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Kaplan DI, Boyanov MI, Losey NA, Lin P, Xu C, O’Loughlin EJ, Santschi PH, Xing W, Kuhne WW, Kemner KM. Uranium Biogeochemistry in the Rhizosphere of a Contaminated Wetland. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:6381-6390. [PMID: 38547454 PMCID: PMC11008245 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c10481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine if U sediment concentrations in a U-contaminated wetland located within the Savannah River Site, South Carolina, were greater in the rhizosphere than in the nonrhizosphere. U concentrations were as much as 1100% greater in the rhizosphere than in the nonrhizosphere fractions; however and importantly, not all paired samples followed this trend. Iron (but not C, N, or S) concentrations were significantly enriched in the rhizosphere. XAS analyses showed that in both sediment fractions, U existed as UO22+ coordinated with iron(III)-oxides and organic matter. A key difference between the two sediment fractions was that a larger proportion of U was adsorbed to Fe(III)-oxides, not organic matter, in the rhizosphere, where significantly greater total Fe concentrations and greater proportions of ferrihydrite and goethite existed. Based on 16S rRNA analyses, most bacterial sequences in both paired samples were heterotrophs, and population differences were consistent with the generally more oxidizing conditions in the rhizosphere. Finally, U was very strongly bound to the whole (unfractionated) sediments, with an average desorption Kd value (Usediment/Uaqueous) of 3972 ± 1370 (mg-U/kg)/(mg-U/L). Together, these results indicate that the rhizosphere can greatly enrich U especially in wetland areas, where roots promote the formation of reactive Fe(III)-oxides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel I. Kaplan
- Savannah
River Ecology Laboratory, University of
Georgia, Aiken, South Carolina 29802, United States
| | - Maxim I. Boyanov
- Argonne
National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60439, United States
- Chemical
Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia 1040, Bulgaria
| | - Nathaniel A. Losey
- Savannah
River National Laboratory, Aiken, South Carolina 29808, United States
| | - Peng Lin
- Savannah
River Ecology Laboratory, University of
Georgia, Aiken, South Carolina 29802, United States
| | - Chen Xu
- Marine
& Coastal Environmental Science, Texas
A&M University − Galveston, Galveston, Texas 77553, United States
| | | | - Peter H. Santschi
- Marine
& Coastal Environmental Science, Texas
A&M University − Galveston, Galveston, Texas 77553, United States
| | - Wei Xing
- Savannah
River Ecology Laboratory, University of
Georgia, Aiken, South Carolina 29802, United States
| | - Wendy W. Kuhne
- Savannah
River National Laboratory, Aiken, South Carolina 29808, United States
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2
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Zhe Y, Cheng H, Cheng F, Song H, Pan Z. Enhancing the Startup Rate of Microbial Methanogenic Systems through the Synergy of β-lactam Antibiotics and Electrolytic Cells. Microorganisms 2024; 12:734. [PMID: 38674678 PMCID: PMC11051723 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12040734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The slow startup and suboptimal efficiency of microbial carbon sequestration and methane-production systems have not been fully resolved despite their contribution to sustainable energy production and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. These systems often grapple with persistent hurdles, including interference from miscellaneous bacteria and the slow enrichment of methanogens. To address these issues, this paper examines the synergistic effect of coupling β-lactam antibiotics with an electrolytic cell on the methanogenic process. The results indicated that β-lactam antibiotics exhibited inhibitory effects on Campylobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria (two types of miscellaneous bacteria), reducing their relative abundance by 53.03% and 87.78%, respectively. Nevertheless, it also resulted in a decrease in hydrogenogens and hindered the CO2 reduction pathway. When coupled with an electrolytic cell, sufficient electrons were supplied for CO2 reduction to compensate for the hydrogen deficiency, effectively mitigating the side effects of antibiotics. Consequently, a substantial improvement in methane production was observed, reaching 0.57 mL·L-1·d-1, exemplifying a remarkable 6.3-fold increase over the control group. This discovery reinforces the efficiency of methanogen enrichment and enhances methane-production levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Zhe
- Institute of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Engineering Research Center of CO2 Emission Reduction and Resource Utilization—Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China; (Y.Z.)
| | - Huaigang Cheng
- Institute of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Engineering Research Center of CO2 Emission Reduction and Resource Utilization—Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China; (Y.Z.)
- College of Chemical Engineering, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
| | - Fangqin Cheng
- Institute of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Engineering Research Center of CO2 Emission Reduction and Resource Utilization—Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China; (Y.Z.)
| | - Huiping Song
- Institute of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Engineering Research Center of CO2 Emission Reduction and Resource Utilization—Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China; (Y.Z.)
| | - Zihe Pan
- Institute of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Engineering Research Center of CO2 Emission Reduction and Resource Utilization—Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China; (Y.Z.)
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3
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Zhang Y, O'Loughlin EJ, Park SY, Kwon MJ. Effects of Fe(III) (hydr)oxide mineralogy on the development of microbial communities originating from soil, surface water, groundwater, and aerosols. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:166993. [PMID: 37717756 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166993] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Microbial Fe(III) reduction is a key component of the iron cycle in natural environments. However, the susceptibility of Fe(III) (hydr)oxides to microbial reduction varies depending on the mineral's crystallinity, and the type of Fe(III) (hydr)oxide in turn will affect the composition of the microbial community. We created microcosm reactors with microbial communities from four different sources (soil, surface water, groundwater, and aerosols), three Fe(III) (hydr)oxides (lepidocrocite, goethite, and hematite) as electron acceptors, and acetate as an electron donor to investigate the shaping effect of Fe(III) mineral type on the development of microbial communities. During a 10-month incubation, changes in microbial community composition, Fe(III) reduction, and acetate utilization were monitored. Overall, there was greater reduction of lepidocrocite than of goethite and hematite, and the development of microbial communities originating from the same source diverged when supplied with different Fe(III) (hydr)oxides. Furthermore, each Fe(III) mineral was associated with unique taxa that emerged from different sources. This study illustrates the taxonomic diversity of Fe(III)-reducing microbes from a broad range of natural environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yidan Zhang
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea
| | - Edward J O'Loughlin
- Biosciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL 60439, United States
| | - Su-Young Park
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea
| | - Man Jae Kwon
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea.
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Tyne RL, Barry PH, Lawson M, Lloyd KG, Giovannelli D, Summers ZM, Ballentine CJ. Identifying and Understanding Microbial Methanogenesis in CO 2 Storage. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023. [PMID: 37327355 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c08652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is an important component in many national net-zero strategies. Ensuring that CO2 can be safely and economically stored in geological systems is critical. To date, CCS research has focused on the physiochemical behavior of CO2, yet there has been little consideration of the subsurface microbial impact on CO2 storage. However, recent discoveries have shown that microbial processes (e.g., methanogenesis) can be significant. Importantly, methanogenesis may modify the fluid composition and the fluid dynamics within the storage reservoir. Such changes may subsequently reduce the volume of CO2 that can be stored and change the mobility and future trapping systematics of the evolved supercritical fluid. Here, we review the current knowledge of how microbial methanogenesis could impact CO2 storage, including the potential scale of methanogenesis and the range of geologic settings under which this process operates. We find that methanogenesis is possible in all storage target types; however, the kinetics and energetics of methanogenesis will likely be limited by H2 generation. We expect that the bioavailability of H2 (and thus potential of microbial methanogenesis) will be greatest in depleted hydrocarbon fields and least within saline aquifers. We propose that additional integrated monitoring requirements are needed for CO2 storage to trace any biogeochemical processes including baseline, temporal, and spatial studies. Finally, we suggest areas where further research should be targeted in order to fully understand microbial methanogenesis in CO2 storage sites and its potential impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- R L Tyne
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, United States
| | - P H Barry
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, United States
| | | | - K G Lloyd
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - D Giovannelli
- University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80138 Italy
| | - Z M Summers
- LanzaTech, Skokie, Illinois 60077, United States
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5
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Villeneuve K, Violette M, Lazar CS. From Recharge, to Groundwater, to Discharge Areas in Aquifer Systems in Quebec (Canada): Shaping of Microbial Diversity and Community Structure by Environmental Factors. Genes (Basel) 2022; 14:1. [PMID: 36672742 PMCID: PMC9858702 DOI: 10.3390/genes14010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Groundwater recharge and discharge rates and zones are important hydrogeological characteristics of aquifer systems, yet their impact on the formation of both subterranean and surface microbiomes remains largely unknown. In this study, we used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to characterize and compare the microbial community of seven different aquifers, including the recharge and discharge areas of each system. The connectivity between subsurface and surface microbiomes was evaluated at each site, and the temporal succession of groundwater microbial communities was further assessed at one of the sites. Bacterial and archaeal community composition varied between the different sites, reflecting different geological characteristics, with communities from unconsolidated aquifers being distinct from those of consolidated aquifers. Our results also revealed very little to no contribution of surface recharge microbial communities to groundwater communities as well as little to no contribution of groundwater microbial communities to surface discharge communities. Temporal succession suggests seasonal shifts in composition for both bacterial and archaeal communities. This study demonstrates the highly diverse communities of prokaryotes living in aquifer systems, including zones of groundwater recharge and discharge, and highlights the need for further temporal studies with higher resolution to better understand the connectivity between surface and subsurface microbiomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Cassandre Sara Lazar
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Québec at Montréal, UQAM, C.P. 8888, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
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6
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Luo D, Li Y, Yao H, Chapman SJ. Effects of different carbon sources on methane production and the methanogenic communities in iron rich flooded paddy soil. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 823:153636. [PMID: 35124061 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Various carbon sources as substrates and electron donors can produce methane via different metabolic pathways. In particular, the methane produced by rice cultivation has a severe impact on climate change. However, how Fe3+, the most abundant oxide in paddy soil, mediates the methanogenesis of different carbon sources is unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of four carbon sources with different chain lengths (acetate, glucose, nonanoate, and starch) on CH4 production and associated methanogens in iron-rich paddy soil over 90 days of anaerobic incubation. We found that glucose and starch were the more preferential substrates for liberating methane compared to acetate, and the rate was also faster. Nonanoate was unable to support methane production. Methanosarcinales and Methanobacteriales were the most predominant methanogenic archaea as shown by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, though their abundance changed over time. Additionally, a significantly higher content of iron-reducing bacteria was observed in the glucose and starch treatments, and it was significantly positively correlated with the copy number of the methanogenic mcrA gene. Together, we confirmed the methanogenic capacity of different carbon sources and their related microorganisms. We also showed that iron oxides play a central role in regulating methane emissions from paddy soils and need more attention to be paid to them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Luo
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, People's Republic of China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, Ningbo Urban Environment Observation and Research Station-NUEORS, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315800, People's Republic of China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaying Li
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, People's Republic of China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, Ningbo Urban Environment Observation and Research Station-NUEORS, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315800, People's Republic of China
| | - Huaiying Yao
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, People's Republic of China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, Ningbo Urban Environment Observation and Research Station-NUEORS, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315800, People's Republic of China; Research Center for Environmental Ecology and Engineering, School of Environmental Ecology and Biological Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430073, People's Republic of China.
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7
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Gadol HJ, Elsherbini J, Kocar BD. Methanogen Productivity and Microbial Community Composition Varies With Iron Oxide Mineralogy. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:705501. [PMID: 35250895 PMCID: PMC8894893 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.705501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Quantifying the flux of methane from terrestrial environments remains challenging, owing to considerable spatial and temporal variability in emissions. Amongst a myriad of factors, variation in the composition of electron acceptors, including metal (oxyhydr)oxides, may impart controls on methane emission. The purpose of this research is to understand how iron (oxyhydr)oxide minerals with varied physicochemical properties influence microbial methane production and subsequent microbial community development. Incubation experiments, using lake sediment as an inoculum and acetate as a carbon source, were used to understand the influence of one poorly crystalline iron oxide mineral, ferrihydrite, and two well-crystalline minerals, hematite and goethite, on methane production. Iron speciation, headspace methane, and 16S-rRNA sequencing microbial community data were measured over time. Substantial iron reduction only occurred in the presence of ferrihydrite while hematite and goethite had little effect on methane production throughout the incubations. In ferrihydrite experiments the time taken to reach the maximum methane production rate was slower than under other conditions, but methane production, eventually occurred in the presence of ferrihydrite. We suggest that this is due to ferrihydrite transformation into more stable minerals like magnetite and goethite or surface passivation by Fe(II). While all experimental conditions enriched for Methanosarcina, only the presence of ferrihydrite enriched for iron reducing bacteria Geobacter. Additionally, the presence of ferrihydrite continued to influence microbial community development after the onset of methanogenesis, with the dissimilarity between communities growing in ferrihydrite compared to no-Fe-added controls increasing over time. This work improves our understanding of how the presence of different iron oxides influences microbial community composition and methane production in soils and sediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley J. Gadol
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Hayley J. Gadol,
| | - Joseph Elsherbini
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Graduate Program in Microbiology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Benjamin D. Kocar
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Environmental Laboratory, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS, United States
- Benjamin D. Kocar,
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8
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Choi BY, Park J, Ham B, Kirk MF, Kwon MJ. Effect of CO 2 on biogeochemical reactions and microbial community composition in bioreactors with deep groundwater and basalt. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 807:150803. [PMID: 34626629 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150803] [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: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Changes in subsurface microbiology following CO2 injection have the potential to impact carbon trapping in CO2 storage reservoirs. However, much remains to be learned about responses of natural microbial consortia to elevated CO2 in basaltic systems. This study asks: how will microbes from deep (700 m) groundwater change along a gradient in CO2 (0-20 psi) in batch reactor systems containing basalt chips and groundwater amended with lactate? Reactors incubated for 87 days at 23 °C. Results for reactors with low CO2 (0 and 3 psi) differed considerably from those with high CO2 (10 and 20 psi). In reactors with low CO2, pH was >6.5 and lactate started to be used within 24 days. By 40 days, lactate was completely consumed and acetate increased to ~4 mM. As lactate was consumed, sulfate decreased from 0.16 to 0 mM after 40 days. In contrast, in reactors with high CO2, pH was <6.5, lactate and sulfate concentrations varied little and acetate was not produced. Biogeochemical modeling and community analyses indicate that differences between reactors with low and high CO2 reflect tolerances of reactor microbes to CO2 exposure. Communities in the low CO2 reactors carried out syntrophic lactate oxidation coupled with methanogenesis and sulfate reduction. Bacteroidota and Firmicutes became dominant phyla after 24 days and groups capable of sulfate reduction and methanogenesis were detected. In reactors with high CO2, however, biogeochemical activity was insignificant, no groups capable of sulfate reducion or methanogenesis were observed, and the community became less diverse during the incubation. These findings show that the response of microbial consortia can vary sharply along a CO2 gradient, creating significant differences in community composition and biogeochemistry, and that the timescale of basalt weathering is likely not rapid enough to prevent significant stress following a rapid increase in CO2 abundance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byoung-Young Choi
- Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, Daejeon, South Korea.
| | - Jinyoung Park
- Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Baknoon Ham
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Matthew F Kirk
- Department of Geology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States
| | - Man Jae Kwon
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.
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9
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Paper JM, Flynn TM, Boyanov MI, Kemner KM, Haller BR, Crank K, Lower A, Jin Q, Kirk MF. Influences of pH and substrate supply on the ratio of iron to sulfate reduction. GEOBIOLOGY 2021; 19:405-420. [PMID: 33934496 DOI: 10.1111/gbi.12444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Iron reduction and sulfate reduction often occur simultaneously in anoxic systems, and where that is the case, the molar ratio between the reactions (i.e., Fe/SO42- reduced) influences their impact on water quality and carbon storage. Previous research has shown that pH and the supply of electron donors and acceptors affect that ratio, but it is unclear how their influences compare and affect one another. This study examines impacts of pH and the supply of acetate, sulfate, and goethite on the ratio of iron to sulfate reduction in semi-continuous sediment bioreactors. We examined which parameter had the greatest impact on that ratio and whether the parameter influences depended on the state of each other. Results show that pH had a greater influence than acetate supply on the ratio of iron to sulfate reduction, and that the impact of acetate supply on the ratio depended on pH. In acidic reactors (pH 6.0 media), the ratio of iron to sulfate reduction decreased from 3:1 to 2:1 as acetate supply increased (0-1 mM). In alkaline reactors (pH 7.5 media), iron and sulfate were reduced in equal proportions, regardless of acetate supply. Secondly, a comparison of experiments with and without sulfate shows that the extent of iron reduction was greater if sulfate reduction was occurring and that the effect was larger in alkaline reactors than acidic reactors. Thus, the influence of sulfate supply on iron reduction extent also depended on pH and suggests that iron reduction grows more dependent on sulfate reduction as pH increases. Our results compare well to trends in groundwater geochemistry and provide further evidence that pH is a major control on iron and sulfate reduction in systems with crystalline (oxyhydr)oxides. pH not only affects the ratio between the reactions but also the influences of other parameters on that ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet M Paper
- Department of Geology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Theodore M Flynn
- Biosciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL, USA
| | - Maxim I Boyanov
- Biosciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL, USA
- Institute of Chemical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Kenneth M Kemner
- Biosciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL, USA
| | - Ben R Haller
- Department of Geology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Kathleen Crank
- Department of Biology, Benedictine College, Atchison, KS, USA
| | - AnneMarie Lower
- Department of Biology, Benedictine College, Atchison, KS, USA
| | - Qusheng Jin
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
| | - Matthew F Kirk
- Department of Geology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
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10
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Flynn TM, Antonopoulos DA, Skinner KA, Brulc JM, Johnston E, Boyanov MI, Kwon MJ, Kemner KM, O’Loughlin EJ. Biogeochemical dynamics and microbial community development under sulfate- and iron-reducing conditions based on electron shuttle amendment. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0251883. [PMID: 34014980 PMCID: PMC8136678 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Iron reduction and sulfate reduction are two of the major biogeochemical processes that occur in anoxic sediments. Microbes that catalyze these reactions are therefore some of the most abundant organisms in the subsurface, and some of the most important. Due to the variety of mechanisms that microbes employ to derive energy from these reactions, including the use of soluble electron shuttles, the dynamics between iron- and sulfate-reducing populations under changing biogeochemical conditions still elude complete characterization. Here, we amended experimental bioreactors comprised of freshwater aquifer sediment with ferric iron, sulfate, acetate, and the model electron shuttle AQDS (9,10-anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate) and monitored both the changing redox conditions as well as changes in the microbial community over time. The addition of the electron shuttle AQDS did increase the initial rate of FeIII reduction; however, it had little effect on the composition of the microbial community. Our results show that in both AQDS- and AQDS+ systems there was an initial dominance of organisms classified as Geobacter (a genus of dissimilatory FeIII-reducing bacteria), after which sequences classified as Desulfosporosinus (a genus of dissimilatory sulfate-reducing bacteria) came to dominate both experimental systems. Furthermore, most of the ferric iron reduction occurred under this later, ostensibly “sulfate-reducing” phase of the experiment. This calls into question the usefulness of classifying subsurface sediments by the dominant microbial process alone because of their interrelated biogeochemical consequences. To better inform models of microbially-catalyzed subsurface processes, such interactions must be more thoroughly understood under a broad range of conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodore M. Flynn
- Biosciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois, United States of America
| | | | - Kelly A. Skinner
- Biosciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Jennifer M. Brulc
- Biosciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Eric Johnston
- Biosciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Maxim I. Boyanov
- Biosciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois, United States of America
- Institute of Chemical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Man Jae Kwon
- Biosciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kenneth M. Kemner
- Biosciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Edward J. O’Loughlin
- Biosciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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11
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Methanogenesis inhibitors used in bio-electrochemical systems: A review revealing reality to decide future direction and applications. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2020; 319:124141. [PMID: 32977094 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.124141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a robust technology capable of treating real wastewaters by utilizing mixed anaerobic microbiota as inoculum for producing electricity from oxidation of the biodegradable matters. However, these mixed microbiota comprises of both electroactive microorganisms (EAM) and substrate/electron scavenging microorganisms such as methanogens. Hence, in order to maximize bioelectricity from MFC, different physio-chemical techniques have been applied in past investigations to suppress activity of methanogens. Interestingly, recent investigations exhibit that methanogens can produce electricity in MFC and possess the cellular machinery like cytochrome c and Type IV pili to perform extracellular electron transfer (EET) in the presence of suitable electron acceptors. Hence, in this review, in-depth analysis of versatile behaviour of methanogens in both MFC and natural anaerobic conditions with different inhibition techniques is explored. This review also discusses the future research directions based on the latest scientific evidence on role of methanogens for EET in MFC.
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12
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Zhang P, Van Cappellen P, Pi K, Yuan S. Oxidation of Fe(II) by Flavins under Anoxic Conditions. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:11622-11630. [PMID: 32812763 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c02916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Flavin-mediated electron transfer is an important pathway for Fe(III) reduction by dissimilatory iron-reducing bacteria. Although the mechanisms and kinetics of Fe(III) reduction by reduced flavins have been widely studied, the reaction between Fe(II) and oxidized flavins is rarely investigated. Results of this study show that under anoxic conditions, Fe(II) can be oxidized by the oxidized forms of riboflavin (RBF) and flavin mononucleotide (FMN) at pH 7-9. For instance, at pH 9, 73% of 17.8 μM Fe(II) was oxidized by 10 μM RBF within 20 min. Both the rate and extent of oxidation increased with increasing concentrations of oxidized flavins and increasing solution pH. Thermodynamic calculations and kinetic analyses implied that the oxidation of Fe(II) proceeded predominantly via the autodecomposition of Fe2+-RBF- and Fe2+-FMN- complexes, along with minor contributions from direct oxidation of Fe(II) by flavins and flavin radicals. Our findings suggest that the reoxidation of Fe(II) by oxidized flavins may be a rate-controlling factor in microbial Fe(III) reduction via flavin-mediated electron transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, 68 Jincheng Street, East Lake High-Tech Development Zone, Wuhan, Hubei 430078, P. R. China
| | - Philippe Van Cappellen
- Ecohydrology Research Group, Water Institute and Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Kunfu Pi
- Ecohydrology Research Group, Water Institute and Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Songhu Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, 68 Jincheng Street, East Lake High-Tech Development Zone, Wuhan, Hubei 430078, P. R. China
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High-Level Abundances of Methanobacteriales and Syntrophobacterales May Help To Prevent Corrosion of Metal Sheet Piles. Appl Environ Microbiol 2019; 85:AEM.01369-19. [PMID: 31420342 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01369-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Iron sheet piles are widely used in flood protection, dike construction, and river bank reinforcement. Their corrosion leads to gradual deterioration and often makes replacement necessary. Natural deposit layers on these sheet piles can prevent degradation and significantly increase their life span. However, little is known about the mechanisms of natural protective layer formation. Here, we studied the microbially diverse populations of corrosion-protective deposit layers on iron sheet piles at the Gouderak pumping station in Zuid-Holland, the Netherlands. Deposit layers, surrounding sediment and top sediment samples were analyzed for soil physicochemical parameters, microbially diverse populations, and metabolic potential. Methanogens appeared to be enriched 18-fold in the deposit layers. After sequencing, metagenome assembly and binning, we obtained four nearly complete draft genomes of microorganisms (Methanobacteriales, two Coriobacteriales, and Syntrophobacterales) that were highly enriched in the deposit layers, strongly indicating a potential role in corrosion protection. Coriobacteriales and Syntrophobacterales could be part of a microbial food web degrading organic matter to supply methanogenic substrates. Methane-producing Methanobacteriales could metabolize iron, which may initially lead to mild corrosion but potentially stimulates the formation of a carbonate-rich protective deposit layer in the long term. In addition, Methanobacteriales and Coriobacteriales have the potential to interact with metal surfaces via direct interspecies or extracellular electron transfer. In conclusion, our study provides valuable insights into microbial populations involved in iron corrosion protection and potentially enables the development of novel strategies for in situ screening of iron sheet piles in order to reduce risks and develop more sustainable replacement practices.IMPORTANCE Iron sheet piles are widely used to reinforce dikes and river banks. Damage due to iron corrosion poses a significant safety risk and has significant economic impact. Different groups of microorganisms are known to either stimulate or inhibit the corrosion process. Recently, natural corrosion-protective deposit layers were found on sheet piles. Analyses of the microbial composition indicated a potential role for methane-producing archaea. However, the full metabolic potential of the microbial communities within these protective layers has not been determined. The significance of this work lies in the reconstruction of the microbial food web of natural corrosion-protective layers isolated from noncorroding metal sheet piles. With this work, we provide insights into the microbiological mechanisms that potentially promote corrosion protection in freshwater ecosystems. Our findings could support the development of screening protocols to assess the integrity of iron sheet piles to decide whether replacement is required.
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