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Frederico TD, Nancucheo I, Santos WCB, Oliveira RRM, Buzzi DC, Pires ES, Silva PMP, Lucheta AR, Alves JO, Oliveira GCD, Bitencourt JAP. Comparison of two acidophilic sulfidogenic consortia for the treatment of acidic mine water. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:1048412. [DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1048412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Sulfate-reducing bioreactors are a biotechnological alternative for the treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD). In this study, two separate bioreactors with pH and temperature-controlled (Bio I and II) were operated with two different acidophilic microbial consortia to determine their efficiencies in sulfate removal from a synthetic acidic mine water. The bioreactors were operated for 302 days in continuous flow mode under the same parameters: fed with a sulfate solution of ∼30 mM with a pH of 2.5, the temperature at 30°C, stirred gently at 40 rpm and using a continuous stream of nitrogen to help remove the H2S produced in the bioreactor. The glycerol consumption, acetate production, and sulfate removal were monitored throughout the course of the experiment. The community composition and potential metabolic functional groups were analyzed via 16S rRNA partial gene sequencing. Bio I consortium reduced the sulfate, achieving a range of sulfate concentration from 4.7 to 19 mM in the effluent liquor. The removal of sulfate in Bio II was between 5.6 and 18 mM. Both bioreactors’ communities showed the presence of the genus Desulfosporosinus as the main sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). Despite differences in microbial composition, both bioreactors have similar potential metabolism, with a higher percentage of microorganisms that can use sulfate in respiration. Overall, both bioreactors showed similar performance in treating acidic mine water containing mostly sulfate using two different acidophilic sulfidogenic consortia obtained from different global locations.
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Santos AL, Johnson DB. Comparison of different small molecular weight alcohols for sustaining sulfidogenic bioreactors maintained at moderately low pH. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:937987. [PMID: 36032724 PMCID: PMC9402942 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.937987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) catalyse the dissimilatory reduction of sulfate to hydrogen sulfide using a wide range of small molecular weight organic compounds, and hydrogen, as electron donors. Here we report the effects of different combinations of small molecular weight alcohols on the performance and bacterial composition of a moderately low pH sulfidogenic bioreactor (pH 4.0–5.5) operated at 35°C in continuous flow mode. Ethanol alone and methanol or ethanol used in combination with glycerol were evaluated based on their equivalent amounts of carbon. Although evidenced that methanol was utilised as electron donor to fuel sulfidogenesis at pH 5.5, rates of sulfate reduction/sulfide production were negatively impacted when this alcohol was first introduced to the system, though these rates increased in subsequent phases as a result of adaptation of the microbial community. Further increased dosage of methanol again caused rates of sulfidogenesis to decrease. Methanol addition resulted in perturbations of the bioreactor microbial community, and species not previously detected were present in relatively large abundance, including the sulfate-reducer Desulfovibrio desulfuricans. Ethanol utilization was evidenced by the increase in rates of sulfidogenesis as the dosage of ethanol increased, with rates being highest when the bioreactor was fed with ethanol alone. Concentrations of acetate in the effluent liquor also increased (up to 8 mM) as a result of incomplete oxidation of ethanol. This alcohol continued to be used as the electron donor for sulfate reduction when the bioreactor pH was decreased incrementally (to pH 4.0), but rates of sulfidogenesis decreased. The relative abundance of Dv. desulfuricans diminished as the bioreactor pH was lowered, while that of the acidophilic Firmicute Desulfosporosinus acididurans increased. This study has shown that all three alcohols can be used to fuel microbial sulfidogenesis in moderately acidic liquors, though the cost-effectiveness, availability and toxicity to the microbial community will dictate the choice of substrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Laura Santos
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, United Kingdom
- Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Ana Laura Santos,
| | - D. Barrie Johnson
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, United Kingdom
- Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
- Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
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Kushkevych I, Hýžová B, Vítězová M, Rittmann SKMR. Microscopic Methods for Identification of Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria from Various Habitats. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:4007. [PMID: 33924516 PMCID: PMC8069399 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22084007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper is devoted to microscopic methods for the identification of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). In this context, it describes various habitats, morphology and techniques used for the detection and identification of this very heterogeneous group of anaerobic microorganisms. SRB are present in almost every habitat on Earth, including freshwater and marine water, soils, sediments or animals. In the oil, water and gas industries, they can cause considerable economic losses due to their hydrogen sulfide production; in periodontal lesions and the colon of humans, they can cause health complications. Although the role of these bacteria in inflammatory bowel diseases is not entirely known yet, their presence is increased in patients and produced hydrogen sulfide has a cytotoxic effect. For these reasons, methods for the detection of these microorganisms were described. Apart from selected molecular techniques, including metagenomics, fluorescence microscopy was one of the applied methods. Especially fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in various modifications was described. This method enables visual identification of SRB, determining their abundance and spatial distribution in environmental biofilms and gut samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Kushkevych
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (B.H.); (M.V.)
| | - Blanka Hýžová
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (B.H.); (M.V.)
| | - Monika Vítězová
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (B.H.); (M.V.)
| | - Simon K.-M. R. Rittmann
- Archaea Physiology & Biotechnology Group, Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Universität Wien, 1090 Wien, Austria
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Sulphate-Reducing Bacteria’s Response to Extreme pH Environments and the Effect of Their Activities on Microbial Corrosion. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11052201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are dominant species causing corrosion of various types of materials. However, they also play a beneficial role in bioremediation due to their tolerance of extreme pH conditions. The application of sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in bioremediation and control methods for microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) in extreme pH environments requires an understanding of the microbial activities in these conditions. Recent studies have found that in order to survive and grow in high alkaline/acidic condition, SRB have developed several strategies to combat the environmental challenges. The strategies mainly include maintaining pH homeostasis in the cytoplasm and adjusting metabolic activities leading to changes in environmental pH. The change in pH of the environment and microbial activities in such conditions can have a significant impact on the microbial corrosion of materials. These bacteria strategies to combat extreme pH environments and their effect on microbial corrosion are presented and discussed.
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Bao Y, Jin X, Guo C, Lu G, Dang Z. Sulfate-reducing bacterial community shifts in response to acid mine drainage in the sediment of the Hengshi watershed, South China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:2822-2834. [PMID: 32895792 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-10248-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are an attractive option for treating acid mine drainage (AMD) and are considered to be of great significance in the natural attenuation of AMD, but the available information regarding the highly diverse SRB community in AMD sites is not comprehensive. The Hengshi River, which is continually contaminated by AMD from upstream mining areas, was selected as a study site for investigation of the distribution, diversity, and abundance of SRB. Overall, high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA and dsrB genes revealed the high diversity, richness, and OTU numbers of SRB communities, suggesting the existence of active sulfate reduction in the study area. Further analysis demonstrated that AMD contamination decreased the richness and diversity of the microbial community and SRB community, and led to spatiotemporal shifts in the overall composition and structure of sediment microbial and SRB communities along the Hengshi watershed. However, the sulfate reduction activity was high in the midstream, even though AMD pollution remained heavy in this area. Spatial distributions of SRB community indicated that species of Clostridia may be more tolerant of AMD contamination than other species, because of their predominance in the SRB communities. In addition, the results of CCA revealed that environmental parameters, such as pH, TS content, and Fe content, can significantly influence total microbial and SRB community structure, and dissolved organic carbon was another important factor structuring the SRB community. This study extends our knowledge of the distribution of indigenous SRB communities and their potential roles in natural AMD attenuation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanping Bao
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, 510006, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
- School of Environment and Chemical Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, 528000, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaohu Jin
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, 510006, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuling Guo
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, 510006, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
- The Key Lab of Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, People's Republic of China.
| | - Guining Lu
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, 510006, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
- The Key Lab of Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi Dang
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, 510006, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
- The Key Lab of Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, People's Republic of China.
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Evaluating the Effect of pH, Temperature, and Hydraulic Retention Time on Biological Sulphate Reduction Using Response Surface Methodology. WATER 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/w12102662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Biological sulphate reduction (BSR) has been identified as a promising alternative for treating acid mine drainage. In this study, the effect of pH, temperature, and hydraulic retention time (HRT) on BSR was investigated. The Box–Behnken design was used to matrix independent variables, namely pH (4–6), temperature (10–30 °C), and HRT (2–7 days) with the sulphate reduction efficiency and sulphate reduction rate as response variables. Experiments were conducted in packed bed reactors operating in a downflow mode. Response surface methodology was used to statistically analyse the data and to develop statistical models that can be used to fully understand the individual effects and the interactions between the independent variables. The analysis of variance results showed that the data fitted the quadratic models well as confirmed by a non-significant lack of fit. The temperature and HRT effect were significant (p < 0.0001), and these two variables had a strong interaction. However, the influence of pH was insignificant (p > 0.05).
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Ayangbenro AS, Olanrewaju OS, Babalola OO. Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria as an Effective Tool for Sustainable Acid Mine Bioremediation. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1986. [PMID: 30186280 PMCID: PMC6113391 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mining industries produce vast waste streams that pose severe environmental pollution challenge. Conventional techniques of treatment are usually inefficient and unsustainable. Biological technique employing the use of microorganisms is a competitive alternative to treat mine wastes and recover toxic heavy metals. Microorganisms are used to detoxify, extract or sequester pollutants from mine waste. Sulfate-reducing microorganisms play a vital role in the control and treatment of mine waste, generating alkalinity and neutralizing the acidic waste. The design of engineered sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) consortia will be an effective tool in optimizing degradation of acid mine tailings waste in industrial processes. The understanding of the complex functions of SRB consortia vis-à-vis the metabolic and physiological properties in industrial applications and their roles in interspecies interactions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Olubukola O. Babalola
- Food Security and Safety Niche, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mmabatho, South Africa
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Ňancucheo I, Rowe OF, Hedrich S, Johnson DB. Solid and liquid media for isolating and cultivating acidophilic and acid-tolerant sulfate-reducing bacteria. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2016; 363:fnw083. [PMID: 27036143 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnw083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Growth media have been developed to facilitate the enrichment and isolation of acidophilic and acid-tolerant sulfate-reducing bacteria (aSRB) from environmental and industrial samples, and to allow their cultivation in vitro The main features of the 'standard' solid and liquid devised media are as follows: (i) use of glycerol rather than an aliphatic acid as electron donor; (ii) inclusion of stoichiometric concentrations of zinc ions to both buffer pH and to convert potentially harmful hydrogen sulphide produced by the aSRB to insoluble zinc sulphide; (iii) inclusion of Acidocella aromatica (an heterotrophic acidophile that does not metabolize glycerol or yeast extract) in the gel underlayer of double layered (overlay) solid media, to remove acetic acid produced by aSRB that incompletely oxidize glycerol and also aliphatic acids (mostly pyruvic) released by acid hydrolysis of the gelling agent used (agarose). Colonies of aSRB are readily distinguished from those of other anaerobes due to their deposition and accumulation of metal sulphide precipitates. Data presented illustrate the effectiveness of the overlay solid media described for isolating aSRB from acidic anaerobic sediments and low pH sulfidogenic bioreactors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Ňancucheo
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Owen F Rowe
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Sabrina Hedrich
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK
| | - D Barrie Johnson
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK
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Sánchez-Andrea I, Stams AJM, Hedrich S, Ňancucheo I, Johnson DB. Desulfosporosinus acididurans sp. nov.: an acidophilic sulfate-reducing bacterium isolated from acidic sediments. Extremophiles 2014; 19:39-47. [PMID: 25370366 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-014-0701-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2014] [Accepted: 10/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Three strains of sulfate-reducing bacteria (M1(T), D, and E) were isolated from acidic sediments (White river and Tinto river) and characterized phylogenetically and physiologically. All three strains were obligately anaerobic, mesophilic, spore-forming straight rods, stained Gram-negative and displayed variable motility during active growth. The pH range for growth was 3.8-7.0, with an optimum at pH 5.5. The temperature range for growth was 15-40 °C, with an optimum at 30 °C. Strains M1(T), D, and E used a wide range of electron donors and acceptors, with certain variability within the different strains. The nominated type strain (M1(T)) used ferric iron, nitrate, sulfate, elemental sulfur, and thiosulfate (but not arsenate, sulfite, or fumarate) as electron acceptors, and organic acids (formate, lactate, butyrate, fumarate, malate, and pyruvate), alcohols (glycerol, methanol, and ethanol), yeast extract, and sugars (xylose, glucose, and fructose) as electron donors. It also fermented some substrates such as pyruvate and formate. Strain M1(T) tolerated up to 50 mM ferrous iron and 10 mM aluminum, but was inhibited by 1 mM copper. On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic, and genetic characteristics, strains M1(T), D, and E represent a novel species within the genus Desulfosporosinus, for which the name Desulfosporosinus acididurans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is M1(T) (=DSM 27692(T) = JCM 19471(T)). Strain M1(T) was the first acidophilic SRB isolated, and it is the third described species of acidophilic SRB besides Desulfosporosinus acidiphilus and Thermodesulfobium narugense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Sánchez-Andrea
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Dreijenplein 10, 6703 HB, Wageningen, The Netherlands,
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Kaksonen AH, Puhakka JA. Sulfate Reduction Based Bioprocesses for the Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage and the Recovery of Metals. Eng Life Sci 2007. [DOI: 10.1002/elsc.200720216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 238] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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