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Resitano M, Tucci M, Mezzi A, Kaciulis S, Matturro B, D'Ugo E, Bertuccini L, Fazi S, Rossetti S, Aulenta F, Cruz Viggi C. Anaerobic treatment of groundwater co-contaminated by toluene and copper in a single chamber bioelectrochemical system. Bioelectrochemistry 2024; 158:108711. [PMID: 38626620 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2024.108711] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
Addressing the simultaneous removal of multiple coexisting groundwater contaminants poses a significant challenge, primarily because of their different physicochemical properties. Indeed, different chemical compounds may necessitate establishing distinct, and sometimes conflicting, (bio)degradation and/or removal pathways. In this work, we investigated the concomitant anaerobic treatment of toluene and copper in a single-chamber bioelectrochemical cell with a potential difference of 1 V applied between the anode and the cathode. As a result, the electric current generated by the bioelectrocatalytic oxidation of toluene at the anode caused the abiotic reduction and precipitation of copper at the cathode, until the complete removal of both contaminants was achieved. Open circuit potential (OCP) experiments confirmed that the removal of copper and toluene was primarily associated with polarization. Analogously, abiotic experiments, at an applied potential of 1 V, confirmed that neither toluene was oxidized nor copper was reduced in the absence of microbial activity. At the end of each experiment, both electrodes were characterized by means of a comprehensive suite of chemical and microbiological analyses, evidencing a highly selected microbial community competent in the biodegradation of toluene in the anodic biofilm, and a uniform electrodeposition of spherical Cu2O nanoparticles over the cathode surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Resitano
- Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR), 00010 Montelibretti, (RM), Italy
| | - Matteo Tucci
- Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR), 00010 Montelibretti, (RM), Italy
| | - Alessio Mezzi
- Institute for the Study of Nanostructured Materials, National Research Council (CNR), 00010 Montelibretti, (RM), Italy
| | - Saulius Kaciulis
- Institute for the Study of Nanostructured Materials, National Research Council (CNR), 00010 Montelibretti, (RM), Italy
| | - Bruna Matturro
- Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR), 00010 Montelibretti, (RM), Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo 90133, Italy
| | - Emilio D'Ugo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Fazi
- Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR), 00010 Montelibretti, (RM), Italy
| | - Simona Rossetti
- Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR), 00010 Montelibretti, (RM), Italy
| | - Federico Aulenta
- Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR), 00010 Montelibretti, (RM), Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo 90133, Italy
| | - Carolina Cruz Viggi
- Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR), 00010 Montelibretti, (RM), Italy.
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2
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Kushkevych I, Procházka V, Vítězová M, Dordević D, Abd El-Salam M, Rittmann SKMR. Anoxygenic photosynthesis with emphasis on green sulfur bacteria and a perspective for hydrogen sulfide detoxification of anoxic environments. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1417714. [PMID: 39056005 PMCID: PMC11269200 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1417714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The bacterial light-dependent energy metabolism can be divided into two types: oxygenic and anoxygenic photosynthesis. Bacterial oxygenic photosynthesis is similar to plants and is characteristic for cyanobacteria. Bacterial anoxygenic photosynthesis is performed by anoxygenic phototrophs, especially green sulfur bacteria (GSB; family Chlorobiaceae) and purple sulfur bacteria (PSB; family Chromatiaceae). In anoxygenic photosynthesis, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is used as the main electron donor, which differs from plants or cyanobacteria where water is the main source of electrons. This review mainly focuses on the microbiology of GSB, which may be found in water or soil ecosystems where H2S is abundant. GSB oxidize H2S to elemental sulfur. GSB possess special structures-chlorosomes-wherein photosynthetic pigments are located. Chlorosomes are vesicles that are surrounded by a lipid monolayer that serve as light-collecting antennas. The carbon source of GSB is carbon dioxide, which is assimilated through the reverse tricarboxylic acid cycle. Our review provides a thorough introduction to the comparative eco-physiology of GSB and discusses selected application possibilities of anoxygenic phototrophs in the fields of environmental management, bioremediation, and biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Kushkevych
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Vít Procházka
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Monika Vítězová
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Dani Dordević
- Department of Plant Origin Foodstuffs Hygiene and Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences, Brno, Czechia
| | - Mohamed Abd El-Salam
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa, Egypt
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Simon K.-M. R. Rittmann
- Archaea Physiology & Biotechnology Group, Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Universität Wien, Wien, Austria
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3
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Geng A, Zhang C, Wang J, Zhang X, Qiu W, Wang L, Xi J, Yang B. Current advances of chlorinated organics degradation by bioelectrochemical systems: a review. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 40:208. [PMID: 38767676 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-024-04013-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Chlorinated organic compounds (COCs) are typical refractory organic compounds, having high biological toxicity. These compounds are a type of pervasive pollutants that can be present in polluted soil, air, and various types of waterways, such as groundwater, rivers, and lakes, posing a significant threat to the ecological environment and human health. Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) are an effective strategy for the degradation of bio-refractory compounds. BESs improve the waste treatment efficiency through the application of weak electrical stimulation. This review discusses the processes of BESs configurations and degradation performances in different environmental media including wastewater, soil, waste gas and groundwater. In addition, the degradation mechanisms and performance-enhancing additives are summarized. The future challenges and perspectives on the development of BES for COCs removal are briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anqi Geng
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng, 224051, China
| | - Caiyun Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng, 224051, China
| | - Jiajie Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng, 224051, China
| | - Xinyan Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng, 224051, China
| | - Wei Qiu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng, 224051, China
| | - Liping Wang
- School of Environment Science and Spatial Informatics, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, China
| | - Jinying Xi
- Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control State Key Joint Laboratory, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Bairen Yang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng, 224051, China.
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4
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Zeppilli M, Yaqoubi H, Dell’Armi E, Lai A, Belfaquir M, Lorini L, Papini MP. Tetrachloroethane (TeCA) removal through sequential graphite-mixed metal oxide electrodes in a bioelectrochemical reactor. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ECOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 17:100309. [PMID: 37560753 PMCID: PMC10406622 DOI: 10.1016/j.ese.2023.100309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Electro-bioremediation offers a promising approach for eliminating persistent pollutants from groundwater since allows the stimulation of biological dechlorinating activity, utilizing renewable electricity for process operation and avoiding the injection of chemicals into aquifers. In this study, a two-chamber microbial electrolysis cell has been utilized to achieve both reductive and oxidative degradation of tetrachloroethane (TeCA). By polarizing the graphite granules cathodic chamber at -650 mV vs the standard hydrogen electrode and employing a mixed metal oxide (MMO) counter electrode for oxygen production, the reductive and oxidative environment necessary for TeCA removal has been established. Continuous experiments were conducted using two feeding solutions: an optimized mineral medium for dechlorinating microorganisms, and synthetic groundwater containing sulphate and nitrate anions to investigate potential side reactions. The bioelectrochemical process efficiently reduced TeCA to a mixture of trans-dichloroethylene, vinyl chloride, and ethylene, which were subsequently oxidized in the anodic chamber with removal efficiencies of 37 ± 2%, 100 ± 4%, and 100 ± 5%, respectively. The introduction of synthetic groundwater with nitrate and sulphate stimulated reductions in these ions in the cathodic chamber, leading to a 17% decrease in the reductive dechlorination rate and the appearance of other chlorinated by-products, including cis-dichloroethylene and 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCA), in the cathode effluent. Notably, despite the lower reductive dechlorination rate during synthetic groundwater operation, aerobic dechlorinating microorganisms within the anodic chamber completely removed VC and 1,2-DCA. This study represents the first demonstration of a sequential reductive and oxidative bioelectrochemical process for TeCA mineralization in a synthetic solution simulating contaminated groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Zeppilli
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rome Sapienza, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Rome, 00185, Italy
| | - Hafsa Yaqoubi
- Department of Chemistry, Ibn Tofail University, Laboratory of Advanced Material and Process Engineering, Campus Universitaire, BP. 242, Kenitra, Morocco
| | - Edoardo Dell’Armi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rome Sapienza, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Rome, 00185, Italy
| | - Agnese Lai
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rome Sapienza, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Rome, 00185, Italy
| | - Mustapha Belfaquir
- Department of Chemistry, Ibn Tofail University, Laboratory of Advanced Material and Process Engineering, Campus Universitaire, BP. 242, Kenitra, Morocco
| | - Laura Lorini
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rome Sapienza, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Rome, 00185, Italy
| | - Marco Petrangeli Papini
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rome Sapienza, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Rome, 00185, Italy
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5
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Tucci M, Fernández-Verdejo D, Resitano M, Ciacia P, Guisasola A, Blánquez P, Marco-Urrea E, Cruz Viggi C, Matturro B, Crognale S, Aulenta F. Toluene-driven anaerobic biodegradation of chloroform in a continuous-flow bioelectrochemical reactor. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 338:139467. [PMID: 37437617 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139467] [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: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Subsurface co-contamination by multiple pollutants can be challenging for the design of bioremediation strategies since it may require promoting different and often antagonistic degradation pathways. Here, we investigated the simultaneous degradation of toluene and chloroform (CF) in a continuous-flow anaerobic bioelectrochemical reactor. As a result, 47 μmol L-1 d-1 of toluene and 60 μmol L-1 d-1 of CF were concurrently removed, when the anode was polarized at +0.4 V vs. Standard Hydrogen Electrode (SHE). Analysis of the microbial community structure and key functional genes allowed to identify the involved degradation pathways. Interestingly, when acetate was supplied along with toluene, to simulate the impact of a readily biodegradable substrate on process performance, toluene degradation was adversely affected, likely due to competitive inhibition effects. Overall, this study proved the efficacy of the developed bioelectrochemical system in simultaneously treating multiple groundwater contaminants, paving the way for the application in real-world scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Tucci
- Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR), Via Salaria km 29.300, 00015, Monterotondo, RM, Italy
| | - David Fernández-Verdejo
- Biorem UAB, Department of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marco Resitano
- Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR), Via Salaria km 29.300, 00015, Monterotondo, RM, Italy
| | - Pamela Ciacia
- Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR), Via Salaria km 29.300, 00015, Monterotondo, RM, Italy
| | - Albert Guisasola
- GENOCOV, Department of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paqui Blánquez
- Biorem UAB, Department of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ernest Marco-Urrea
- Biorem UAB, Department of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carolina Cruz Viggi
- Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR), Via Salaria km 29.300, 00015, Monterotondo, RM, Italy
| | - Bruna Matturro
- Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR), Via Salaria km 29.300, 00015, Monterotondo, RM, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, Italy
| | - Simona Crognale
- Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR), Via Salaria km 29.300, 00015, Monterotondo, RM, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, Italy
| | - Federico Aulenta
- Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR), Via Salaria km 29.300, 00015, Monterotondo, RM, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, Italy.
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6
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Feng H, Yang W, Zhang Y, Ding Y, Chen L, Kang Y, Huang H, Chen R. Electroactive microorganism-assisted remediation of groundwater contamination: Advances and challenges. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 377:128916. [PMID: 36940880 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.128916] [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] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Groundwater contamination has become increasingly prominent, therefore, the development of efficient remediation technology is crucial for improving groundwater quality. Bioremediation is cost-effective and environmentally friendly, while coexisting pollutant stress can affect microbial processes, and the heterogeneous character of groundwater medium can induce bioavailability limitations and electron donor/acceptor imbalances. Electroactive microorganisms (EAMs) are advantageous in contaminated groundwater because of their unique bidirectional electron transfer mechanism, which allows them to use solid electrodes as electron donors/acceptors. However, the relatively low-conductivity groundwater environment is unfavorable for electron transfer, which becomes a bottleneck problem that limits the remediation efficiency of EAMs. Therefore, this study reviews the recent advances and challenges of EAMs applied in the groundwater environment with complex coexisting ions, heterogeneity, and low conductivity and proposes corresponding future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huajun Feng
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, Zhejiang, China; College of Environment and Resources, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wanyue Yang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yifeng Zhang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Yangcheng Ding
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, Zhejiang, China
| | - Long Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ying Kang
- Zhejiang Ecological Environmental Monitoring Center, 117 Xueyuan Road, Hangzhou 310012, Zhejiang, China
| | - Huan Huang
- Zhejiang Ecological Environmental Monitoring Center, 117 Xueyuan Road, Hangzhou 310012, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ruya Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, Zhejiang, China.
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7
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Tucci M, Viggi CC, Crognale S, Matturro B, Rossetti S, Capriotti AL, Cavaliere C, Cerrato A, Montone CM, Harnisch F, Aulenta F. Insights into the syntrophic microbial electrochemical oxidation of toluene: a combined chemical, electrochemical, taxonomical, functional gene-based, and metaproteomic approach. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 850:157919. [PMID: 35964739 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Biodegradation of aromatic hydrocarbons in anoxic contaminated environments is typically limited by the lack of bioavailable electron acceptors. Microbial electrochemical technologies (METs) are able to provide a virtually inexhaustible electron acceptor in the form of a solid electrode. Recently, we provided first experimental evidence for the syntrophic degradation of toluene in a continuous-flow bioelectrochemical reactor known as the "bioelectric well". Herein, we further analyzed the structure and function of the electroactive toluene-degrading microbiome using a suite of chemical, electrochemical, phylogenetic, proteomic, and functional gene-based analyses. The bioelectric well removed 83 ± 7 % of the toluene from the influent with a coulombic efficiency of 84 %. Cyclic voltammetry allowed to identify the formal potentials of four putative electron transfer sites, which ranged from -0.2 V to +0.1 V vs. SHE, consistent with outer membrane c-type cytochromes and pili of electroactive Geobacter species. The biofilm colonizing the surface of the anode was indeed highly enriched in Geobacter species. On the other hand, the planktonic communities thriving in the bulk of the reactor harbored aromatic hydrocarbons degraders and fermentative propionate-producing microorganisms, as revealed by phylogenetic and proteomic analyses. Most likely, propionate, acetate or other VFAs produced in the bulk liquid from the degradation of toluene were utilized as substrates by the electroactive biofilm. Interestingly, key-functional genes related to the degradation of toluene were found both in the biofilm and in the planktonic communities. Taken as a whole, the herein reported results highlight the importance of applying a comprehensive suite of techniques to unravel the complex cooperative metabolisms occurring in METs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Tucci
- Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR), Monterotondo, RM, Italy
| | - Carolina Cruz Viggi
- Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR), Monterotondo, RM, Italy
| | - Simona Crognale
- Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR), Monterotondo, RM, Italy
| | - Bruna Matturro
- Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR), Monterotondo, RM, Italy
| | - Simona Rossetti
- Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR), Monterotondo, RM, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Cavaliere
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza - University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Cerrato
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza - University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Falk Harnisch
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Federico Aulenta
- Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR), Monterotondo, RM, Italy.
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8
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Viggi CC, Tucci M, Resitano M, Matturro B, Crognale S, Feigl V, Molnár M, Rossetti S, Aulenta F. Passive electrobioremediation approaches for enhancing hydrocarbons biodegradation in contaminated soils. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 845:157325. [PMID: 35839884 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Electrobioremediation technologies hold considerable potential for the treatment of soils contaminated by petroleum hydrocarbons (PH), since they allow stimulating biodegradation processes with no need for subsurface chemicals injection and with little to no energy consumption. Here, a microbial electrochemical snorkel (MES) was applied for the treatment of a soil contaminated by hydrocarbons. The MES consists of direct coupling of a microbial anode with a cathode, being a single conductive, non-polarized material positioned suitably to create an electrochemical connection between the anoxic zone (the contaminated soil) and the oxic zone (the overlying oxygenated water). Soil was also supplemented with electrically conductive particles of biochar as a strategy to construct a conductive network with microbes in the soil matrix, thus extending the radius of influence of the snorkel. The results of a comprehensive suite of chemical, microbiological and ecotoxicological analyses evidenced that biochar addition, rather than the presence of a snorkel, was the determining factor in accelerating PH removal from contaminated soils, possibly accelerating syntrophic and/or cooperative metabolisms involved in the degradation of PH. The enhancement of biodegradation was mirrored by an increased abundance of anaerobic and aerobic microorganisms known to be involved in the degradation of PH and related functional genes. Plant ecotoxicity assays confirmed a reduction of soils toxicity in treatments receiving electrically conductive biochar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Cruz Viggi
- Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR), Montelibretti (RM) 00010, Italy.
| | - Matteo Tucci
- Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR), Montelibretti (RM) 00010, Italy
| | - Marco Resitano
- Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR), Montelibretti (RM) 00010, Italy
| | - Bruna Matturro
- Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR), Montelibretti (RM) 00010, Italy
| | - Simona Crognale
- Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR), Montelibretti (RM) 00010, Italy
| | - Viktória Feigl
- Department of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, H-1111 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Mónika Molnár
- Department of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, H-1111 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Simona Rossetti
- Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR), Montelibretti (RM) 00010, Italy
| | - Federico Aulenta
- Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR), Montelibretti (RM) 00010, Italy
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9
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Puggioni G, Milia S, Unali V, Ardu R, Tamburini E, Balaguer MD, Pous N, Carucci A, Puig S. Effect of hydraulic retention time on the electro-bioremediation of nitrate in saline groundwater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 845:157236. [PMID: 35810909 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) have proven their capability to treat nitrate-contaminated saline groundwater and simultaneously recover value-added chemicals (such as disinfection products) within a circular economy-based approach. In this study, the effect of the hydraulic retention time (HRT) on nitrate and salinity removal, as well as on free chlorine production, was investigated in a 3-compartment BES working in galvanostatic mode with the perspective of process intensification and future scale-up. Reducing the HRT from 30.1 ± 2.3 to 2.4 ± 0.2 h led to a corresponding increase in nitrate removal rates (from 17 ± 1 up to 131 ± 1 mgNO3--N L-1d-1), although a progressive decrease in desalination efficiency (from 77 ± 13 to 12 ± 2 %) was observed. Nitrate concentration and salinity close to threshold limits indicated by the World Health Organization for drinking water, as well as significant chlorine production were achieved with an HRT of 4.9 ± 0.4 h. At such HRT, specific energy consumption was low (6.8·10-2 ± 0.3·10-2 kWh g-1NO3--Nremoved), considering that the supplied energy supports three processes simultaneously. A logarithmic equation correlated well with nitrate removal rates at the applied HRTs and may be used to predict BES behaviour with different HRTs. The bacterial community of the bio-cathode under galvanostatic mode was dominated by a few populations, including the genera Rhizobium, Bosea, Fontibacter and Gordonia. The results provide useful information for the scale-up of BES treating multi-contaminated groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Puggioni
- University of Cagliari, Department of Civil-Environmental Engineering and Architecture (DICAAR), Via Marengo 2-09123, Cagliari, Italy; Laboratory of Chemical and Environmental Engineering (LEQUiA), Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, Carrer Maria Aurelia Capmany, 69, E-17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Stefano Milia
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Environmental Geology and Geoengineering (CNR-IGAG), Via Marengo 2-09123, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Valentina Unali
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Environmental Geology and Geoengineering (CNR-IGAG), Via Marengo 2-09123, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Riccardo Ardu
- University of Cagliari, Department of Civil-Environmental Engineering and Architecture (DICAAR), Via Marengo 2-09123, Cagliari, Italy; DiSB, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Elena Tamburini
- DiSB, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - M Dolors Balaguer
- Laboratory of Chemical and Environmental Engineering (LEQUiA), Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, Carrer Maria Aurelia Capmany, 69, E-17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Narcís Pous
- Laboratory of Chemical and Environmental Engineering (LEQUiA), Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, Carrer Maria Aurelia Capmany, 69, E-17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Alessandra Carucci
- University of Cagliari, Department of Civil-Environmental Engineering and Architecture (DICAAR), Via Marengo 2-09123, Cagliari, Italy; National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Environmental Geology and Geoengineering (CNR-IGAG), Via Marengo 2-09123, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Sebastià Puig
- Laboratory of Chemical and Environmental Engineering (LEQUiA), Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, Carrer Maria Aurelia Capmany, 69, E-17003 Girona, Spain
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Cruz Viggi C, Tucci M, Resitano M, Crognale S, Di Franca ML, Rossetti S, Aulenta F. Coupling of bioelectrochemical toluene oxidation and trichloroethene reductive dechlorination for single-stage treatment of groundwater containing multiple contaminants. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ECOTECHNOLOGY 2022; 11:100171. [PMID: 36158759 PMCID: PMC9488093 DOI: 10.1016/j.ese.2022.100171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Bioremediation of groundwater contaminated by a mixture of aromatic hydrocarbons and chlorinated solvents is typically challenged because these contaminants are degraded via distinctive oxidative and reductive pathways, thus requiring different amendments and redox conditions. Here, we provided the proof-of-concept of a single-stage treatment of synthetic groundwater containing toluene and trichloroethene (TCE) in a tubular bioelectrochemical reactor, known as a "bioelectric well". Toluene was degraded by a microbial bioanode (up to 150 μmol L-1 d-1) with a polarized graphite anode (+0.2 V vs. SHE) serving as the terminal electron acceptor. The electric current deriving from microbially-driven toluene oxidation resulted in (abiotic) hydrogen production (at a stainless-steel cathode), which sustained the reductive dechlorination of TCE to less-chlorinated intermediates (i.e., cis-DCE, VC, and ETH), at a maximum rate of 500 μeq L-1 d-1, in the bulk of the reactor. A phylogenetic and functional gene-based analysis of the "bioelectric well" confirmed the establishment of a microbiome harboring the metabolic potential for anaerobic toluene oxidation and TCE reductive dechlorination. However, Toluene degradation and current generation were found to be rate-limited by external mass transport phenomena, thus indicating the existing potential for further process optimization.
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Ceballos-Escalera A, Pous N, Balaguer MD, Puig S. Electrochemical water softening as pretreatment for nitrate electro bioremediation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:150433. [PMID: 34560446 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150433] [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: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Electro bioremediation is gaining interest as a sustainable treatment for contaminated groundwater. Nevertheless, the investigation is still at the laboratory level, and before their implementation is necessary to overcome important drawbacks. A prevalent issue is the high groundwater hardness that generates scale deposition on electrodes that irreversibly affects the treatment effectiveness and their lifetime. For this reason, the present study evaluated a novel and sustainable approach combining electrochemical water softening as a preliminary step for electro bioremediation of nitrate-contaminated groundwater. Batch mode tests were performed at mL-scale to determine the optimum reactor configuration (single- or two-chambers) and the suitable applied cathode potential for electrochemical softening. A single-chamber reactor working at a cathode potential of -1.2 V vs. Ag/AgCl was chosen. Continuous groundwater softening under this configuration achieved a hardness removal efficiency of 64 ± 4% at a rate of 305 ± 17 mg CaCO3 m-2cathode h-1. The saturation index at the effluent of the main minerals susceptible to precipitate (aragonite, calcite, and brucite) was reduced up to 90%. Softening activity plummeted after 13 days of operation due to precipitate deposition (mostly calcite) on the cathode surface. Polarity reversal periods were considered to detach the precipitated throughout the continuous operation. Their implementation every 3-4 days increased the softening lifetime by 48%, keeping a stable hardness removal efficiency. The nitrate content of softened groundwater was removed in an electro bioremediation system at a rate of 1269 ± 30 g NO3- m-3NCC d-1 (97% nitrate removal efficiency). The energy consumption of the integrated system (1.4 kWh m-3treated) confirmed the competitiveness of the combined treatment and paves the ground for scaling up the process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Ceballos-Escalera
- LEQUiA, Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Capmany, 69, E-17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Narcís Pous
- LEQUiA, Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Capmany, 69, E-17003 Girona, Spain
| | - M Dolors Balaguer
- LEQUiA, Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Capmany, 69, E-17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Sebastià Puig
- LEQUiA, Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Capmany, 69, E-17003 Girona, Spain.
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