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Gil-Villalba S, Palau J, Soder-Walz JM, Vallecillo MA, Corregidor J, Tirado A, Shouakar-Stash O, Guivernau M, Viñas M, Soler A, Rosell M. Use of isotopic (C, Cl) and molecular biology tools to assess biodegradation in a source area of chlorinated ethenes after biostimulation with Emulsified Vegetable Oil (EVO). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 951:175351. [PMID: 39151619 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2024] [Revised: 08/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
Enhanced In Situ Bioremediation (EISB) using Emulsified Vegetable Oil (EVO) as a long-term electron donor has gained prominence for the treatment of groundwater contaminated with chlorinated ethenes (CEs). This study explores the potential of isotopic and molecular biology tools (MBT) to investigate the CEs (PCE, TCE and cis-DCE) bioremediation using EVO in a contaminated site. A multiple approach using C and Cl-CSIA, quantification of Dehalococcoides (Dhc) and specific reductive dechlorination (RD) gene population, and hydrochemical data in microcosm experiments and field samples was applied. Despite the high partitioning of CEs into the EVO phase, the carbon isotopic values of the remaining CEs fraction in the aqueous phase did not exhibit significant changes caused by phase partitioning in laboratory experiments. Both microcosm experiments and field data revealed a rapid RD of PCE and TCE, resulting in the transient accumulation of cis-DCE, which was slowly degraded to vinyl chloride (VC). These results agreed with the presence of Dhc populations and a shift to stronger reducing conditions in the field: i) RD functional genes (tceA, vcrA and bvcA) exhibited a trend to higher values and ii) a substantial increase in Dhc populations (up to 30% of the total bacterial populations) was observed over time. The dual-element isotope slope ΛC-Cl for RD of cis-DCE obtained from field data (ΛC - Cl = 5 ± 3) was similar to the one determined from the microcosm experiments under controlled anoxic conditions (ΛC - Cl = 4.9 ± 0.8). However, ΛC-Cl values differ from those reported so far for laboratory studies with Dhc strains and mixed cultures containing Dhc, i.e., between 8.3 and 17.8. This observation underscores the potential variety of reductive dehalogenases involved during cis-DCE RD and the importance of determining site-specific Λ and ɛ values in order to improve the identification and quantification of transformation processes in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Gil-Villalba
- Grup MAiMA, SGR Mineralogia Aplicada, Geoquímica i Hidrogeologia (MAGH), Departament de Mineralogia, Petrologia i Geologia Aplicada, Facultat de Ciències de la Terra, Institut de Recerca de l'Aigua (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Martí Franquès s/n, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Jordi Palau
- Grup MAiMA, SGR Mineralogia Aplicada, Geoquímica i Hidrogeologia (MAGH), Departament de Mineralogia, Petrologia i Geologia Aplicada, Facultat de Ciències de la Terra, Institut de Recerca de l'Aigua (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Martí Franquès s/n, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jesica M Soder-Walz
- Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Biològica i Ambiental, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Carrer de les Sitges s/n, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Miguel A Vallecillo
- Environmental Resources Management Iberia SAU, Rambla de Catalunya 33, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Corregidor
- Environmental Resources Management Iberia SAU, Rambla de Catalunya 33, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andrea Tirado
- Environmental Resources Management Iberia SAU, Rambla de Catalunya 33, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Miriam Guivernau
- Sustainability in Biosystems Programme, Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), Torre Marimon, Caldes de Montbui, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc Viñas
- Sustainability in Biosystems Programme, Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), Torre Marimon, Caldes de Montbui, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Soler
- Grup MAiMA, SGR Mineralogia Aplicada, Geoquímica i Hidrogeologia (MAGH), Departament de Mineralogia, Petrologia i Geologia Aplicada, Facultat de Ciències de la Terra, Institut de Recerca de l'Aigua (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Martí Franquès s/n, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Monica Rosell
- Grup MAiMA, SGR Mineralogia Aplicada, Geoquímica i Hidrogeologia (MAGH), Departament de Mineralogia, Petrologia i Geologia Aplicada, Facultat de Ciències de la Terra, Institut de Recerca de l'Aigua (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Martí Franquès s/n, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
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Blessing M, Baran N. A review on environmental isotope analysis of aquatic micropollutants: Recent advances, pitfalls and perspectives. Trends Analyt Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2022.116730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Ojeda AS, Phillips E, Sherwood Lollar B. Multi-element (C, H, Cl, Br) stable isotope fractionation as a tool to investigate transformation processes for halogenated hydrocarbons. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2020; 22:567-582. [PMID: 31993605 DOI: 10.1039/c9em00498j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) is a powerful tool to evaluate transformation processes of halogenated compounds. Many halogenated hydrocarbons allow for multiple stable isotopic systems (C, H, Cl, Br) to be measured for a single compound. This has led to a large body of literature describing abiotic and biotic transformation pathways and reaction mechanisms for contaminants such as chlorinated alkenes and alkanes as well as brominated hydrocarbons. Here, the current literature is reviewed and a new compilation of Λ values for multi-isotopic systems for halogenated hydrocarbons is presented. Case studies of each compound class are discussed and thereby the current strengths of multi-element isotope analysis, continuing challenges, and gaps in our current knowledge are identified for practitioners of multi-element CSIA to address in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Sullivan Ojeda
- Department of Geosciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849, USA.
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Gilevska T, Sullivan Ojeda A, Renpenning J, Kümmel S, Gehre M, Nijenhuis I, Sherwood Lollar B. Requirements for Chromium Reactors for Use in the Determination of H Isotopes in Compound-Specific Stable Isotope Analysis of Chlorinated Compounds. Anal Chem 2020; 92:2383-2387. [PMID: 31898453 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b04737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
There is a strong need for careful quality control in hydrogen compound-specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA) of halogenated compounds. This arises in part due to the lack of universal design of the chromium (Cr) reactors. In this study, factors that optimize the critical performance parameter, linearity, for the Cr reduction method for hydrogen isotope analysis were identified and evaluated. These include the effects of short and long vertically mounted reactors and temperature profiles on trapping of Cl to ensure accurate and precise hydrogen isotope measurements. This paper demonstrates the critical parameters that need consideration to optimize any Cr reactor applications to ensure the accuracy of δ2H analysis for organic compounds and to enhance intercomparability for both international standards and reference materials run by continuous flow versus an elemental analyzer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetyana Gilevska
- Department of Earth Sciences , University of Toronto , Toronto , Ontario M5S 3B1 , Canada
| | - Ann Sullivan Ojeda
- Department of Earth Sciences , University of Toronto , Toronto , Ontario M5S 3B1 , Canada
| | - Julian Renpenning
- Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry , Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ , Permoserstrasse 15 , 04318 Leipzig , Germany
| | - Steffen Kümmel
- Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry , Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ , Permoserstrasse 15 , 04318 Leipzig , Germany
| | - Matthias Gehre
- Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry , Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ , Permoserstrasse 15 , 04318 Leipzig , Germany
| | - Ivonne Nijenhuis
- Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry , Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ , Permoserstrasse 15 , 04318 Leipzig , Germany
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5
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Ojeda AS, Phillips E, Mancini SA, Lollar BS. Sources of Uncertainty in Biotransformation Mechanistic Interpretations and Remediation Studies using CSIA. Anal Chem 2019; 91:9147-9153. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b01756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ann Sullivan Ojeda
- Department of Earth Sciences, The University of Toronto, 22 Russell Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B1, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Phillips
- Department of Earth Sciences, The University of Toronto, 22 Russell Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B1, Canada
| | - Silvia A. Mancini
- Geosyntec Consultants Inc., 243 Islington Avenue #1201, Etobicoke, Ontario M8X 1Y9, Canada
| | - Barbara Sherwood Lollar
- Department of Earth Sciences, The University of Toronto, 22 Russell Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B1, Canada
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Kuder T, Bernstein A, Gelman F. Derivatization-free method for compound-specific isotope analysis of nonexchangeable hydrogen of 4-bromophenol. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2019; 33:667-677. [PMID: 30512206 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.8361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/17/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) is a valuable tool in environmental chemistry and in other fields of science. Currently, hydrogen CSIA of polar compounds containing exchangeable hydrogen is uncommon. To extend the scope of CSIA applications, we present an alternative method of analysis, bypassing the typical step of derivatization. The method is demonstrated for two environmental contaminants, 4-bromophenol (4BP) and 2,4,6-tribromophenol (TBP). METHODS Net isotope ratios obtained by CSIA combine the isotope composition of nonexchangeable, carbon-bound hydrogen and the exchangeable hydroxyl hydrogen. To constrain the isotope composition of the latter, an ethyl acetate solution of 4BP or TBP injected into the IRMS instrument was amended with excess water of known isotope composition. The results were calibrated using bracketing control samples analyzed in sequence with the unknown samples and the known isotope ratios of water present in ethyl acetate solution. RESULTS The analytical precision was comparable to the precision for halogenated compounds without exchangeable hydrogen, analyzed using similar instrumentation. The isotope ratios of the bromophenols correlated with the isotope composition of the water in the sample matrix, suggesting that the hydroxyl group of the target compound remained close to the equilibrium with the sample water during the passage through the instrument. Based on this relationship, the signatures of the nonexchangeable hydrogen were obtained using the isotope composition of sample water as the proxy for the isotope composition of the target compound hydroxyl group. CONCLUSIONS The developed method could be adopted to analysis of other low molecular weight compounds amenable to gas chromatography without the absolute need for derivatization. Currently, the method can be used for samples from laboratory experiments, with high concentrations of the target compound to provide mechanistic insight into the degradation mechanisms. Further work would be required to optimize the method to low concentration environmental samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Kuder
- School of Geology and Geophysics, University of Oklahoma, 100 E. Boyd Street, SEC 710, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
| | - Anat Bernstein
- Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, Department of Environmental Hydrology and Microbiology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 84990, Israel
| | - Faina Gelman
- Geological Survey of Israel, 30 Malkhei Israel St., Jerusalem, 95501, Israel
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Filippini M, Nijenhuis I, Kümmel S, Chiarini V, Crosta G, Richnow HH, Gargini A. Multi-element compound specific stable isotope analysis of chlorinated aliphatic contaminants derived from chlorinated pitches. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 640-641:153-162. [PMID: 29859433 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.05.285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Tetrachloroethene and trichloroethene are typical by-products of the industrial production of chloromethanes. These by-products are known as "chlorinated pitches" and were often dumped in un-contained waste disposal sites causing groundwater contaminations. Previous research showed that a strongly depleted stable carbon isotope signature characterizes chlorinated compounds associated with chlorinated pitches whereas manufactured commercial compounds have more enriched carbon isotope ratios. The findings were restricted to a single case study and one element (i.e. carbon). This paper presents a multi-element Compound-Specific Stable Isotope Analysis (CSIA, including carbon, chlorine and hydrogen) of chlorinated aliphatic contaminants originated from chlorinated pitches at two sites with different hydrogeology and different producers of chloromethanes. The results show strongly depleted carbon signatures at both sites whereas the chlorine and the hydrogen signatures are comparable to those presented in the literature for manufactured commercial compounds. Multi-element CSIA allowed the identification of sources and site-specific processes affecting chloroethene transformation in groundwater as a result of emergency remediation measures. CSIA turned out to be an effective forensic tool to address the liability for the contamination, leading to a conviction for the crimes of unintentional aggravated public water supply poisoning and environmental disaster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Filippini
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Ivonne Nijenhuis
- Department for Isotope Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research-UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Steffen Kümmel
- Department for Isotope Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research-UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Veronica Chiarini
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Crosta
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy
| | - Hans H Richnow
- Department for Isotope Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research-UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Alessandro Gargini
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy.
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8
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Golan R, Gelman F, Kuder T, Taylor AA, Ronen Z, Bernstein A. Degradation of 4-bromophenol by Ochrobactrum sp. HI1 isolated from desert soil: pathway and isotope effects. Biodegradation 2018; 30:37-46. [DOI: 10.1007/s10532-018-9860-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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9
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Segal DC, Kuder T, Kolhatkar R. Assessment of anaerobic biodegradation of bis(2-chloroethyl) ether in groundwater using carbon and chlorine compound-specific isotope analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 625:696-705. [PMID: 29306157 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.12.246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2017] [Revised: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Carbon and chlorine compound specific isotope analysis (CSIA) of bis(2-chloroethyl) ether (BCEE) was performed to distinguish the primary processes contributing to observed concentration reductions in an anaerobic groundwater plume. Laboratory microcosms were constructed to demonstrate and obtain isotopic enrichment factors and dual-element CSIA trends from two potential transformation processes (1) anaerobic biodegradation using saturated sediment samples from the field site (εC=-14.8 and εCl=-5.0) and (2) abiotic reactions with sulfide nucleophiles in water (εC=-12.8 and εCl=-5.0). The results suggested a nucleophilic, SN2-type dechlorination as the mechanism of biodegradation of BCEE. Identical dual-element CSIA trends observed in the field and in the microcosm samples suggested that the same degradation mechanism was responsible for BCEE degradation in the field. While biodegradation was the likely dominant mechanism of BCEE mass destruction in the aquifer, potential contribution of abiotic hydrolysis to the net budget of degradation could not be confidently excluded. To our knowledge, this is the first unequivocal demonstration of BCEE biodegradation at a field site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel C Segal
- Chevron Energy Technology Company, San Ramon, CA, United States
| | - Tomasz Kuder
- School of Geology and Geophysics, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States
| | - Ravi Kolhatkar
- Chevron Energy Technology Company, Houston, TX, United States.
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10
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Palau J, Shouakar-Stash O, Hatijah Mortan S, Yu R, Rosell M, Marco-Urrea E, Freedman DL, Aravena R, Soler A, Hunkeler D. Hydrogen Isotope Fractionation during the Biodegradation of 1,2-Dichloroethane: Potential for Pathway Identification Using a Multi-element (C, Cl, and H) Isotope Approach. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:10526-10535. [PMID: 28810730 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b02906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Even though multi-element isotope fractionation patterns provide crucial information with which to identify contaminant degradation pathways in the field, those involving hydrogen are still lacking for many halogenated groundwater contaminants and degradation pathways. This study investigates for the first time hydrogen isotope fractionation during both aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation of 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCA) using five microbial cultures. Transformation-associated isotope fractionation values (εbulkH) were -115 ± 18‰ (aerobic C-H bond oxidation), -34 ± 4‰ and -38 ± 4‰ (aerobic C-Cl bond cleavage via hydrolytic dehalogenation), and -57 ± 3‰ and -77 ± 9‰ (anaerobic C-Cl bond cleavage via reductive dihaloelimination). The dual-element C-H isotope approach (ΛC-H = Δδ2H/Δδ13C ≈ εbulkH/εbulkC, where Δδ2H and Δδ13C are changes in isotope ratios during degradation) resulted in clearly different ΛC-H values: 28 ± 4 (oxidation), 0.7 ± 0.1 and 0.9 ± 0.1 (hydrolytic dehalogenation), and 1.76 ± 0.05 and 3.5 ± 0.1 (dihaloelimination). This result highlights the potential of this approach to identify 1,2-DCA degradation pathways in the field. In addition, distinct trends were also observed in a multi- (i.e., Δδ2H versus Δδ37Cl versus Δδ13C) isotope plot, which opens further possibilities for pathway identification in future field studies. This is crucial information to understand the mechanisms controlling natural attenuation of 1,2-DCA and to design appropriate strategies to enhance biodegradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Palau
- Centre for Hydrogeology and Geothermics, University of Neuchâtel , 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
- Grup de Mineralogia Aplicada i Geoquímica de Fluids, Departament de Mineralogia, Petrologia i Geologia Aplicada, Facultat de Ciències de la Terra, Universitat de Barcelona , Martí i Franquès s/n, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), CSIC, and Hydrogeology Group (UPC-CSIC) , Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Orfan Shouakar-Stash
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo , Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
- Isotope Tracer Technologies Inc. , Waterloo, Ontario N2 V 1Z5, Canada
| | - Siti Hatijah Mortan
- Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Biològica i Ambiental, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona , Carrer de les Sitges s/n, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Rong Yu
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Clemson University , Clemson, South Carolina 29634, United States
| | - Monica Rosell
- Grup de Mineralogia Aplicada i Geoquímica de Fluids, Departament de Mineralogia, Petrologia i Geologia Aplicada, Facultat de Ciències de la Terra, Universitat de Barcelona , Martí i Franquès s/n, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ernest Marco-Urrea
- Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Biològica i Ambiental, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona , Carrer de les Sitges s/n, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - David L Freedman
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Clemson University , Clemson, South Carolina 29634, United States
| | - Ramon Aravena
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo , Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Albert Soler
- Grup de Mineralogia Aplicada i Geoquímica de Fluids, Departament de Mineralogia, Petrologia i Geologia Aplicada, Facultat de Ciències de la Terra, Universitat de Barcelona , Martí i Franquès s/n, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Hunkeler
- Centre for Hydrogeology and Geothermics, University of Neuchâtel , 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
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Van Breukelen BM, Thouement HAA, Stack PE, Vanderford M, Philp P, Kuder T. Modeling 3D-CSIA data: Carbon, chlorine, and hydrogen isotope fractionation during reductive dechlorination of TCE to ethene. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY 2017; 204:79-89. [PMID: 28764859 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2017.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Revised: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/15/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Reactive transport modeling of multi-element, compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) data has great potential to quantify sequential microbial reductive dechlorination (SRD) and alternative pathways such as oxidation, in support of remediation of chlorinated solvents in groundwater. As a key step towards this goal, a model was developed that simulates simultaneous carbon, chlorine, and hydrogen isotope fractionation during SRD of trichloroethene, via cis-1,2-dichloroethene (and trans-DCE as minor pathway), and vinyl chloride to ethene, following Monod kinetics. A simple correction term for individual isotope/isotopologue rates avoided multi-element isotopologue modeling. The model was successfully validated with data from a mixed culture Dehalococcoides microcosm. Simulation of Cl-CSIA required incorporation of secondary kinetic isotope effects (SKIEs). Assuming a limited degree of intramolecular heterogeneity of δ37Cl in TCE decreased the magnitudes of SKIEs required at the non-reacting Cl positions, without compromising the goodness of model fit, whereas a good fit of a model involving intramolecular CCl bond competition required an unlikely degree of intramolecular heterogeneity. Simulation of H-CSIA required SKIEs in H atoms originally present in the reacting compounds, especially for TCE, together with imprints of strongly depleted δ2H during protonation in the products. Scenario modeling illustrates the potential of H-CSIA for source apportionment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris M Van Breukelen
- Department of Water Management, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN Delft, The Netherlands.
| | - Héloïse A A Thouement
- Department of Water Management, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Philip E Stack
- Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Kings Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, UK
| | - Mindy Vanderford
- HydroGeoLogic, Inc., 4407 Jane St., Bellaire, TX 77401, United States
| | - Paul Philp
- School of Geology and Geophysics, University of Oklahoma, 100 E. Boyd Street, SEC 710, Norman, OK 73019, United States
| | - Tomasz Kuder
- School of Geology and Geophysics, University of Oklahoma, 100 E. Boyd Street, SEC 710, Norman, OK 73019, United States
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12
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Renpenning J, Schimmelmann A, Gehre M. Compound-specific hydrogen isotope analysis of fluorine-, chlorine-, bromine- and iodine-bearing organics using gas chromatography-chromium-based high-temperature conversion (Cr/HTC) isotope ratio mass spectrometry. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2017; 31:1095-1102. [PMID: 28374514 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.7872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Revised: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE The conventional high-temperature conversion (HTC) approach towards hydrogen compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) of halogen-bearing (F, Cl, Br, I) organics suffers from incomplete H2 yields and associated hydrogen isotope fractionation due to generation of HF, HCl, HBr, and HI byproducts. Moreover, the traditional off-line combustion of highly halogenated compounds results in incomplete recovery of water as an intermediary compound for hydrogen isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS), and hence also leads to isotope fractionation. This study presents an optimized chromium-based high-temperature conversion (Cr/HTC) approach for hydrogen CSIA of various fluorinated, chlorinated, brominated and iodinated organic compounds. The Cr/HTC approach is fast, economical, and not affected by low H2 yields and associated isotope fractionation. METHODS The performance of the modified gas chromatography/chromium-based high-temperature conversion (GC-Cr/HTC) system was monitored and optimized using an ion trap mass spectrometer. Quantitative conversion of organic hydrogen into H2 analyte gas was achieved for all halogen-bearing compounds. The corresponding accuracy of CSIA was validated using (i) manual dual-inlet (DI)-IRMS after off-line conversion into H2 , and (ii) elemental analyzer (EA)-Cr/HTC-IRMS (on-line conversion). RESULTS The overall hydrogen isotope analysis of F-, Cl-, Br- and I-bearing organics via GC-Cr/HTC-IRMS achieved a precision σ ≤ 3 mUr and an accuracy within ±5 mUr along the VSMOW-SLAP scale compared with the measured isotope compositions resulting from both validation methods, off-line and on-line. The same analytical performance as for single-compound GC-Cr/HTC-IRMS was achieved compound-specifically for mixtures of halogenated organics following GC separation to baseline resolution. CONCLUSIONS GC-Cr/HTC technology can be implemented in existing analytical equipment using commercially available materials to provide a versatile tool for hydrogen CSIA of halogenated and non-halogenated organics. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Renpenning
- Department for Isotope Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, D-04318, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Arndt Schimmelmann
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405-1405, USA
| | - Matthias Gehre
- Department for Isotope Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, D-04318, Leipzig, Germany
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13
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Kohli P, Richnow HH, Lal R. Compound-Specific Stable Isotope Analysis: Implications in Hexachlorocyclohexane in-vitro and Field Assessment. Indian J Microbiol 2016; 57:11-22. [PMID: 28148976 DOI: 10.1007/s12088-016-0630-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Assessment of biotic and abiotic degradation reactions by studying the variation in stable isotopic compositions of organic contaminants in contaminated soil and aquifers is being increasingly considered during the last two decades with development of Compound specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA) technique. CSIA has been recognized as a potential tool for evaluating both qualitative and quantitative degradation with measurement of shifts in isotope ratios of contaminants and their degradation products as its basis. Amongst a wide variety of environmental pollutants including monoaromatics, chlorinated ethenes and benzenes etc., it is only recently that its efficacy is being tested for assessing biodegradation of a noxious pollutant namely hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), by pure microbial cultures as well as directly at the field site. Anticipating the increase in demand of this technique for monitoring the microbial degradation along with natural attenuation, this review highlights the basic problems associated with HCH contamination emphasizing the applicability of emerging CSIA technique to absolve the major bottlenecks in assessment of HCH. To this end, the review also provides a brief overview of this technique with summarizing the recent revelations put forward by both in vitro and in situ studies by CSIA in monitoring HCH biodegradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Puneet Kohli
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007 India
| | - Hans H Richnow
- Department Isotope Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Rup Lal
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007 India
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Renpenning J, Kümmel S, Hitzfeld KL, Schimmelmann A, Gehre M. Compound-Specific Hydrogen Isotope Analysis of Heteroatom-Bearing Compounds via Gas Chromatography–Chromium-Based High-Temperature Conversion (Cr/HTC)–Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry. Anal Chem 2015; 87:9443-50. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5b02475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Julian Renpenning
- Department
for Isotope Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research−UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Steffen Kümmel
- Department
for Isotope Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research−UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kristina L. Hitzfeld
- Department
for Isotope Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research−UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Arndt Schimmelmann
- Department
of Geological Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405-1405, United States
| | - Matthias Gehre
- Department
for Isotope Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research−UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany
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15
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Gehre M, Renpenning J, Gilevska T, Qi H, Coplen TB, Meijer HAJ, Brand WA, Schimmelmann A. On-Line Hydrogen-Isotope Measurements of Organic Samples Using Elemental Chromium: An Extension for High Temperature Elemental-Analyzer Techniques. Anal Chem 2015; 87:5198-205. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5b00085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Gehre
- Department for Isotope Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Julian Renpenning
- Department for Isotope Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tetyana Gilevska
- Department for Isotope Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Haiping Qi
- U.S. Geological Survey, 431 National Center, Reston, Virginia 20192, United States
| | - Tyler B. Coplen
- U.S. Geological Survey, 431 National Center, Reston, Virginia 20192, United States
| | - Harro A. J. Meijer
- Centre for Isotope Research (CIO), Energy and Sustainability
Research Institute Groningen (ESRIG), University of Groningen, Nijenborgh
4, 9747 AG Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Willi A. Brand
- Max-Planck-Institute for Biogeochemistry, Beutenberg Campus, P.O. Box 100164, 07701 Jena, Germany
| | - Arndt Schimmelmann
- Department of Geological Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
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Ehlers I, Betson TR, Vetter W, Schleucher J. Elucidating turnover pathways of bioactive small molecules by isotopomer analysis: the persistent organic pollutant DDT. PLoS One 2014; 9:e110648. [PMID: 25350380 PMCID: PMC4228495 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0110648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2014] [Accepted: 09/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The persistent organic pollutant DDT (1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane) is still indispensable in the fight against malaria, although DDT and related compounds pose toxicological hazards. Technical DDT contains the dichloro congener DDD (1-chloro-4-[2,2-dichloro-1-(4-chlorophenyl)ethyl]benzene) as by-product, but DDD is also formed by reductive degradation of DDT in the environment. To differentiate between DDD formation pathways, we applied deuterium NMR spectroscopy to measure intramolecular deuterium distributions (2H isotopomer abundances) of DDT and DDD. DDD formed in the technical DDT synthesis was strongly deuterium-enriched at one intramolecular position, which we traced back to 2H/1H fractionation of a chlorination step in the technical synthesis. In contrast, DDD formed by reductive degradation was strongly depleted at the same position, which was due to the incorporation of 2H-depleted hydride equivalents during reductive degradation. Thus, intramolecular isotope distributions give mechanistic information on reaction pathways, and explain a puzzling difference in the whole-molecule 2H/1H ratio between DDT and DDD. In general, our results highlight that intramolecular isotope distributions are essential to interpret whole-molecule isotope ratios. Intramolecular isotope information allows distinguishing pathways of DDD formation, which is important to identify polluters or to assess DDT turnover in the environment. Because intramolecular isotope data directly reflect isotope fractionation of individual chemical reactions, they are broadly applicable to elucidate transformation pathways of small bioactive molecules in chemistry, physiology and environmental science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ina Ehlers
- Department of Medical Biochemistry & Biophysics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Tatiana R. Betson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry & Biophysics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Walter Vetter
- Department of Food Chemistry, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Jürgen Schleucher
- Department of Medical Biochemistry & Biophysics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Kuder T, van Breukelen BM, Vanderford M, Philp P. 3D-CSIA: carbon, chlorine, and hydrogen isotope fractionation in transformation of TCE to ethene by a Dehalococcoides culture. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2013; 47:9668-9677. [PMID: 23895211 DOI: 10.1021/es400463p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Carbon (C), chlorine (Cl), and hydrogen (H) isotope effects were determined during dechlorination of TCE to ethene by a mixed Dehalococcoides (Dhc) culture. The C isotope effects for the dechlorination steps were consistent with data published in the past for reductive dechlorination (RD) by Dhc. The Cl effects (combined with an inverse H effect in TCE) suggested that dechlorination proceeded through nucleophilic reactions with cobalamin rather than by an electron transfer mechanism. Depletions of (37)Cl in daughter compounds, resulting from fractionation at positions away from the dechlorination center (secondary isotope effects), further support the nucleophilic dechlorination mechanism. Determination of C and Cl isotope ratios of the reactants and products in the reductive dechlorination chain offers a potential tool for differentiation of Dhc activity from alternative transformation mechanisms (e.g., aerobic degradation and reductive dechlorination proceeding via outer sphere mechanisms), in studies of in situ attenuation of chlorinated ethenes. Hydrogenation of the reaction products (DCE, VC, and ethene) showed a major preference for the (1)H isotope. Detection of depleted dechlorination products could provide a line of evidence in discrimination between alternative sources of TCE (e.g., evolution from DNAPL sources or from conversion of PCE).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Kuder
- School of Geology and Geophysics, University of Oklahoma , 100 E. Boyd Street, SEC 710, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
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