1
|
Paradis CJ, Miller JI, Moon J, Spencer SJ, Lui LM, Van Nostrand JD, Ning D, Steen AD, McKay LD, Arkin AP, Zhou J, Alm EJ, Hazen TC. Sustained Ability of a Natural Microbial Community to Remove Nitrate from Groundwater. GROUND WATER 2022; 60:99-111. [PMID: 34490626 PMCID: PMC9290691 DOI: 10.1111/gwat.13132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Microbial-mediated nitrate removal from groundwater is widely recognized as the predominant mechanism for nitrate attenuation in contaminated aquifers and is largely dependent on the presence of a carbon-bearing electron donor. The repeated exposure of a natural microbial community to an electron donor can result in the sustained ability of the community to remove nitrate; this phenomenon has been clearly demonstrated at the laboratory scale. However, in situ demonstrations of this ability are lacking. For this study, ethanol (electron donor) was repeatedly injected into a groundwater well (treatment) for six consecutive weeks to establish the sustained ability of a microbial community to remove nitrate. A second well (control) located upgradient was not injected with ethanol during this time. The treatment well demonstrated strong evidence of sustained ability as evident by ethanol, nitrate, and subsequent sulfate removal up to 21, 64, and 68%, respectively, as compared to the conservative tracer (bromide) upon consecutive exposures. Both wells were then monitored for six additional weeks under natural (no injection) conditions. During the final week, ethanol was injected into both treatment and control wells. The treatment well demonstrated sustained ability as evident by ethanol and nitrate removal up to 20 and 21%, respectively, as compared to bromide, whereas the control did not show strong evidence of nitrate removal (5% removal). Surprisingly, the treatment well did not indicate a sustained and selective enrichment of a microbial community. These results suggested that the predominant mechanism(s) of sustained ability likely exist at the enzymatic- and/or genetic-levels. The results of this study demonstrated the in situ ability of a microbial community to remove nitrate can be sustained in the prolonged absence of an electron donor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charles J. Paradis
- Department of Earth and Planetary SciencesUniversity of TennesseeKnoxvilleTN
- Biosciences DivisionOak Ridge National LaboratoryOak RidgeTN
| | - John I. Miller
- Biosciences DivisionOak Ridge National LaboratoryOak RidgeTN
- Bredesen CenterUniversity of TennesseeKnoxvilleTN
| | - Ji‐Won Moon
- Biosciences DivisionOak Ridge National LaboratoryOak RidgeTN
| | - Sarah J. Spencer
- Biological Engineering DepartmentMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMA
| | - Lauren M. Lui
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology DivisionLawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryBerkeleyCA
| | - Joy D. Van Nostrand
- Institute for Environmental Genomics, Department of Microbiology and Plant Biologyand School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, University of OklahomaNormanOK
| | - Daliang Ning
- Institute for Environmental Genomics, Department of Microbiology and Plant Biologyand School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, University of OklahomaNormanOK
| | - Andrew D. Steen
- Department of Earth and Planetary SciencesUniversity of TennesseeKnoxvilleTN
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of TennesseeKnoxvilleTN
| | - Larry D. McKay
- Department of Earth and Planetary SciencesUniversity of TennesseeKnoxvilleTN
| | - Adam P. Arkin
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology DivisionLawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryBerkeleyCA
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCA
| | - Jizhong Zhou
- Institute for Environmental Genomics, Department of Microbiology and Plant Biologyand School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, University of OklahomaNormanOK
| | - Eric J. Alm
- Biological Engineering DepartmentMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMA
| | - Terry C. Hazen
- Department of Earth and Planetary SciencesUniversity of TennesseeKnoxvilleTN
- Biosciences DivisionOak Ridge National LaboratoryOak RidgeTN
- Bredesen CenterUniversity of TennesseeKnoxvilleTN
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCA
- Department of Civil and Environmental SciencesUniversity of TennesseeKnoxvilleTN
- Center for Environmental BiotechnologyUniversity of TennesseeKnoxvilleTN
- Institute for a Secure and Sustainable EnvironmentUniversity of TennesseeKnoxvilleTN
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ramos DT, Lazzarin HSC, Alvarez PJJ, Vogel TM, Fernandes M, do Rosário M, Corseuil HX. Biodiesel presence in the source zone hinders aromatic hydrocarbons attenuation in a B20-contaminated groundwater. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY 2016; 193:48-53. [PMID: 27636988 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2016.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2016] [Revised: 08/15/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The behavior of biodiesel blend spills have received limited attention in spite of the increasing and widespread introduction of biodiesel to the transportation fuel matrix. In this work, a controlled field release of biodiesel B20 (100L of 20:80 v/v soybean biodiesel and diesel) was monitored over 6.2years to assess the behavior and natural attenuation of constituents of major concern (e.g., BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethyl-benzene and xylenes) and PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons)) in a sandy aquifer material. Biodiesel was preferentially biodegraded compared to diesel aromatic compounds with a concomitant increase in acetate, methane (near saturation limit (≈22mgL-1)) and dissolved BTEX and PAH concentrations in the source zone during the first 1.5 to 2.0years after the release. Benzene and benzo(a)pyrene concentrations remained above regulatory limits in the source zone until the end of the experiment (6.2years after the release). Compared to a previous adjacent 100-L release of ethanol-amended gasoline, biodiesel/diesel blend release resulted in a shorter BTEX plume, but with higher residual dissolved hydrocarbon concentrations near the source zone. This was attributed to greater persistence of viscous (and less mobile) biodiesel than the highly-soluble and mobile ethanol in the source zone. This persistence of biodiesel/diesel NAPL at the source zone slowed BTEX and PAH biodegradation (by the establishment of an anaerobic zone) but reduced the plume length by reducing mobility. This is the first field study to assess biodiesel/diesel blend (B20) behavior in groundwater and its effects on the biodegradation and plume length of priority groundwater pollutants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Débora Toledo Ramos
- Federal University of Santa Catarina, Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Helen Simone Chiaranda Lazzarin
- Federal University of Santa Catarina, Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Pedro J J Alvarez
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, MS-317, 6100 Main St, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Timothy M Vogel
- Environmental Microbial Genomics Group, Laboratoire Ampère, CNRS UMR5005, Ecole Centrale de Lyon, Université de Lyon, Ecully, France
| | - Marilda Fernandes
- Federal University of Santa Catarina, Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Mário do Rosário
- Petróleo Brasileiro Petrobras, Research Centre (CENPES), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, PO Box 21941598, Brazil
| | - Henry Xavier Corseuil
- Federal University of Santa Catarina, Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ma J, Nossa CW, Alvarez PJJ. Groundwater ecosystem resilience to organic contaminations: microbial and geochemical dynamics throughout the 5-year life cycle of a surrogate ethanol blend fuel plume. WATER RESEARCH 2015; 80:119-129. [PMID: 25996759 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2015.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2015] [Revised: 03/31/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The capacity of groundwater ecosystem to recover from contamination by organic chemicals is a vital concern for environmental scientists. A pilot-scale aquifer system was used to investigate the long-term dynamics of contaminants, groundwater geochemistry, and microbial community structure (by 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing and quantitative real-time PCR) throughout the 5-year life cycle of a surrogate ethanol blend fuel plume (10% ethanol + 50 mg/L benzene + 50 mg/L toluene). Two-year continuous ethanol-blended release significantly changed the groundwater geochemistry (resulted in anaerobic, low pH, and organotrophic conditions) and increased bacterial and archaeal populations by 82- and 314-fold respectively. Various anaerobic heterotrophs (fermenters, acetogens, methanogens, and hydrocarbon degraders) were enriched. Two years after the release was shut off, all contaminants and their degradation byproducts disappeared and groundwater geochemistry completely restored to the pre-release states (aerobic, neutral pH, and oligotrophic). Bacterial and archaeal populations declined by 18- and 45-fold respectively (relative to the time of shut off). Microbial community structure reverted towards the pre-release states and alpha diversity indices rebounded, suggesting the resilience of microbial community to ethanol blend releases. We also found shifts from O2-sensitive methanogens (e.g., Methanobacterium) to methanogens that are not so sensitive to O2 (e.g., Methanosarcina and Methanocella), which is likely to contribute to the persistence of methanogens and methane generation following the source removal. Overall, the rapid disappearance of contaminants and their metabolites, rebound of geochemical footprints, and resilience of microbial community unequivocally document the natural capacity of groundwater ecosystem to attenuate and recover from a large volume of catastrophic spill of ethanol-based biofuel.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Lab of Oil & Gas Pollution Control, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing 102249, China; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
| | | | - Pedro J J Alvarez
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chen CS, Shu YY, Wu SH, Tien CJ. Assessing soil and groundwater contamination from biofuel spills. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2015; 17:533-542. [PMID: 25582782 DOI: 10.1039/c4em00443d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Future modifications of fuels should include evaluation of the proposed constituents for their potential to damage environmental resources such as the subsurface environment. Batch and column experiments were designed to simulate biofuel spills in the subsurface environment and to evaluate the sorption and desorption behavior of target fuel constituents (i.e., monoaromatic and polyaromatic hydrocarbons) in soil. The extent and reversibility of the sorption of aromatic biofuel constituents onto soil were determined. When the ethanol content in ethanol-blended gasoline exceeded 25%, enhanced desorption of the aromatic constituents to water was observed. However, when biodiesel was added to diesel fuel, the sorption of target compounds was not affected. In addition, when the organic carbon content of the soil was higher, the desorption of target compounds into water was lower. The empirical relationships between the organic-carbon normalized sorption coefficient (Koc) and water solubility and between Koc and the octanol-water partition coefficient (Kow) were established. Column experiments were carried out for the comparison of column effluent concentration/mass from biofuel-contaminated soil. The dissolution of target components depended on chemical properties such as the hydrophobicity and total mass of biofuel. This study provides a basis for predicting the fate and transport of hydrophobic organic compounds in the event of a biofuel spill. The spill scenarios generated can assist in the assessment of biofuel-contaminated sites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Colin S Chen
- Department of Biotechnology, National Kaohsiung Normal University, 62, Shen-Chung Rd, Yanchao, Kaohsiung 824, Taiwan.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ma J, Deng Y, Yuan T, Zhou J, Alvarez PJJ. Succession of microbial functional communities in response to a pilot-scale ethanol-blended fuel release throughout the plume life cycle. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2015; 198:154-160. [PMID: 25603154 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2015.01.005] [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: 10/21/2014] [Revised: 01/08/2015] [Accepted: 01/10/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
GeoChip, a comprehensive gene microarray, was used to examine changes in microbial functional gene structure throughout the 4-year life cycle of a pilot-scale ethanol blend plume, including 2-year continuous released followed by plume disappearance after source removal. Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) and Mantel tests showed that dissolved O2 (which was depleted within 5 days of initiating the release and rebounded 194 days after source removal) was the most influential environmental factor on community structure. Initially, the abundance of anaerobic BTEX degradation genes increased significantly while that of aerobic BTEX degradation genes decreased. Gene abundance for N fixation, nitrification, P utilization, sulfate reduction and S oxidation also increased, potentially changing associated biogeochemical cycle dynamics. After plume disappearance, most genes returned to pre-release abundance levels, but the final functional structure significantly differed from pre-release conditions. Overall, observed successions of functional structure reflected adaptive responses that were conducive to biodegradation of ethanol-blend releases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Lab of Oil & Gas Pollution Control, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing 102249, China; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Ye Deng
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; Institute for Environmental Genomics, and Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
| | - Tong Yuan
- Institute for Environmental Genomics, and Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
| | - Jizhong Zhou
- Institute for Environmental Genomics, and Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA; State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Earth Science Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94270, USA
| | - Pedro J J Alvarez
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ma J, Rixey WG, Alvarez PJJ. Increased fermentation activity and persistent methanogenesis in a model aquifer system following source removal of an ethanol blend release. WATER RESEARCH 2015; 68:479-486. [PMID: 25462754 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2014.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2014] [Revised: 10/06/2014] [Accepted: 10/10/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The increased probability of groundwater contamination by ethanol-blended fuel calls for improved understanding of how remediation efforts affect the fate and transport of constituents of concern, including the generation and fate of fermentation byproducts. A pilot-scale (8 m³) model aquifer was used to investigate changes in the concentrations of ethanol and its metabolites (methane and volatile fatty acids) after removal of the contamination source. Following the shut-off of a continuous release of a dissolved ethanol blend (10% v:v ethanol, 50 mg/L benzene, and 50 mg/L toluene), fermentation activity was surprisingly stimulated and the concentrations of ethanol metabolites increased. A microcosm experiment showed that this result was due to a decrease in the dissolved ethanol concentration below its toxicity threshold (∼2000 mg/L for this system). Methane generation (>1.5 mg/L of dissolved methane) persisted for more than 100 days after the disappearance of ethanol, despite clean air-saturated water flowing continuously through the tank at a relative high seepage velocity (0.76 m/day). Quantitative real-time PCR showed that functional genes associated with methane metabolism (mcrA for methanogenesis and pmoA for methanotrophy) also persisted in the aquifer material. Persistent methanogenesis was apparently due to the anaerobic degradation of soil-bound organic carbon (e.g., biomass grown on ethanol and other substrates). Overall, this study reflects the complex plume dynamics following source removal, and suggests that monitoring for increases in the concentration of ethanol metabolites that impact groundwater quality should be considered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Ma
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, 6100 Main St., Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Rasa E, Bekins BA, Mackay DM, de Sieyes NR, Wilson JT, Feris KP, Wood IA, Scow KM. Impacts of an ethanol-blended fuel release on groundwater and fate of produced methane: Simulation of field observations. WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH 2013; 49:4907-4926. [PMID: 24678130 PMCID: PMC3962844 DOI: 10.1002/wrcr.20382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In a field experiment at Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) designed to mimic the impact of a small-volume release of E10 (10% ethanol and 90% conventional gasoline), two plumes were created by injecting extracted groundwater spiked with benzene, toluene, and o-xylene, abbreviated BToX (No-Ethanol Lane) and BToX plus ethanol (With-Ethanol Lane) for 283 days. We developed a reactive transport model to understand processes controlling the fate of ethanol and BToX. The model was calibrated to the extensive field dataset and accounted for concentrations of sulfate, iron, acetate, and methane along with iron-reducing bacteria, sulfate-reducing bacteria, fermentative bacteria, and methanogenic archaea. The benzene plume was about 4.5 times longer in the With-Ethanol Lane than in the No-Ethanol Lane. Matching this different behavior in the two lanes required inhibiting benzene degradation in the presence of ethanol. Inclusion of iron reduction with negligible growth of iron-reducers was required to reproduce the observed constant degradation rate of benzene. Modeling suggested that vertical dispersion and diffusion of sulfate from an adjacent aquitard were important sources of sulfate in the aquifer. Matching of methane data required incorporating initial fermentation of ethanol to acetate, methane loss by outgassing, and methane oxidation coupled to sulfate and iron reduction. Simulation of microbial growth using dual Monod kinetics, and including inhibition by more favorable electron acceptors, generally resulted in reasonable yields for microbial growth of 0.01-0.05.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Rasa
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California-Davis, One shield Avenue, Davis, California, 95616, USA.
| | - Barbara A Bekins
- U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Rd, Menlo Park, California, 94025, USA.
| | - Douglas M Mackay
- Department of Land, Air, and Water Resources, University of California-Davis, One shield Avenue, Davis, California, 95616, USA.
| | - Nicholas R de Sieyes
- Department of Land, Air, and Water Resources, University of California-Davis, One shield Avenue, Davis, California, 95616, USA.
| | - John T Wilson
- U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Ada, Oklahoma 74820, USA.
| | - Kevin P Feris
- Department of Biology, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho 83725, USA.
| | - Isaac A Wood
- CH2M-Hill consultants, 150 Spear Street, Suite 750, San Francisco, CA, 94105, USA.
| | - Kate M Scow
- Department of Land, Air, and Water Resources, University of California-Davis, One shield Avenue, Davis, California, 95616, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Cho JJ, Suidan MT, Venosa AD. Biodegradation of alkylates under less agitated aquifer conditions. J Environ Sci (China) 2013; 25:1529-1538. [PMID: 24520690 DOI: 10.1016/s1001-0742(12)60180-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The biodegradability of three alkylates (2,3-dimethylpentane, 2,4-dimethylpentane and 2,2,4-trimethylpentane) under less agitated aquifer conditions was investigated in this study. All three alkylates biodegraded completely under these conditions regardless of the presence or absence of ethanol or benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) in the feed. In the presence of ethanol, alkylates degradation was not inhibited by ethanol. However, alkylates degraded more slowly in the presence of BTEX suggesting competitive inhibition to microbial utilization of alkylates. In the sterile controls, alkylates concentrations remained unchanged throughout the experiments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jay J Cho
- URS Corporation 7720 N 16th St. Ste 100 Phoenix, AZ 85020, USA.
| | - Makram T Suidan
- Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, American University of Beirut, Dean's Office. P.O. Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Albert D Venosa
- US Environmental Protection Agency, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ma J, Nossa CW, Xiu Z, Rixey WG, Alvarez PJJ. Adaptive microbial population shifts in response to a continuous ethanol blend release increases biodegradation potential. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2013; 178:419-425. [PMID: 23628885 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2013.03.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2013] [Revised: 03/26/2013] [Accepted: 03/28/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The fate of fuel releases largely depends on the poorly-understood response in microbial community structure and function. Here, we evaluate the impacts to the microbial community resulting from a pilot-scale continuous release (10 months) of a 10% v:v ethanol solution mixed with benzene and toluene (50 mg/L each). Microbial population shifts were characterized by pyrosequencing-based 16S rRNA analysis and by quantitative PCR targeting Bacteria, Archaea, and functional genes for methanogenesis (mcrA), acetogenesis (fhs) and aerobic degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons (PHE), which could occur in hypoxic micro-environments. The release stimulated microbial growth, increased species richness and diversity, and selected for genotypes involved in fermentative degradation (the relative abundance of mcrA and fhs increased 18- and 6-fold, respectively). The growth of putative hydrocarbon degraders and commensal anaerobes, and increases in microbial diversity and in degradation rates suggest an adaptive response that increases the potential for natural attenuation of ethanol blend releases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Ma
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, 6100 Main St., Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Microbial processes influencing the transport, fate and groundwater impacts of fuel ethanol releases. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2013; 24:457-66. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2012.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2012] [Revised: 08/30/2012] [Accepted: 09/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
11
|
Ramond JB, Welz P, Tuffin M, Burton S, Cowan D. Assessment of temporal and spatial evolution of bacterial communities in a biological sand filter mesocosm treating winery wastewater. J Appl Microbiol 2013; 115:91-101. [DOI: 10.1111/jam.12203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2013] [Revised: 03/19/2013] [Accepted: 03/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J.-B. Ramond
- Institute for Microbial Biotechnology and Metagenomics (IMBM); Department of Biotechnology; University of the Western Cape; Bellville Cape Town South Africa
| | - P.J. Welz
- Biocatalysis and Technical Biology (BTB) Research Group; Cape Peninsula University of Technology; Bellville Cape Town South Africa
| | - M.I. Tuffin
- Institute for Microbial Biotechnology and Metagenomics (IMBM); Department of Biotechnology; University of the Western Cape; Bellville Cape Town South Africa
| | - S.G. Burton
- Biocatalysis and Technical Biology (BTB) Research Group; Cape Peninsula University of Technology; Bellville Cape Town South Africa
- University of Pretoria; Pretoria South Africa
| | - D.A. Cowan
- Institute for Microbial Biotechnology and Metagenomics (IMBM); Department of Biotechnology; University of the Western Cape; Bellville Cape Town South Africa
- Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics (CMEG); Department of Genetics; University of Pretoria; Pretoria South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Zhao JS, Zheng J, Zhou RQ, Shi B. Microbial community structure of pit mud in a Chinese strong aromatic liquor fermentation pit. JOURNAL OF THE INSTITUTE OF BREWING 2013. [DOI: 10.1002/jib.52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Song Zhao
- College of Light Industry, Textile and Food Engineering; Sichuan University; Chengdu 610065 People's Republic of China
- National Alcohol and Processing Food Quality Supervision and Inspection Centre; Luzhou 646000 People's Republic of China
| | - Jia Zheng
- College of Light Industry, Textile and Food Engineering; Sichuan University; Chengdu 610065 People's Republic of China
| | - Rong-Qing Zhou
- College of Light Industry, Textile and Food Engineering; Sichuan University; Chengdu 610065 People's Republic of China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Clean Technology of Leather Manufacture; Chengdu 610065 People's Republic of China
| | - Bi Shi
- College of Light Industry, Textile and Food Engineering; Sichuan University; Chengdu 610065 People's Republic of China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Clean Technology of Leather Manufacture; Chengdu 610065 People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Effect of isobutanol on toluene biodegradation in nitrate amended, sulfate amended and methanogenic enrichment microcosms. Biodegradation 2012; 24:657-63. [PMID: 23224907 DOI: 10.1007/s10532-012-9613-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2012] [Accepted: 11/29/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Isobutanol is an alternate fuel additive that is being considered because of economic and lower emission benefits. However, future gasoline spills could result in co-contamination of isobutanol with gasoline components such as benzene, toluene, ethyl-benzene and xylene. Hence, isobutanol could affect the degradability of gasoline components thereby having an effect on contaminant plume length and half-life. In this study, the effect of isobutanol on the biodegradation of a model gasoline component (toluene) was examined in laboratory microcosms. For this, toluene and isobutanol were added to six different toluene degrading laboratory microcosms under sulfate amended, nitrate amended or methanogenic conditions. While toluene biodegradation was not greatly affected in the presence of isobutanol in five out of the six different experimental sets, toluene degradation was completely inhibited in one set of microcosms. This inhibition occurred in sulfate amended microcosms constructed with inocula from wastewater treatment plant activated sludge. Our data suggest that toluene degrading consortia are affected differently by isobutanol addition. These results indicate that, if co-contamination occurs, in some cases the in situ half-life of toluene could be significantly extended.
Collapse
|
14
|
Rodriguez-Caballero A, Ramond JB, Welz PJ, Cowan DA, Odlare M, Burton SG. Treatment of high ethanol concentration wastewater by biological sand filters: enhanced COD removal and bacterial community dynamics. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2012; 109:54-60. [PMID: 22683841 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2012.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2011] [Revised: 05/03/2012] [Accepted: 05/07/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Winery wastewater is characterized by its high chemical oxygen demand (COD), seasonal occurrence and variable composition, including periodic high ethanol concentrations. In addition, winery wastewater may contain insufficient inorganic nutrients for optimal biodegradation of organic constituents. Two pilot-scale biological sand filters (BSFs) were used to treat artificial wastewater: the first was amended with ethanol and the second with ethanol, inorganic nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). A number of biochemical parameters involved in the removal of pollutants through BSF systems were monitored, including effluent chemistry and bacterial community structures. The nutrient supplemented BSF showed efficient COD, N and P removal. Comparison of the COD removal efficiencies of the two BSFs showed that N and P addition enhanced COD removal efficiency by up to 16%. Molecular fingerprinting of BSF sediment samples using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) showed that amendment with high concentrations of ethanol destabilized the microbial community structure, but that nutrient supplementation countered this effect.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Rodriguez-Caballero
- School of Sustainable Development of Society and Technology, Mälardalens University, Box 883, 721 23 Västerås, Sweden.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Ramos DT, da Silva MLB, Chiaranda HS, Alvarez PJJ, Corseuil HX. Biostimulation of anaerobic BTEX biodegradation under fermentative methanogenic conditions at source-zone groundwater contaminated with a biodiesel blend (B20). Biodegradation 2012; 24:333-41. [PMID: 23054180 DOI: 10.1007/s10532-012-9589-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2012] [Accepted: 08/31/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Field experiments were conducted to assess the potential for anaerobic biostimulation to enhance BTEX biodegradation under fermentative methanogenic conditions in groundwater impacted by a biodiesel blend (B20, consisting of 20 % v/v biodiesel and 80 % v/v diesel). B20 (100 L) was released at each of two plots through an area of 1 m(2) that was excavated down to the water table, 1.6 m below ground surface. One release was biostimulated with ammonium acetate, which was added weekly through injection wells near the source zone over 15 months. The other release was not biostimulated and served as a baseline control simulating natural attenuation. Ammonium acetate addition stimulated the development of strongly anaerobic conditions, as indicated by near-saturation methane concentrations. BTEX removal began within 8 months in the biostimulated source zone, but not in the natural attenuation control, where BTEX concentrations were still increasing (due to source dissolution) 2 years after the release. Phylogenetic analysis using quantitative PCR indicated an increase in concentration and relative abundance of Archaea (Crenarchaeota and Euryarchaeota), Geobacteraceae (Geobacter and Pelobacter spp.) and sulfate-reducing bacteria (Desulfovibrio, Desulfomicrobium, Desulfuromusa, and Desulfuromonas) in the biostimulated plot relative to the control. Apparently, biostimulation fortuitously enhanced the growth of putative anaerobic BTEX degraders and associated commensal microorganisms that consume acetate and H2, and enhance the thermodynamic feasibility of BTEX fermentation. This is the first field study to suggest that anaerobic-methanogenic biostimulation could enhance source zone bioremediation of groundwater aquifers impacted by biodiesel blends.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Débora Toledo Ramos
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Taylor M, Ramond JB, Tuffin M, Burton S, Eley K, Cowan D. Mechanisms and Applications of Microbial Solvent Tolerance. MICROBIOLOGY MONOGRAPHS 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-21467-7_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
|
17
|
Corseuil HX, Monier AL, Fernandes M, Schneider MR, Nunes CC, do Rosario M, Alvarez PJJ. BTEX plume dynamics following an ethanol blend release: geochemical footprint and thermodynamic constraints on natural attenuation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2011; 45:3422-3429. [PMID: 21410252 DOI: 10.1021/es104055q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
In this 10 year study, Brazilian gasoline (100 L, containing 24% ethanol by volume) was released to a sandy aquifer to evaluate the natural attenuation of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and total xylenes (BTEX) in the presence of ethanol. Groundwater concentrations of BTEX, ethanol, and degradation products (e.g., acetate and methane) were measured over the entire plume using an array of monitoring well clusters, to quantify changes in plume mass and region of influence. Ethanol biodegradation coincided with the development of methanogenic conditions while acetate (a common anaerobic metabolite) accumulated. The benzene plume expanded beyond the 30 m long monitored area and began to recede after 2.7 years, when ethanol had disappeared. Theoretical calculations suggest that the transient accumulation of acetate (up to 166 mg L(-1)) may have hindered the thermodynamic feasibility of benzene degradation under methanogenic conditions. Yet, benzene removal proceeded relatively fast compared to literature values (and faster than the alkylbenzenes present at this site) after acetate concentrations had decreased below inhibitory levels. Thus, site investigations of ethanol blend releases should consider monitoring acetate concentrations. Overall, this study shows that inhibitory effects of ethanol and acetate are relatively short-lived, and demonstrates that monitored natural attenuation can be a viable option to deal with ethanol blend releases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Henry X Corseuil
- Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina , Departamento de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Nelson DK, Lapara TM, Novak PJ. Effects of ethanol-based fuel contamination: microbial community changes, production of regulated compounds, and methane generation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2010; 44:4525-4530. [PMID: 20481624 DOI: 10.1021/es903940q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Ethanol-based fuels are becoming more heavily used, increasing the likelihood of ethanol-based fuel spills during transportation and storage. Although ethanol is well-known to be readily biodegradable, very little is known about the effects that such a spill might have on an indigenous microbial community. Of particular concern is that ethanol contamination could stimulate the growth of organisms that can generate regulated compounds and/or produce explosive quantities of methane gas. A column-based study was performed to elucidate the potential impacts of ethanol-based fuel (E85) on the indigenous microbial community during a simulated fuel spill. A continuous dilute supply of E85 resulted in profound shifts in both the bacterial and archaeal communities. The shift was accompanied by the production of high concentrations of volatile fatty acids and butanol, a compound that is regulated in groundwater by some states. Results also indicated that a continuous feed of dilute E85 generated explosive levels of methane within one month of column operation. Quantitative PCR data showed a statistically significant increase in methanogenic populations when compared to a control column. The elevated population numbers correlated to areas of the column receiving a sustained carbon load. Toxicity data indicated that microbial growth was completely inhibited (as evidenced by absence of ethanol breakdown products) at ethanol levels above 6% (v/v). These data suggest that ethanol from ethanol-based fuel can be readily degraded, but can also produce metabolic products that are regulated as well as explosive levels of methane. The core of an E85 spill may serve as a long-term source of contamination as it cannot be degraded until significant dilution has occurred.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Denice K Nelson
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minnesota, 500 Pillsbury Drive Southeast, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Gomez DE, Alvarez PJJ. Comparing the effects of various fuel alcohols on the natural attenuation of benzene plumes using a general substrate interaction model. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY 2010; 113:66-76. [PMID: 20189262 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2010.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2009] [Revised: 01/26/2010] [Accepted: 02/02/2010] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The effects of five fuel alcohols (methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, iso-butanol and n-butanol) on the natural attenuation of benzene were compared using a previously developed numerical model (General Substrate Interaction Module--GSIM) and a probabilistic sensitivity analysis. Simulations with a 30 gal dissolving LNAPL (light non-aqueous phase liquid) source consisting of a range of gasoline blends (10% and 85% v:v alcohol content) suggest that all fuel alcohols can hinder the natural attenuation of benzene, due mainly to accelerated depletion of dissolved oxygen and a decrease in the specific degradation rate for benzene (due to catabolite repression and metabolic flux dilution). Simulations for blends with 10% alcohol, assuming a homogeneous sandy aquifer, inferred maximum benzene plume elongations (relative to a regular gasoline release) of 26% for ethanol, 47% for iso-butanol, 147% for methanol, 188% for 1-propanol, and 265% for n-butanol. The corresponding elongation percentages for blends with 85% alcohol were generally smaller (i.e., 25%, 54%, 135%, 163%, and 181%, respectively), reflecting a lower content of benzene in the simulated release. Benzene plume elongation and longevity were more pronounced in the presence of alcohols that biodegrade slower (e.g., propanol and n-butanol), forming longer and more persistent alcohol plumes. Conversely, ethanol and iso-butanol exhibited the lowest potential to hinder the natural attenuation of benzene, illustrating the significant effect that a small difference in chemical structure (e.g., isomers) can have on biodegradation. Overall, simulations were highly sensitive to site-specific biokinetic coefficients for alcohol degradation, which forewarns against generalizations about the level of impact of specific fuel alcohols on benzene plume dynamics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diego E Gomez
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, MS-317, 6100 Main St., Houston, TX 77005, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Beller HR, Kane SR, Legler TC, McKelvie JR, Lollar BS, Pearson F, Balser L, Mackay DM. Comparative assessments of benzene, toluene, and xylene natural attenuation by quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of a catabolic gene, signature metabolites, and compound-specific isotope analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2008; 42:6065-6072. [PMID: 18767667 DOI: 10.1021/es8009666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
A controlled-release study conducted at Vandenberg Air Force Base involved the injection of anaerobic groundwater amended with benzene, toluene, and o-xylene (BToX; 1-3 mg/L each) in two parallel lanes: lane A injectate contained no ethanol, whereas lane B injectate contained approximately 500 mg/L ethanol. As reported previously by Mackay and co-workers, ethanol led to slower BToX disappearance in lane B. Here, we report on assessments of BToX natural attenuation by three independent and specific monitoring approaches: signature metabolites diagnostic of anaerobic TX metabolism (benzysuccinates), compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA), and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis of a catabolic gene involved in anaerobic TX degradation (bssA). In combination, the three monitoring methods provided strong evidence of in situ TX biodegradation in both lanes A and B; however, no single method provided strong evidence for TX biodegradation in both lanes. Benzylsuccinates were detected almost exclusively in lane B, where slower TX degradation and higher residual TX concentrations led to higher metabolite concentrations. In contrast, CSIA provided evidence of TX biodegradation almost exclusively in lane A, as greater degradation rates led to more pronounced isotopic enrichment. qPCR analyses of bssA were more complex. Evidence of increases in bssA copy number (up to 200-fold) after the release started was stronger in lane A, but higher absolute bssA copy number (and bacterial abundance, based on 16S rRNA genes) was observed in lane B, where bacteria genetically capable of anaerobic TX degradation may have been growing primarily on ethanol or its metabolites rather than TX.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Harry R Beller
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|