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Mohamad Shahimin MF, Siddique T. Uncovering Anaerobic Hydrocarbon Biodegradation Pathways in Oil Sands Tailings from Two Different Tailings Ponds via Metabolite and Functional Gene Analyses. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2024:10.1007/s12010-024-04855-0. [PMID: 38376742 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-024-04855-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Oil sands tailings, a slurry of alkaline water, silt, clay, unrecovered bitumen, and residual hydrocarbons generated during bitumen extraction, are contained in ponds. Indigenous microbes metabolize hydrocarbons and emit greenhouse gases from the tailings. Metabolism of hydrocarbons in tailings ponds of two operators, namely, Canadian Natural Upgrading Limited (CNUL) and Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNRL), has not been comprehensively investigated. Previous reports have revealed sequential and preferential hydrocarbon degradation of alkanes in primary cultures established from CNUL and CNRL tailings amended separately with mixtures of hydrocarbons (n-alkanes, iso-alkanes, paraffinic solvent, or naphtha). In this study, activation pathway of hydrocarbon biodegradation in these primary cultures was investigated. The functional gene analysis revealed that fumarate addition was potentially the primary activation pathway of alkanes in all cultures. However, the metabolite analysis only detected transient succinylated 2-methylpentane and 2-methylbutane metabolites during initial methanogenic biodegradation of iso-alkanes and paraffinic solvent in all CNUL and CNRL cultures amended with iso-alkanes and paraffinic solvent. Under sulfidogenic conditions (prepared only with CNUL tailings amended with iso-alkanes), succinylated 2-methylpentane persisted throughout incubation period of ~ 1100 days, implying dead-end nature of the metabolite. Though no metabolite was detected in n-alkanes- and naphtha-amended cultures during incubation, assA/masD genes related to Peptococcaceae were amplified in all CNUL and CNRL primary cultures. The findings of this present study suggest that microbial communities in different tailings ponds can biodegrade hydrocarbons through fumarate addition as activation pathway under methanogenic and sulfidogenic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Faidz Mohamad Shahimin
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2G7, Canada.
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Aras 2, Blok S2, UniCITI Alam Campus, 02100, Padang Besar, Perlis, Malaysia.
| | - Tariq Siddique
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2G7, Canada
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2
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Gjini L, Kuznetsova A, Okpala G, Foght JM, Ulrich A, Siddique T. Aerobic biodegradation of cycloalkanes in non-aqueous extracted oil sands tailings. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 349:140900. [PMID: 38065261 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140900] [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: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Management of growing volumes of fluid fine tailings (FFT) is a significant challenge for oil sands industry. A potential alternative non-aqueous solvent extraction (NAE) process uses cycloalkane solvent such as cyclohexane or cyclopentane with very little water and generates smaller volumes of 'dry' solids (NAES) with residual solvent. Here we investigate remediation of NAES in a simulated bench-scale upland reclamation scenario. In the first study, microcosms with nutrient medium plus FFT as inoculum were amended with cyclohexane and incubated for ∼1 year, monitoring for cyclohexane biodegradation under aerobic conditions. Biodegradation of cyclohexane occurred under aerobic conditions with no metabolic intermediates detected. A second study using NAES mixed with FFT spiked with cyclohexane and cyclopentane, with or without additional nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), showed complete and rapid aerobic biodegradation of both cycloalkanes in NAES inoculated with FFT and supplemented with nutrients. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed dominance of Rhodoferax and members of Burkholderiaceae during aerobic cyclohexane biodegradation in FFT, and Hydrogenophaga, Acidovorax, Defluviimonas and members of Porticoccaceae during aerobic biodegradation of cyclohexane and cyclopentane in NAES inoculated with FFT and supplemented with nutrients. The findings indicate that biodegradation of cycloalkanes from NAES is possible under aerobic condition, which will contribute to the successful reclamation of oil sands tailings for land closure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Gjini
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Alsu Kuznetsova
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Gloria Okpala
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Julia M Foght
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Ania Ulrich
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Tariq Siddique
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
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3
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Heshka NE, Rathie K, Degenhardt D. An optimized extraction and gas chromatography analysis method for the quantification of diluent hydrocarbons in froth treatment tailings. J Sep Sci 2023; 46:e2300137. [PMID: 37449340 DOI: 10.1002/jssc.202300137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Froth treatment tailings are one type of waste stream generated during the extraction of surface-mined oil sands bitumen. To remove water and solids from bitumen froth recovered during the water-based extraction process, hydrocarbon diluent is added, and settling and/or centrifugation are applied to the diluted bitumen froth, producing diluted bitumen and froth treatment tailings. While recovery processes are in place to remove and recycle the diluent from froth treatment tailings, some residual diluent can remain. Since tailings are stored in outdoor ponds, the residual diluent can have implications for methanogenic microbial processes and resulting greenhouse gas emissions. This work presents a methodology to accurately extract and quantify diluent hydrocarbons from froth treatment tailings using gas chromatography. A cold-start temperature program is used to separate diluent hydrocarbons from any residual bitumen in the sample, and diluent is quantified using commercial standards as well as unprocessed diluent. A series of extraction parameters were tested and results from multiple conditions are shown with a rationale for the selected optimized parameters. Quantification of diluent in tailings samples is demonstrated from 60 to 5329 μg/g, and results from quality control standards show an average diluent recovery of 100 ± 10%.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kara Rathie
- Natural Resources Canada, CanmetENERGY, Devon, Canada
| | - Dani Degenhardt
- Canadian Forest Service, Northern Forestry Centre, Edmonton, Canada
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4
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Mohamad Shahimin MF, Siddique T. Biodegradation of 2-methylpentane in fluid fine tailings amended with a mixture of iso-alkanes under sulfate-reducing conditions. Can J Microbiol 2023; 69:362-368. [PMID: 37235883 DOI: 10.1139/cjm-2023-0022] [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] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Anaerobic microorganisms in Canada Natural Upgrading Limited (CNUL) fluid fine tailings (FFT) are sustained by residual solvent hydrocarbons. Although FFT are methanogenic in nature, sulfate-reducing microorganisms represent a significant portion of FFT bacterial community. In this study, we examined biodegradation of three iso-alkanes (2-methylbutane, 2-methylpentane, and 3-methylpentane), representing major iso-alkanes in paraffinic solvent, in CNUL FFT under sulfate-reducing conditions. During ∼1100 days of incubation, only 2-methylpentane was degraded partially, whereas 2-methylbutane and 3-methylpentane were not degraded. During active degradation of 2-methylpentane, the bacterial community was dominated by Anaerolineaceae followed by Syntrophaceae, Peptococcaceae, Desulfobacteraceae, and Desulfobulbaceae. The archaeal community was co-dominated by acetoclastic (Methanosaetaceae) and hydrogenotrophic (Methanobacteriaceae) methanogens. This study underlines the limited capability of the microbial community indigenous to CNUL FFT in degrading recalcitrant iso-alkanes under sulfate-reducing conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tariq Siddique
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G7, Canada
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Jiang M, Ji S, Wu R, Yang H, Li YY, Liu J. Exploiting refractory organic matter for advanced nitrogen removal from mature landfill leachate via anammox in an expanded granular sludge bed reactor. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 371:128594. [PMID: 36634882 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.128594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Anammox is an efficient low-carbon nitrogen removal technology for mature landfill leachate (MLL). However, it produces 11 % nitrate theoretically, which needs further removal. In this study, the mechanisms of exploiting refractory organic matter (ROM) from an MLL as an inner carbon source for advanced nitrogen removal via anammox were systematically analyzed, and the effects of hydraulic retention time on nitrogen and ROM removal/utilization were investigated. Without any external carbon source, a total nitrogen and organic carbon removal efficiency of 94.50 % and 27.12 %, respectively, were achieved, with a nitrogen loading rate of 2.4 kg N/(m3·d). The abundances of norank_f_norank_o_SBR1031, OLB13, and norank_f_A4b, which had the capacity to degrade ROM, increased from 21.63 % to 49.21 %. This study reveals that the ROM in an MLL can be exploited for synchronous advanced nitrogen and organic matter removal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengting Jiang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, 333 Nanchen Road, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Shenghao Ji
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, 333 Nanchen Road, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Ruixin Wu
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, 333 Nanchen Road, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Huan Yang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, 333 Nanchen Road, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Yu-You Li
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-06 Aza, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan
| | - Jianyong Liu
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, 333 Nanchen Road, Shanghai 200444, China.
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6
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Guo S, Toth CRA, Luo F, Chen X, Xiao J, Edwards EA. Transient Oxygen Exposure Causes Profound and Lasting Changes to a Benzene-Degrading Methanogenic Community. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:13036-13045. [PMID: 36083837 PMCID: PMC9496526 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c02624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the impact of oxygen on a strictly anaerobic, methanogenic benzene-degrading enrichment culture derived decades ago from oil-contaminated sediment. The culture includes a benzene fermenter from Deltaproteobacteria candidate clade Sva0485 (referred to as ORM2) and methanogenic archaea. A one-time injection of 0.1 mL air , simulating a small leak into 30 mL batch culture bottle, had no measurable impact on benzene degradation rates, although retrospectively, a tiny enrichment of aerobic taxa was detected. A subsequent 100 times larger injection of air stalled methanogenesis and caused drastic perturbation of the microbial community. A benzene-degrading Pseudomonas became highly enriched and consumed all available oxygen. Anaerobic benzene-degrading ORM2 cell numbers plummeted during this time; re-growth and associated recovery of methanogenic benzene degradation took almost 1 year. These results highlight the oxygen sensitivity of this methanogenic culture and confirm that the mechanism for anaerobic biotransformation of benzene is independent of oxygen, fundamentally different from established aerobic pathways, and is carried out by distinct microbial communities. The study also highlights the importance of including microbial decay in characterizing and modeling mixed microbial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Xu Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering
and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E5, Canada
| | - Johnny Xiao
- Department of Chemical Engineering
and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E5, Canada
| | - Elizabeth A. Edwards
- Department of Chemical Engineering
and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E5, Canada
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7
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Zhang L, Sun Q, Dou Q, Lan S, Peng Y, Yang J. The molecular characteristics of dissolved organic matter in urbanized river sediments and their environmental impact under the action of microorganisms. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 827:154289. [PMID: 35247414 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The complex relationships between the molecular composition of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and microbial communities are essential for maintaining the stability of aquatic ecosystems. This study comprehensively analyzed the characteristics and potential effects of DOM molecular composition as well as the relationship between microbial communities and DOM molecular composition in sediments from the Beiyun River, Beijing, China. The results showed that the content of DOM in Beiyun River sediments was 9.93-41.57 g/kg, mainly composed of lignin-like (36.75%) and protein-like (17.79%) substances. Compared with other rivers affected by anthropogenic activities, the higher content of labile substances in the Beiyun River increased the risk of nutrient release. At the same time, 1402 molecules remained stable in each sample, most of which were refractory lignin-like substances and protein-like substances carrying ester groups. The agricultural section contained more common DOM molecules than the urban section, mainly tannin-like and lignin-like substances with unsaturated or cyclic structures. And, the intensity of anthropogenic activities was the main reason affecting the diversity of unique DOM molecular in each sample. Moreover, Dechloromonas as the dominant genus of Proteobacteria was closely related to the biological modification of low unsaturated (DBE < 15) condensed aromatic compounds (P < 0.05). Anaerolineaceae and Anaerolineae belonging to the Chloroflexi phylum have the potential to degrade medium and high molecular weight (M/Z > 400) liable substances (P < 0.05) and release lignin-like substances. In addition, the proportion of protein-like substances can indirectly reflect the risk of nutrient release in sediments affected by urbanization. Thus, the results of this study further reveal the impact of urbanization on rivers, and provide theoretical basis and guidance for pollution control of the Beiyun River and other urbanized rivers worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Key Laboratory of Beijing for Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, 100124 Beijing, China.
| | - Qingxuan Sun
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Key Laboratory of Beijing for Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, 100124 Beijing, China
| | - Quanhao Dou
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Key Laboratory of Beijing for Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, 100124 Beijing, China
| | - Shuang Lan
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Key Laboratory of Beijing for Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, 100124 Beijing, China
| | - Yongzhen Peng
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Key Laboratory of Beijing for Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, 100124 Beijing, China
| | - Jiachun Yang
- Shuifa Shandong Water Development Group Co. Ltd., Shandong 274200, China
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8
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Francis DJ, Barbour SL, Lindsay MBJ. Ebullition enhances chemical mass transport across the tailings-water interface of oil sands pit lakes. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY 2022; 245:103938. [PMID: 34915427 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2021.103938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Base Mine Lake (BML) was the first commercial-scale demonstration oil sands pit lake established in northern Alberta, Canada. Recent studies indicate that ebullition enhances internal mass loading of dissolved constituents during settlement and dewatering of methanogenic fluid fine tailings (FFT) below the overlying water cap. Here, we describe results of integrated field measurements and numerical modelling to (i) determine potential for ebullition and enhanced mixing within BML, and (ii) assess impacts on chemical mass transport across the tailings-water interface. We observed sharp increases in [CH4(aq)] with depth from <0.1 mg L-1 immediately above the interface to >60 mg L-1 over the upper 1.5 to 3.0 m of FTT. Thermodynamic modelling revealed that maximum [CH4(aq)] values represent 60 to 80% of theoretical saturation, and corresponding total dissolved gas pressures approach or exceed fluid pressures. These findings supported integration of enhanced mixing into one-dimensional (1-D) advective-dispersive transport models, which substantially improved upon previous simulations of conservative tracer (i.e., Cl-) profiles and chemical mass fluxes. The models revealed a positive relationship between CH4(aq) saturation and enhanced mixing, showing that ebullition enhances internal mass loading. This information has potential to inform ongoing assessments of pit lake performance and support improved closure and reclamation planning at oil sands mines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Francis
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E2, Canada.
| | - S Lee Barbour
- Department of Civil and Geological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5A9, Canada.
| | - Matthew B J Lindsay
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E2, Canada.
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9
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Li K, Wentzell JJB, Liu Q, Leithead A, Moussa SG, Wheeler MJ, Han C, Lee P, Li SM, Liggio J. Evolution of Atmospheric Total Organic Carbon from Petrochemical Mixtures. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:12841-12851. [PMID: 34525806 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c02620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Reactive organic compounds play a central role in the formation of ozone and secondary organic aerosols. The ability to accurately predict their fate, in part, relies upon quantitative knowledge of the chemical and physical parameters associated with the total organic carbon (TOC), which includes both precursors and oxidation products that evolve in the atmosphere over short to long time scales. However, such knowledge, obtained via limited carbon closure experiments, has not been attained for complex anthropogenic emissions. Here we present the first comprehensive characterization of TOC in the atmospheric oxidation of organic vapors from light and heavy oil mixtures associated with oil sand operations. Despite the complexity of the investigated oil mixtures, we are able to achieve carbon closure (83-116%) within the uncertainties (±20%), with the degree of the closure being dependent upon the vapor composition and NOx levels. In contrast to biogenic precursors (e.g., α-pinene), the photochemical time scale required for a largely complete oxidation and evolution of chemical parameters is very long for the petrochemical vapors (i.e., ∼7-10 days vs ∼1 day), likely due to the lower initial precursor reactivity. This suggests that petrochemical emissions and their impacts are likely to extend further spatially than biogenic emissions, and retain more of their complex composition and reactivity for many days. The results of this work provide key parameters to regional models for further improving the representation of the chemical evolution of petrochemical emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Li
- Air Quality Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, Ontario M3H 5T4, Canada
- Laboratory of Atmospheric Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen 5232, Switzerland
| | - Jeremy J B Wentzell
- Air Quality Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, Ontario M3H 5T4, Canada
| | - Qifan Liu
- Air Quality Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, Ontario M3H 5T4, Canada
| | - Amy Leithead
- Air Quality Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, Ontario M3H 5T4, Canada
| | - Samar G Moussa
- Air Quality Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, Ontario M3H 5T4, Canada
| | - Michael J Wheeler
- Air Quality Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, Ontario M3H 5T4, Canada
| | - Chong Han
- Air Quality Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, Ontario M3H 5T4, Canada
| | - Patrick Lee
- Air Quality Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, Ontario M3H 5T4, Canada
| | - Shao-Meng Li
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - John Liggio
- Air Quality Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, Ontario M3H 5T4, Canada
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10
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Abstract
Oil sands surface mining in Alberta has generated over a billion cubic metres of waste, known as tailings, consisting of sands, silts, clays, and process-affected water that contains toxic organic compounds and chemical constituents. All of these tailings will eventually be reclaimed and integrated into one of two types of mine closure landforms: end pit lakes (EPLs) or terrestrial landforms with a wetland feature. In EPLs, tailings deposits are capped with several metres of water while in terrestrial landforms, tailings are capped with solid materials, such as sand or overburden. Because tailings landforms are relatively new, past research has heavily focused on the geotechnical and biogeochemical characteristics of tailings in temporary storage ponds, referred to as tailings ponds. As such, the geochemical stability of tailings landforms remains largely unknown. This review discusses five mechanisms of geochemical change expected in tailings landforms: consolidation, chemical mass loading via pore water fluxes, biogeochemical cycling, polymer degradation, and surface water and groundwater interactions. Key considerations and knowledge gaps with regard to the long-term geochemical stability of tailings landforms are identified, including salt fluxes and subsequent water quality, bioremediation and biogenic greenhouse gas emissions, and the biogeochemical implications of various tailings treatment methods meant to improve geotechnical properties of tailings, such as flocculant (polyacrylamide) and coagulant (gypsum) addition.
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Methanogenic Biodegradation of iso-Alkanes by Indigenous Microbes from Two Different Oil Sands Tailings Ponds. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9081569. [PMID: 34442648 PMCID: PMC8400375 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9081569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
iso-Alkanes, a major fraction of the solvents used in bitumen extraction from oil sand ores, are slow to biodegrade in anaerobic tailings ponds. We investigated methanogenic biodegradation of iso-alkane mixtures comprising either three (2-methylbutane, 2-methylpentane, 3-methylpentane) or five (2-methylbutane, 2-methylpentane, 2-methylhexane, 2-methylheptane, 2-methyloctane) iso-alkanes representing paraffinic and naphtha solvents, respectively. Mature fine tailings (MFT) collected from two tailings ponds, having different residual solvents (paraffinic solvent in Canadian Natural Upgrading Limited (CNUL) and naphtha in Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNRL)), were amended separately with the two mixtures and incubated in microcosms for ~1600 d. The indigenous microbes in CNUL MFT produced methane from the three-iso-alkane mixture after a lag of ~200 d, completely depleting 2-methylpentane while partially depleting 2-methylbutane and 3-methylpentane. CNRL MFT exhibited a similar degradation pattern for the three iso-alkanes after a lag phase of ~700 d, but required 1200 d before beginning to produce methane from the five-iso-alkane mixture, preferentially depleting components in the order of decreasing carbon chain length. Peptococcaceae members were key iso-alkane-degraders in both CNUL and CNRL MFT but were associated with different archaeal partners. Co-dominance of acetoclastic (Methanosaeta) and hydrogenotrophic (Methanolinea and Methanoregula) methanogens was observed in CNUL MFT during biodegradation of three-iso-alkanes whereas CNRL MFT was enriched in Methanoregula during biodegradation of three-iso-alkanes and in Methanosaeta with five-iso-alkanes. This study highlights the different responses of indigenous methanogenic microbial communities in different oil sands tailings ponds to iso-alkanes.
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12
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A Deep Look into the Microbiology and Chemistry of Froth Treatment Tailings: A Review. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9051091. [PMID: 34069522 PMCID: PMC8161226 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9051091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In Alberta’s Athabasca oil sands region (AOSR), over 1.25 billion m3 of tailings waste from the bitumen extraction process are stored in tailings ponds. Fugitive emissions associated with residual hydrocarbons in tailings ponds pose an environmental concern and include greenhouse gases (GHGs), reduced sulphur compounds (RSCs), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Froth treatment tailings (FTT) are a specific type of tailings waste stream from the bitumen froth treatment process that contains bioavailable diluent: either naphtha or paraffins. Tailings ponds that receive FTT are associated with the highest levels of biogenic gas production, as diverse microbial communities biodegrade the residual diluent. In this review, current literature regarding the composition, chemical analysis, and microbial degradation of FTT and its constituents is presented in order to provide a more complete understanding of the complex chemistry and biological processes related to fugitive emissions from tailings ponds receiving FTT. Characterizing the composition and biodegradation of FTT is important from an environmental perspective to better predict emissions from tailings ponds and guide tailings pond management decisions.
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13
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Su F, Yang YY. Microbially induced carbonate precipitation via methanogenesis pathway by a microbial consortium enriched from activated anaerobic sludge. J Appl Microbiol 2020; 131:236-256. [PMID: 33187022 DOI: 10.1111/jam.14930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Various applications of microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) has been proposed. However, most studies use cultured pure strains to obtain MICP, ignoring advantages of microbial consortia. The aims of this study were to: (i) test the feasibility of a microbial consortium to produce MICP; (ii) identify functional micro-organisms and their relationship; (iii) explain the MICP mechanism; (iv) propose a way of applying the MICP technique to soil media. METHODS AND RESULTS Anaerobic sludge was used as the source of the microbial consortium. A laboratory anaerobic sequencing batch reactor and beaker were used to perform precipitation experiment. The microbial consortium produced MICP with an efficiency of 96·6%. XRD and SEM analysis showed that the precipitation composed of different-size calcite crystals. According to high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the functional micro-organisms included acetogenic bacteria, acetate-oxidizing bacteria and archaea Methanosaeta and Methanobacterium beijingense. The methanogenesis acetate degradation provides dissolved inorganic carbon and increases pH for MICP. A series of reactions catalysed by many enzymes and cofactors of methanogens and acetate-oxidizers are involved in the acetate degradation. CONCLUSION This work demonstrates the feasibility of using the microbial consortium to achieve MICP from an experimental and theoretical perspective. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY A method of applying the microbial-consortium MICP to soil media is proposed. It has the advantages of low cost, low environmental impact, treatment uniformity and less limitations from natural soils. This method could be used to improve mechanical properties, plug pores and fix harmful elements of soil media, etc.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Su
- School of Engineering and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Y Y Yang
- School of Engineering and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, P. R. China
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Laczi K, Erdeiné Kis Á, Szilágyi Á, Bounedjoum N, Bodor A, Vincze GE, Kovács T, Rákhely G, Perei K. New Frontiers of Anaerobic Hydrocarbon Biodegradation in the Multi-Omics Era. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:590049. [PMID: 33304336 PMCID: PMC7701123 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.590049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The accumulation of petroleum hydrocarbons in the environment substantially endangers terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Many microbial strains have been recognized to utilize aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons under aerobic conditions. Nevertheless, most of these pollutants are transferred by natural processes, including rain, into the underground anaerobic zones where their degradation is much more problematic. In oxic zones, anaerobic microenvironments can be formed as a consequence of the intensive respiratory activities of (facultative) aerobic microbes. Even though aerobic bioremediation has been well-characterized over the past few decades, ample research is yet to be done in the field of anaerobic hydrocarbon biodegradation. With the emergence of high-throughput techniques, known as omics (e.g., genomics and metagenomics), the individual biodegraders, hydrocarbon-degrading microbial communities and metabolic pathways, interactions can be described at a contaminated site. Omics approaches provide the opportunity to examine single microorganisms or microbial communities at the system level and elucidate the metabolic networks, interspecies interactions during hydrocarbon mineralization. Metatranscriptomics and metaproteomics, for example, can shed light on the active genes and proteins and functional importance of the less abundant species. Moreover, novel unculturable hydrocarbon-degrading strains and enzymes can be discovered and fit into the metabolic networks of the community. Our objective is to review the anaerobic hydrocarbon biodegradation processes, the most important hydrocarbon degraders and their diverse metabolic pathways, including the use of various terminal electron acceptors and various electron transfer processes. The review primarily focuses on the achievements obtained by the current high-throughput (multi-omics) techniques which opened new perspectives in understanding the processes at the system level including the metabolic routes of individual strains, metabolic/electric interaction of the members of microbial communities. Based on the multi-omics techniques, novel metabolic blocks can be designed and used for the construction of microbial strains/consortia for efficient removal of hydrocarbons in anaerobic zones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krisztián Laczi
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Ágnes Erdeiné Kis
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.,Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Árpád Szilágyi
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Naila Bounedjoum
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.,Institute of Environmental and Technological Sciences, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Attila Bodor
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.,Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary.,Institute of Environmental and Technological Sciences, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | | | - Tamás Kovács
- Department of Biotechnology, Nanophagetherapy Center, Enviroinvest Corporation, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Gábor Rákhely
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.,Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary.,Institute of Environmental and Technological Sciences, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Katalin Perei
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.,Institute of Environmental and Technological Sciences, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
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15
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Zamanpour MK, Kaliappan RS, Rockne KJ. Gas ebullition from petroleum hydrocarbons in aquatic sediments: A review. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2020; 271:110997. [PMID: 32778285 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Gas ebullition in sediment results from biogenic gas production by mixtures of bacteria and archaea. It often occurs in organic-rich sediments that have been impacted by petroleum hydrocarbon (PHC) and other anthropogenic pollution. Ebullition occurs under a relatively narrow set of biological, chemical, and sediment geomechanical conditions. This process occurs in three phases: I) biogenic production of primarily methane and dissolved phase transport of the gases in the pore water to a bubble nucleation site, II) bubble growth and sediment fracture, and III) bubble rise to the surface. The rate of biogenic gas production in phase I and the resistance of the sediment to gas fracture in phase II play the most significant roles in ebullition kinetics. What is less understood is the role that substrate structure plays in the rate of methanogenesis that drives gas ebullition. It is well established that methanogens have a very restricted set of compounds that can serve as substrates, so any complex organic molecule must first be broken down to fermentable compounds. Given that most ebullition-active sediments are completely anaerobic, the well-known difficulty in degrading PHCs under anaerobic conditions suggests potential limitations on PHC-derived gas ebullition. To date, there are no studies that conclusively demonstrate that weathered PHCs can alone drive gas ebullition. This review consists of an overview of the factors affecting gas ebullition and the biochemistry of anaerobic PHC biodegradation and methanogenesis in sediment systems. We next compile results from the scholarly literature on PHCs serving as a source of methanogenesis. We combine these results to assess the potential for PHC-driven gas ebullition using energetics, kinetics, and sediment geomechanics analyses. The results suggest that short chain <C10 alkanes are the only PHC class that alone may have the potential to drive ebullition, and that PHC-derived methanogenesis likely plays a minor part in driving gas ebullition in contaminated sediments compared to natural organic matter.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Raja Shankar Kaliappan
- Department of Civil and Materials Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Karl John Rockne
- Department of Civil and Materials Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA.
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16
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Wang CN, Wu RL, Li YY, Qin YF, Li YL, Meng FQ, Wang LG, Xu FL. Effects of pesticide residues on bacterial community diversity and structure in typical greenhouse soils with increasing cultivation years in Northern China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 710:136321. [PMID: 31923679 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.136321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The understanding of soil microbiome is important for sustainable cultivation, especially under greenhouse conditions. Here, we investigated the changes in soil pesticide residues and microbial diversity and community structure at different cultivation years under a greenhouse system. The 9-to-14 years sites were found to have the least diversity/rich microbial population as compared to sites under 8 years and over 16 years, as analyzed with alpha diversity index. In total, 42 bacterial phyla were identified across soils with different pesticide residues and cultivation ages. Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Bacteroidetes represented the dominant phyla, that accounted for 34.2-43.4%, 9.7-19.3% and 9.2-16.5% of the total population, respectively. Our data prove that certain pesticides contribute to variation in soil microbial community and that soil bacteria respond differently to cultivation years under greenhouse conditions. Thus, this study provides an insight into microbial community structure changes by pesticides under greenhouse systems and natural biodegradation may have an important part in pesticides soil decontamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Nan Wang
- MOE Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Rui-Lin Wu
- MOE Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yu-Yan Li
- MOE Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yi-Fan Qin
- MOE Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yi-Long Li
- MOE Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Fan-Qiao Meng
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, Beijing Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Organic Farming, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Li-Gang Wang
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Non-point Source Pollution Control, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Fu-Liu Xu
- MOE Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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17
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Siddique T, Semple K, Li C, Foght JM. Methanogenic biodegradation of iso-alkanes and cycloalkanes during long-term incubation with oil sands tailings. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 258:113768. [PMID: 31864926 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Microbes indigenous to oil sands tailings ponds methanogenically biodegrade certain hydrocarbons, including n-alkanes and monoaromatics, whereas other hydrocarbons such as iso- and cycloalkanes are more recalcitrant. We tested the susceptibility of iso- and cycloalkanes to methanogenic biodegradation by incubating them with mature fine tailings (MFT) collected from two depths (6 and 31 m below surface) of a tailings pond, representing different lengths of exposure to hydrocarbons. A mixture of five iso-alkanes and three cycloalkanes was incubated with MFT for 1700 d. Iso-alkanes were completely biodegraded in the order 3-methylhexane > 4-methylheptane > 2-methyloctane > 2-methylheptane, whereas 3-ethylhexane and ethylcyclopentane were only partially depleted and methylcyclohexane and ethylcyclohexane were not degraded during incubation. Pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA genes showed enrichment of Peptococcaceae (Desulfotomaculum) and Smithella in amended cultures with acetoclastic (Methanosaeta) and hydrogenotrophic methanogens (Methanoregula and Methanoculleus). Bioaugmentation of MFT by inoculation with MFT-derived enrichment cultures reduced the lag phase before onset of iso-alkane and cycloalkane degradation. However, the same enrichment culture incubated without MFT exhibited slower biodegradation kinetics and less CH4 production, implying that the MFT solid phase (clay minerals) enhanced methanogenesis. These results help explain and predict continued emissions of CH4 from oil sands tailings repositories in situ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tariq Siddique
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G7, Canada.
| | - Kathleen Semple
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Carmen Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Julia M Foght
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada
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18
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Kong JD, Wang H, Siddique T, Foght J, Semple K, Burkus Z, Lewis MA. Second-generation stoichiometric mathematical model to predict methane emissions from oil sands tailings. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 694:133645. [PMID: 31400693 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.133645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Microbial metabolism of fugitive hydrocarbons produces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from oil sands tailings ponds (OSTP) and end pit lakes (EPL) that retain fluid tailings from surface mining of oil sands ores. Predicting GHG production, particularly methane (CH4), would help oil sands operators mitigate tailings emissions and may assist regulators evaluating the trajectory of reclamation scenarios. Using empirical datasets from laboratory incubation of OSTP sediments with pertinent hydrocarbons, we developed a stoichiometric model for CH4 generation by indigenous microbes. This model improved on previous first-approximation models by considering long-term biodegradation kinetics for 18 relevant hydrocarbons from three different oil sands operations, lag times, nutrient limitations, and microbial growth and death rates. Laboratory measurements were used to estimate model parameter values and to validate the new model. Goodness of fit analysis showed that the stoichiometric model predicted CH4 production well; normalized mean square error analysis revealed that it surpassed previous models. Comparison of model predictions with field measurements of CH4 emissions further validated the new model. Importantly, the model also identified in-situ parameters that are currently lacking but are needed to enable future robust modeling of CH4 production from OSTP and EPL in-situ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jude D Kong
- Center for Discrete Mathematics and Theoretical Computer Science, Rutgers University, 96 Frelinghuysen Road Piscataway, NJ 08854-8018, USA; Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G1, Canada
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G1, Canada.
| | - Tariq Siddique
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G7, Canada
| | - Julia Foght
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Kathleen Semple
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Zvonko Burkus
- Alberta Environment and Parks, Government of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Mark A Lewis
- Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G1, Canada; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada
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19
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Lee TH, Cao WZ, Tsang DCW, Sheu YT, Shia KF, Kao CM. Emulsified polycolloid substrate biobarrier for benzene and petroleum-hydrocarbon plume containment and migration control - A field-scale study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 666:839-848. [PMID: 30818208 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2018] [Revised: 02/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2019] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this field-scale study was to assess the effectiveness of applying an emulsified polycolloid substrate (EPS; containing cane molasses, soybean oil, and surfactants) biobarrier in the control and remediation of a petroleum-hydrocarbon plume in natural waters. An abandoned petrochemical manufacturing facility site was contaminated by benzene and other petroleum products due to a leakage from a storage tank. Because benzene is a petroleum hydrocarbon with a high migration ability, it was used as the target compound in the field-scale study. Batch partition and sorption experiment results indicated that the EPS to water partition coefficient for benzene was 232 mg/mg at 25 °C. This suggests that benzene had a higher sorption affinity to EPS, which decreased the benzene concentrations in groundwater. The EPS solution was pressure-injected into three remediation wells (RWs; 150 L EPS in 800 L groundwater). Groundwater samples were collected from an upgradient background well, two downgradient monitor wells (MWs), and the three RWs for analyses. EPS injection increased total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations (up to 786 mg/L) in groundwater, which also resulted in the formation of anaerobic conditions. An abrupt drop in benzene concentration (from 6.9 to below 0.04 mg/L) was observed after EPS supplementation in the RWs due to both sorption and biodegradation mechanisms. Results show that the EPS supplement increased total viable bacteria and enhanced bioremediation efficiency, which accounted for the observed decrease in benzene concentration. The first-order decay rate in RW1 increased from 0.003 to 0.023 d-1 after EPS application. Injection of EPS resulted in significant growth of indigenous bacteria, and 23 petroleum-hydrocarbon-degrading bacterial species were detected, which enhanced the in situ benzene biodegradation efficiency. Results demonstrate that the EPS biobarrier can effectively contain a petroleum-hydrocarbon plume and prevent its migration to downgradient areas, which reduces the immediate risk presented to downgradient receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- T H Lee
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - W Z Cao
- College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - D C W Tsang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Y T Sheu
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - K F Shia
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - C M Kao
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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20
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Methanogenic degradation of branched alkanes in enrichment cultures of production water from a high-temperature petroleum reservoir. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 103:2391-2401. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-09574-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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21
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Yu X, Lee K, Ma B, Asiedu E, Ulrich AC. Indigenous microorganisms residing in oil sands tailings biodegrade residual bitumen. CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 209:551-559. [PMID: 29945048 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.06.126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the capacity of indigenous microbes in tailings to degrade bitumen aerobically, and if acetate biostimulation further improved degradation. Fluid fine tailings, from Base Mine Lake (BML), were used as microbial inocula, and bitumen in the tailings served as a potential carbon source during the experiment. The tailings were capped with 0.22 μm-filtered BML surface water with or without BML bitumen and acetate addition and incubated for 100 days at 20 °C. CO2 production and petroleum hydrocarbon reductions (50-70% for the biostimulation treatment) in the tailings were observed. DNA was extracted directly from the tailings, and increased bacterial density was observed by qPCR targeting the rpoB gene in the biostimulated group. 16 S rRNA sequencing was used to determine microbial composition profiles in each treatment group. The microbial communities indigenous to the tailings shifted after the bitumen was added. Acidovorax, Rhodoferax, Pseudomonas and Pseudoxanthomonas spp. significantly increased compared to the original microbial community and demonstrated tolerance to bitumen-based toxicity. The first three genera showed more potential for biostimulation treatment with acetate and may be important bitumen/hydrocarbon-degraders in an oil sands end pit lake environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxuan Yu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2W2, Canada.
| | - Korris Lee
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2W2, Canada.
| | - Bin Ma
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2W2, Canada.
| | - Evelyn Asiedu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2B7, Canada.
| | - Ania C Ulrich
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2W2, Canada.
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22
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Li Z, Kechen X, Yongzhen P. Composition characterization and transformation mechanism of refractory dissolved organic matter from an ANAMMOX reactor fed with mature landfill leachate. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2018; 250:413-421. [PMID: 29195153 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2017.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Revised: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 11/04/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
This study applied combined spectroscopy techniques to assess rDOM compositional characteristic and investigated its transformation mechanisms during the treatment of mature landfill leachate by ANAMMOX process. A novel rDOM metabolism mechanism was proposed in this study for the first time. A stable, high nitrogen removal rate of 5.95 kg N/m3/day and a rDOM conversion efficiency of 51% were achieved in ANAMMOX reactor (AR). In additionally, the initial rDOM removal was closely related to sludge adsorption, with the adsorption force mainly originating from electrostatic interaction and hydrophobicity. As the operating time increased, the removal mechanism of rDOM in the AR changed from adsorption to adsorption-biodegradation and finally stabilized. Furthermore, Anaerolineaceae, associated with the hydrophobic reaction, were the primary degraders for the rDOM and Candidatus Kuenenia dominated the nitrogen consumption. rDOM removal efficiency was suggested to be increased by a moderate enhancement of Anaerolineaceae content in the AR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhang Li
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Key Laboratory of Beijing for Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Xu Kechen
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Key Laboratory of Beijing for Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Peng Yongzhen
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Key Laboratory of Beijing for Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China.
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23
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Foght JM, Gieg LM, Siddique T. The microbiology of oil sands tailings: past, present, future. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2017; 93:3064888. [PMID: 28334283 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fix034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Surface mining of enormous oil sands deposits in northeastern Alberta, Canada since 1967 has contributed greatly to Canada's economy but has also received negative international attention due largely to environmental concerns and challenges. Not only have microbes profoundly affected the composition and behavior of this petroleum resource over geological time, they currently influence the management of semi-solid tailings in oil sands tailings ponds (OSTPs) and tailings reclamation. Historically, microbial impacts on OSTPs were generally discounted, but next-generation sequencing and biogeochemical studies have revealed unexpectedly diverse indigenous communities and expanded our fundamental understanding of anaerobic microbial functions. OSTPs that experienced different processing and management histories have developed distinct microbial communities that influence the behavior and reclamation of the tailings stored therein. In particular, the interactions of Deltaproteobacteria and Firmicutes with methanogenic archaea impact greenhouse gas emissions, sulfur cycling, pore water toxicity, sediment biogeochemistry and densification, water usage and the trajectory of long-term mine waste reclamation. This review summarizes historical data; synthesizes current understanding of microbial diversity and activities in situ and in vitro; predicts microbial effects on tailings remediation and reclamation; and highlights knowledge gaps for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M Foght
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2E9
| | - Lisa M Gieg
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 1N4
| | - Tariq Siddique
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2G7
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24
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Mohamad Shahimin MF, Siddique T. Methanogenic biodegradation of paraffinic solvent hydrocarbons in two different oil sands tailings. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 583:115-122. [PMID: 28094047 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.01.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Revised: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Microbial communities drive many biogeochemical processes in oil sands tailings and cause greenhouse gas emissions from tailings ponds. Paraffinic solvent (primarily C5-C6; n- and iso-alkanes) is used by some oil sands companies to aid bitumen extraction from oil sands ores. Residues of unrecovered solvent escape to tailings ponds during tailings deposition and sustain microbial metabolism. To investigate biodegradation of hydrocarbons in paraffinic solvent, mature fine tailings (MFT) collected from Albian and CNRL ponds were amended with paraffinic solvent at ~0.1wt% (final concentration: ~1000mgL-1) and incubated under methanogenic conditions for ~1600d. Albian and CNRL MFTs exhibited ~400 and ~800d lag phases, respectively after which n-alkanes (n-pentane and n-hexane) in the solvent were preferentially metabolized to methane over iso-alkanes in both MFTs. Among iso-alkanes, only 2-methylpentane was completely biodegraded whereas 2-methylbutane and 3-methylpentane were partially biodegraded probably through cometabolism. 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing showed dominance of Anaerolineaceae and Methanosaetaceae in Albian MFT and Peptococcaceae and co-domination of "Candidatus Methanoregula" and Methanosaetaceae in CNRL MFT bacterial and archaeal communities, respectively, during active biodegradation of paraffinic solvent. The results are important for developing future strategies for tailings reclamation and management of greenhouse gas emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tariq Siddique
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
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