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Zhang J, Wang L, Li H, Yu J, Wang H. Effect of elemental sulfur on anaerobic ammonia oxidation: Performance and mechanism. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 262:119778. [PMID: 39155040 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
Biological nitrogen removal processes provide effective means to mitigate nitrogen-related issues in wastewater treatment. Previous studies have highlighted the collaborative efficiency between sulfur autotrophic denitrification and Anammox processes. However, the trigger point induced the combination of nitrogen and sulfur metabolism is unclear. In this study, elemental sulfur (S0) was introduced to Anammox system to figure out the performance and mechanism of S0-mediated autotrophic denitrification and Anammox (S0SAD-A) systems. The results showed that the nitrogen removal performance of the Anammox reactor decreased with the increasing concentrations of NH4+-N and NO2--N in influent, denitrification occurred when NH4+-N concentration reached 100 mg/L. At stage ⅳ (150 mg/L NH4+-N), the total nitrogen removal efficiency in S0SAD-A system (95.99%) was significantly higher than that in the Anammox system (77.22%). Throughout a hydraulic retention time, the consumption rate of NH4+-N in S0SAD-A was faster than that in Anammox reactor. And there existed a nitrate-concentration peak in S0SAD-A system. Metagenomic sequencing was performed to reveal functional microbes as well as key genes involved in sulfur and nitrogen metabolism. The results showed that the introduction of S0 elevated the abundance of Ca. Brocadia. Moreover, the relative abundance of Anammox genes, such as hao, hzsA and hzsC were also stimulated by sulfur. Notably, unclassified members in Rhodocyclaceae acted as the primary contributor to key genes involved in the sulfur metabolism. Overall, the interactions between Anammox and denitrification were stimulated by sulfur metabolism. Our study shed light on the potential significance of Rhodocyclaceae members in the S0SAD-A process and disclosed the relationship between anammox and denitrification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Close-to-Nature Restoration Technology of Wetlands, School of Eco-Environment, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, PR China; Biology institute, Hebei academy of science, Shijiazhuang, 050081, PR China
| | - Lurong Wang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Close-to-Nature Restoration Technology of Wetlands, School of Eco-Environment, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, PR China
| | - Haitao Li
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Close-to-Nature Restoration Technology of Wetlands, School of Eco-Environment, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, PR China
| | - Jie Yu
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Close-to-Nature Restoration Technology of Wetlands, School of Eco-Environment, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, PR China; Engineering Research Center of Ecological Safety and Conservation in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (Xiong'an New Area) of MOE, PR China
| | - Hongjie Wang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Close-to-Nature Restoration Technology of Wetlands, School of Eco-Environment, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, PR China; Engineering Research Center of Ecological Safety and Conservation in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (Xiong'an New Area) of MOE, PR China.
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2
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Wang Y, Liu X, Wu M, Guo J. Methane-Driven Perchlorate Reduction by a Microbial Consortium. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39037290 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c04439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
The phenomenon of methane oxidation linked to perchlorate reduction has been reported in multiple studies; yet, the underlying microbial mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we enriched suspended cultures by performing methane-driven perchlorate reduction under oxygen-limiting conditions in a membrane bioreactor (MBR). Batch test results proved that perchlorate reduction was coupled to methane oxidation, in which acetate was predicted as the potential intermediate and oxygen played an essential role in activating methane. By combining DNA-based stable isotope probing incubation and high-throughput sequencing analyses of 16S rRNA gene and functional genes (pmoA, pcrA, and narG), we found that synergistic interactions between aerobic methanotrophs (Methylococcus and Methylocystis) and perchlorate-reducing bacteria (PRB; Denitratisoma and Dechloromonas) played active roles in mediating methane-driven perchlorate reduction. This partnership was further demonstrated by coculture experiments in which the aerobic methanotroph could produce acetate to support PRB to complete perchlorate reduction. Our findings advance the understanding of the methane-driven perchlorate reduction process and have implications for similar microbial consortia linking methane and chlorine biogeochemical cycles in natural environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulu Wang
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Acton, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Xiawei Liu
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Mengxiong Wu
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Jianhua Guo
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
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3
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Zhou J, Yang L, Li X, Dai B, He J, Wu C, Pang S, Xia S, Rittmann BE. Biogenic Palladium Improved Perchlorate Reduction during Nitrate Co-Reduction by Diverting Electron Flow in a Hydrogenotrophic Biofilm. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:10644-10651. [PMID: 38832916 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c01496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Microbial reduction of perchlorate (ClO4-) is emerging as a cost-effective strategy for groundwater remediation. However, the effectiveness of perchlorate reduction can be suppressed by the common co-contamination of nitrate (NO3-). We propose a means to overcome the limitation of ClO4- reduction: depositing palladium nanoparticles (Pd0NPs) within the matrix of a hydrogenotrophic biofilm. Two H2-based membrane biofilm reactors (MBfRs) were operated in parallel in long-term continuous and batch modes: one system had only a biofilm (bio-MBfR), while the other incorporated biogenic Pd0NPs in the biofilm matrix (bioPd-MBfR). For long-term co-reduction, bioPd-MBfR had a distinct advantage of oxyanion reduction fluxes, and it particularly alleviated the competitive advantage of NO3- reduction over ClO4- reduction. Batch tests also demonstrated that bioPd-MBfR gave more rapid reduction rates for ClO4- and ClO3- compared to those of bio-MBfR. Both biofilm communities were dominated by bacteria known to be perchlorate and nitrate reducers. Functional-gene abundances reflecting the intracellular electron flow from H2 to NADH to the reductases were supplanted by extracellular electron flow with the addition of Pd0NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingzhou Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Lin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xiaodi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Ben Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Junxia He
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Chengyang Wu
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
| | - Si Pang
- Eco-Environmental Protection Research Institute, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 201403, China
| | - Siqing Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Bruce E Rittmann
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287-5701, United States
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4
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Cheng G, Chen D, Zhang D, Li H, Du K, Zhang L. The effect of reflux ratio on sulfur disproportionation tendency in anaerobic baffled reactor with the heterotrophic combining sulfur autotrophic processes under high concentration perchlorate stress. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:25929-25939. [PMID: 38488916 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32835-8] [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: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
In a laboratory scale, an anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR) consisting of eight compartments, the heterotrophic combining sulfur autotrophic processes under different reflux ratios were constructed to achieve effective perchlorate removal and alleviate sulfur disproportionation reaction. Perchlorate was efficiently removed with effluent perchlorate concentration below 0.5 μg/L when the influent perchlorate concentration was 1030 mg/L during stages I ~ V, indicating that heterotrophic combining sulfur autotrophic perchlorate reduction processes can effectively achieve high concentration perchlorate removal. Furthermore, the 100% reflux ratio could reduce the contact time between sulfur particles and water; thus, the sulfur disproportionation reaction was inhibited. However, the inhibition effect of reflux on sulfur disproportionation was attenuated due to dilute perchlorate concentration when a reflux ratio of 150% and 200% was implemented. Meanwhile, the content of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in the heterotrophic unit (36.79 ~ 45.71 mg/g VSS) was higher than that in the sulfur autotrophic unit (22.19 ~ 25.77 mg/g VSS), indicating that high concentration perchlorate stress in the heterotrophic unit promoted EPS secretion. Thereinto, the PN content of sulfur autotrophic unit decreased in stage III and stage V due to decreasing perchlorate concentration in the autotrophic unit. Meanwhile, the PS content increased with increasing reflux in the autotrophic unit, which was conducive to the formation of biofilm. Furthermore, the high-throughput sequencing result showed that Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes were the dominant phyla and Longilinea, Diaphorobacter, Acinetobacter, and Nitrobacter were the dominant genus in ABR, which were associated with heterotrophic or autotrophic perchlorate reduction and beneficial for effective perchlorate removal. The study indicated that reflux was a reasonable strategy for alleviating sulfur disproportionation in heterotrophic combining sulfur autotrophic perchlorate removal processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guiyang Cheng
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science and Technology, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Jinjing Road 26#, Tianjin, 300384, People's Republic of China
| | - Denghui Chen
- Beijing Enterprises Water Group (China) Investment Limited, Beijing, 100102, China
| | - Daohong Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science and Technology, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Jinjing Road 26#, Tianjin, 300384, People's Republic of China.
| | - Haibo Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science and Technology, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Jinjing Road 26#, Tianjin, 300384, People's Republic of China
| | - Kang Du
- China Energy Conservation and Environmental Group, Co., Ltd., Beijing, Beijing, 100082, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Shandong Hualing Technology Engineering Group Co., Ltd., Dongying, 257000, Shandong, China
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5
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Lv PL, Jia C, Wei CH, Zhao HP, Chen R. Efficient perchlorate reduction in microaerobic environment facilitated by partner methane oxidizers. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 466:133683. [PMID: 38310847 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
The conventional perchlorate (ClO4-) reduction typically necessitates anaerobic conditions. However, in this study, we observed efficient ClO4- reduction using CH4 as the electron donor in a microaerobic environment. The maximum ClO4- removal flux of 2.18 g/m2·d was achieved in CH4-based biofilm. The kinetics of ClO4- reduction showed significant differences, with trace oxygen increasing the reduction rate of ClO4-, whereas oxygen levels exceeding 2 mg/L decelerated the ClO4- reduction. In the absence of exogenous oxygen, anaerobic methanotrophic (ANME) archaea contribute more than 80% electrons through the reverse methanogenesis pathway for ClO4- reduction. Simultaneously, microorganisms activate CH4 by utilizing oxygen generated from chlorite (ClO2-) disproportionation. In the presence of exogenous oxygen, methane oxidizers predominantly consume oxygen to drive the aerobic oxidation of methane. It is indicated that methane oxidizers and perchlorate reducing bacteria can form aggregates to resist external oxygen shocks and achieve efficient ClO4- reduction under microaerobic condition. These findings provide new insights into biological CH4 mitigation and ClO4- removal in hypoxic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan-Long Lv
- Key Lab of Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, No.13 Yanta Road, Xi'an 710055, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Chuan Jia
- Key Lab of Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, No.13 Yanta Road, Xi'an 710055, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Chi-Hang Wei
- Key Lab of Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, No.13 Yanta Road, Xi'an 710055, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - He-Ping Zhao
- Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Environmental and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Rong Chen
- Key Lab of Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, No.13 Yanta Road, Xi'an 710055, Shaanxi Province, China; International S&T Cooperation Center for Urban Alternative Water Resources Development, Key Laboratory of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, MOE, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, No.13 Yanta Road, Xi'an 710055, China.
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6
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Wu M, Liu X, Engelberts JP, Tyson GW, McIlroy SJ, Guo J. Anaerobic oxidation of ammonium and short-chain gaseous alkanes coupled to nitrate reduction by a bacterial consortium. THE ISME JOURNAL 2024; 18:wrae063. [PMID: 38624180 PMCID: PMC11090206 DOI: 10.1093/ismejo/wrae063] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
The bacterial species "Candidatus Alkanivorans nitratireducens" was recently demonstrated to mediate nitrate-dependent anaerobic oxidation of short-chain gaseous alkanes (SCGAs). In previous bioreactor enrichment studies, the species appeared to reduce nitrate in two phases, switching from denitrification to dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) in response to nitrite accumulation. The regulation of this switch or the nature of potential syntrophic partnerships with other microorganisms remains unclear. Here, we describe anaerobic multispecies cultures of bacteria that couple the oxidation of propane and butane to nitrate reduction and the oxidation of ammonium (anammox). Batch tests with 15N-isotope labelling and multi-omic analyses collectively supported a syntrophic partnership between "Ca. A. nitratireducens" and anammox bacteria, with the former species mediating nitrate-driven oxidation of SCGAs, supplying the latter with nitrite for the oxidation of ammonium. The elimination of nitrite accumulation by the anammox substantially increased SCGA and nitrate consumption rates, whereas it suppressed DNRA. Removing ammonium supply led to its eventual production, the accumulation of nitrite, and the upregulation of DNRA gene expression for the abundant "Ca. A. nitratireducens". Increasing the supply of SCGA had a similar effect in promoting DNRA. Our results suggest that "Ca. A. nitratireducens" switches to DNRA to alleviate oxidative stress caused by nitrite accumulation, giving further insight into adaptability and ecology of this microorganism. Our findings also have important implications for the understanding of the fate of nitrogen and SCGAs in anaerobic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengxiong Wu
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Xiawei Liu
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - J Pamela Engelberts
- Centre for Microbiome Research, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Gene W Tyson
- Centre for Microbiome Research, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Simon J McIlroy
- Centre for Microbiome Research, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Jianhua Guo
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
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7
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Wang Y, Wu M, Lai CY, Lu X, Guo J. Methane Oxidation Coupled to Selenate Reduction in a Membrane Bioreactor under Oxygen-Limiting Conditions. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:21715-21726. [PMID: 38079577 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Microbial methane oxidation coupled to a selenate reduction process has been proposed as a promising solution to treat contaminated water, yet the underlying microbial mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, a novel methane-based membrane bioreactor system integrating hollow fiber membranes for efficient gas delivery and ultrafiltration membranes for biomass retention was established to successfully enrich abundant suspended cultures able to perform methane-dependent selenate reduction under oxygen-limiting conditions. The microbial metabolic mechanisms were then systematically investigated through a combination of short-term batch tests, DNA-based stable isotope probing (SIP) microcosm incubation, and high-throughput sequencing analyses of 16S rRNA gene and functional genes (pmoA and narG). We confirmed that the methane-supported selenate reduction process was accomplished by a microbial consortia consisting of type-II aerobic methanotrophs and several heterotrophic selenate reducers. The mass balance and validation tests on possible intermediates suggested that methane was partially oxidized into acetate under oxygen-limiting conditions, which was consumed as a carbon source for selenate-reducing bacteria. High-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing, DNA-SIP incubation with 13CH4, and subsequent functional gene (pmoA and narG) sequencing results collectively proved that Methylocystis actively executed partial methane oxidation and Acidovorax and Denitratisoma were dominant selenate-reducing bacteria, thus forming a syntrophic partnership to drive selenate reduction. The findings not only advance our understanding of methane oxidation coupled to selenate reduction under oxygen-limiting conditions but also offer useful information on developing methane-based biotechnology for bioremediation of selenate-contaminated water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulu Wang
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, Formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Acton, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Mengxiong Wu
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, Formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Chun-Yu Lai
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, Formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Xuanyu Lu
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, Formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Jianhua Guo
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, Formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
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Wang W, Zhang Y, Yin TM, Zhao L, Xu XJ, Xing DF, Zhang RC, Lee DJ, Ren NQ, Chen C. Prospect of denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation (DAMO) application on wastewater treatment and biogas recycling utilization. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:167142. [PMID: 37722432 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167142] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Old-fashioned wastewater treatments for nitrogen depend on heterotrophic denitrification process. It would utilize extra organic carbon source as electron donors when the C/N of domestic wastewater was too low to ensure heterotrophic denitrification process. It would lead to non-compliance with carbon reduction targets and impose an economic burden on wastewater treatment. Denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation (DAMO), which could utilize methane serving as electron donors to replace traditional organic carbon (methanol or sodium acetate), supplies a novel approach for wastewater treatment. As the primary component of biogas, methane is an inexpensive carbon source. With anaerobic digestion becoming increasingly popular for sludge reduction in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), efficient biogas utilization through DAMO can offer an environmentally friendly option for in-situ biogas recycling. Here, we reviewed the metabolic principle and relevant research for DAMO and biogas recycling utilization, outlining the prospect of employing DAMO for wastewater treatment and biogas recycling utilization in WWTPs. The application of DAMO provides a new focal point for enhancing efficiency and sustainability in WWTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province 150090, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province 150090, China
| | - Tian-Ming Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province 150090, China
| | - Lei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province 150090, China
| | - Xi-Jun Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province 150090, China
| | - De-Feng Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province 150090, China
| | - Ruo-Chen Zhang
- School of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China
| | - Duu-Jong Lee
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Nan-Qi Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province 150090, China; Shenzhen Graduate School, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Chuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province 150090, China.
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9
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Wu M, Lai CY, Wang Y, Yuan Z, Guo J. Microbial nitrate reduction in propane- or butane-based membrane biofilm reactors under oxygen-limiting conditions. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 235:119887. [PMID: 36947926 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119887] [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: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Nitrate contamination has been commonly detected in water environments and poses serious hazards to human health. Previously methane was proposed as a promising electron donor to remove nitrate from contaminated water. Compared with pure methane, natural gas, which not only contains methane but also other short chain gaseous alkanes (SCGAs), is less expensive and more widely available, representing a more attractive electron source for removing oxidized contaminants. However, it remains unknown if these SCGAs can be utilized as electron donors for nitrate reduction. Here, two lab-scale membrane biofilm reactors (MBfRs) separately supplied with propane and butane were operated under oxygen-limiting conditions to test its feasibility of microbial nitrate reduction. Long-term performance suggested nitrate could be continuously removed at a rate of ∼40-50 mg N/L/d using propane/butane as electron donors. In the absence of propane/butane, nitrate removal rates significantly decreased both in the long-term operation (∼2-10 and ∼4-9 mg N/L/d for propane- and butane-based MBfRs, respectively) and batch tests, indicating nitrate bio-reduction was driven by propane/butane. The consumption rates of nitrate and propane/butane dramatically decreased under anaerobic conditions, but recovered after resupplying limited oxygen, suggesting oxygen was an essential triggering factor for propane/butane-based nitrate reduction. High-throughput sequencing targeting 16S rRNA, bmoX and narG genes indicated Mycobacterium/Rhodococcus/Thauera were the potential microorganisms oxidizing propane/butane, while various denitrifiers (e.g. Dechloromonas, Denitratisoma, Zoogloea, Acidovorax, Variovorax, Pseudogulbenkiania and Rhodanobacter) might perform nitrate reduction in the biofilms. Our findings provide evidence to link SCGA oxidation with nitrate reduction under oxygen-limiting conditions and may ultimately facilitate the design of cost-effective techniques for ex-situ groundwater remediation using natural gas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengxiong Wu
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Chun-Yu Lai
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Yulu Wang
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Zhiguo Yuan
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jianhua Guo
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.
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10
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Xie T, Liu X, Xu Y, Bryson S, Zhao L, Huang K, Huang S, Li X, Yang Q, Dong H, Winkler MKH. Coupling methanotrophic denitrification to anammox in a moving bed biofilm reactor for nitrogen removal under hypoxic conditions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 856:158795. [PMID: 36115405 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Simultaneous removal of ammonium and nitrate was achieved in a methane-fed moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR). In the reactor, methanotrophic microorganisms oxidized methane under hypoxic conditions likely to methanol, hence providing an electron donor to denitrifiers to reduce nitrate to nitrite that then allowed anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria (Anammox) to remove excess ammonium as N2. The ammonium and nitrate removal rates reached 72.09 ± 5.81 mgNH4+-N/L/d and 62.61 ± 4.17 mgNO3--N/L/d when the MBBR was operated in continuous mode. Nitrate removal by the methane-fed mixed consortia was confirmed in a batch test revealing a CH4/NO3- molar removal ratio of 1.15. The functional populations were unveiled by FISH analysis and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, which showed that the biofilm was dominated by Anammox bacteria (Candidatus Kuenenia) and diverse taxa associated with the capacity for denitrification: aerobic methanotrophs (Methylobacter, Methylomonas, and unclassified Methylococcaceae), methylotrophic denitrifiers (Opitutaceae and Methylophilaceae), and other heterotrophic denitrifiers (Ignavibacteriaceae, Anaerolineaceae, Comamonadaceae, Rhodocyclaceae and Thauera). Neither DAMO archaea nor DAMO bacteria were found in the sequencing analysis, indicating that more unknown community members possess the metabolic capacity of methanotrophic denitrification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Xie
- School of Materials and Environment, Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Environmental-friendly Materials and New Technology for Carbon Neutralization, Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemistry and Engineering of Forest Products, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning 530006, China; Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Xinyu Liu
- School of Materials and Environment, Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Environmental-friendly Materials and New Technology for Carbon Neutralization, Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemistry and Engineering of Forest Products, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning 530006, China
| | - Yiming Xu
- School of Materials and Environment, Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Environmental-friendly Materials and New Technology for Carbon Neutralization, Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemistry and Engineering of Forest Products, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning 530006, China
| | - Samuel Bryson
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle 98105, USA
| | - Lu Zhao
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle 98105, USA
| | - Kai Huang
- School of Materials and Environment, Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Environmental-friendly Materials and New Technology for Carbon Neutralization, Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemistry and Engineering of Forest Products, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning 530006, China
| | - Shiqi Huang
- School of Materials and Environment, Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Environmental-friendly Materials and New Technology for Carbon Neutralization, Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemistry and Engineering of Forest Products, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning 530006, China
| | - Xiaoming Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China.
| | - Qi Yang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Huiyu Dong
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
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11
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Anaerobic oxidation of propane coupled to nitrate reduction by a lineage within the class Symbiobacteriia. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6115. [PMID: 36253480 PMCID: PMC9576796 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33872-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaerobic microorganisms are thought to play a critical role in regulating the flux of short-chain gaseous alkanes (SCGAs; including ethane, propane and butane) from terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems to the atmosphere. Sulfate has been confirmed to act as electron acceptor supporting microbial anaerobic oxidation of SCGAs, yet several other energetically more favourable acceptors co-exist with these gases in anaerobic environments. Here, we show that a bioreactor seeded with biomass from a wastewater treatment facility can perform anaerobic propane oxidation coupled to nitrate reduction to dinitrogen gas and ammonium. The bioreactor was operated for more than 1000 days, and we used 13C- and 15N-labelling experiments, metagenomic, metatranscriptomic, metaproteomic and metabolite analyses to characterize the microbial community and the metabolic processes. The data collectively suggest that a species representing a novel order within the bacterial class Symbiobacteriia is responsible for the observed nitrate-dependent propane oxidation. The closed genome of this organism, which we designate as 'Candidatus Alkanivorans nitratireducens', encodes pathways for oxidation of propane to CO2 via fumarate addition, and for nitrate reduction, with all the key genes expressed during nitrate-dependent propane oxidation. Our results suggest that nitrate is a relevant electron sink for SCGA oxidation in anaerobic environments, constituting a new microbially-mediated link between the carbon and nitrogen cycles.
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12
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Tong J, Cui L, Wang D, Wang X, Liu Z. Simultaneous high p-nitrophenol concentration and nitrogen removal by two-stage membrane biofilm reactor. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2022; 86:1153-1167. [PMID: 36358052 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2022.246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
P-nitrophenol (PNP) is highly toxic and difficult to degrade, causing great harm to the ecological environment and human health. A two-stage bench-scale membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR) was constructed to treat wastewater containing high concentration of PNP and the generated nitrogen without external organic carbon sources. The two reactors were supplied with oxygen and methane, respectively. O2-MBfR was used for the degradation of PNP and the improvement of wastewater biodegradability. CH4-MBfR was used for the total nitrogen (TN) removal treatment from O2-MBfR effluent. In this experiment, the performance of the two-stage MBfR process was evaluated and optimized by adjusting operational parameters (aeration pressure, HRT, and pH). Under the optimal operation parameters, the removal efficiencies of PNP (100 mg/L) and TN attained 89.70% and 69.24%, respectively, and the removal loads were 0.930 g·m-2·d-1 and 241.42 mg·m-2·d-1, respectively. The reactor was able to accommodate the concentrations of PNP up to 200-400 mg/L, and the reactor reached maximum efficiency throughout the process when the concentration of PNP in the wastewater was 250 mg/L. The removal rates of PNP and TN reached 95.0% and 69.48%, respectively, and the removal loads were 2.37 g·m-2·d-1 and 96.22 mg·m-2·d-1, respectively. This research provides a better solution for multi-MBfR to treat toxic industrial wastewater containing phenol, nitrophenol, and further TN removal, which would not release any air pollutants into the atmosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Tong
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shenyang University of Technology, Shenyang 110870, P. R. China E-mail:
| | - Li Cui
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shenyang University of Technology, Shenyang 110870, P. R. China E-mail:
| | - Danqi Wang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shenyang University of Technology, Shenyang 110870, P. R. China E-mail:
| | - Xin Wang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shenyang University of Technology, Shenyang 110870, P. R. China E-mail:
| | - Zhaokun Liu
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shenyang University of Technology, Shenyang 110870, P. R. China E-mail:
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13
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Wang J, He M, Li Y, Ma F, Zheng P, Hu B. Rapid enrichment of denitrifying methanotrophs in a series hollow-fiber membrane biofilm reactor. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 834:155375. [PMID: 35460772 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation (DAMO) process uses methane as electron donor to reduce nitrate/nitrite to dinitrogen, which is a potentially efficient, low-cost and clean biological nitrogen removal technology. However, slow microbial growth rate severely limits the application of this promising process. In this study, a series hollow-fiber membrane biofilm reactor (HfMBR) was operated for 90 days to achieve rapid enrichment of these denitrifying methanotrophs. Finally, the highest relative abundance of denitrifying methanotrophic archaea and bacteria (DAMO archaea and bacteria) reached 47.5% and 11.3%, respectively. And the average abundance of DAMO archaea and bacteria increased 92.9 and 136.6 times respectively during the 90-day enrichment. High growth rate of DAMO archaea with a doubling time of 11.6 days was achieved in the second HfMBR according to quantitative PCR results. The results implied that dissolved oxygen would inhibit the growth of DAMO archaea, but the series HfMBR could effectively counteract this unfavorable factor. This work provided theoretical guidance for the rapid enrichment of denitrifying methanotrophs and contributed to the application of methane-dependent denitrification process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Wang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Mingyue He
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yufen Li
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Fang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Ping Zheng
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Baolan Hu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory for Water Pollution Control and Environmental Safety, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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14
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Zhao S, Li H, Guo J, Zhang Y, Zhao J, Song Y, Lu C, Han Y, Zhang D, Hou Y. Formation of anaerobic granular sludge (AnGS) to treat high-strength perchlorate wastewater via anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR) system: Electron transfer characteristic, bacterial community and positive feedback mechanism. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 828:154531. [PMID: 35292321 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Anaerobic granular sludge (AnGS) was cultured to treat high-strength perchlorate (reaching to 4800 mg/L) wastewater by an anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR) system with five equal-volume compartments (C1-C5 compartments). Inoculated sludge completely granulated on day 104 with granule size of 0.50-0.75 mm and perchlorate removal efficiency reaching to 97% (influent perchlorate of 2000-4800 mg/L). The Cyclic voltammetry (CV) capacitance increased from 487.5, 465.8 and 407.8 μF to 576.5, 552.4, 549.6 μF in C1, C3 and C5 compartments of ABR system, respectively, suggesting the electron transfer capacity was enhanced under high-strength perchlorate stress. Meanwhile, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) value and electron transport system activity (ETSA) increased to 25.05, 22.87, 20.43 and 6.22, 4.87, 3.95 of C1, C3 and C5 compartments, respectively. The results suggested that high-strength perchlorate stress improved the microbial metabolic activity, which promoted secretion of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). The more EPS could facilitate the formation and stability of AnGS under high-strength perchlorate stress. In addition, more reasonable metabolic division of labor in functional bacterial (Thauera and Comamonas) was beneficial to AnGS formation, which achieved high-strength perchlorate efficient removal. Finally, a positive feedback mechanism between AnGS formation and high-strength perchlorate removal was established through EPS, microbial metabolic activity and electron transfer characteristic in ABR system. However, excessive perchlorate (5800 mg/L) would exceed the treatment capacity of AnGS, which resulted in the deterioration of removal performance. This work provided an effective information for AnGS application to treat high-strength perchlorate wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiqi Zhao
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science and Technology, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Jinjing Road 26, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Haibo Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science and Technology, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Jinjing Road 26, Tianjin 300384, China.
| | - Jianbo Guo
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Taizhou University, Taizhou 318000, China
| | - Yuxiang Zhang
- Jinzhou Electromechanical Engineering School, Tianshan Road 17, Jinzhou 121007, Liaoning, China
| | - Jianhai Zhao
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science and Technology, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Jinjing Road 26, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Yuanyuan Song
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science and Technology, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Jinjing Road 26, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Caicai Lu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science and Technology, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Jinjing Road 26, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Yi Han
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science and Technology, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Jinjing Road 26, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Daohong Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science and Technology, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Jinjing Road 26, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Yanan Hou
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science and Technology, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Jinjing Road 26, Tianjin 300384, China
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15
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Wang Y, Lai CY, Wu M, Lu X, Hu S, Yuan Z, Guo J. Copper stimulation on methane-supported perchlorate reduction in a membrane biofilm reactor. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 425:127917. [PMID: 34915291 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The present study demonstrated that the perchlorate reduction rate in a methane-based membrane biofilm reactor was significantly enhanced from 14.4 to 25.6 mg-Cl/L/d by increasing copper concentration in the feeding medium from 1 to 10 μM, indicating a stimulatory effect of copper on the methane-supported perchlorate reduction process. Batch tests further confirmed that the increased copper concentration enhanced both methane oxidation and perchlorate reduction rates, which was supported by an increasing trend of functional genes (pmoA for methanotrophs and pcrA for specific perchlorate reducers) abundances through quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Both 16S rRNA gene sequencing and functional genes (pmoA and pcrA) sequencing jointly revealed that the biofilm supplied with a higher copper concentration exhibited a more diverse microbial community. The methane-supported perchlorate reduction was accomplished through a synergistic association of methanotrophs (Methylocystis, Methylomonas, and Methylocystaceae) and perchlorate reducers (Dechloromonas, Azospira, Magnetospirillum, and Denitratisoma). Acetate may function as the key syntrophic linkage between methanotrophs and perchlorate reducers. It was proposed that the increased copper concentration improved the activity of particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO) for methane oxidation or promoted the biosynthesis of intracellular carbon storage compounds polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) in methanotrophs for generating more acetate available for perchlorate reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulu Wang
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Chun-Yu Lai
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Mengxiong Wu
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Xuanyu Lu
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Shihu Hu
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Zhiguo Yuan
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Jianhua Guo
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
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16
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Liu T, Lu Y, Zheng M, Hu S, Yuan Z, Guo J. Efficient nitrogen removal from mainstream wastewater through coupling Partial Nitritation, Anammox and Methane-dependent nitrite/nitrate reduction (PNAM). WATER RESEARCH 2021; 206:117723. [PMID: 34637975 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The application of partial nitritation and anammox to remove nitrogen from mainstream wastewater is of great interest because of the potential to reduce energy cost and carbon dosage. However, this process confronts a dilemma of relatively high effluent nitrogen concentration (>10 mg N/L), owning to the unwanted prevalence of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) and the intrinsic nitrate production by anammox bacteria. Here, a novel technology, named the one-stage PNAM, that integrates Partial Nitritation, Anammox and Methane-dependent nitrite/nitrate reduction reactions, was developed in a single membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR). With feeding of synthetic mainstream wastewater containing ∼50 mg NH4+-N/L at a hydraulic retention time of 12 h, more than 95% nitrogen was removed in the established one-stage PNAM process at a practically useful rate of 0.1 kg N/m3/d. Microbial community characterization and in-situ batch tests revealed a sophisticated microbial structure consisting of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), anammox bacteria, nitrite/nitrate-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation (n-DAMO) bacteria and archaea, and a small fraction of NOB and aerobic methanotrophs. The role of methane in removing nitrate was confirmed by switching on/off the methane supply, which relaxed the requirement for NOB suppression. In addition, the established system was relatively robust against temperature variations, evidenced by a total nitrogen removal efficiency above 80% at temperature as low as 14 ℃. The results provide a promising alternative for efficient nitrogen removal from domestic wastewater using methane as the sole carbon source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Liu
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Yan Lu
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Min Zheng
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Shihu Hu
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Zhiguo Yuan
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Jianhua Guo
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
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17
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Vázquez-Campos X, Kinsela AS, Bligh MW, Payne TE, Wilkins MR, Waite TD. Genomic Insights Into the Archaea Inhabiting an Australian Radioactive Legacy Site. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:732575. [PMID: 34737728 PMCID: PMC8561730 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.732575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
During the 1960s, small quantities of radioactive materials were co-disposed with chemical waste at the Little Forest Legacy Site (LFLS, Sydney, Australia). The microbial function and population dynamics in a waste trench during a rainfall event have been previously investigated revealing a broad abundance of candidate and potentially undescribed taxa in this iron-rich, radionuclide-contaminated environment. Applying genome-based metagenomic methods, we recovered 37 refined archaeal MAGs, mainly from undescribed DPANN Archaea lineages without standing in nomenclature and 'Candidatus Methanoperedenaceae' (ANME-2D). Within the undescribed DPANN, the newly proposed orders 'Ca. Gugararchaeales', 'Ca. Burarchaeales' and 'Ca. Anstonellales', constitute distinct lineages with a more comprehensive central metabolism and anabolic capabilities within the 'Ca. Micrarchaeota' phylum compared to most other DPANN. The analysis of new and extant 'Ca. Methanoperedens spp.' MAGs suggests metal ions as the ancestral electron acceptors during the anaerobic oxidation of methane while the respiration of nitrate/nitrite via molybdopterin oxidoreductases would have been a secondary acquisition. The presence of genes for the biosynthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoates in most 'Ca. Methanoperedens' also appears to be a widespread characteristic of the genus for carbon accumulation. This work expands our knowledge about the roles of the Archaea at the LFLS, especially, DPANN Archaea and 'Ca. Methanoperedens', while exploring their diversity, uniqueness, potential role in elemental cycling, and evolutionary history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xabier Vázquez-Campos
- NSW Systems Biology Initiative, School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrew S. Kinsela
- UNSW Water Research Centre, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mark W. Bligh
- UNSW Water Research Centre, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Timothy E. Payne
- Environmental Research Theme, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Kirrawee DC, NSW, Australia
| | - Marc R. Wilkins
- NSW Systems Biology Initiative, School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - T. David Waite
- UNSW Water Research Centre, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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18
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Lai CY, Wu M, Wang Y, Zhang J, Li J, Liu T, Xia J, Yuan Z, Guo J. Cross-feeding interactions in short chain gaseous alkane-driven perchlorate and selenate reduction. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 200:117215. [PMID: 34020333 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Short chain gaseous alkanes (SCGAs) mainly consist of methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8) and butane (C4H10). The first three SCGAs have been shown to remove perchlorate (ClO4-) and selenate (SeO42-), yet it is unknown whether C4H10 is available to reduce these contaminants. This study demonstrated that C4H10 fed biofilms were capable of reducing ClO4- and SeO42- to chloride (Cl-) and elemental selenium (Se0), respectively, by employing two independent membrane biofilms reactors (MBfRs). Batch tests showed that C4H10 and oxygen fed biofilms had much higher ClO4- and SeO42- reduction rates and enhanced expression levels of bmoX and pcrA than that without C4H10 or O2. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) accumulated in the biofilms when C4H10 was supplied, and they decomposed for driving ClO4- and SeO42- reduction when C4H10 was absent. Moreover, we revisited the literature and found that a cross-feeding pathway seems to be universal in microaerobic SCGA-driven perchlorate and selenate reduction processes. In the ClO4--reducing MBfRs, Mycobacterium primarily conducts C2H6 and C3H8 oxidation in synergy with Dechloromonas who performs perchlorate reduction, while both Mycobacterium and Rhodococcus carried out C4H10 oxidation with perchlorate-respiring Azospira as the partner. In the SeO42--reducing MBfRs, Mycobacterium oxidized C2H6 solely or oxidized C3H8 jointly with Rhodococcus, while Burkholderiaceae likely acted as the selenate-reducing bacterium. When C4H10 was supplied as the electron donor, both Mycobacterium and Rhodococcus conducted C4H10 oxidation in synergy with unknow selenate-reducing bacterium. Collectively, we confirm that from CH4 to C4H10, all SCGAs could be utilized as electron donors for bio-reduction process. These findings offer insights into SCGA-driven bio-reduction processes, and are helpful in establishing SCGA-based technologies for groundwater remediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Yu Lai
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Mengxiong Wu
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Yulu Wang
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jiongbin Zhang
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jiahui Li
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Tao Liu
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jun Xia
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Zhiguo Yuan
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jianhua Guo
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
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19
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Wang Y, Lai CY, Wu M, Song Y, Hu S, Yuan Z, Guo J. Roles of Oxygen in Methane-dependent Selenate Reduction in a Membrane Biofilm Reactor: Stimulation or Suppression. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 198:117150. [PMID: 33910142 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Although methane (CH4) has been proven to be able to serve as an electron donor for bio-reducing various oxidized contaminants (e.g., selenate (SeO42-)), little is known regarding the roles of oxygen in methane-based reduction processes. Here, a methane-based membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR) was established for evaluating the effects of oxygen supply rates on selenate reduction performance and microbial communities. The oxygen supply rate played a dual role (stimulatory or suppressive effect) in selenate reduction rates, depending on the presence or absence of dissolved oxygen (DO). Specifically, selenate reduction rate was substantially enhanced when an appropriate oxygen rate (e.g., 12 to 184 mg/L.d in this study) was supplied but with negligible DO. The highest selenate reduction rate (up to 34 mg-Se/L.d) was obtained under an oxygen supply rate of 184 mg/L.d. In contrast, excessive oxygen supply rate (626 mg/L.d) would significantly suppress selenate reduction rate under DO level of 3 mg/L. Accordingly, though the high oxygen supply rate (626 mg/L.d) would promote the expression of pmoA (5.9 × 109 copies g-1), the expression level of narG (a recognized gene to mediate selenate reduction) would be significantly downregulated (6.1 × 109 copies g-1), thus suppressing selenate reduction. In contrast, the expression of narG gene significantly increased to 2.8 × 1010 copies g-1, and the expression of pmoA gene could still maintain at 1.1 × 109 copies g-1 under an oxygen supply rate of 184 mg/L.d. High-throughput sequencing targeting 16S rRNA gene, pmoA, and narG collectively suggested Methylocystis acts as the major aerobic methanotroph, in synergy with Arthrobacter and Variovorax which likely jointly reduce selenate to selenite (SeO32-), and further to elemental selenium (Se0). Methylocystis was predominant in the biofilm regardless of variations of oxygen supply rates, while Arthrobacter and Variovorax were sensitive to oxygen fluctuation. These findings provide insights into the effects of oxygen on methane-dependent selenate reduction and suggest that it is feasible to achieve a higher selenate removal by regulating oxygen supply rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulu Wang
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Chun-Yu Lai
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Mengxiong Wu
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Yarong Song
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Shihu Hu
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Zhiguo Yuan
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Jianhua Guo
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
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20
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Shi LD, Wang Z, Liu T, Wu M, Lai CY, Rittmann BE, Guo J, Zhao HP. Making good use of methane to remove oxidized contaminants from wastewater. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 197:117082. [PMID: 33819663 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Being an energetic fuel, methane is able to support microbial growth and drive the reduction of various electron acceptors. These acceptors include a broad range of oxidized contaminants (e.g., nitrate, nitrite, perchlorate, bromate, selenate, chromate, antimonate and vanadate) that are ubiquitously detected in water environments and pose threats to human and ecological health. Using methane as electron donor to biologically reduce these contaminants into nontoxic forms is a promising solution to remediate polluted water, considering that methane is a widely available and inexpensive electron donor. The understanding of methane-based biological reduction processes and the responsible microorganisms has grown in the past decade. This review summarizes the fundamentals of metabolic pathways and microorganisms mediating microbial methane oxidation. Experimental demonstrations of methane as an electron donor to remove oxidized contaminants are summarized, compared, and evaluated. Finally, the review identifies opportunities and unsolved questions that deserve future explorations for broadening understanding of methane oxidation and promoting its practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Dong Shi
- College of Environmental and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Province Key Lab Water Pollution Control & Environment, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- College of Environmental and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Province Key Lab Water Pollution Control & Environment, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Mengxiong Wu
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Chun-Yu Lai
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Bruce E Rittmann
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, P.O. Box 875701, Tempe, Arizona 85287-5701, U.S.A
| | - Jianhua Guo
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
| | - He-Ping Zhao
- College of Environmental and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Province Key Lab Water Pollution Control & Environment, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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21
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Sahoo KK, Goswami G, Das D. Biotransformation of Methane and Carbon Dioxide Into High-Value Products by Methanotrophs: Current State of Art and Future Prospects. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:636486. [PMID: 33776968 PMCID: PMC7987672 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.636486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Conventional chemical methods to transform methane and carbon dioxide into useful chemicals are plagued by the requirement for extreme operating conditions and expensive catalysts. Exploitation of microorganisms as biocatalysts is an attractive alternative to sequester these C1 compounds and convert them into value-added chemicals through their inherent metabolic pathways. Microbial biocatalysts are advantageous over chemical processes as they require mild-operating conditions and do not release any toxic by-products. Methanotrophs are potential cell-factories for synthesizing a wide range of high-value products via utilizing methane as the sole source of carbon and energy, and hence, serve as excellent candidate for methane sequestration. Besides, methanotrophs are capable of capturing carbon dioxide and enzymatically hydrogenating it into methanol, and hence qualify to be suitable candidates for carbon dioxide sequestration. However, large-scale production of value-added products from methanotrophs still presents an overwhelming challenge, due to gas-liquid mass transfer limitations, low solubility of gases in liquid medium and low titer of products. This requires design and engineering of efficient reactors for scale-up of the process. The present review offers an overview of the metabolic architecture of methanotrophs and the range of product portfolio they can offer. Special emphasis is given on methanol biosynthesis as a potential biofuel molecule, through utilization of methane and alternate pathway of carbon dioxide sequestration. In view of the gas-liquid mass transfer and low solubility of gases, the key rate-limiting step in gas fermentation, emphasis is given toward reactor design consideration essential to achieve better process performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishna Kalyani Sahoo
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, India
| | - Gargi Goswami
- Department of Biotechnology, Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (GITAM) University, Visakhapatnam, India
| | - Debasish Das
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, India
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22
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Tikhomirova TS, But SY. Laboratory scale bioreactor designs in the processes of methane bioconversion: Mini-review. Biotechnol Adv 2021; 47:107709. [PMID: 33548452 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Global methane emissions have been steadily increasing over the past few decades, exerting a negative effect on the environment. Biogas from landfills and sewage treatment plants is the main anthropogenic source of methane. This makes methane bioconversion one of the priority areas of biotechnology. This process involves the production of biochemical compounds from non-food sources through microbiological synthesis. Methanotrophic bacteria are a promising tool for methane bioconversion due to their ability to use this greenhouse gas and to produce protein-rich biomass, as well as a broad range of useful organic compounds. Currently, methane is used not only to produce biomass and chemical compounds, but also to increase the efficiency of water and solid waste treatment. However, the use of gaseous substrates in biotechnological processes is associated with some difficulties. The low solubility of methane in water is one of the major problems. Different approaches have been involved to encounter these challenges, including different bioreactor and gas distribution designs, solid carriers and bulk sorbents, as well as varying air/oxygen supply, the ratio of volumetric flow rate of gas mixture to its consumption rate, etc. The aim of this review was to summarize the current data on different bioreactor designs and the aspects of their applications for methane bioconversion and wastewater treatment. The bioreactors used in these processes must meet a number of requirements such as low methane emission, improved gas exchange surface, and controlled substrate supply to the reaction zone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatyana S Tikhomirova
- Institute for Biological Instrumentation of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center «Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences», Institutskaya 7, Pushchino, Moscow Region 142290, Russia.
| | - Sergey Y But
- G.K. Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center «Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences», Prospect Nauki 5, Pushchino, Moscow Region 142290, Russia
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23
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Lai CY, Wu M, Lu X, Wang Y, Yuan Z, Guo J. Microbial Perchlorate Reduction Driven by Ethane and Propane. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:2006-2015. [PMID: 33434000 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c04103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies demonstrated that methane can be used as an electron donor to microbially remove various oxidized contaminants in groundwater. Natural gas, which is more widely available and less expensive than purified methane, is potentially an alternative source of methane. However, natural gas commonly contains a considerable amount of ethane (C2H6) and propane (C3H8), in addition to methane. It is important that these gaseous alkanes are also utilized along with methane to avoid emissions. Here, we demonstrate that perchlorate (ClO4-), a frequently reported contaminant in groundwater, can be microbially reduced to chloride (Cl-) driven by C2H6 or C3H8 under oxygen-limiting conditions. Two independent membrane biofilm reactors (MBfRs) supplied with C2H6 and C3H8, respectively, were operated in parallel to biologically reduce ClO4-. The continuous ClO4- removal during long-term MBfR operation combined with the concurrent C2H6/C3H8 consumption and ClO4- reduction in batch tests confirms that ClO4- reduction was associated with C2H6 or C3H8 oxidation. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) were synthesized in the presence of C2H6 or C3H8 and were subsequently utilized for supporting ClO4- bio-reduction in the absence of gaseous alkanes. Analysis by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) showed that transcript abundance of bmoX (encoding alpha hydroxylase subunit of C2H6/C3H8 monooxygenase) was positively correlated to the consumption rates of C2H6/C3H8, while pcrA (encoding a catalytic subunit of perchlorate reductase) was positively correlated to the consumption of ClO4-. High-throughput sequencing targeting 16S rRNA, bmoX, and pcrA indicated that Mycobacterium was the dominant microorganism oxidizing C2H6/C3H8, while Dechloromonas may be the major perchlorate-reducing bacterium in the biofilms. These findings shed light on microbial ClO4- reduction driven by C2H6 and C3H8, facilitating the development of cost-effective strategies for ex situ groundwater remediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Yu Lai
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Mengxiong Wu
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Xuanyu Lu
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Yulu Wang
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Zhiguo Yuan
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Jianhua Guo
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
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24
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Liu T, Lim ZK, Chen H, Wang Z, Hu S, Yuan Z, Guo J. Biogas-driven complete nitrogen removal from wastewater generated in side-stream partial nitritation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 745:141153. [PMID: 32736115 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Anaerobic digestion is an attractive process in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to achieve simultaneous sludge reduction and energy recovery. While converting the majority of organic carbon to biogas (mainly consisting 60%CH4 + 40%CO2), the high-strength anaerobic digestion liquor consists of a high level of nitrogen concentration. The feasibility of utilizing biogas produced in-situ to achieve satisfactory nitrogen removal performance from partially nitrified anaerobic digestion liquor was examined in this study. To this end, a membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR) was used to couple nitrite- or nitrate-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation (n-DAMO) and anammox microorganisms, which was supplied with synthetic biogas and partially nitrified anaerobic digestion liquor (470 mg NH4+-N/L + 560 mg NO2--N/L). The MBfR achieved not only nearly complete nitrogen removal (~99%), but also a practically useful nitrogen removal rate above 1 kg N/m3/d. Due to the acidification caused by excessive CO2 supply from biogas, pH dropping was observed. Two corresponding strategies, i.e., intermittent alkali dosing and intermittent nitrogen gas flushing, were developed to control the pH at neutral. Mass balance based on batch tests and microbial community analysis by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing both showed the joint contribution of anammox bacteria and anaerobic methane oxidizers to the nitrogen removal. This study proved the potential and capacity of MBfR to access complete nitrogen removal from high-strength wastewater by using biogas produced in-situ, thus leading to a significant reduction of external carbon addition in practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Liu
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Zhuan Khai Lim
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Hui Chen
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Zhiyao Wang
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Shihu Hu
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Zhiguo Yuan
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Jianhua Guo
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
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25
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He C, Zhang B, Yan W, Ding D, Guo J. Enhanced Microbial Chromate Reduction Using Hydrogen and Methane as Joint Electron Donors. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2020; 395:122684. [PMID: 32330782 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.122684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogen and methane commonly co-exist in aquifer. Either hydrogen or methane has been individually utilized as electron donor for bio-reducing chromate. However, little is known whether microbial chromate reduction would be suppressed or promoted when both hydrogen and methane are simultaneously supplied as joint electron donors. This study for the first time demonstrated microbial chromate reduction rate could be accelerated by both hydrogen and methane donating electrons. The maximum chromate reduction rate (4.70 ± 0.03 mg/L·d) with a volume ratio of hydrogen to methane at 1:1 was significantly higher than that with pure hydrogen (2.53 ± 0.02 mg/L·d) or pure methane (2.01 ± 0.02 mg/L·d) as the sole electron donor (p < 0.01). High-throughput 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing detected potential chromate reducers (e.g., Spirochaetaceae, Delftia and Azonexus) and hydrogenotrophic bacteria (e.g., Acetoanaerobium) and methane-metabolizing microorganisms (e.g., Methanobacterium), indicating that these microorganisms might play important roles on microbial chromate reduction using both hydrogen and methane as electron donors. Abundant hupL and mcrA genes responsible for hydrogen oxidation and methane conversion were harbored, together with chrA gene for chromate reduction. More abundant extracellular cytochrome c and intracellular NADH were detected with joint electron donors, suggesting more active electron transfers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao He
- School of Water Resources and Environment, MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Baogang Zhang
- School of Water Resources and Environment, MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Wenyue Yan
- School of Water Resources and Environment, MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Dahu Ding
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Jianhua Guo
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
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26
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Abdelfattah A, Hossain MI, Cheng L. High-strength wastewater treatment using microbial biofilm reactor: a critical review. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 36:75. [PMID: 32390104 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-020-02853-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Biofilm reactors retain microbial cells in the form of biofilm which is attached to free moving or fixed carrying materials, thus providing a high active biomass concentration and automatic liquid and solid separation. Nowadays, microbial biofilm reactors have been widely used in high-strength wastewater treatment where very high pollutant removal efficiency is required, which usually requires excessive space and aeration energy for conventional activated sludge-based treatment. This paper provides an overview of microbial biofilm reactors developed over the last half-century, including moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR), trickling filter (TF) reactor, rotating biological contactor (RBC), membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR), passive aeration simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (PASND) biofilm reactor, for their applications in high-strength wastewater treatment of not only removing carbon, nitrogen, sulphur but also a variety of oxidized contaminants including perchlorate and bromate. Despite the advance of biofilm reactor that exhibits high resistance to excessive pollutants loading, its drawbacks both from engineering and microbiological point of view are reviewed. The future prospects of biofilm reactor are also discussed in this review paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdallah Abdelfattah
- School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China.,Department of Public Works Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tanta University, Tanta, 31511, Egypt
| | - Md Iqbal Hossain
- School of Engineering and Information Technology, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Australia.,Department of Microbiology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, 7408, Bangladesh
| | - Liang Cheng
- School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China.
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27
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Luo JH, Wu M, Liu J, Qian G, Yuan Z, Guo J. Microbial chromate reduction coupled with anaerobic oxidation of methane in a membrane biofilm reactor. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 130:104926. [PMID: 31228790 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.104926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Revised: 06/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
It has been reported that microbial reduction of sulfate, nitrite/nitrate and iron/manganese could be coupled with anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM), which plays a significant role in controlling methane emission from anoxic niches. However, little is known about microbial chromate (Cr(VI)) reduction coupling with AOM. In this study, a microbial consortium was enriched via switching nitrate dosing to chromate feeding as the sole electron acceptor under anaerobic condition in a membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR), in which methane was continuously provided as the electron donor through bubble-less hollow fiber membranes. According to long-term reactor operation and chromium speciation analysis, soluble chromate could be reduced into Cr(III) compounds by using methane as electron donor. Fluorescence in situ hybridization and high-throughput 16S rRNA gene amplicon profiling further indicated that after feeding chromate Candidatus 'Methanoperedens' (a known nitrate-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation archaeon) became sole anaerobic methanotroph in the biofilm, potentially responsible for the chromate bio-reduction driven by methane. Two potential pathways of the microbial AOM-coupled chromate reduction were proposed: (i) Candidatus 'Methanoperedens' independently utilizes chromate as electron acceptor to form Cr(III) compounds, or (ii) Candidatus 'Methanoperedens' oxidizes methane to generate intermediates or electrons, which will be utilized to reduce chromate to Cr(III) compounds by unknown chromate reducers synergistically. Our findings suggest a possible link between the biogeochemical chromium and methane cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Huan Luo
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia; School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, 333 Nanchen Road, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Mengxiong Wu
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Jianyong Liu
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, 333 Nanchen Road, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Guangren Qian
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, 333 Nanchen Road, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Zhiguo Yuan
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Jianhua Guo
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
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