Influence of different electron donors and acceptors on dehalorespiration of tetrachloroethene by Desulfitobacterium frappieri TCE1

Structure of a membrane-bound menaquinol:organohalide oxidoreductase

Organohalide-respiring bacteria are key organisms for the bioremediation of soils and aquifers contaminated with halogenated organic compounds. The major players in this process are respiratory reductive dehalogenases, corrinoid enzymes that use organohalides as substrates and contribute to energy conservation. Here, we present the structure of a menaquinol:organohalide oxidoreductase obtained by cryo-EM. The membrane-bound protein was isolated from Desulfitobacterium hafniense strain TCE1 as a PceA2B2 complex catalysing the dechlorination of tetrachloroethene. Two catalytic PceA subunits are anchored to the membrane by two small integral membrane PceB subunits. The structure reveals two menaquinone molecules bound at the interface of the two different subunits, which are the starting point of a chain of redox cofactors for electron transfer to the active site. In this work, the structure elucidates how energy is conserved during organohalide respiration in menaquinone-dependent organohalide-respiring bacteria.

Effect of the degradation performance on carbon tetrachloride by anaerobic co-metabolism under different external energy sources

In this research, a comprehensive study was carried out on the removal of carbon tetrachloride (CT) in the anaerobic co-metabolism (ACM) reactor. The experiments showed that when the hydraulic retention time (HRT) was 36 h, pH was 7, and influent CT was 2.5mg/L, the average removal efficiency reached 82.45 ± 2.56% in the glucose co-metabolism substrate reactor, exhibiting a dramatic excellent difference in reaction performance from the other two reactors (p < 0.05) and a favorable tolerance on the CT shock loading. The content of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and volatile fatty acids (VFA) demonstrated that glucose could supply more energy to protect the microorganisms, which was the appropriate external energy source. Moreover, microbial community structure and biostatistics analysis demonstrated that Pseudomonas was the most important dechlorination bacteria in ACM reactors, which might via dehalogenation process mediate the transformation of CT. The succession of methanogenic bacteria further demonstrated that CT degradation using co-digestion require to destroy hydrogenotrophic methane generation pathway and the external energy substances could make up the lack of hydrogen in the treatment of CT. The change of intermediate products hinted that anaerobic dechlorination process of CT in an ACM reactor was a sequential dechlorination process, and major transformation products measured were CF. Overall, this study has improved our understanding of the roles of CT degradation process in ACM reactors.

Mini-review: effect of temperature on microbial reductive dehalogenation of chlorinated ethenes: a review

Temperature is a key factor affecting microbial activity and ecology. An increase in temperature generally increases rates of microbial processes up to a certain threshold, above which rates decline rapidly. In the subsurface, temperature of groundwater is usually stable and related to the annual average temperature at the surface. However, anthropogenic activities related to the use of the subsurface, e.g. for thermal heat management, foremost heat storage, will affect the temperature of groundwater locally. This mini-review intends to summarize the current knowledge on reductive dehalogenation activities of the chlorinated ethenes, common urban groundwater contaminants, at different temperatures. This includes an overview of activity and dehalogenation extent at different temperatures in laboratory isolates and enrichment cultures, the effect of shifts in temperature in micro- and mesocosm studies as well as observed biotransformation at different natural and induced temperatures at contaminated field sites. Furthermore, we address indirect effects on biotransformation, e.g. changes in fermentation, methanogenesis and sulfate reduction as competing or synergetic microbial processes. Finally, we address the current gaps in knowledge regarding bioremediation of chlorinated ethenes, microbial community shifts and bottlenecks for active combination with thermal energy storage, and necessities for bioaugmentation and/or natural re-populations after exposure to high temperature.

Stoichiometry of the Gene Products From the Tetrachloroethene Reductive Dehalogenase Operon pceABCT

Organohalide respiration (OHR) is a bacterial anaerobic process that uses halogenated compounds, e.g., tetrachloroethene (PCE), as terminal electron acceptors. Our model organisms are Dehalobacter restrictus strain PER-K23, an obligate OHR bacterium (OHRB), and Desulfitobacterium hafniense strain TCE1, a bacterium with a versatile metabolism. The key enzyme is the PCE reductive dehalogenase (PceA) that is encoded in the highly conserved gene cluster (pceABCT) in both above-mentioned strains, and in other Firmicutes OHRB. To date, the functions of PceA and PceT, a dedicated molecular chaperone for the maturation of PceA, are well defined. However, the role of PceB and PceC are still not elucidated. We present a multilevel study aiming at deciphering the stoichiometry of pceABCT individual gene products. The investigation was assessed at RNA level by reverse transcription and (quantitative) polymerase chain reaction, while at protein level, proteomic analyses based on parallel reaction monitoring were performed to quantify the Pce proteins in cell-free extracts as well as in soluble and membrane fractions of both strains using heavy-labeled reference peptides. At RNA level, our results confirmed the co-transcription of all pce genes, while the quantitative analysis revealed a relative stoichiometry of the gene transcripts of pceA, pceB, pceC, and pceT at ~ 1.0:3.0:0.1:0.1 in D. restrictus. This trend was not observed in D. hafniense strain TCE1, where no substantial difference was measured for the four genes. At proteomic level, an apparent 2:1 stoichiometry of PceA and PceB was obtained in the membrane fraction, and a low abundance of PceC in comparison to the other two proteins. In the soluble fraction, a 1:1 stoichiometry of PceA and PceT was identified. In summary, we show that the pce gene cluster is transcribed as an operon with, however, a level of transcription that differs for individual genes, an observation that could be explained by post-transcriptional events. Despite challenges in the quantification of integral membrane proteins such as PceB and PceC, the similar abundance of PceA and PceB invites to consider them as forming a membrane-bound PceA₂B protein complex, which, in contrast to the proposed model, seems to be devoid of PceC.

Evaluation of the Bioelectrochemical Approach and Different Electron Donors for Biological Trichloroethylene Reductive Dechlorination

Trichloroethylene (TCE) and more in general chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons (CAHs) can be removed from a contaminated matrix thanks to microorganisms able to perform the reductive dechlorination reaction (RD). Due to the lack of electron donors in the contaminated matrix, CAHs' reductive dechlorination can be stimulated by fermentable organic substrates, which slowly release molecular hydrogen through their fermentation. In this paper, three different electron donors constituted by lactate, hydrogen, and a biocathode of a bioelectrochemical cell have been studied in TCE dechlorination batch experiments. The batch reactors evaluated in terms of reductive dechlorination rate and utilization efficiency of the electron donor reported that the bio-electrochemical system (BES) showed a lower RD rate with respect of lactate reactor (51 ± 9 µeq/d compared to 98 ± 4 µeq/d), while the direct utilization of molecular hydrogen gave a significantly lower RD rate (19 ± 8 µeq/d), due to hydrogen low solubility in liquid media. The study also gives a comparative evaluation of the different electron donors showing the capability of the bioelectrochemical system to reach comparable efficiencies with a fermentable substrate without the use of other chemicals, 10.7 ± 3.3% for BES with respect of 3.5 ± 0.2% for the lactate-fed batch reactor. This study shows the BES capability of being an alternative at classic remediation approaches.

Control of Sulfate and Nitrate Reduction by Setting Hydraulic Retention Time and Applied Potential on a Membraneless Microbial Electrolysis Cell for Perchloroethylene Removal

A membraneless microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) has been developed for perchloroethylene (PCE) removal through the reductive dechlorination reaction. The MEC consists of a tubular reactor of 8.24 L equipped with a graphite-granule working electrode which stimulates dechlorinating microorganisms while a graphite-granule cylindrical envelopment contained in a plastic mesh constituted the counter electrode of the MEC. Synthetic PCE-contaminated groundwater has been used as the feeding solution to test the nitrate and sulfate reduction reactions on the MEC performance at different hydraulic retention times (HRTs) (4.1, 1.8, and 1.2) and different cathodic potentials [-350, -450, and -650 mV vs standard hydrogen electrode (SHE)]. The HRT decrease from 4.1 to 1.8 d promoted a considerable increase in sulfate removal from 38 ± 11 to 113 ± 26 mg/Ld with a consequent current increase, while a shorter HRT of 1.2 d caused a partial inhibition of sulfate reduction with a consequent current decrease from -99 ± 3 to -52 ± 6 mA. Similarly, the cathodic potential investigation showed a direct correlation of current generation and sulfate removal in which the utilization of a cathodic potential of -350 mV versus SHE allowed for an 80% decrease in the sulfate removal rate with a consequent current decrease from -163 ± 7 to 41 ± 5 mA. The study showed the possibility to mitigate the energy consumption of the process by avoiding side reactions and current generation, through the selection of an appropriate HRT and applied cathodic potential.

Effects of ferrous iron supplementation on reductive dechlorination of tetrachloroethene and on methanogenic microbial community

Chloroethenes are common soil and groundwater pollutants. Their dechlorination is impacted by environmental factors, such as the presence of metal ions. We here investigated the effect of ferrous iron on bacterial reductive dechlorination of chloroethenes and on methanogen community. Reductive dechlorination of tetrachloroethene was assayed with a groundwater sample originally containing 6.3 × 10³ copies mL⁻¹ of Dehalococcoides 16S rRNA gene and 2 mg L⁻¹ of iron. Supplementation with 28 mg L⁻¹ of ferrous iron enhanced the reductive dechlorination of cis-dichloroethene (cis-DCE) and vinyl chloride in the presence of methanogens. The supplementation shortened the time required for complete dechlorination of 1 mg L⁻¹ of tetrachloroethene to ethene and ethane from 84 to 49 d. Methanogens, such as Candidatus ‘Methanogranum’, Methanomethylovorans and Methanocorpusculum, were significantly more abundant in iron-supplemented cultures than in non-supplemented cultures (P < 0.01). Upon methanogen growth inhibition by 2-bromoethanesulfonate and in the absence of iron supplementation, cis-DCE was not dechlorinated. Further, iron supplementation induced 71.3% dechlorination of cis-DCE accompanied by an increase in Dehalococcoides 16S rRNA and dehalogenase vcrA gene copies but not dehalogenase tceA gene copies. These observations highlight the cooperative effect of iron and methanogens on the reductive dechlorination of chloroethenes by Dehalococcoides spp.

Metagenomic- and Cultivation-Based Exploration of Anaerobic Chloroform Biotransformation in Hypersaline Sediments as Natural Source of Chloromethanes

Chloroform (CF) is an environmental contaminant that can be naturally formed in various environments ranging from forest soils to salt lakes. Here we investigated CF removal potential in sediments obtained from hypersaline lakes in Western Australia. Reductive dechlorination of CF to dichloromethane (DCM) was observed in enrichment cultures derived from sediments of Lake Strawbridge, which has been reported as a natural source of CF. No CF removal was observed in abiotic control cultures without artificial electron donors, indicating biotic CF dechlorination in the enrichment cultures. Increasing vitamin B₁₂ concentration from 0.04 to 4 µM in enrichment cultures enhanced CF removal and reduced DCM formation. In cultures amended with 4 µM vitamin B₁₂ and ¹³C labelled CF, formation of ¹³CO₂ was detected. Known organohalide-respiring bacteria and reductive dehalogenase genes were neither detected using quantitative PCR nor metagenomic analysis of the enrichment cultures. Rather, members of the order Clostridiales, known to co-metabolically transform CF to DCM and CO₂, were detected. Accordingly, metagenome-assembled genomes of Clostridiales encoded enzymatic repertoires for the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway and cobalamin biosynthesis, which are known to be involved in fortuitous and nonspecific CF transformation. This study indicates that hypersaline lake microbiomes may act as a filter to reduce CF emission to the atmosphere.

Integration of nanoscale zero-valent iron and functional anaerobic bacteria for groundwater remediation: A review

The technology of integrating nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) and functional anaerobic bacteria has broad prospects for groundwater remediation. This review focuses on the interactions between nZVI and three kinds of functional anaerobic bacteria: organohalide-respiring bacteria (OHRB), sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) and iron reducing bacteria (IRB), which are commonly used in the anaerobic bioremediation. The coupling effects of nZVI and the functional bacteria on the contaminant removal in the integrated system are summarized. Generally, nZVI could create a suitable living condition for the growth and activity of anaerobic bacteria. OHRB and SRB could synergistically degrade organic halides and remove heavy metals with nZVI, and IRB could reactive the passivated nZVI by reducing the iron (hydr)oxides on the surface of nZVI. Moreover, the roles of these anaerobic bacteria in contaminant removal coupling with nZVI and the degradation mechanisms are illustrated. In addition, this review also discusses the main factors influencing the removal efficiency of contaminants in the integrated treatment system, including nZVI species and dosage, inorganic ions, organic matters, pH, type of pollutants, temperature, and carbon/energy sources, etc. Among these factors, the nZVI species and dosage play a fundamental role due to the potential cytotoxicity of nZVI, which might exert a negative impact on the performance of this integrated system. Lastly, the future research needs are proposed to better understand this integrated technology and effectively apply it in groundwater remediation.

Abundance of Chlorinated Solvent and 1,4-Dioxane Degrading Microorganisms at Five Chlorinated Solvent Contaminated Sites Determined via Shotgun Sequencing

Shotgun sequencing was used for the quantification of taxonomic and functional biomarkers associated with chlorinated solvent bioremediation in 20 groundwater samples (five sites), following bioaugmentation with SDC-9. The analysis determined the abundance of (1) genera associated with chlorinated solvent degradation, (2) reductive dehalogenase (RDases) genes, (3) genes associated with 1,4-dioxane removal, (4) genes associated with aerobic chlorinated solvent degradation, and (5) D. mccartyi genes associated with hydrogen and corrinoid metabolism. The taxonomic analysis revealed numerous genera previously linked to chlorinated solvent degradation, including Dehalococcoides, Desulfitobacterium, and Dehalogenimonas. The functional gene analysis indicated vcrA and tceA from D. mccartyi were the RDases with the highest relative abundance. Reads aligning with both aerobic and anaerobic biomarkers were observed across all sites. Aerobic solvent degradation genes, etnC or etnE, were detected in at least one sample from each site, as were pmoA and mmoX. The most abundant 1,4-dioxane biomarker detected was Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b mmoX. Reads aligning to thmA or Pseudonocardia were not found. The work illustrates the importance of shotgun sequencing to provide a more complete picture of the functional abilities of microbial communities. The approach is advantageous over current methods because an unlimited number of functional genes can be quantified.

Soluble and solid iron reduction assays with Desulfitobacterium hafniense

There is a pressing need to develop sustainable and efficient methods to protect and stabilize iron objects. To develop a conservation-restoration method for corroded iron objects, this bio-protocol presents the steps to investigate reductive dissolution of ferric iron and biogenic production of stabilizing ferrous iron minerals in the strict anaerobe Desulfitobacterium hafniense (strains TCE1 and LBE). We investigated iron reduction using three different Fe(III) sources: Fe(III)-citrate (a soluble phase), akaganeite (solid iron phase), and corroded coupons. This protocol describes a method that combines spectrophotometric quantification of the complex Fe(II)-Ferrozine^® with mineral characterization by scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. These three methods allow assessing reductive dissolution of ferric iron and biogenic mineral production as a promising alternative for the development of an innovative sustainable method for the stabilization of corroded iron.

Characterization of a Highly Enriched Microbial Consortium Reductively Dechlorinating 2,3-Dichlorophenol and 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol and the Corresponding cprA Genes from River Sediment

Anaerobic reductive dechlorination of 2,3-dichlorophenol (2,3DCP) and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6TCP) was investigated in microcosms from River Nile sediment. A stable sediment-free anaerobic microbial consortium reductively dechlorinating 2,3DCP and 2,4,6TCP was established. Defined sediment-free cultures showing stable dechlorination were restricted to ortho chlorine when enriched with hydrogen as the electron donor, acetate as the carbon source, and either 2,3-DCP or 2,4,6-TCP as electron acceptors. When acetate, formate, or pyruvate were used as electron donors, dechlorination activity was lost. Only lactate can replace dihydrogen as an electron donor. However, the dechlorination potential was decreased after successive transfers. To reveal chlororespiring species, the microbial community structure of chlorophenol-reductive dechlorinating enrichment cultures was analyzed by PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of 16S rRNA gene fragments. Eight dominant bacteria were detected in the dechlorinating microcosms including members of the genera Citrobacter, Geobacter, Pseudomonas, Desulfitobacterium, Desulfovibrio and Clostridium. Highly enriched dechlorinating cultures were dominated by four bacterial species belonging to the genera Pseudomonas, Desulfitobacterium, and Clostridium. Desulfitobacterium represented the major fraction in DGGE profiles indicating its importance in dechlorination activity, which was further confirmed by its absence resulting in complete loss of dechlorination. Reductive dechlorination was confirmed by the stoichiometric dechlorination of 2,3DCP and 2,4,6TCP to metabolites with less chloride groups and by the detection of chlorophenol RD cprA gene fragments in dechlorinating cultures. PCR amplified cprA gene fragments were cloned and sequenced and found to cluster with the cprA/pceA type genes of Dehalobacter restrictus.

The Membrane-Bound C Subunit of Reductive Dehalogenases: Topology Analysis and Reconstitution of the FMN-Binding Domain of PceC

Organohalide respiration (OHR) is the energy metabolism of anaerobic bacteria able to use halogenated organic compounds as terminal electron acceptors. While the terminal enzymes in OHR, so-called reductive dehalogenases, are well-characterized, the identity of proteins potentially involved in electron transfer to the terminal enzymes remains elusive. Among the accessory genes identified in OHR gene clusters, the C subunit (rdhC) could well code for the missing redox protein between the quinol pool and the reductive dehalogenase, although it was initially proposed to act as transcriptional regulator. RdhC sequences are characterized by the presence of multiple transmembrane segments, a flavin mononucleotide (FMN) binding motif and two conserved CX₃CP motifs. Based on these features, we propose a curated selection of RdhC proteins identified in general sequence databases. Beside the Firmicutes from which RdhC sequences were initially identified, the identified sequences belong to three additional phyla, the Chloroflexi, the Proteobacteria, and the Bacteriodetes. The diversity of RdhC sequences mostly respects the phylogenetic distribution, suggesting that rdhC genes emerged relatively early in the evolution of the OHR metabolism. PceC, the C subunit of the tetrachloroethene (PCE) reductive dehalogenase is encoded by the conserved pceABCT gene cluster identified in Dehalobacter restrictus PER-K23 and in several strains of Desulfitobacterium hafniense. Surfaceome analysis of D. restrictus cells confirmed the predicted topology of the FMN-binding domain (FBD) of PceC that is the exocytoplasmic face of the membrane. Starting from inclusion bodies of a recombinant FBD protein, strategies for successful assembly of the FMN cofactor and refolding were achieved with the use of the flavin-trafficking protein from D. hafniense TCE1. Mass spectrometry analysis and site-directed mutagenesis of rFBD revealed that threonine-168 of PceC is binding FMN covalently. Our results suggest that PceC, and more generally RdhC proteins, may play a role in electron transfer in the metabolism of OHR.

Biodegradation of Volatile Organic Compounds and Their Effects on Biodegradability under Co-Existing Conditions

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are major pollutants that are found in contaminated sites, particularly in developed countries such as Japan. Various microorganisms that degrade individual VOCs have been reported, and genomic information related to their phylogenetic classification and VOC-degrading enzymes is available. However, the biodegradation of multiple VOCs remains a challenging issue. Practical sites, such as chemical factories, research facilities, and illegal dumping sites, are often contaminated with multiple VOCs. In order to investigate the potential of biodegrading multiple VOCs, we initially reviewed the biodegradation of individual VOCs. VOCs include chlorinated ethenes (tetrachloroethene, trichloroethene, dichloroethene, and vinyl chloride), BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene), and chlorinated methanes (carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, and dichloromethane). We also summarized essential information on the biodegradation of each kind of VOC under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, together with the microorganisms that are involved in VOC-degrading pathways. Interactions among multiple VOCs were then discussed based on concrete examples. Under conditions in which multiple VOCs co-exist, the biodegradation of a VOC may be constrained, enhanced, and/or unaffected by other compounds. Co-metabolism may enhance the degradation of other VOCs. In contrast, constraints are imposed by the toxicity of co-existing VOCs and their by-products, catabolite repression, or competition between VOC-degrading enzymes. This review provides fundamental, but systematic information for designing strategies for the bioremediation of multiple VOCs, as well as information on the role of key microorganisms that degrade VOCs.

Microbial degradation of chloroethenes: a review

Contamination by chloroethenes has a severe negative effect on both the environment and human health. This has prompted intensive remediation activity in recent years, along with research into the efficacy of natural microbial communities for degrading toxic chloroethenes into less harmful compounds. Microbial degradation of chloroethenes can take place either through anaerobic organohalide respiration, where chloroethenes serve as electron acceptors; anaerobic and aerobic metabolic degradation, where chloroethenes are used as electron donors; or anaerobic and aerobic co-metabolic degradation, with chloroethene degradation occurring as a by-product during microbial metabolism of other growth substrates, without energy or carbon benefit. Recent research has focused on optimising these natural processes to serve as effective bioremediation technologies, with particular emphasis on (a) the diversity and role of bacterial groups involved in dechlorination microbial processes, and (b) detection of bacterial enzymes and genes connected with dehalogenation activity. In this review, we summarise the different mechanisms of chloroethene bacterial degradation suitable for bioremediation and provide a list of dechlorinating bacteria. We also provide an up-to-date summary of primers available for detecting functional genes in anaerobic and aerobic bacteria degrading chloroethenes metabolically or co-metabolically.

Use of Bacteria To Stabilize Archaeological Iron

Iron artifacts are common among the findings of archaeological excavations. The corrosion layer formed on these objects requires stabilization after their recovery, without which the destruction of the item due to physicochemical damage is likely. Current technologies for stabilizing the corrosion layer are lengthy and generate hazardous waste products. Therefore, there is a pressing need for an alternative method for stabilizing the corrosion layer on iron objects. The aim of this study was to evaluate an alternative conservation-restoration method using bacteria. For this, anaerobic iron reduction leading to the formation of stable iron minerals in the presence of chlorine was investigated for two strains of Desulfitobacterium hafniense (strains TCE1 and LBE). Iron reduction was observed for soluble Fe(III) phases as well as for akaganeite, the most troublesome iron compound in the corrosion layer of archaeological iron objects. In terms of biogenic mineral production, differential efficiencies were observed in assays performed on corroded iron coupons. Strain TCE1 produced a homogeneous layer of vivianite covering 80% of the corroded surface, while on the coupons treated with strain LBE, only 10% of the surface was covered by the same mineral. Finally, an attempt to reduce iron on archaeological objects was performed with strain TCE1, which led to the formation of both biogenic vivianite and magnetite on the surface of the artifacts. These results demonstrate the potential of this biological treatment for stabilizing archaeological iron as a promising alternative to traditional conservation-restoration methods.IMPORTANCE Since the Iron Age, iron has been a fundamental material for the building of objects used in everyday life. However, due to its reactivity, iron can be easily corroded, and the physical stability of the object built is at risk. This is particularly true for archaeological objects on which a potentially unstable corrosion layer is formed during the time the object is buried. After excavation, changes in environmental conditions (e.g., higher oxygen concentration or lower humidity) alter the stability of the corrosion layer and can lead to the total destruction of the object. In this study, we demonstrate the feasibility of an innovative treatment based on bacterial iron reduction and biogenic mineral formation to stabilize the corrosion layer and protect these objects.

Comparative In silico Analysis of Butyrate Production Pathways in Gut Commensals and Pathogens

Biosynthesis of butyrate by commensal bacteria plays a crucial role in maintenance of human gut health while dysbiosis in gut microbiome has been linked to several enteric disorders. Contrastingly, butyrate shows cytotoxic effects in patients with oral diseases like periodontal infections and oral cancer. In addition to these host associations, few syntrophic bacteria couple butyrate degradation with sulfate reduction and methane production. Thus, it becomes imperative to understand the distribution of butyrate metabolism pathways and delineate differences in substrate utilization between pathogens and commensals. The bacteria utilize four pathways for butyrate production with different initial substrates (Pyruvate, 4-aminobutyrate, Glutarate and Lysine) which follow a polyphyletic distribution. A comprehensive mining of complete/draft bacterial genomes indicated conserved juxtaposed genomic arrangement in all these pathways. This gene context information was utilized for an accurate annotation of butyrate production pathways in bacterial genomes. Interestingly, our analysis showed that inspite of a beneficial impact of butyrate in gut, not only commensals, but a few gut pathogens also possess butyrogenic pathways. The results further illustrated that all the gut commensal bacteria (Faecalibacterium, Roseburia, Butyrivibrio, and commensal species of Clostridia etc) ferment pyruvate for butyrate production. On the contrary, the butyrogenic gut pathogen Fusobacterium utilizes different amino acid metabolism pathways like those for Glutamate (4-aminobutyrate and Glutarate) and Lysine for butyrogenesis which leads to a concomitant release of harmful by-products like ammonia in the process. The findings in this study indicate that commensals and pathogens in gut have divergently evolved to produce butyrate using distinct pathways. No such evolutionary selection was observed in oral pathogens (Porphyromonas and Filifactor) which showed presence of pyruvate as well as amino acid fermenting pathways which might be because the final product butyrate is itself known to be cytotoxic in oral diseases. This differential utilization of butyrogenic pathways in gut pathogens and commensals has an enormous ecological impact taking into consideration the immense influence of butyrate on different disorders in humans. The results of this study can potentially guide bioengineering experiments to design therapeutics/probiotics by manipulation of butyrate biosynthesis gene clusters in bacteria.

Use of CAH-degrading bacteria as test-organisms for evaluating the impact of fine zerovalent iron particles on the anaerobic subsurface environment

The release of fine zerovalent iron (ZVI) particles in the environment after being introduced for in-situ treatment of compounds like chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons (CAHs) may raise questions toward environmental safety, especially for nanoscale materials. Classical single-species ecotoxicity tests do focus on aerobic conditions and are only relevant for the scenario when ZVI-particles reach surface water. Herein, we present an alternative approach where a CAH-degrading mixed bacterial culture was used as test-organisms relevant for the anaerobic subsurface. The impact of different ZVI particles on the bacterial culture was evaluated mainly by quantifying ATP, a reporter molecule giving a general indication of the microbial activity. These lab-scale batch tests were performed in liquid medium, without protecting and buffering aquifer material, as such representing worst-case scenario. The activity of the bacterial culture was negatively influenced by nanoscale zerovalent iron at doses as low as 0.05 g L(-1). On the other hand, concentrations up to 2 g L(-1) of several different types of microscale zerovalent iron (mZVI) particles stimulated the activity. However, very high doses of 15-30 g L(-1) of mZVI showed an inhibiting effect on the bacterial community. Negative effects of ZVIs were confirmed by H2 accumulation in the batch reactors and the absence of lactate consumption. Observed inhibition also corresponded to a pH increase above 7.5, explicable by ZVI corrosion that was found to be dose-dependent. The obtained results suggest that low doses of mZVIs will not show severe inhibition effects on the microbial community once used for in-situ treatment of CAHs.

Bio-reduction of tetrachloroethen using a H2-based membrane biofilm reactor and community fingerprinting

Chlorinated ethenes in drinking water could be reductively dechlorinated to non-toxic ethene by using a hydrogen based membrane biofilm reactor (H2-MBfR) under denitrifying conditions as it provides an appropriate environment for dechlorinating bacteria in biofilm communities. This study evaluates the reductive dechlorination of perchloroethene (PCE) to non-toxic ethene (ETH) and comparative community analysis of the biofilm grown on the gas permeable membrane fibers. For these purposes, three H2-MBfRs receiving three different chlorinated ethenes (PCE, TCE and DCE) were operated under different hydraulic retention times (HRTs) and H2 pressures. Among these reactors, the H2-MBfR fed with PCE (H2-MBfR 1) accomplished a complete dechlorination, whereas cis-DCE accumulated in the TCE receiving H2-MBfR 2 and no dechlorination was detected in the DCE receiving H2-MBfR 3. The results showed that 95% of PCE dechlorinated to ETH together with over 99.8% dechlorination efficiency. Nitrate was the preferred electron acceptor as the most of electrons generated from H2 oxidation used for denitrification and dechlorination started under nitrate deficient conditions at increased H2 pressures. PCR-DGGE analysis showed that Dehalococcoides were present in autotrophic biofilm community dechlorinating PCE to ethene, and RDase genes analysis revealed that pceA, tceA, bvcA and vcrA, responsible for complete dechlorination step, were available in Dehalococcoides strains.

The impact of bioaugmentation on dechlorination kinetics and on microbial dechlorinating communities in subsurface clay till

A molecular study on how the abundance of the dechlorinating culture KB-1 affects dechlorination rates in clay till is presented. DNA extracts showed changes in abundance of specific dechlorinators as well as their functional genes. Independently of the KB-1 added, the microbial dechlorinator abundance increased to the same level in all treatments. In the non-bioaugmented microcosms the reductive dehalogenase gene bvcA increased in abundance, but when KB-1 was added the related vcrA gene increased while bvcA genes did not increase. Modeling showed higher vinyl-chloride dechlorination rates and shorter time for complete dechlorination to ethene with higher initial concentration of KB-1 culture, while cis-dichloroethene dechlorination rates were not affected by KB-1 concentrations. This study provides high resolution abundance profiles of Dehalococcoides spp. (DHC) and functional genes, highlights the ecological behavior of KB-1 in clay till, and reinforces the importance of using multiple functional genes as biomarkers for reductive dechlorination.

Guar gum coupled microscale ZVI for in situ treatment of CAHs: continuous-flow column study

A column study was performed under in situ conditions to evaluate to which extend the inactivation of the microscale zerovalent iron (mZVI) by guar gum occurs under continuous flow conditions. Five aquifer containing columns were set up under different conditions. Efficient removal of trichloroethene was observed for the column amended by mZVI. Stabilization of the mZVI with guar gum led to slightly reduced activity. More reduced reactivity was observed in the poisoned column containing guar gum stabilized mZVI. This confirms that soil microorganisms can degrade guar gum and that subsequent removal of the oligosaccharides by the groundwater flow (flushing effect) can reactivate the mZVI. After more than six months of continuous operation the columns were dismantled. DNA-based qPCR analysis revealed that mZVI does not significantly affect the bacterial community, while guar gum stabilized mZVI particles can even induce bacterial growth. Overall, this study suggests that the temporarily decreased mZVI reactivity due to guar gum, has a rather limited impact on the performance of in situ reactive zones. The presence of guar gum slightly reduced the reactivity of iron, but also slowed down the iron corrosion rate which prolongs the life time of reactive zone.

Evaluation of the inhibitory effects of chloroform on ortho-chlorophenol- and chloroethene-dechlorinating Desulfitobacterium strains

Organohalide-respiring Desulfitobacterium strains are believed to play an important role in the bioremediation and natural attenuation of chlorinated aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. However, several studies have reported that chloroform significantly inhibits microbial reductive dechlorination of chloroethene. In this study, we examined the effect of chloroform on several Desulfitobacterium strains, including ortho-chlorophenol-dechlorinating Desulfitobacterium dehalogenans JW/IU-1 and Desulfitobacterium hafniense DCB-2, and also the chloroethene-dechlorinating strain D. hafniense TCE1. In medium containing 3-chloro-4-hydroxyphenylacetate as an electron acceptor, chloroform inhibited the growth of strains JW/IU-1 and DCB-2. Although chloroform did not directly inhibit dechlorination of 3-chloro-4-hydroxyphenylacetate by resting cells, cells cultivated with chloroform showed decreased dechlorination activity. Moreover, transcription of the gene encoding the reductive dehalogenase CprA decreased significantly in cells cultivated with chloroform. These results indicate that chloroform inhibits the growth and dechlorination activity of strains JW/IU-1 and DCB-2 via inhibition of cprA transcription. In contrast, cultivation of strain TCE1 in the presence of chloroform gave rise to a PceA reductive dehalogenase gene-deletion variant of strain TCE1; a similar phenomenon was observed in our previous study of chloroethene-dechlorinating D. hafniense strain Y51. Our results suggest that chloroform extensively inhibits the dechlorination activity of Desulfitobacterium strains, and that the inhibitory mechanism appears to differ between ortho-chlorophenol dechlorinators and chloroethene dechlorinators.

The pentachlorophenol-dehalogenating Desulfitobacterium hafniense strain PCP-1

In this report, a complete description of Desulfitobacterium hafniense strain PCP-1 is presented. The D. hafniense strain PCP-1 was isolated from a methanogenic consortium for its capacity to dehalogenate pentachlorophenol (PCP) into 3-chlorophenol. This strain is also capable of dehalogenating several other chloroaromatic compounds and tetrachloroethene into trichloroethene. Four gene loci encoding putative chlorophenol-reductive dehalogenases (CprA2 to CprA5) were detected, and the products of two of these loci have been demonstrated to dechlorinate different chlorinated phenols. Strain PCP-1 was used in laboratory-scale bioprocesses to degrade PCP present in contaminated environments. Desulfitobacterium hafniense PCP-1 is an excellent candidate for the development of efficient bioprocesses to degrade organohalide compounds.

Effects of sulfate reduction on the bacterial community and kinetic parameters of a dechlorinating culture under chemostat growth conditions

Results are presented from a chemostat study where the reductive dehalogenation of PCE was evaluated in the absence and presence of sulfate. Two chemostats inoculated with the Point Mugu culture, which contains strains of Dehalococcoides mccartyi, were operated at a 50 day HRT and fed PCE (1.12 mM) and lactate (4.3 mM). The control chemostat (PM-5L, no sulfate), achieved pseudo-steady-state transformation of PCE to ethene (98%) and VC (2%) at 2.4 nM of H(2). Batch kinetic tests with chemostat harvested cells showed the maximum rate (k(max)X) value for each dehalogenation step remained fairly constant, while hupL clone library analyses showed maintenance of a diverse D. mccartyi community. Sulfate (1 mM) was introduced to the second chemostat, PM-2L. Effective sulfate reduction was achieved 110 days later, resulting in 600 μM of total sulfide. PCE dechlorination efficiency decreased following complete sulfate reduction, yielding ethene (25%), VC (67%), and cis-DCE (8%). VC dechlorination was most affected, with k(max)X values decreasing by a factor of 50. The decrease was associated with the enrichment of the Cornell group of D. mccartyi and decline of the Pinellas group. Long-term exposure to sulfides and/or competition for H(2) may have been responsible for the community shift.

An unusual tandem-domain rhodanese harbouring two active sites identified in Desulfitobacterium hafniense

The rhodanese protein domain is common throughout all kingdoms of life and is characterized by an active site cysteine residue that is able to bind sulfane sulfur and catalyse sulfur transfer. No unique function has been attributed to rhodanese-domain-containing proteins, most probably because of their diversity at both the level of sequence and protein domain architecture. In this study, we investigated the biochemical properties of an unusual rhodanese protein, PhsE, from Desulfitobacterium hafniense strain TCE1 which we have previously shown to be massively expressed under anaerobic respiration with tetrachloroethene. The peculiarity of the PhsE protein is its domain architecture which is constituted of two rhodanese domains each with an active site cysteine. The N-terminal rhodanese domain is preceded by a lipoprotein signal peptide anchoring PhsE on the outside of the cytoplasmic membrane. In vitro sulfur-transferase activity of recombinant PhsE variants was measured for both domains contrasting with other tandem-domain rhodaneses in which usually only the C-terminal domain has been found to be active. The genetic context of phsE shows that it is part of a six-gene operon displaying homology with gene clusters encoding respiratory molybdoenzymes of the PhsA/PsrA family, possibly involved in the reduction of sulfur compounds. Our data suggest, however, that the presence of sulfide in the medium is responsible for the high expression of PhsE in Desulfitobacterium, where it could play a role in the sulfur homeostasis of the cell.

The physiological opportunism of Desulfitobacterium hafniense strain TCE1 towards organohalide respiration with tetrachloroethene

Desulfitobacterium hafniense strain TCE1 is capable of metabolically reducing tetra- and trichloroethenes by organohalide respiration. A previous study revealed that the pce gene cluster responsible for this process is located on an active composite transposon, Tn-Dha1. In the present work, we investigated the effects on the stability of the transposon during successive subcultivations of strain TCE1 in a medium depleted of tetrachloroethene. At the physiological level, an increased fitness of the population was observed after 9 successive transfers and was correlated with a decrease in the level of production of the PceA enzyme. The latter observation was a result of the gradual loss of the pce genes in the population of strain TCE1 and not of a regulation mechanism, as was postulated previously for a similar phenomenon described for Sulfurospirillum multivorans. A detailed molecular analysis of genetic rearrangements occurring around Tn-Dha1 showed two independent but concomitant events, namely, the transposition of the first insertion sequence, ISDha1-a, and homologous recombination across identical copies of ISDha1 flanking the transposon. A new model is proposed for the genetic heterogeneity around Tn-Dha1 in D. hafniense strain TCE1, along with some considerations for the cleavage mechanism mediated by the transposase TnpA1 encoded by ISDha1.

Genome sequence of Desulfitobacterium hafniense DCB-2, a Gram-positive anaerobe capable of dehalogenation and metal reduction

Background

The genome of the Gram-positive, metal-reducing, dehalorespiring Desulfitobacterium hafniense DCB-2 was sequenced in order to gain insights into its metabolic capacities, adaptive physiology, and regulatory machineries, and to compare with that of Desulfitobacterium hafniense Y51, the phylogenetically closest strain among the species with a sequenced genome.

Results

The genome of Desulfitobacterium hafniense DCB-2 is composed of a 5,279,134-bp circular chromosome with 5,042 predicted genes. Genome content and parallel physiological studies support the cell's ability to fix N₂ and CO₂, form spores and biofilms, reduce metals, and use a variety of electron acceptors in respiration, including halogenated organic compounds. The genome contained seven reductive dehalogenase genes and four nitrogenase gene homologs but lacked the Nar respiratory nitrate reductase system. The D. hafniense DCB-2 genome contained genes for 43 RNA polymerase sigma factors including 27 sigma-24 subunits, 59 two-component signal transduction systems, and about 730 transporter proteins. In addition, it contained genes for 53 molybdopterin-binding oxidoreductases, 19 flavoprotein paralogs of the fumarate reductase, and many other FAD/FMN-binding oxidoreductases, proving the cell's versatility in both adaptive and reductive capacities. Together with the ability to form spores, the presence of the CO₂-fixing Wood-Ljungdahl pathway and the genes associated with oxygen tolerance add flexibility to the cell's options for survival under stress.

Conclusions

D. hafniense DCB-2's genome contains genes consistent with its abilities for dehalogenation, metal reduction, N₂ and CO₂ fixation, anaerobic respiration, oxygen tolerance, spore formation, and biofilm formation which make this organism a potential candidate for bioremediation at contaminated sites.

The effectiveness of anaerobic digestion in removing estrogens and nonylphenol ethoxylates

The fate and behaviour of two groups of endocrine disrupting chemicals, steroid estrogens and nonylphenol ethoxylates, have been evaluated during the anaerobic digestion of primary and mixed sewage sludge under mesophilic and thermophilic conditions. Digestion occurred over six retention times, in laboratory scale reactors, treating sludges collected from a sewage treatment works in the United Kingdom. It has been established that sludge concentrations of both groups of compounds demonstrated temporal variations and that concentrations in mixed sludge were influenced by the presence of waste activated sludge as a result of transformations during aerobic treatment. The biodegradation of total steroid estrogens was >50% during primary sludge digestion with lower removals observed for mixed sludge, which reflected bulk organic solids removal efficiencies. The removal of nonylphenol ethoxylates was greater in mixed sludge digestion (>58%) compared with primary sludge digestion and did not reflect bulk organic removal efficiencies. It is apparent that anaerobic digestion reduces the concentrations of these compounds, and would therefore be expected to confer a degree of protection against exposure and transfer of both groups of compounds to the receiving/re-use environment.

Effect of anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate on the trichloroethene degradation by Dehalococcoides-containing consortium

This paper reports the findings of an examination on the influence of anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS) on the degradation of trichloroethene (TCE) by Dehalococcoides-containing consortium (designated UC-1). Compared with the control, the results indicated that (i) in 100 μmol/L AQDS, TCE was rapidly degraded. More ethene was produced, while less vinyl chloride (VC) was accumulated. AQDS might improve the activity of organisms in dechlorinating populations which resulted in more ethene being accumulated in the medium; (ii) in 500 μmol/L AQDS, TCE was incompletely degraded. Presumably, 500 μmol/L AQDS might have an inhibition effect on methanogens in the UC-1. The inhibition effect might influence the interactions among methanogens, Dehalococcoides species and other organisms in the UC-1.

Influence of ferric iron on complete dechlorination of trichloroethylene (TCE) to ethene: Fe(III) reduction does not always inhibit complete dechlorination

The effects of Fe(III) reduction on TCE, cis-DCE, and VC dechlorination were studied in both contaminated aquifer material and enrichment cultures. The results from sediment batch experiments demonstrated that Fe(III) reduction did not inhibit complete dechlorination. TCE was reduced concurrently with Fe(III) in the first 40 days of the incubations. While all incubations (plus and minus Fe(III)) generated approximately the same mass of ethene within the experimental time frame, Fe(III) speciation (ferrihydrite versus Fe(III)-NTA) had an impact on daughter product distribution and dechlorination kinetics. 16S rRNA gene clone library sequencing identified Dehalococcoides and Geobacteraceae as dominant populations, which included G. lovleyi like organisms. Quantitative PCR targeting 16S rRNA genes and Reductive Dehalogenase genes (tceA, bvcA, vcrA) indicated that Dehalococcoides and Geobacteraceae were enriched concurrently in the TCE-degrading, Fe(III)-reducing sediments. Enrichment cultures demonstrated that soluble Fe(III) had a greater impact on cis-DCE and VC reduction than solid-phase Fe(III). Geobacteraceae and Dehalococcoides were also coenriched in the liquid cultures, and the Dehalococcoides abundance in the presence of Fe(III) was not significantly different from those in the cultures without Fe(III). Hydrogen reached steady-state concentrations most amenable to complete dechlorination very quickly when Fe(III) was present in the culture, suggesting that Fe(III) reduction may actually help dechlorination. This was contrasted to hydrogen levels in nitrate-amended enrichments, in which hydrogen concentration was too low for any chlororespiration.

Global transcriptome analysis of the tetrachloroethene-dechlorinating bacterium Desulfitobacterium hafniense Y51 in the presence of various electron donors and terminal electron acceptors

Desulfitobacterium hafniense Y51 is a dechlorinating bacterium that encodes an unusually large set of O-demethylase paralogs and specialized respiratory systems including specialized electron donors and acceptors. To use this organism in bioremediation of tetrachloroethene (PCE) or trichloroethene (TCE) pollution, expression patterns of its 5,060 genes were determined under different conditions using 60-mer probes in DNA microarrays. PCE, TCE, fumarate, nitrate, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) respiration all sustain the growth of strain Y51. Global transcriptome analyses were thus performed using various electron donor and acceptor couples (respectively, pyruvate and either fumarate, TCE, nitrate, or DMSO, and vanillate/fumarate). When TCE is used as terminal electron acceptor, resulting in its detoxification, a series of electron carriers comprising a cytochrome bd-type quinol oxidase (DSY4055-4056), a ferredoxin (DSY1451), and four Fe-S proteins (DSY1626, DSY1629, DSY0733, DSY3309) are upregulated, suggesting that the products of these genes are involved in PCE oxidoreduction. Interestingly, the PCE dehalogenase cluster (pceABCT) is constitutively expressed in the media tested, with pceT being upregulated and pceC downregulated in pyruvate/TCE-containing medium. In addition, another dehalogenation enzyme (DSY1155 coding for a putative chlorophenol reductive dehalogenase), is induced 225-fold in that medium, despite not being involved in PCE respiration. Remarkably since the reducing equivalents formed during pyruvate conversion to acetyl-CoA are channeled to electron acceptors including halogenated compounds, pyruvate induces expression of a pyruvate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase. This study paves the way to understanding the physiology of D. hafniense, optimizing this microbe as a bioremediation agent, and designing bioarray sensors to monitor the presence of dechlorinating organisms in the environment.

Physiological adaptation of Desulfitobacterium hafniense strain TCE1 to tetrachloroethene respiration

Desulfitobacterium spp. are ubiquitous organisms with a broad metabolic versatility, and some isolates have the ability to use tetrachloroethene (PCE) as terminal electron acceptor. In order to identify proteins involved in this organohalide respiration process, a comparative proteomic analysis was performed. Soluble and membrane-associated proteins obtained from cells of Desulfitobacterium hafniense strain TCE1 that were growing on different combinations of the electron donors lactate and hydrogen and the electron acceptors PCE and fumarate were analyzed. Among proteins increasingly expressed in the presence of PCE compared to fumarate as electron acceptor, a total of 57 proteins were identified by mass spectrometry analysis, revealing proteins involved in stress response and associated regulation pathways, such as PspA, GroEL, and CodY, and also proteins potentially participating in carbon and energy metabolism, such as proteins of the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway and electron transfer flavoproteins. These proteomic results suggest that D. hafniense strain TCE1 adapts its physiology to face the relative unfavorable growth conditions during an apparent opportunistic organohalide respiration.

Frequent concomitant presence of Desulfitobacterium spp. and "Dehalococcoides" spp. in chloroethene-dechlorinating microbial communities

The presence of chloroethene dechlorination activity as well as several bacterial genera containing mainly organohalide-respiring members was investigated in 34 environmental samples from 18 different sites. Cultures inoculated with these environmental samples on tetrachloroethene and amended weekly with a seven organic electron donor mixture resulted in 11 enrichments with cis-DCE, ten with VC, and 11 with ethene as dechlorination end product, and only two where no dechlorination was observed. "Dehalococcoides" spp. and Desulfitobacterium spp. were detected in the majority of the environmental samples independently of the dechlorination end product formed. The concomitant presence of Dehalococcoides spp. and Desulfitobacterium spp. in the majority of the enrichments suggested that chloroethene dechlorination was probably the result of catalysis by at least two organohalide-respiring genera either in parallel or by stepwise catalysis. A more detailed study of one enrichment on cis-DCE suggested that in this culture Desulfitobacterium spp. as well as Dehalococcoides spp. dechlorinated cis-DCE whereas dechlorination of VC was only catalyzed by the latter.

Influence of organic and inorganic compounds on oxidoreductive decolorization of sulfonated azo dye C.I. Reactive Orange 16

An isolated bacterial strain is placed in the branch of the Bacillus genus on the basis of 16S rRNA sequence and biochemical characteristics. It decolorized an individual and mixture of dyes, including reactive, disperse and direct. Bacillus sp. ADR showed 88% decolorization of sulfonated azo dye C.I. Reactive Orange 16 (100 mg L(-1)) with 2.62 mg of dye decolorized g(-1) dry cells h(-1) as specific decolorization rate along with 50% reduction in COD under static condition. The optimum pH and temperature for the decolorization was 7-8 and 30-40 degrees C, respectively. It was found to tolerate the sulfonated azo dye concentration up to 1.0 g L(-1). Significant induction in the activity of an extracellular phenol oxidase and NADH-DCIP reductase enzymes during decolorization of C.I. Reactive Orange 16 suggest their involvement in the decolorization. The metal salt (CaCl2), stabilizers (3,4-dimethoxy benzyl alcohol and o-tolidine) and electron donors (sodium acetate, sodium formate, sodium succinate, sodium citrate and sodium pyruvate) enhanced the C.I. Reactive Orange 16 decolorization rate of Bacillus sp. ADR. The 6-nitroso naphthol and dihydroperoxy benzene were final products obtained after decolorization of C.I. Reactive Orange 16 as characterized using FTIR and GC-MS.

Correlation of Dehalococcoides 16S rRNA and chloroethene-reductive dehalogenase genes with geochemical conditions in chloroethene-contaminated groundwater

Quantitative analysis of genes that code for Dehalococcoides 16S rRNA and chloroethene-reductive dehalogenases TceA, VcrA, and BvcA was done on groundwater sampled from 150 monitoring wells spread over 11 chlorinated ethene polluted European locations. Redundancy analysis was used to relate molecular data to geochemical conditions. Dehalococcoides 16S rRNA- and vinyl chloride (VC)-reductase genes were present at all tested locations in concentrations up to 10(6) gene copies per ml of groundwater. However, differences between and also within locations were observed. Variation in Dehalococcoides 16S rRNA gene copy numbers were most strongly correlated to dissolved organic carbon concentration in groundwater and to conditions appropriate for biodegradation of chlorinated ethenes (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency score). In contrast, vcrA gene copy numbers correlated most significantly to VC and chlorinated ethene concentrations. Interestingly, bvcA and especially tceA were more correlated with oxidizing conditions. In groundwater microcosms, dechlorination of 1 mM VC was correlated to an increase of vcrA and/or bvcA gene copies by 2 to 4 orders of magnitude. Interestingly, in 34% of the monitoring wells and in 40% of the active microcosms, the amount of individual VC-reductase gene copies exceeded that of Dehalococcoides 16S rRNA gene copies. It is concluded that the geographical distribution of the genes was not homogeneous, depending on the geochemical conditions, whereby tceA and bvcA correlated to more oxidized conditions than Dehalococcoides 16S rRNA and vcrA. Because the variation in VC-reductase gene numbers was not directly correlated to variation in Dehalococcoides spp., VC-reductase genes are better monitoring parameters for VC dechlorination capacity than Dehalococcoides spp.

Reductive dehalogenation of trichloroethene vapors in an anaerobic biotrickling filter

Until now, it has not been possible to use biofiltration to treat trichloroethene (TCE) from waste gases generated by soil vapor extraction or dual-phase extraction at remediation sites because aerobic biodegradation of TCE is possible only via cometabolism, which is difficult to engineer on a large scale. This study looks at the possibility of conducting anaerobic gas-phase biotreatment of TCE vapors. The vision is that nitrogen sparging could be substituted for air sparging, resulting in TCE contaminated oxygen-free gas streams which require treatment A lab-scale anaerobic biotrickling filter inoculated with a mixed culture containing multiple Dehalococcoides strains was used for the proof of concept TCE vapors were removed via reductive dechlorination and converted to ethene, cis-1,2-dichloroethene (cis-DCE), and vinyl chloride (VC). Sodium lactate, a fermentable substrate, was provided to the reactor through the recirculating liquid as a source of hydrogen, the electron donor for Dehalococcoides strains. The biotrickling filter was able to remove >90% TCE at loadings of up to 4 g m(bed)(-3) h(-1) and sustained performance for over 200 days. The distribution of the intermediates of TCE biological reduction was found to be affected by the pH of the recirculating liquid. At pH 8.3, the primary accumulating productwas cis-DCE (approximately 92% of the TCE removed); while at pH 6.85-6.9, conversion to ethene, the intended end product, was 50-67% of the TCE removed. Kinetic determinations using batch biotrickling filter operation showed that VC reduction and not cis-DCE reduction was the sloweststep. Overall, the study shows that sustained anaerobic biotreatment of TCE vapors in biotrickling filters is possible.

Protistan predation affects trichloroethene biodegradation in a bedrock aquifer

Despite extensive research on the bottom-up force of resource availability (e.g., electron donors and acceptors), slow biodegradation rates and stalling at cis-dichloroethene (cDCE) and vinyl chloride continue to be observed in aquifers contaminated with trichloroethene (TCE). The objective of this research was to gauge the impact of the top-down force of protistan predation on TCE biodegradation in laboratory microcosms. When indigenous bacteria from an electron donor-limited TCE-contaminated bedrock aquifer were present, the indigenous protists inhibited reductive dechlorination altogether. The presence of protists during organic carbon-amended conditions caused the bacteria to elongate (length:width, > or =10:1), but reductive dechlorination was still inhibited. When a commercially available dechlorinating bacterial culture and an organic carbon amendment were added in he presence of protists, the elongated bacteria predominated and reductive dechlorination stalled at cDCE. When protists were removed under organic carbon-amended conditions, reductive dechlorination stalled at cDCE, whereas in the presence organic carbon and bacterial amendments, the total chlorinated ethene concentration decreased, indicating TCE was converted to ethene and/or CO2. The data suggested that indigenous protists grazed dechlorinators to extremely low levels, inhibiting dechlorination altogether. Hence, in situ bioremediation/bioaugmentation may not be successful in mineralizing TCE unless the top-down force of protistan predation is inhibited.