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Gupta S, Plugge CM, Muyzer G, Sánchez-Andrea I. Harnessing the potential of the microbial sulfur cycle for environmental biotechnology. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2024; 88:103164. [PMID: 38964081 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2024.103164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
The sulfur cycle is a complex biogeochemical cycle characterized by the high variability in the oxidation states of sulfur. While sulfur is essential for life processes, certain sulfur compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide, are toxic to all life forms. Micro-organisms facilitate the sulfur cycle, playing a prominent role even in extreme environments, such as soda lakes, acid mine drainage sites, hot springs, and other harsh habitats. The activity of these micro-organisms presents unique opportunities for mitigating sulfur-based pollution and enhancing the recovery of sulfur and metals. This review highlights the application of sulfur-oxidizing and -reducing micro-organisms in environmental biotechnology through three illustrative examples. Additionally, it discusses the challenges, recent trends, and prospects associated with these applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suyash Gupta
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands; Microbial Systems Ecology, Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, Institute or Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Caroline M Plugge
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands; Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Gerard Muyzer
- Microbial Systems Ecology, Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, Institute or Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Irene Sánchez-Andrea
- Environmental Science for Sustainability Department, IE Universidad, Segovia, Spain
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Bounaga A, Alsanea A, Danouche M, Rittmann BE, Zhou C, Boulif R, Zeroual Y, Benhida R, Lyamlouli K. Elemental sulfur biorecovery from phosphogypsum using oxygen-membrane biofilm reactor: Bioreactor parameters optimization, metagenomic analysis and metabolic prediction of the biofilm activity. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 400:130680. [PMID: 38593965 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.130680] [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: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
This work investigated elemental sulfur (S0) biorecovery from Phosphogypsum (PG) using sulfur-oxidizing bacteria in an O2-based membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR). The system was first optimized using synthetic sulfide medium (SSM) as influent, then switched to biogenic sulfide medium (BSM) generated by biological reduction of PG alkaline leachate. The results using SSM had high sulfide-oxidation efficiency (98 %), sulfide to S0 conversion (∼90 %), and S0 production rate up to 2.7 g S0/(m2.d), when the O2/S ratio was ∼0.5 g O2/g S. With the BSM influent, the system maintained high sulfide-to-S0 conversion rate (97 %), and S0-production rate of 1.6 g S0/(m2.d). Metagenomic analysis revealed that Thauera was the dominant genus in SSM and BSM biofilms. Furthermore, influent composition affected the bacterial community structure and abundances of functional microbial sulfur genes, modifying the sulfur-transformation pathways in the biofilms. Overall, this work shows promise for O2-MBfR usage in S0 biorecovery from PG-leachate and other sulfidogenic effluents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayoub Bounaga
- Department of Chemical & Biochemical Sciences-Green Process Engineering (CBS), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Benguerir 43150, Morocco; Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, P.O. Box 875017, Tempe, AZ 85287-5701, USA
| | - Anwar Alsanea
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, P.O. Box 875017, Tempe, AZ 85287-5701, USA
| | - Mohammed Danouche
- Department of Chemical & Biochemical Sciences-Green Process Engineering (CBS), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Benguerir 43150, Morocco
| | - Bruce E Rittmann
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, P.O. Box 875017, Tempe, AZ 85287-5701, USA
| | - Chen Zhou
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, P.O. Box 875017, Tempe, AZ 85287-5701, USA
| | - Rachid Boulif
- Department of Chemical & Biochemical Sciences-Green Process Engineering (CBS), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Benguerir 43150, Morocco
| | - Youssef Zeroual
- Situation Innovation, OCP Group, BP 118, Jorf Lasfar El Jadida, 24000, Morocco
| | - Rachid Benhida
- Department of Chemical & Biochemical Sciences-Green Process Engineering (CBS), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Benguerir 43150, Morocco; Institute of Chemistry, Nice UMR7272, Côte d'Azur University, French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), Nice, France
| | - Karim Lyamlouli
- College of Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Agrobioscience Program, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Benguerir 43150, Morocco.
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Torres-Herrera S, Palomares-Cortés J, González-Cortés JJ, Cubides-Páez DF, Gamisans X, Cantero D, Ramírez M. Biodesulfurization of landfill biogas by a pilot-scale bioscrubber: Operational limits and microbial analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 246:118164. [PMID: 38211717 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118164] [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: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Biogas serves as a crucial renewable energy vector to ensure a more sustainable energy future. However, the presence of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) limits its application in various sectors, emphasizing the importance of effective H2S removal techniques for maximizing its potential. In the present study, the limits of a pilot-scale bioscrubber for biogas desulfurization was study in a real scenario. An increase in the superficial liquid velocity resulted in significant improvements in the H2S removal efficiency, increasing from 76 ± 8% (elimination capacity of 6.2 ± 0.5 gS-H2S m-3 h-1) to 97.7 ± 0.5% (elimination capacity of 8 ± 1 gS-H2S m-3 h-1) as the superficial liquid velocity increased from 50 ± 3 m h-1 to 200 ± 8 m h-1. A USL of 161.4 ± 0.5 m h-1 was able to achieve outlet H2S concentrations as low as 3 ± 1 ppmv (H2S removal efficiency of 97 ± 1%) for 7 days. High superficial liquid velocity favoured the aerobic H2S oxidation reducing the nitrate demand. The maximum EC reached throughout the operation was 50.8 ± 0.6 gS-H2S m-3 h-1 (H2S removal efficiency of 96 ± 1%) and a sulfur production of 60%. Studies in batch flocculation experiments showed sulfur removal rates up to 97.6 ± 0.9% with a cationic flocculant dose of 75 mg L-1. Microbial analysis revealed that the predominant genus with sulfo-oxidant capacity during periods of low H2S inlet load was Thioalkalispira-sulfurivermis (61-69%), while in periods of higher H2S inlet load, family Arcobacteraceae was the most prevalent (11%).
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Affiliation(s)
- S Torres-Herrera
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Technologies, Wine and Agrifood Research Institute (IVAGRO). Faculty of Sciences, University of Cadiz, Puerto Real, Cadiz, 11510, Spain
| | - J Palomares-Cortés
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Technologies, Wine and Agrifood Research Institute (IVAGRO). Faculty of Sciences, University of Cadiz, Puerto Real, Cadiz, 11510, Spain
| | - J J González-Cortés
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Technologies, Wine and Agrifood Research Institute (IVAGRO). Faculty of Sciences, University of Cadiz, Puerto Real, Cadiz, 11510, Spain
| | - D F Cubides-Páez
- Eurecat, Centre Tecnològic de Catalunya, Sustainability Area, Plaça de la Ciencia 2, Manresa, Barcelona, 08242, Spain
| | - X Gamisans
- Department of Mining, Industrial and ICT Engineering, Manresa School of Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Manresa, Barcelona, 08242, Spain
| | - D Cantero
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Technologies, Wine and Agrifood Research Institute (IVAGRO). Faculty of Sciences, University of Cadiz, Puerto Real, Cadiz, 11510, Spain
| | - M Ramírez
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Technologies, Wine and Agrifood Research Institute (IVAGRO). Faculty of Sciences, University of Cadiz, Puerto Real, Cadiz, 11510, Spain.
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Compagnone M, González-Cortés JJ, Pilar Yeste M, Cantero D, Ramírez M. Sustainable Recovery of Platinum Group Metals from Spent Automotive Three-Way Catalysts through a Biogenic Thiosulfate-Copper-Ammonia System. Molecules 2023; 28:8078. [PMID: 38138568 PMCID: PMC10746061 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28248078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
This study explores an eco-friendly method for recovering platinum group metals from a synthetic automotive three-way catalyst (TWC). Bioleaching of palladium (Pd) using the thiosulfate-copper-ammonia leaching processes, with biogenic thiosulfate sourced from a bioreactor used for biogas biodesulfurization, is proposed as a sustainable alternative to conventional methods. Biogenic thiosulfate production was optimized in a gas-lift bioreactor by studying the pH (8-10) and operation modes (batch and continuous) under anoxic and microaerobic conditions for 35 d. The maximum concentration of 4.9 g S2O32- L-1 of biogenic thiosulfate was reached under optimal conditions (batch mode, pH = 10, and airflow rate 0.033 vvm). To optimize Pd bioleaching from a ground TWC, screening through a Plackett-Burman design determined that oxygen and temperature significantly affected the leaching yield negatively and positively, respectively. Based on these results, an optimization through an experimental design was performed, indicating the optimal conditions to be Na2S2O3 1.2 M, CuSO4 0.03 M, (NH4)2SO4 1.5 M, Na2SO3 0.2 M, pH 8, and 60 °C. A remarkable 96.2 and 93.2% of the total Pd was successfully extracted from the solid at 5% pulp density using both commercially available and biogenic thiosulfate, highlighting the method's versatility for Pd bioleaching from both thiosulfate sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariacristina Compagnone
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Technologies, Wine and Agrifood Research Institute (IVAGRO), Faculty of Sciences, University of Cadiz, Puerto Real, 11510 Cadiz, Spain; (M.C.); (M.R.)
| | - José Joaquín González-Cortés
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Technologies, Wine and Agrifood Research Institute (IVAGRO), Faculty of Sciences, University of Cadiz, Puerto Real, 11510 Cadiz, Spain; (M.C.); (M.R.)
| | - María Pilar Yeste
- Department of Material Science, Metallurgical Engineering and Inorganic Chemistry, Institute of Research on Electron Microscopy and Materials (IMEYMAT), Faculty of Sciences, University of Cadiz, Puerto Real, 11510 Cadiz, Spain
| | - Domingo Cantero
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Technologies, Wine and Agrifood Research Institute (IVAGRO), Faculty of Sciences, University of Cadiz, Puerto Real, 11510 Cadiz, Spain; (M.C.); (M.R.)
| | - Martín Ramírez
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Technologies, Wine and Agrifood Research Institute (IVAGRO), Faculty of Sciences, University of Cadiz, Puerto Real, 11510 Cadiz, Spain; (M.C.); (M.R.)
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