradation pathways. The superimposition of microbial metabolic processes occurring in sediment biofilms and bulk solute transport delivering reactants produces a scale dependence in contaminant transformation rates. Process interpretation is often confounded by the natural geological heterogeneity typical of most riverbed environments. We discuss insights from recent field experience of CE plumes discharging to surface water and present a range of practical monitoring technologies which address this inherent complexity at different spatial scales. Future research must address key dynamics which link supply of limiting reactants, residence times and microbial ecophysiology to better understand the natural attenuation capacity of hyporheic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Siavash Atashgahi
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Uwe Schneidewind
- Department of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Stefan Krause
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Science, University of Birmingham, UK
| | - Sami Ullah
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Science, University of Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Michael O Rivett
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK; GroundH(2)O Plus Ltd., Quinton, Birmingham, UK
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8
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Liang Y, Liu X, Singletary MA, Wang K, Mattes TE. Relationships between the Abundance and Expression of Functional Genes from Vinyl Chloride (VC)-Degrading Bacteria and Geochemical Parameters at VC-Contaminated Sites. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:12164-12174. [PMID: 28981261 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b03521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Bioremediation of vinyl chloride (VC) contamination in groundwater could be mediated by three major bacterial guilds: anaerobic VC-dechlorinators, methanotrophs, and ethene-oxidizing bacteria (etheneotrophs) via metabolic or cometabolic pathways. We collected 95 groundwater samples across 6 chlorinated ethene-contaminated sites and searched for relationships among VC biodegradation gene abundance and expression and site geochemical parameters (e.g., VC concentrations). Functional genes from the three major VC-degrading bacterial guilds were present in 99% and expressed in 59% of the samples. Etheneotroph and methanotroph functional gene abundances ranged from 102 to 109 genes per liter of groundwater among the samples with VC reductive dehalogenase gene (bvcA and vcrA) abundances reaching 108 genes per liter of groundwater. Etheneotroph functional genes (etnC and etnE) and VC reductive dehalogenase genes (bvcA and vcrA) were strongly related to VC concentrations (p < 0.001). Methanotroph functional genes (mmoX and pmoA) were not related to VC concentration (p > 0.05). Samples from sites with bulk VC attenuation rates >0.08 year-1 contained higher levels of etheneotroph and anaerobic VC-dechlorinator functional genes and transcripts than those with bulk VC attenuation rates <0.004 year-1. We conclude that both etheneotrophs and anaerobic VC-dechlorinators have the potential to simultaneously contribute to VC biodegradation at these sites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Michael A Singletary
- NAVFAC Southeast, EV3 Environmental Restoration Building 135, Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida 32508, United States
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9
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Dolinová I, Štrojsová M, Černík M, Němeček J, Macháčková J, Ševců A. Microbial degradation of chloroethenes: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 24:13262-13283. [PMID: 28378313 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-8867-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Contamination by chloroethenes has a severe negative effect on both the environment and human health. This has prompted intensive remediation activity in recent years, along with research into the efficacy of natural microbial communities for degrading toxic chloroethenes into less harmful compounds. Microbial degradation of chloroethenes can take place either through anaerobic organohalide respiration, where chloroethenes serve as electron acceptors; anaerobic and aerobic metabolic degradation, where chloroethenes are used as electron donors; or anaerobic and aerobic co-metabolic degradation, with chloroethene degradation occurring as a by-product during microbial metabolism of other growth substrates, without energy or carbon benefit. Recent research has focused on optimising these natural processes to serve as effective bioremediation technologies, with particular emphasis on (a) the diversity and role of bacterial groups involved in dechlorination microbial processes, and (b) detection of bacterial enzymes and genes connected with dehalogenation activity. In this review, we summarise the different mechanisms of chloroethene bacterial degradation suitable for bioremediation and provide a list of dechlorinating bacteria. We also provide an up-to-date summary of primers available for detecting functional genes in anaerobic and aerobic bacteria degrading chloroethenes metabolically or co-metabolically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iva Dolinová
- Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies and Innovation, Technical University of Liberec, Studentská 2, 461 17, Liberec, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Mechatronics, Informatics and Interdisciplinary Studies, Technical University of Liberec, Studentská 2, 461 17, Liberec, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Štrojsová
- Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies and Innovation, Technical University of Liberec, Studentská 2, 461 17, Liberec, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslav Černík
- Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies and Innovation, Technical University of Liberec, Studentská 2, 461 17, Liberec, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Mechatronics, Informatics and Interdisciplinary Studies, Technical University of Liberec, Studentská 2, 461 17, Liberec, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Němeček
- Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies and Innovation, Technical University of Liberec, Studentská 2, 461 17, Liberec, Czech Republic
| | - Jiřina Macháčková
- Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies and Innovation, Technical University of Liberec, Studentská 2, 461 17, Liberec, Czech Republic
| | - Alena Ševců
- Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies and Innovation, Technical University of Liberec, Studentská 2, 461 17, Liberec, Czech Republic.
- Faculty of Mechatronics, Informatics and Interdisciplinary Studies, Technical University of Liberec, Studentská 2, 461 17, Liberec, Czech Republic.
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10
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Atashgahi S, Lu Y, Ramiro-Garcia J, Peng P, Maphosa F, Sipkema D, Dejonghe W, Smidt H, Springael D. Geochemical Parameters and Reductive Dechlorination Determine Aerobic Cometabolic vs Aerobic Metabolic Vinyl Chloride Biodegradation at Oxic/Anoxic Interface of Hyporheic Zones. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:1626-1634. [PMID: 28004913 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b05041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Hyporheic zones mediate vinyl chloride (VC) biodegradation in groundwater discharging into surface waters. At the oxic/anoxic interface (OAI) of hyporheic zones subjected to redox oscillations, VC is degraded via coexisting aerobic ethenotrophic and anaerobic reductive dechlorination pathways. However, the identity of aerobic VC degradation pathways (cometabolic vs metabolic) and their interactions with reductive dechlorination in relation to riverbed sediment geochemistry remain ill-defined. We addressed this using microcosms containing OAI sediments incubated under fluctuating oxic/anoxic atmosphere. Under oxic atmosphere, aerobic metabolic VC oxidation was absent in sediments with high total organic carbon (TOC) and VC was reductively dechlorinated to ethene. Ethene was oxidized by ethenotrophs that can degrade VC cometabolically. Contrastingly, VC was metabolically oxidized by ethenotrophs in low-TOC sediments with low reductive dechlorination potential. Accordingly, enrichment and isolation of metabolic VC-oxidizing ethenotrophs was successful only from the low-TOC sediment. Sequence analysis of etnE genes from the microcosms as well phylogenetic typing of the isolates showed that ethenotrophs in the sediments were facultative anaerobic Proteobacteria capable of coping with OAI-associated redox fluctuations. Our results suggest that local sediment heterogeneity supports/selects divergent VC degradation processes at the OAI and that high reductive dechlorination potential suppresses development of aerobic metabolic VC oxidation potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siavash Atashgahi
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research , Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Separation and Conversion Technology, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
- KU Leuven , Division of Soil and Water Management, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Yue Lu
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research , Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Javier Ramiro-Garcia
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research , Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Peng Peng
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research , Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Farai Maphosa
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research , Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Detmer Sipkema
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research , Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Winnie Dejonghe
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Separation and Conversion Technology, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Hauke Smidt
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research , Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk Springael
- KU Leuven , Division of Soil and Water Management, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium
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11
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Wilson FP, Liu X, Mattes TE, Cupples AM. Nocardioides, Sediminibacterium, Aquabacterium, Variovorax, and Pseudomonas linked to carbon uptake during aerobic vinyl chloride biodegradation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 23:19062-19070. [PMID: 27343076 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-7099-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Vinyl chloride (VC) is a frequent groundwater contaminant and a known human carcinogen. Bioremediation is a potential cleanup strategy for contaminated sites; however, little is known about the bacteria responsible for aerobic VC degradation in mixed microbial communities. In attempts to address this knowledge gap, the microorganisms able to assimilate labeled carbon ((13)C) from VC within a mixed culture capable of rapid VC degradation (120 μmol in 7 days) were identified using stable isotope probing (SIP). For this, at two time points during VC degradation (days 3 and 7), DNA was extracted from replicate cultures initially supplied with labeled or unlabeled VC. The extracted DNA was ultracentrifuged, fractioned, and the fractions of greater buoyant density (heavy fractions, 1.758 to 1.780 g mL(-1)) were subject to high-throughput sequencing. Following this, specific primers were designed for the most abundant phylotypes in the heavy fractions. Then, quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used across the buoyant density gradient to confirm label uptake by these phylotypes. From qPCR and/or sequencing data, five phylotypes were found to be dominant in the heavy fractions, including Nocardioides (∼40 %), Sediminibacterium (∼25 %), Aquabacterium (∼17 %), Variovorax (∼6 %), and Pseudomonas (∼1 %). The abundance of two functional genes (etnC and etnE) associated with VC degradation was also investigated in the SIP fractions. Peak shifts of etnC and etnE gene abundance toward heavier fractions were observed, indicating uptake of (13)C into the microorganisms harboring these genes. Analysis of the total microbial community indicated a significant dominance of Nocardioides over the other label-enriched phylotypes. Overall, the data indicate Nocardioides is primarily responsible for VC degradation in this mixed culture, with the other putative VC degraders generating a small growth benefit from VC degradation. The specific primers designed toward the putative VC degraders may be of use for investigating VC degradation potential at contaminated sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Paes Wilson
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, 48824, MI, USA
| | - Xikun Liu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, 52242, IA, USA
| | - Timothy E Mattes
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, 52242, IA, USA
| | - Alison M Cupples
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, 48824, MI, USA.
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Epoxyalkane:Coenzyme M Transferase Gene Diversity and Distribution in Groundwater Samples from Chlorinated-Ethene-Contaminated Sites. Appl Environ Microbiol 2016; 82:3269-3279. [PMID: 27016563 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00673-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 03/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Epoxyalkane:coenzyme M transferase (EaCoMT) plays a critical role in the aerobic biodegradation and assimilation of alkenes, including ethene, propene, and the toxic chloroethene vinyl chloride (VC). To improve our understanding of the diversity and distribution of EaCoMT genes in the environment, novel EaCoMT-specific terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) and nested-PCR methods were developed and applied to groundwater samples from six different contaminated sites. T-RFLP analysis revealed 192 different EaCoMT T-RFs. Using clone libraries, we retrieved 139 EaCoMT gene sequences from these samples. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that a majority of the sequences (78.4%) grouped with EaCoMT genes found in VC- and ethene-assimilating Mycobacterium strains and Nocardioides sp. strain JS614. The four most-abundant T-RFs were also matched with EaCoMT clone sequences related to Mycobacterium and Nocardioides strains. The remaining EaCoMT sequences clustered within two emergent EaCoMT gene subgroups represented by sequences found in propene-assimilating Gordonia rubripertincta strain B-276 and Xanthobacter autotrophicus strain Py2. EaCoMT gene abundance was positively correlated with VC and ethene concentrations at the sites studied. IMPORTANCE The EaCoMT gene plays a critical role in assimilation of short-chain alkenes, such as ethene, VC, and propene. An improved understanding of EaCoMT gene diversity and distribution is significant to the field of bioremediation in several ways. The expansion of the EaCoMT gene database and identification of incorrectly annotated EaCoMT genes currently in the database will facilitate improved design of environmental molecular diagnostic tools and high-throughput sequencing approaches for future bioremediation studies. Our results further suggest that potentially significant aerobic VC degraders in the environment are not well represented in pure culture. Future research should aim to isolate and characterize aerobic VC-degrading bacteria from these underrepresented groups.
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Mattes TE, Jin YO, Livermore J, Pearl M, Liu X. Abundance and activity of vinyl chloride (VC)-oxidizing bacteria in a dilute groundwater VC plume biostimulated with oxygen and ethene. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2015; 99:9267-76. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-015-6771-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Revised: 06/08/2015] [Accepted: 06/11/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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