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Li C, Chen R, Ouyang W, Xue C, Liu M, Liu H. The response of C/N/S cycling functional microbial communities to redox conditions in shallow aquifers using in-situ sediment as bio-trap matrix. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2024; 45:3666-3678. [PMID: 37323025 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2023.2225704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Microbial communities are fundamental components driving critical biogeochemical carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) cycles in groundwater ecosystems. The reduction-oxidation (redox) potential is one important environmental factor influencing the microbial community composition. Here, we developed a bio-trap method using in-situ sediment as a matrix to collect aquifer sediment samples and evaluate the response of microbial composition and C/N/S cycling functions to redox variations created by providing sole O2, joint O2 and H2, and sole H2 to three wells. Illumina sequencing analyses showed that the microbial communities in the bio-trap sediment could respond quickly to redox changes in the wells, demonstrating that this bio-trap method is promising for detecting microbial variation in the aquifer sediment. The microbial metabolic functions related to C, N and S cyclings and organic pollutants degradation were predicted by the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) approach. It was found that the joint O2 and H2 injection produced medium oxidation-reduction potential (ORP -346 and -614 mV) and enhanced more microbial functions than sole O2 or H2, which mainly include oxidative phosphorylation, most carbon source metabolism, various pollutants degradation, and nitrogen and sulfur metabolism. Moreover, the functional genes encoding phenol monooxygenase, dioxygenase, nitrogen fixation, nitrification, aerobic and anaerobic nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, nitric oxide reductase, and sulfur oxidation increased. These findings tell us the contaminant bioremediation and N, S metabolism can be promoted by adjusting ORP realised by injecting joint O2 and H2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cui Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
- Hubei Ecology Polytechnic College, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Rong Chen
- School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Wuhan Technology and Business University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiwei Ouyang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Xue
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Minghui Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
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Palacios PA, Philips J, Bentien A, Kofoed MVW. Relevance of extracellular electron uptake mechanisms for electromethanogenesis applications. Biotechnol Adv 2024; 73:108369. [PMID: 38685440 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Electromethanogenesis has emerged as a biological branch of Power-to-X technologies that implements methanogenic microorganisms, as an alternative to chemical Power-to-X, to convert electrical power from renewable sources, and CO2 into methane. Unlike biomethanation processes where CO2 is converted via exogenously added hydrogen, electromethanogenesis occurs in a bioelectrochemical set-up that combines electrodes and microorganisms. Thereby, mixed, or pure methanogenic cultures catalyze the reduction of CO2 to methane via reducing equivalents supplied by a cathode. Recent advances in electromethanogenesis have been driven by interdisciplinary research at the intersection of microbiology, electrochemistry, and engineering. Integrating the knowledge acquired from these areas is essential to address the specific challenges presented by this relatively young biotechnology, which include electron transfer limitations, low energy and product efficiencies, and reactor design to enable upscaling. This review approaches electromethanogenesis from a multidisciplinary perspective, putting emphasis on the extracellular electron uptake mechanisms that methanogens use to obtain energy from cathodes, since understanding these mechanisms is key to optimize the electrochemical conditions for the development of these systems. This work summarizes the direct and indirect extracellular electron uptake mechanisms that have been elucidated to date in methanogens, along with the ones that remain unsolved. As the study of microbial corrosion, a similar bioelectrochemical process with Fe0 as electron source, has contributed to elucidate different mechanisms on how methanogens use solid electron donors, insights from both fields, biocorrosion and electromethanogenesis, are combined. Based on the repertoire of mechanisms and their potential to convert CO2 to methane, we conclude that for future applications, electromethanogenesis should focus on the indirect mechanism with H2 as intermediary. By summarizing and linking the general aspects and challenges of this process, we hope that this review serves as a guide for researchers working on electromethanogenesis in different areas of expertise to overcome the current limitations and continue with the optimization of this promising interdisciplinary technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Andrea Palacios
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 10C, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Jo Philips
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 10C, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anders Bentien
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Aabogade 40, Aarhus N, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Michael Vedel Wegener Kofoed
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 10C, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
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Karadagli F, Marcus A, Rittmann BE. Microbiological hydrogen (H 2 ) thresholds in anaerobic continuous-flow systems: Effects of system characteristics. Biotechnol Bioeng 2023. [PMID: 37148477 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogen (H2 ) concentrations that were associated with microbiological respiratory processes (RPs) such as sulfate reduction and methanogenesis were quantified in continuous-flow systems (CFSs) (e.g., bioreactors, sediments). Gibbs free energy yield (ΔǴ ~ 0) of the relevant RP has been proposed to control the observed H2 concentrations, but most of the reported values do not align with the proposed energetic trends. Alternatively, we postulate that system characteristics of each experimental design influence all system components including H2 concentrations. To analyze this proposal, a Monod-based mathematical model was developed and used to design a gas-liquid bioreactor for hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis with Methanobacterium bryantii M.o.H. Gas-to-liquid H2 mass transfer, microbiological H2 consumption, biomass growth, methane formation, and Gibbs free energy yields were evaluated systematically. Combining model predictions and experimental results revealed that an initially large biomass concentration created transients during which biomass consumed [H2 ]L rapidly to the thermodynamic H2 -threshold (≤1 nM) that triggerred the microorganisms to stop H2 oxidation. With no H2 oxidation, continuous gas-to-liquid H2 transfer increased [H2 ]L to a level that signaled the methanogens to resume H2 oxidation. Thus, an oscillatory H2 -concentration profile developed between the thermodynamic H2 -threshold (≤1 nM) and a low [H2 ]L (~10 nM) that relied on the rate of gas-to-liquid H2 -transfer. The transient [H2 ]L values were too low to support biomass synthesis that could balance biomass losses through endogenous oxidation and advection; thus, biomass declined continuously and disappeared. A stable [H2 ]L (1807 nM) emerged as a result of abiotic H2 -balance between gas-to-liquid H2 transfer and H2 removal via advection of liquid-phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatih Karadagli
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Andrew Marcus
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
- Skyology Inc., San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Bruce E Rittmann
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
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Dohrmann AB, Krüger M. Microbial H 2 Consumption by a Formation Fluid from a Natural Gas Field at High-Pressure Conditions Relevant for Underground H 2 Storage. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:1092-1102. [PMID: 36599497 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c07303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Underground hydrogen storage (UHS) has been proposed as one option for storage of excess energy from renewable sources. Depleted gas reservoirs appear suitable, but at the same time, they may be environments with potentially high microbial abundances and activities. Hydrogen (H2) is one of the most energetic substrates in such environments, and many microorganisms are able to oxidize H2, potentially leading to loss of H2 or other unwanted reactions like production of, e.g., H2S, clogging, or corrosion. This study addressed the potential of H2 consumption by naturally abundant microorganisms in formation fluid from a gas field at near in situ pressure and temperature conditions. Microbial H2 consumption was evident at ambient and 100 bar and tolerated pressure variations reflecting cycles of H2 storage. Temperature strongly influenced the activity with higher activity at 30 °C but lower activity at 60 °C. The activity was sulfate-dependent, and sulfide was produced. The microbial community composition changed during H2 consumption with an increase in sulfate-reducing prokaryotes (SRP). Thus, the presence of an SRP-containing, H2-consuming microbial community with activity at UHS-relevant pressure and temperature conditions was shown and should be taken into account when planning UHS at this and other sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja B Dohrmann
- Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), Stilleweg 2, 30655Hannover, Germany
| | - Martin Krüger
- Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), Stilleweg 2, 30655Hannover, Germany
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Abstract
AbstractThree-phase catalysis, for example, hydrogenation, is a special branch of chemical reactions involving a hydrogen reactant (gas) and a solvent (liquid) in the presence of a metal porous catalyst (solid) to produce a liquid product. Currently, many reactors are being used for three-phase catalysis from packed bed to slurry vessel; the uniqueness for this type of reaction in countless processes is the requirement of transferring gas into liquid, as yet there is not a unified system of quantifying and comparing reactor performances. This article reviews current methodologies in carrying out such heterogeneous catalysis in different reactors and focuses on how to enhance reactor performance from gas transfer perspectives. This article also suggests that the mass transfer rate over energy dissipation may represent a fairer method for comparison of reactor performance accounting for different types/designs of reactors and catalyst structures as well as operating conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiong-Wei Ni
- School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Division of Chemical Engineering, Heriot–Watt University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Lanzilli M, Esercizio N, Vastano M, Xu Z, Nuzzo G, Gallo C, Manzo E, Fontana A, d’Ippolito G. Effect of Cultivation Parameters on Fermentation and Hydrogen Production in the Phylum Thermotogae. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010341. [PMID: 33396970 PMCID: PMC7795431 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The phylum Thermotogae is composed of a single class (Thermotogae), 4 orders (Thermotogales, Kosmotogales, Petrotogales, Mesoaciditogales), 5 families (Thermatogaceae, Fervidobacteriaceae, Kosmotogaceae, Petrotogaceae, Mesoaciditogaceae), and 13 genera. They have been isolated from extremely hot environments whose characteristics are reflected in the metabolic and phenotypic properties of the Thermotogae species. The metabolic versatility of Thermotogae members leads to a pool of high value-added products with application potentials in many industry fields. The low risk of contamination associated with their extreme culture conditions has made most species of the phylum attractive candidates in biotechnological processes. Almost all members of the phylum, especially those in the order Thermotogales, can produce bio-hydrogen from a variety of simple and complex sugars with yields close to the theoretical Thauer limit of 4 mol H2/mol consumed glucose. Acetate, lactate, and L-alanine are the major organic end products. Thermotagae fermentation processes are influenced by various factors, such as hydrogen partial pressure, agitation, gas sparging, culture/headspace ratio, inoculum, pH, temperature, nitrogen sources, sulfur sources, inorganic compounds, metal ions, etc. Optimization of these parameters will help to fully unleash the biotechnological potentials of Thermotogae and promote their applications in industry. This article gives an overview of how these operational parameters could impact Thermotogae fermentation in terms of sugar consumption, hydrogen yields, and organic acids production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariamichela Lanzilli
- Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare (ICB), CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy; (M.L.); (N.E.); (M.V.); (G.N.); (C.G.); (E.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Nunzia Esercizio
- Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare (ICB), CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy; (M.L.); (N.E.); (M.V.); (G.N.); (C.G.); (E.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Marco Vastano
- Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare (ICB), CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy; (M.L.); (N.E.); (M.V.); (G.N.); (C.G.); (E.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Zhaohui Xu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA;
| | - Genoveffa Nuzzo
- Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare (ICB), CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy; (M.L.); (N.E.); (M.V.); (G.N.); (C.G.); (E.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Carmela Gallo
- Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare (ICB), CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy; (M.L.); (N.E.); (M.V.); (G.N.); (C.G.); (E.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Emiliano Manzo
- Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare (ICB), CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy; (M.L.); (N.E.); (M.V.); (G.N.); (C.G.); (E.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Angelo Fontana
- Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare (ICB), CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy; (M.L.); (N.E.); (M.V.); (G.N.); (C.G.); (E.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Giuliana d’Ippolito
- Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare (ICB), CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy; (M.L.); (N.E.); (M.V.); (G.N.); (C.G.); (E.M.); (A.F.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-081-8675096
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Wang X, Xin J, Yuan M, Zhao F. Electron competition and electron selectivity in abiotic, biotic, and coupled systems for dechlorinating chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons in groundwater: A review. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 183:116060. [PMID: 32750534 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons (CAHs) have been frequently detected in aquifers in recent years. Owing to the bioaccumulation and toxicity of CAHs, it is essential to explore high-efficiency technologies for their complete dechlorination in groundwater. At present, the most widely used abiotic and biotic remediation technologies are based on zero-valent iron (ZVI) and functional anaerobic bacteria (FAB), respectively. However, the main obstacles to the full potential of both technologies in the field include their lowered efficiencies and increased economic costs due to the co-existence of a variety of natural electron acceptors in the environment, such as dissolved oxygen (DO), nitrate (NO3-), sulfate (SO42-), ferric iron (Fe (III)), bicarbonate (HCO3-), and even water, which compete for electrons with the target contaminants. Therefore, a clear understanding of the mechanisms governing electron competition and electron selectivity is significant for the accurate evaluation of the effectiveness of both technologies under natural hydrochemical conditions. We collected data from both abiotic and biotic CAH-remediation systems, summarized the dechlorination and undesired reactions in groundwater, discussed the characterization methods and general principles of electron competition, and described strategies to improve electron selectivity in both systems. Furthermore, we reviewed the emerging ZVI-FAB coupled system, which integrates abiotic and biotic processes to enhance dechlorination performance and electron utilization efficiency. Lastly, we propose future research needs to quantitatively understand the electron competition in abiotic, biotic, and coupled systems in more detail and to promote improved electron selectivity in groundwater remediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Wang
- Key Lab of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Geological Engineering College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - Jia Xin
- Key Lab of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Geological Engineering College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China.
| | - Mengjiao Yuan
- Key Lab of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Geological Engineering College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
| | - Fang Zhao
- Key Lab of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology, Ministry of Education Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Geological Engineering College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
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Mathematical modelling supports the existence of a threshold hydrogen concentration and media-dependent yields in the growth of a reductive acetogen. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 2020; 43:885-894. [PMID: 31982985 PMCID: PMC7125072 DOI: 10.1007/s00449-020-02285-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The bacterial production of acetate via reductive acetogenesis along the Wood–Ljungdahl metabolic pathway is an important source of this molecule in several environments, ranging from industrial bioreactors to the human gastrointestinal tract. Here, we contributed to the study of reductive acetogens by considering mathematical modelling techniques for the prediction of bacterial growth and acetate production. We found that the incorporation of a hydrogen uptake concentration threshold into the models improves their predictions and we calculated this threshold as 86.2 mM (95% confidence interval 6.1–132.6 mM). Monod kinetics and first-order kinetics models, with the inclusion of two candidate threshold terms or reversible Michaelis–Menten kinetics, were compared to experimental data and the optimal formulation for predicting both growth and metabolism was found. The models were then used to compare the efficacy of two growth media for acetogens. We found that the recently described general acetogen medium was superior to the DSMZ medium in terms of unbiased estimation of acetogen growth and investigated the contribution of yeast extract concentration to acetate production and bacterial growth in culture. The models and their predictions will be useful to those studying both industrially and environmentally relevant reductive acetogenesis and allow for straightforward adaptation to similar cases with different organisms.
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