1
|
van der Waals MJ, Thornton SF, Rolfe SA, Rock L, Smith JWN, Bosma TNP, Gerritse J. Potential of stable isotope analysis to deduce anaerobic biodegradation of ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) and tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) in groundwater: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:16150-16163. [PMID: 38319419 PMCID: PMC10894111 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32109-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Understanding anaerobic biodegradation of ether oxygenates beyond MTBE in groundwater is important, given that it is replaced by ETBE as a gasoline additive in several regions. The lack of studies demonstrating anaerobic biodegradation of ETBE, and its product TBA, reflects the relative resistance of ethers and alcohols with a tertiary carbon atom to enzymatic attack under anoxic conditions. Anaerobic ETBE- or TBA-degrading microorganisms have not been characterized. Only one field study suggested anaerobic ETBE biodegradation. Anaerobic (co)metabolism of ETBE or TBA was reported in anoxic microcosms, indicating their biodegradation potential in anoxic groundwater systems. Non-isotopic methods, such as the detection of contaminant loss, metabolites, or ETBE- and TBA-degrading bacteria are not sufficiently sensitive to track anaerobic biodegradation in situ. Compound- and position-specific stable isotope analysis provides a means to study MTBE biodegradation, but isotopic fractionation of ETBE has only been studied with a few aerobic bacteria (εC -0.7 to -1.7‰, εH -11 to -73‰) and at one anoxic field site (δ2H-ETBE +14‰). Similarly, stable carbon isotope enrichment (δ13C-TBA +6.5‰) indicated TBA biodegradation at an anoxic field site. CSIA and PSIA are promising methods to detect anaerobic ETBE and TBA biodegradation but need to be investigated further to assess their full potential at field scale.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcelle J van der Waals
- Unit Subsurface and Groundwater Systems, Deltares, Daltonlaan 600, Utrecht, 3484 BK, The Netherlands
- Present address: KWR Water Research Institute, Groningenhaven 7, 3433 PE, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
| | - Steven F Thornton
- Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield, Mappin St, Sheffield, S1 3JD, UK
| | - Stephen A Rolfe
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Luc Rock
- Shell Global Solutions International BV, Carel van Bylandtlaan 30, The Hague, 2596 HR, The Netherlands
- Present address: Shell Global Solutions (Canada) Inc, 4000 - 500 Centre Street SE, Calgary, AB, T2G 1A6, Canada
| | - Jonathan W N Smith
- Shell Global Solutions (UK) Ltd, Shell Centre, York Road, London, SE1 7NA, UK
| | - Tom N P Bosma
- Unit Subsurface and Groundwater Systems, Deltares, Daltonlaan 600, Utrecht, 3484 BK, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Gerritse
- Unit Subsurface and Groundwater Systems, Deltares, Daltonlaan 600, Utrecht, 3484 BK, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kalneniece K, Gudra D, Lielauss L, Selga T, Fridmanis D, Terauds J, Muter O. Batch-mode stimulation of hydrocarbons biodegradation in freshwater sediments from historically contaminated Alūksne lake. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY 2023; 253:104103. [PMID: 36435695 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2022.104103] [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: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Historical contamination of freshwater lakes with hydrocarbons (HC) due to anthropogenic activities represents a serious problem worldwide. This study was focused on hydrocarbons-contaminated sediments sampled in Lake Alūksne of glacial origin in Northeast Latvia. The batch experiments were aimed at evaluating the effect of bio-stimulation and bioaugmentation on the biodegradation of hydrocarbons in lake sediments (LS), as well as changes in microbial community structure and metabolic activity. The sediments were sampled from two points of the lake, 4-5 m and 8 m depth, respectively. These samples slightly differed by colour, count of diatoms, microbial respiration intensity and colour intensity of 2,6- dichlorophenolindophenol. Nevertheless, the trend in biodegradation activity was similar for both LS samples. The concentration of HC in LS during the 32-day incubation decreased in average from 465 mg/kg to 165 mg/kg and 117.5 mg/kg in the LS amended with nutrients and nutrients+microbial community, respectively. Different treatment types of LS resulted in differences in microbial respiration and HC-degrading activity. The Shotgun sequencing has revealed the main phyla present in the intact LS being Proteobacteria (48.8%), Actinobacteria (24.4%), Firmicutes (10.4%) and Bacteroidetes (5.0%). Incubation of LS for 32 days resulted in increasing abundance of Proteobacteria from 48.8% in the raw LS to 58-62%, mainly due to the increase of Betaproteobacteria. The functional annotation of gene families revealed that the most abundant gene families were associated with ATP binding, metal ion, magnesium ion, sulfur cluster, zinc ion binding, DNA binding and other essential components for cell functioning. The Shannon biodiversity index of culturable microorganisms in EcoPlates™ ranged from 2.28 to 2.85. The data obtained in this study indicated that the suggested approach is a potent remediation technology for further ex situ scaling up.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristine Kalneniece
- Department of Microbiology & Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia, 1 Jelgavas Str., Riga LV-1004, Latvia
| | - Dita Gudra
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center, 1 Ratsupites Str., Riga LV-1067, Latvia
| | - Ludvigs Lielauss
- Baltijas Juras Geologijas Centrs Ltd., 67A Ieriku Str., LV-1084 Riga, Latvia
| | - Turs Selga
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, 1 Jelgavas Str., Riga LV-1004, Latvia
| | - Davids Fridmanis
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center, 1 Ratsupites Str., Riga LV-1067, Latvia
| | - Janis Terauds
- Baltijas Juras Geologijas Centrs Ltd., 67A Ieriku Str., LV-1084 Riga, Latvia
| | - Olga Muter
- Department of Microbiology & Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia, 1 Jelgavas Str., Riga LV-1004, Latvia.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gunasekaran V, Canela N, Constantí M. Comparative Proteomic Analysis of an Ethyl Tert-Butyl Ether-Degrading Bacterial Consortium. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10122331. [PMID: 36557584 PMCID: PMC9781318 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10122331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A bacterial consortium capable of degrading ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) as a sole carbon source was enriched and isolated from gasoline-contaminated water. Arthrobacter sp., Herbaspirillum sp., Pseudacidovorax sp., Pseudomonas sp., and Xanthomonas sp. were identified as the initial populations with the 16S rDNA analysis. The consortium aerobically degraded 49% of 50 mg/L of ETBE, in 6 days. The ETBE degrading efficiency of the consortium increased to 98% even with the higher concentrations of ETBE (1000 mg/L) in the subsequent subcultures, which accumulated tert-butyl alcohol (TBA). Xanthomonas sp. and Pseudomonas sp. were identified as the predominant ETBE degrading populations in the final subculture. The metaproteome of the ETBE-grown bacterial consortium was compared with the glucose-grown bacterial consortium, using 2D-DIGE. Proteins related to the ETBE metabolism, stress response, carbon metabolism and chaperones were found to be abundant in the presence of ETBE while proteins related to cell division were less abundant. The metaproteomic study revealed that the ETBE does have an effect on the metabolism of the bacterial consortium. It also enabled us to understand the responses of the complex bacterial consortium to ETBE, thus revealing interesting facts about the ETBE degrading bacterial community.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vijayalakshmi Gunasekaran
- Departament d’Enginyeria Química, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av. Països Catalans, 26, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
- FA Bio, Harpenden AL5 2JQ, UK
- Correspondence: (V.G.); (M.C.); Tel.: +34-977-558457 (M.C.)
| | - Núria Canela
- Centre for Omic Sciences (COS), Joint Unit Universitat Rovira i Virgili-EURECAT, Av. Universitat 1, 43204 Reus, Spain
| | - Magda Constantí
- Departament d’Enginyeria Química, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av. Països Catalans, 26, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
- Correspondence: (V.G.); (M.C.); Tel.: +34-977-558457 (M.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Vita MM, Iturbe-Espinoza P, Bonte M, Brandt BW, Braster M, Brown DM, van Spanning RJM. Oil Absorbent Polypropylene Particles Stimulate Biodegradation of Crude Oil by Microbial Consortia. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:853285. [PMID: 35677906 PMCID: PMC9169047 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.853285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Oil absorbent particles made from surface-modified polypropylene can be used to facilitate the removal of oil from the environment. In this study, we investigated to what extent absorbed oil was biodegraded and how this compared to the biodegradation of oil in water. To do so, we incubated two bacterial communities originating from the Niger Delta, an area subject to frequent oil spills, in the presence and absence of polypropylene particles. One community evolved from untreated soil whereas the second evolved from soil pre-exposed to oil. We observed that the polypropylene particles stimulated the growth of biofilms and enriched species from genera Mycobacterium, Sphingomonas and Parvibaculum. Cultures with polypropylene particles degraded more crude oil than those where the oil was present in suspension regardless of whether they were pre-exposed or not. Moreover, the community pre-exposed to crude oil had a different community structure and degraded more oil than the one from untreated soil. We conclude that the biodegradation rate of crude oil was enhanced by the pre-exposure of the bacterial communities to crude oil and by the use of oil-absorbing polypropylene materials. The data show that bacterial communities in the biofilms growing on the particles have an enhanced degradation capacity for oil.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madalina M Vita
- Systems Biology Lab, Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Paul Iturbe-Espinoza
- Systems Biology Lab, Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Matthijs Bonte
- Shell Global Solutions International BV, The Hague, Netherlands
| | - Bernd W Brandt
- Department of Preventive Dentistry, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Martin Braster
- Systems Biology Lab, Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - David M Brown
- Shell Global Solutions International BV, The Hague, Netherlands
| | - Rob J M van Spanning
- Systems Biology Lab, Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Nicholls HCG, Rolfe SA, Mallinson HEH, Hjort M, Spence MJ, Bonte M, Thornton SF. Distribution of ETBE-degrading microorganisms and functional capability in groundwater, and implications for characterising aquifer ETBE biodegradation potential. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:1223-1238. [PMID: 34350568 PMCID: PMC8724112 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-15606-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Microbes in aquifers are present suspended in groundwater or attached to the aquifer sediment. Groundwater is often sampled at gasoline ether oxygenate (GEO)-impacted sites to assess the potential biodegradation of organic constituents. However, the distribution of GEO-degrading microorganisms between the groundwater and aquifer sediment must be understood to interpret this potential. In this study, the distribution of ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE)-degrading organisms and ETBE biodegradation potential was investigated in laboratory microcosm studies and mixed groundwater-aquifer sediment samples obtained from pumped monitoring wells at ETBE-impacted sites. ETBE biodegradation potential (as determined by quantification of the ethB gene) was detected predominantly in the attached microbial communities and was below detection limit in the groundwater communities. The copy number of ethB genes varied with borehole purge volume at the field sites. Members of the Comamonadaceae and Gammaproteobacteria families were identified as responders for ETBE biodegradation. However, the detection of the ethB gene is a more appropriate function-based indicator of ETBE biodegradation potential than taxonomic analysis of the microbial community. The study shows that a mixed groundwater-aquifer sediment (slurry) sample collected from monitoring wells after minimal purging can be used to assess the aquifer ETBE biodegradation potential at ETBE-release sites using this function-based concept.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Henry C G Nicholls
- Groundwater Protection and Restoration Group, Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield, S1 3JD, Sheffield, UK
| | - Stephen A Rolfe
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, Alfred Denny Building, University of Sheffield, S10 2TN, Sheffield, UK
| | - Helen E H Mallinson
- Groundwater Protection and Restoration Group, Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield, S1 3JD, Sheffield, UK
| | - Markus Hjort
- Concawe, Boulevard du Souverain 165, 1160, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Michael J Spence
- Concawe, Boulevard du Souverain 165, 1160, Brussels, Belgium
- British Geological Survey, Environmental Science Centre, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UK
| | - Matthijs Bonte
- Concawe, Boulevard du Souverain 165, 1160, Brussels, Belgium
- Shell Global Solutions International B.V., Rijswijk, 2288GK, The Netherlands
- Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Steven F Thornton
- Groundwater Protection and Restoration Group, Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield, S1 3JD, Sheffield, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Fluorinated MOF-808 with various modulators to fabricate high-performance hybrid membranes with enhanced hydrophobicity for organic-organic pervaporation. Sep Purif Technol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2021.118315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
|
7
|
Knozowska K, Kujawa J, Lagzdins R, Figoli A, Kujawski W. A New Type of Composite Membrane PVA-NaY/PA-6 for Separation of Industrially Valuable Mixture Ethanol/Ethyl Tert-Butyl Ether by Pervaporation. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 13:E3676. [PMID: 32825354 PMCID: PMC7504003 DOI: 10.3390/ma13173676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Pervaporation is a membrane technique used to separate azeotropic and close boiling solvents. Heterogenous PVA composite membranes with NaY zeolite supported on polyamide-6 were fabricated and utilized in organic-organic pervaporation. The efficiency of prepared membranes was evaluated in the separation of ethanol/ethyl tert-butyl ether (EtOH/ETBE) using separation factor (β) and the thickness normalized pervaporation separation index (PSIN). Implementation of the fringe projection phase-shifting method allowed to the determined contact angle corrected by roughness. The influence of the presence of water traces in the feed on the overall separation efficiency was also discussed using the enrichment factor for water (EFwater). The incorporation of NaY into PVA matrix increases surface roughness and hydrophilicity of the composite membrane. It was found that membranes selectively transport ethanol from the binary EtOH/ETBE mixture. The values of β (2.3) and PSIN (288 μm g m-2 h-1) for PVA-NaY/PA6 membrane were improved by 143% and 160% in comparison to the values for the pristine PVA/PA6 membrane. It was found that membranes showed EFwater > 1, thus revealing the preferential transport of water molecules across membranes. These results are also significant for the design of membranes for the removal of water excess from the mixtures of organic solvents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Knozowska
- Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 7 Gagarina Street, 87-100 Toruń, Poland; (K.K.); (J.K.); (R.L.)
| | - Joanna Kujawa
- Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 7 Gagarina Street, 87-100 Toruń, Poland; (K.K.); (J.K.); (R.L.)
| | - Renars Lagzdins
- Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 7 Gagarina Street, 87-100 Toruń, Poland; (K.K.); (J.K.); (R.L.)
- Faculty of Nature Sciences and Mathematics, Daugavpils University, 1 Parādes Street, LV-5401 Daugavpils, Latvia
| | - Alberto Figoli
- Institute on Membrane Technology, CNR-ITM, Via P. Bucci 17c, 87030 Rende, Italy;
| | - Wojciech Kujawski
- Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 7 Gagarina Street, 87-100 Toruń, Poland; (K.K.); (J.K.); (R.L.)
- National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, 31 Kashirskoe Hwy, Moscow 115409, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Thornton SF, Nicholls HCG, Rolfe SA, Mallinson HEH, Spence MJ. Biodegradation and fate of ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) in soil and groundwater: A review. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2020; 391:122046. [PMID: 32145642 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.122046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This review summarises the current state of knowledge on the biodegradation and fate of the gasoline ether oxygenate ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) in soil and groundwater. Microorganisms have been identified in soil and groundwater with the ability to degrade ETBE aerobically as a carbon and energy source, or via cometabolism using alkanes as growth substrates. Aerobic biodegradation of ETBE initially occurs via hydroxylation of the ethoxy carbon by a monooxygenase enzyme, with subsequent formation of intermediates which include acetaldehyde, tert-butyl acetate (TBAc), tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-propanol (MHP) and 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid (2-HIBA). Slow cell growth and low biomass yields on ETBE are believed to result from the ether structure and slow degradation kinetics, with potential limitations on ETBE metabolism. Genes known to facilitate transformation of ETBE include ethB (within the ethRABCD cluster), encoding a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, and alkB-encoding alkane hydroxylases. Other genes have been identified in microorganisms but their activity and specificity towards ETBE remains poorly characterised. Microorganisms and pathways supporting anaerobic biodegradation of ETBE have not been identified, although this potential has been demonstrated in limited field and laboratory studies. The presence of co-contaminants (other ether oxygenates, hydrocarbons and organic compounds) in soil and groundwater may limit aerobic biodegradation of ETBE by preferential metabolism and consumption of available dissolved oxygen or enhance ETBE biodegradation through cometabolism. Both ETBE-degrading microorganisms and alkane-oxidising bacteria have been characterised, with potential for use in bioaugmentation and biostimulation of ETBE degradation in groundwater.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S F Thornton
- Groundwater Protection and Restoration Group, Dept of Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK
| | - H C G Nicholls
- Groundwater Protection and Restoration Group, Dept of Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK
| | - S A Rolfe
- Dept of Animal and Plant Sciences, Alfred Denny Building, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - H E H Mallinson
- Groundwater Protection and Restoration Group, Dept of Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK
| | - M J Spence
- Concawe, Environmental Science for European Refining, Boulevard du Souverain 165, 1160 Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|