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Muhammad R, Boothman C, Song H, Lloyd JR, van Dongen BE. Assessing the impacts of oil contamination on microbial communities in a Niger Delta soil. Sci Total Environ 2024; 926:171813. [PMID: 38513868 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Oil spills are a global challenge, contaminating the environment with organics and metals known to elicit toxic effects. Ecosystems within Nigeria's Niger Delta have suffered from prolonged severe spills for many decades but the level of impact on the soil microbial community structure and the potential for contaminant bioremediation remains unclear. Here, we assessed the extent/impact of an oil spill in this area 6 months after the accident on both the soil microbial community/diversity and the distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon ring-hydroxylating dioxygenase (PAH-RHDGNα) genes, responsible for encoding enzymes involved in the degradation of PAHs, across the impacted area. Analyses confirmed the presence of oil contamination, including metals such as Cr and Ni, across the whole impacted area and at depth. The contamination impacted on the microbial community composition, resulting in a lower diversity in all contaminated soils. Gamma-, Delta-, Alpha- proteobacteria and Acidobacteriia dominated 16S rRNA gene sequences across the contaminated area, while Ktedonobacteria dominated the non-contaminated soils. The PAH-RHDαGN genes were only detected in the contaminated area, highlighting a clear relationship with the oil contamination/hydrocarbon metabolism. Correlation analysis indicated significant positive relationships between the oil contaminants (organics, Cr and Ni), PAH-RHDαGN gene, and the presence of bacteria/archaea such as Anaerolinea, Spirochaetia Bacteroidia Thermoplasmata, Methanomicrobia, and Methanobacteria indicating that the oil contamination not only impacted the microbial community/diversity present, but that the microbes across the impacted area and at depth were potentially playing an important role in degrading the oil contamination present. These findings provide new insights on the level of oil contamination remaining 6 months after an oil spill, its impacts on indigenous soil microbial communities and their potential for in situ bioremediation within a Niger Delta's ecosystem. It highlights the strength of using a cross-disciplinary approach to assess the extent of oil pollution in a single study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakiya Muhammad
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, University of Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Christopher Boothman
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, University of Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Hokyung Song
- Division of Life Sciences, Korea Polar Research Institute, 26 Songdomirae-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 21990, Republic of Korea
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, University of Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Bart E van Dongen
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, University of Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
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2
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Xie J, Zhao Z, Coker VS, O'Driscoll B, Cai R, Haigh SJ, Holmes SM, Lloyd JR. Bioproduction of cerium-bearing magnetite and application to improve carbon-black supported platinum catalysts. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:203. [PMID: 38659001 PMCID: PMC11041677 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02464-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biogeochemical processing of metals including the fabrication of novel nanomaterials from metal contaminated waste streams by microbial cells is an area of intense interest in the environmental sciences. RESULTS Here we focus on the fate of Ce during the microbial reduction of a suite of Ce-bearing ferrihydrites with between 0.2 and 4.2 mol% Ce. Cerium K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) analyses showed that trivalent and tetravalent cerium co-existed, with a higher proportion of tetravalent cerium observed with increasing Ce-bearing of the ferrihydrite. The subsurface metal-reducing bacterium Geobacter sulfurreducens was used to bioreduce Ce-bearing ferrihydrite, and with 0.2 mol% and 0.5 mol% Ce, an Fe(II)-bearing mineral, magnetite (Fe(II)(III)2O4), formed alongside a small amount of goethite (FeOOH). At higher Ce-doping (1.4 mol% and 4.2 mol%) Fe(III) bioreduction was inhibited and goethite dominated the final products. During microbial Fe(III) reduction Ce was not released to solution, suggesting Ce remained associated with the Fe minerals during redox cycling, even at high Ce loadings. In addition, Fe L2,3 X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) analyses suggested that Ce partially incorporated into the Fe(III) crystallographic sites in the magnetite. The use of Ce-bearing biomagnetite prepared in this study was tested for hydrogen fuel cell catalyst applications. Platinum/carbon black electrodes were fabricated, containing 10% biomagnetite with 0.2 mol% Ce in the catalyst. The addition of bioreduced Ce-magnetite improved the electrode durability when compared to a normal Pt/CB catalyst. CONCLUSION Different concentrations of Ce can inhibit the bioreduction of Fe(III) minerals, resulting in the formation of different bioreduction products. Bioprocessing of Fe-minerals to form Ce-containing magnetite (potentially from waste sources) offers a sustainable route to the production of fuel cell catalysts with improved performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinxin Xie
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
| | - Ziyu Zhao
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Victoria S Coker
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Brian O'Driscoll
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Rongsheng Cai
- Department of Materials, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Sarah J Haigh
- Department of Materials, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Stuart M Holmes
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
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Morriss CE, Cheung CK, Nunn E, Parmeggiani F, Powell NA, Kimber RL, Haigh SJ, Lloyd JR. Biosynthesis Parameters Control the Physicochemical and Catalytic Properties of Microbially Supported Pd Nanoparticles. Small 2024:e2311016. [PMID: 38461530 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202311016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
The biosynthesis of Pd nanoparticles supported on microorganisms (bio-Pd) is achieved via the enzymatic reduction of Pd(II) to Pd(0) under ambient conditions using inexpensive buffers and electron donors, like organic acids or hydrogen. Sustainable bio-Pd catalysts are effective for C-C coupling and hydrogenation reactions, but their industrial application is limited by challenges in controlling nanoparticle properties. Here, using the metal-reducing bacterium Geobacter sulfurreducens, it is demonstrated that synthesizing bio-Pd under different Pd loadings and utilizing different electron donors (acetate, formate, hydrogen, no e- donor) influences key properties such as nanoparticle size, Pd(II):Pd(0) ratio, and cellular location. Controlling nanoparticle size and location controls the activity of bio-Pd for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol, whereas high Pd loading on cells synthesizes bio-Pd with high activity, comparable to commercial Pd/C, for Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reactions. Additionally, the study demonstrates the novel synthesis of microbially-supported ≈2 nm PdO nanoparticles due to the hydrolysis of biosorbed Pd(II) in bicarbonate buffer. Bio-PdO nanoparticles show superior activity in 4-nitrophenol reduction compared to commercial Pd/C catalysts. Overall, controlling biosynthesis parameters, such as electron donor, metal loading, and solution chemistry, enables tailoring of bio-Pd physicochemical and catalytic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Egan Morriss
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
- Department of Materials, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Casey K Cheung
- Department of Materials, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Elliot Nunn
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Fabio Parmeggiani
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Materiali ed Ingegneria Chimica "Giulio Natta", Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, Milan, 20133, Italy
| | | | - Richard L Kimber
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Sarah J Haigh
- Department of Materials, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
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Xiu W, Gai R, Chen S, Ren C, Lloyd JR, Bassil NM, Nixon SL, Polya DA, Hou S, Guo H. Ammonium-Enhanced Arsenic Mobilization from Aquifer Sediments. Environ Sci Technol 2024. [PMID: 38317381 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c09640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Ammonium-related pathways are important for groundwater arsenic (As) enrichment, especially via microbial Fe(III) reduction coupled with anaerobic ammonium oxidation; however, the key pathways (and microorganisms) underpinning ammonium-induced Fe(III) reduction and their contributions to As mobilization in groundwater are still unknown. To address this gap, aquifer sediments hosting high As groundwater from the western Hetao Basin were incubated with 15N-labeled ammonium and external organic carbon sources (including glucose, lactate, and lactate/acetate). Decreases in ammonium concentrations were positively correlated with increases in the total produced Fe(II) (Fe(II)tot) and released As. The molar ratios of Fe(II)tot to oxidized ammonium ranged from 3.1 to 3.7 for all incubations, and the δ15N values of N2 from the headspace increased in 15N-labeled ammonium-treated series, suggesting N2 as the key end product of ammonium oxidation. The addition of ammonium increased the As release by 16.1% to 49.6%, which was more pronounced when copresented with organic electron donors. Genome-resolved metagenomic analyses (326 good-quality MAGs) suggested that ammonium-induced Fe(III) reduction in this system required syntrophic metabolic interactions between bacterial Fe(III) reduction and archaeal ammonium oxidation. The current results highlight the significance of syntrophic ammonium-stimulated Fe(III) reduction in driving As mobilization, which is underestimated in high As groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Xiu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China
- Institute of Earth sciences, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
- MWR Key Laboratory of Groundwater Conservation and School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Ruixuan Gai
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China
- Institute of Earth sciences, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Songze Chen
- Shenzhen Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center of Guangdong Province, Shenzhen 518049, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Archaea Geo-Omics, Department of Ocean Science and Department of Ocean Science & Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Cui Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China
- MWR Key Laboratory of Groundwater Conservation and School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Naji M Bassil
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Sophie L Nixon
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN, U.K
| | - David A Polya
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Shengwei Hou
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Archaea Geo-Omics, Department of Ocean Science and Department of Ocean Science & Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Huaming Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China
- MWR Key Laboratory of Groundwater Conservation and School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
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5
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Eshun LE, Coker VS, Shaw S, Lloyd JR. Strategies for optimizing biovivianite production using dissimilatory Fe(III)-reducing bacteria. Environ Res 2024; 242:117667. [PMID: 37980994 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Vivianite (Fe3(PO4)2·8H2O), a sink for phosphorus, is a key mineralization product formed during the microbial reduction of phosphate-containing Fe(III) minerals in natural systems, and also in wastewater treatment where Fe(III)-minerals are used to remove phosphate. As biovivianite is a potentially useful Fe and P fertiliser, there is much interest in harnessing microbial biovivianite synthesis for circular economy applications. In this study, we investigated the factors that influence the formation of microbially-synthesized vivianite (biovivianite) under laboratory batch systems including the presence and absence of phosphate and electron shuttle, the buffer system, pH, and the type of Fe(III)-reducing bacteria (comparing Geobacter sulfurreducens and Shewanella putrefaciens). The rate of Fe(II) production, and its interactions with the residual Fe(III) and other oxyanions (e.g., phosphate and carbonate) were the main factors that controlled the rate and extent of biovivianite formation. Higher concentrations of phosphate (e.g., P/Fe = 1) in the presence of an electron shuttle, at an initial pH between 6 and 7, were needed for optimal biovivianite formation. Green rust, a key intermediate in biovivianite production, could be detected as an endpoint alongside vivianite and metavivianite (Fe2+Fe3+2(PO4)2.(OH)2.6H2O), in treatments with G. sulfurreducens and S. putrefaciens. However, XRD indicated that vivianite abundance was higher in experiments containing G. sulfurreducens, where it dominated. This study, therefore, shows that vivianite formation can be controlled to optimize yield during microbial processing of phosphate-loaded Fe(III) materials generated from water treatment processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lordina E Eshun
- University of Manchester, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Geomicrobiology Group, Williamson Building, M13 9QQ, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK.
| | - Victoria S Coker
- University of Manchester, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Geomicrobiology Group, Williamson Building, M13 9QQ, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK.
| | - Samuel Shaw
- University of Manchester, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Geomicrobiology Group, Williamson Building, M13 9QQ, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK.
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- University of Manchester, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Geomicrobiology Group, Williamson Building, M13 9QQ, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK.
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6
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Thorpe CL, Crawford R, Hand RJ, Radford JT, Corkhill CL, Pearce CI, Neeway JJ, Plymale AE, Kruger AA, Morris K, Boothman C, Lloyd JR. Microbial interactions with phosphorus containing glasses representative of vitrified radioactive waste. J Hazard Mater 2024; 462:132667. [PMID: 37839373 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
The presence of phosphorus in borosilicate glass (at 0.1 - 1.3 mol% P2O5) and in iron-phosphate glass (at 53 mol% P2O5) stimulated the growth and metabolic activity of anaerobic bacteria in model systems. Dissolution of these phosphorus containing glasses was either inhibited or accelerated by microbial metabolic activity, depending on the solution chemistry and the glass composition. The breakdown of organic carbon to volatile fatty acids increased glass dissolution. The interaction of microbially reduced Fe(II) with phosphorus-containing glass under anoxic conditions decreased dissolution rates, whereas the interaction of Fe(III) with phosphorus-containing glass under oxic conditions increased glass dissolution. Phosphorus addition to borosilicate glasses did not significantly affect the microbial species present, however, the diversity of the microbial community was enhanced on the surface of the iron phosphate glass. Results demonstrate the potential for microbes to influence the geochemistry of radioactive waste disposal environments with implication for wasteform durability.
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Affiliation(s)
- C L Thorpe
- Immobilization Science Laboratory, Sir Robert Hadfield Building, University of Sheffield, S1 3JD, UK.
| | - R Crawford
- Immobilization Science Laboratory, Sir Robert Hadfield Building, University of Sheffield, S1 3JD, UK
| | - R J Hand
- Immobilization Science Laboratory, Sir Robert Hadfield Building, University of Sheffield, S1 3JD, UK
| | - J T Radford
- Immobilization Science Laboratory, Sir Robert Hadfield Building, University of Sheffield, S1 3JD, UK
| | - C L Corkhill
- Immobilization Science Laboratory, Sir Robert Hadfield Building, University of Sheffield, S1 3JD, UK; School of Earth Sciences, The University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - C I Pearce
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | - J J Neeway
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | - A E Plymale
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | - A A Kruger
- Office of River Protection, US Department of Energy, Richland, WA, USA
| | - K Morris
- Williamson Research Centre and Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, Williamson Building, University of Manchester, 176 Oxford Road, M13 9PL, UK
| | - C Boothman
- Williamson Research Centre and Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, Williamson Building, University of Manchester, 176 Oxford Road, M13 9PL, UK
| | - J R Lloyd
- Williamson Research Centre and Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, Williamson Building, University of Manchester, 176 Oxford Road, M13 9PL, UK
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Barton F, Spencer BF, Tartèse R, Graham J, Shaw S, Morris K, Lloyd JR. The potential role of biofilms in promoting fouling formation in radioactive discharge pipelines. Biofouling 2023; 39:785-799. [PMID: 37877442 DOI: 10.1080/08927014.2023.2269532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear facility discharge pipelines accumulate inorganic and microbial fouling and radioactive contamination, however, research investigating the mechanisms that lead to their accumulation is limited. Using the Sellafield discharge pipeline as a model system, this study utilised modified Robbins devices to investigate the potential interplay between inorganic and biological processes in supporting fouling formation and radionuclide uptake. Initial experiments showed polyelectrolytes (present in pipeline effluents), had minimal effects on fouling formation. Biofilms were, however, found to be the key component promoting fouling, leading to increased uptake of inorganic particulates and metal contaminants (Cs, Sr, Co, Eu and Ru) compared to a non-biofilm control system. Biologically-mediated uptake mechanisms were implicated in Co and Ru accumulation, with a potential bioreduced Ru species identified on the biofilm system. This research emphasised the key role of biofilms in promoting fouling in discharge pipelines, advocating for the use of biocide treatments methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franky Barton
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Ben F Spencer
- Henry Royce Institute and Department of Materials, School of Natural Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Romain Tartèse
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - James Graham
- National Nuclear Laboratory, Central Laboratory, Sellafield, Seascale, Cumbria, United Kingdom
| | - Samuel Shaw
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine Morris
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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Valle A, de la Calle ME, Muhamadali H, Hollywood KA, Xu Y, Lloyd JR, Goodacre R, Cantero D, Bolivar J. Metabolomics of Escherichia coli for Disclosing Novel Metabolic Engineering Strategies for Enhancing Hydrogen and Ethanol Production. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11619. [PMID: 37511377 PMCID: PMC10380867 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The biological production of hydrogen is an appealing approach to mitigating the environmental problems caused by the diminishing supply of fossil fuels and the need for greener energy. Escherichia coli is one of the best-characterized microorganisms capable of consuming glycerol-a waste product of the biodiesel industry-and producing H2 and ethanol. However, the natural capacity of E. coli to generate these compounds is insufficient for commercial or industrial purposes. Metabolic engineering allows for the rewiring of the carbon source towards H2 production, although the strategies for achieving this aim are difficult to foresee. In this work, we use metabolomics platforms through GC-MS and FT-IR techniques to detect metabolic bottlenecks in the engineered ΔldhΔgndΔfrdBC::kan (M4) and ΔldhΔgndΔfrdBCΔtdcE::kan (M5) E. coli strains, previously reported as improved H2 and ethanol producers. In the M5 strain, increased intracellular citrate and malate were detected by GC-MS. These metabolites can be redirected towards acetyl-CoA and formate by the overexpression of the citrate lyase (CIT) enzyme and by co-overexpressing the anaplerotic human phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase (hPEPCK) or malic (MaeA) enzymes using inducible promoter vectors. These strategies enhanced specific H2 production by up to 1.25- and 1.49-fold, respectively, compared to the reference strains. Other parameters, such as ethanol and H2 yields, were also enhanced. However, these vectors may provoke metabolic burden in anaerobic conditions. Therefore, alternative strategies for a tighter control of protein expression should be addressed in order to avoid undesirable effects in the metabolic network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Valle
- Department of Biomedicine, Biotechnology and Public Health-Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, University of Cadiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain
- Institute of Viticulture and Agri-Food Research (IVAGRO)-International Campus of Excellence (ceiA3), University of Cadiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain
| | - Maria Elena de la Calle
- Department of Biomedicine, Biotechnology and Public Health-Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, University of Cadiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Technology, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, University of Cadiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain
| | - Howbeer Muhamadali
- Centre for Metabolomics Research, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Systems Biology, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, BioSciences Building, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
- Manchester Centre for Synthetic Biology of Fine and Speciality Chemicals (SYNBIOCHEM), Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN, UK
| | - Katherine A Hollywood
- Manchester Centre for Synthetic Biology of Fine and Speciality Chemicals (SYNBIOCHEM), Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN, UK
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN, UK
| | - Yun Xu
- Centre for Metabolomics Research, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Systems Biology, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, BioSciences Building, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
- Manchester Centre for Synthetic Biology of Fine and Speciality Chemicals (SYNBIOCHEM), Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN, UK
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Williamson Research Centre, School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Royston Goodacre
- Centre for Metabolomics Research, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Systems Biology, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, BioSciences Building, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
- Manchester Centre for Synthetic Biology of Fine and Speciality Chemicals (SYNBIOCHEM), Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN, UK
| | - Domingo Cantero
- Institute of Viticulture and Agri-Food Research (IVAGRO)-International Campus of Excellence (ceiA3), University of Cadiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Technology, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, University of Cadiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain
| | - Jorge Bolivar
- Department of Biomedicine, Biotechnology and Public Health-Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, University of Cadiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain
- Institute of Biomolecules (INBIO), University of Cadiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain
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Zhang K, Foster L, Buchanan D, Coker VS, Pittman JK, Lloyd JR. The interplay between Cs and K in Pseudanabaena catenata; from microbial bloom control strategies to bioremediation options for radioactive waters. J Hazard Mater 2023; 445:130556. [PMID: 37055967 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Pseudanabaena dominates cyanobacterial blooms in the First-Generation Magnox Storage Pond (FGMSP) at a UK nuclear site. The fission product Cs is a radiologically significant radionuclide in the pond, and understanding the interactions between Cs and Pseudanabaena spp. is therefore important for determining facility management strategies, as well as improving understanding of microbiological responses to this non-essential chemical analogue of K. This study evaluated the fate of Cs following interactions with Pseudanabaena catenata, a laboratory strain most closely related to that dominating FGMSP blooms. Experiments showed that Cs (1 mM) exposure did not affect the growth of P. catenata, while a high concentration of K (5 mM) caused a significant reduction in cell yield. Scanning transmission X-ray microscopy elemental mapping identified Cs accumulation to discrete cytoplasmic locations within P. catenata cells, indicating a potential bioremediation option for Cs. Proteins related to stress responses and nutrient limitation (K, P) were stimulated by Cs treatment. Furthermore, selected K+ transport proteins were mis-regulated by Cs dosing, which indicates the importance of the K+ transport system for Cs accumulation. These findings enhance understanding of Cs fate and biological responses within Pseudanabaena blooms, and indicate that K exposure might provide a microbial bloom control strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kejing Zhang
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Lynn Foster
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Dawn Buchanan
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Victoria S Coker
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Jon K Pittman
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
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10
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Hernandez-Becerra N, Cliffe L, Xiu W, Boothman C, Lloyd JR, Nixon SL. New microbiological insights from the Bowland shale highlight heterogeneity of the hydraulically fractured shale microbiome. Environ Microbiome 2023; 18:14. [PMID: 36855215 PMCID: PMC9972762 DOI: 10.1186/s40793-023-00465-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hydraulically fractured shales offer a window into the deep biosphere, where hydraulic fracturing creates new microbial ecosystems kilometers beneath the surface of the Earth. Studying the microbial communities from flowback fluids that are assumed to inhabit these environments provides insights into their ecophysiology, and in particular their ability to survive in these extreme environments as well as their influence on site operation e.g. via problematic biofouling processes and/or biocorrosion. Over the past decade, research on fractured shale microbiology has focused on wells in North America, with a few additional reported studies conducted in China. To extend the knowledge in this area, we characterized the geochemistry and microbial ecology of two exploratory shale gas wells in the Bowland Shale, UK. We then employed a meta-analysis approach to compare geochemical and 16S rRNA gene sequencing data from our study site with previously published research from geographically distinct formations spanning China, Canada and the USA. RESULTS Our findings revealed that fluids recovered from exploratory wells in the Bowland are characterized by moderate salinity and high microbial diversity. The microbial community was dominated by lineages known to degrade hydrocarbons, including members of Shewanellaceae, Marinobacteraceae, Halomonadaceae and Pseudomonadaceae. Moreover, UK fractured shale communities lacked the usually dominant Halanaerobium lineages. From our meta-analysis, we infer that chloride concentrations play a dominant role in controlling microbial community composition. Spatio-temporal trends were also apparent, with different shale formations giving rise to communities of distinct diversity and composition. CONCLUSIONS These findings highlight an unexpected level of compositional heterogeneity across fractured shale formations, which is not only relevant to inform management practices but also provides insight into the ability of diverse microbial consortia to tolerate the extreme conditions characteristic of the engineered deep subsurface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natali Hernandez-Becerra
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Lisa Cliffe
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Wei Xiu
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, China
| | - Christopher Boothman
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Sophie L Nixon
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
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11
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Zhang D, Ke T, Xiu W, Ren C, Chen G, Lloyd JR, Bassil NM, Richards LA, Polya DA, Wang G, Guo H. Quantifying sulfidization and non-sulfidization in long-term in-situ microbial colonized As(V)-ferrihydrite coated sand columns: Insights into As mobility. Sci Total Environ 2023; 858:160066. [PMID: 36356776 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Sulfide-induced reduction (sulfidization) of arsenic (As)-bearing Fe(III) (oxyhydro)oxides may lead to As mobilization in aquifer systems. However, little is known about the relative contributions of sulfidization and non-sulfidization of Fe(III) (oxyhydro)oxides reduction to As mobilization. To address this issue, high As groundwater with low sulfide (LS) and high sulfide (HS) concentrations were pumped through As(V)-bearing ferrihydrite-coated sand columns (LS-column and HS-column, respectively) being settled within wells in the western Hetao Basin, China. Sulfidization of As(V)-bearing ferrihydrite was evidenced by the increase in dissolved Fe(II) and the presence of solid Fe(II) and elemental sulfur (S0) in both the columns. A conceptual model was built using accumulated S0 and Fe(II) produced in the columns to calculate the proportions of sulfidization-induced Fe(III) (oxyhydro)oxide reduction and non-sulfidization-induced Fe(III) (oxyhydro)oxide reduction. Fe(III) reduction via sulfidization occurred preferentially in the inlet ends (LS-column, 31 %; HS-column, 86 %), while Fe(III) reduction via non-sulfidization processes predominated in the outlet ends (LS-column, 96 %; HS-column, 86 %), and was attributed to the metabolism of genera associated with Fe(III) reduction (including Shewanella, Ferribacterium, and Desulfuromonas). Arsenic was mobilized in the columns via sulfidization and non-sulfidization processes. More As was released from the solid of the HS-column than that of the LS-column due to the higher intensity of sulfidization in the presence of higher concentrations of dissolved S(-II). Overall, this study highlights the sulfidization of As-bearing Fe(III) (oxyhydro)oxides as an important As-mobilizing pathway in complex As-Fe-S bio-hydrogeochemical networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology and MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China; School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Tiantian Ke
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology and MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China; School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Wei Xiu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology and MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China; Institute of Earth sciences, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China; School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China; Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom.
| | - Cui Ren
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Guangyu Chen
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Naji M Bassil
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Laura A Richards
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - David A Polya
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Guangcai Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology and MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China; School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Huaming Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology and MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China; School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China.
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12
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Solano-Arguedas AF, Boothman C, Newsome L, Pattrick RAD, Arguedas-Quesada D, Robinson CH, Lloyd JR. Geochemistry and microbiology of tropical serpentine soils in the Santa Elena Ophiolite, a landscape-biogeographical approach. Geochem Trans 2022; 23:2. [PMID: 36167930 PMCID: PMC9516835 DOI: 10.1186/s12932-022-00079-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The Santa Elena Ophiolite is a well-studied ultramafic system in Costa Rica mainly comprised of peridotites. Here, tropical climatic conditions promote active laterite formation processes, but the biogeochemistry of the resulting serpentine soils is still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to characterize the soil geochemical composition and microbial community of contrasting landscapes in the area, as the foundation to start exploring the biogeochemistry of metals occurring there. The soils were confirmed as Ni-rich serpentine soils but differed depending on their geographical location within the ophiolite area, showing three serpentine soil types. Weathering processes resulted in mountain soils rich in trace metals such as cobalt, manganese and nickel. The lowlands showed geochemical variations despite sharing similar landscapes: the inner ophiolite lowland soils were more like the surrounding mountain soils rather than the north lowland soils at the border of the ophiolite area, and within the same riparian basin, concentrations of trace metals were higher downstream towards the mangrove area. Microbial community composition reflected the differences in geochemical composition of soils and revealed potential geomicrobiological inputs to local metal biogeochemistry: iron redox cycling bacteria were more abundant in the mountain soils, while more manganese-oxidizing bacteria were found in the lowlands, with the highest relative abundance in the mangrove areas. The fundamental ecological associations recorded in the serpentine soils of the Santa Elena Peninsula, and its potential as a serpentinization endemism hotspot, demonstrate that is a model site to study the biogeochemistry, geomicrobiology and ecology of tropical serpentine areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustín F Solano-Arguedas
- Williamson Research Centre, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
- Forest Resources Unit (Reforesta), Engineering Research Institute (INII) and School of Chemistry, Universidad de Costa Rica, Montes de Oca, San José, 11501-2260, Costa Rica.
| | - Christopher Boothman
- Williamson Research Centre, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Laura Newsome
- Williamson Research Centre, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
- Camborne School of Mines and Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Richard A D Pattrick
- Williamson Research Centre, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Daniel Arguedas-Quesada
- Sociedad Civil Pro Ambiente Verdiazul CR, Playa Junquillal de Santa Cruz, Guanacaste, 50303, Costa Rica
| | - Clare H Robinson
- Williamson Research Centre, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Williamson Research Centre, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
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13
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Ho MS, Vettese GF, Morris K, Lloyd JR, Boothman C, Bower WR, Shaw S, Law GTW. Retention of immobile Se(0) in flow-through aquifer column systems during bioreduction and oxic-remobilization. Sci Total Environ 2022; 834:155332. [PMID: 35460788 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Selenium (Se) is a toxic contaminant with multiple anthropogenic sources, including 79Se from nuclear fission. Se mobility in the geosphere is generally governed by its oxidation state, therefore understanding Se speciation under variable redox conditions is important for the safe management of Se contaminated sites. Here, we investigate Se behavior in sediment groundwater column systems. Experiments were conducted with environmentally relevant Se concentrations, using a range of groundwater compositions, and the impact of electron-donor (i.e., biostimulation) and groundwater sulfate addition was examined over a period of 170 days. X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy and standard geochemical techniques were used to track changes in sediment associated Se concentration and speciation. Electron-donor amended systems with and without added sulfate retained up to 90% of added Se(VI)(aq), with sediment associated Se speciation dominated by trigonal Se(0) and possibly trace Se(-II); no Se colloid formation was observed. The remobilization potential of the sediment associated Se species was then tested in reoxidation and seawater intrusion perturbation experiments. In all treatments, sediment associated Se (i.e., trigonal Se(0)) was largely resistant to remobilization over the timescale of the experiments (170 days). However, in the perturbation experiments, less Se was remobilized from sulfidic sediments, suggesting that previous sulfate-reducing conditions may buffer Se against remobilization and migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mallory S Ho
- Radiochemistry Unit, Department of Chemistry, University of Helsinki, 00014, Finland
| | - Gianni F Vettese
- Radiochemistry Unit, Department of Chemistry, University of Helsinki, 00014, Finland
| | - Katherine Morris
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Christopher Boothman
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - William R Bower
- Radiochemistry Unit, Department of Chemistry, University of Helsinki, 00014, Finland
| | - Samuel Shaw
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Gareth T W Law
- Radiochemistry Unit, Department of Chemistry, University of Helsinki, 00014, Finland.
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14
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Valle A, Soto Z, Muhamadali H, Hollywood KA, Xu Y, Lloyd JR, Goodacre R, Cantero D, Cabrera G, Bolivar J. Metabolomics for the design of new metabolic engineering strategies for improving aerobic succinic acid production in Escherichia coli. Metabolomics 2022; 18:56. [PMID: 35857216 PMCID: PMC9300530 DOI: 10.1007/s11306-022-01912-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Glycerol is a byproduct from the biodiesel industry that can be biotransformed by Escherichia coli to high added-value products such as succinate under aerobic conditions. The main genetic engineering strategies to achieve this aim involve the mutation of succinate dehydrogenase (sdhA) gene and also those responsible for acetate synthesis including acetate kinase, phosphate acetyl transferase and pyruvate oxidase encoded by ackA, pta and pox genes respectively in the ΔsdhAΔack-ptaΔpox (M4) mutant. Other genetic manipulations to rewire the metabolism toward succinate consist on the activation of the glyoxylate shunt or blockage the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) by deletion of isocitrate lyase repressor (iclR) or gluconate dehydrogenase (gnd) genes on M4-ΔiclR and M4-Δgnd mutants respectively. OBJECTIVE To deeply understand the effect of the blocking of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) or the activation of the glyoxylate shunt, metabolite profiles were analyzed on M4-Δgnd, M4-ΔiclR and M4 mutants. METHODS Metabolomics was performed by FT-IR and GC-MS for metabolite fingerprinting and HPLC for quantification of succinate and glycerol. RESULTS Most of the 65 identified metabolites showed lower relative levels in the M4-ΔiclR and M4-Δgnd mutants than those of the M4. However, fructose 1,6-biphosphate, trehalose, isovaleric acid and mannitol relative concentrations were increased in M4-ΔiclR and M4-Δgnd mutants. To further improve succinate production, the synthesis of mannitol was suppressed by deletion of mannitol dehydrogenase (mtlD) on M4-ΔgndΔmtlD mutant that increase ~ 20% respect to M4-Δgnd. CONCLUSION Metabolomics can serve as a holistic tool to identify bottlenecks in metabolic pathways by a non-rational design. Genetic manipulation to release these restrictions could increase the production of succinate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Valle
- Department of Biomedicine, Biotechnology and Public Health-Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Cadiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain.
- Institute of Viticulture and Agri-Food Research (IVAGRO) - International Campus of Excellence (ceiA3), University of Cadiz, 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain.
| | - Zamira Soto
- Department of Biomedicine, Biotechnology and Public Health-Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Cadiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Technology, University of Cadiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
- Faculty of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, Universidad Simón Bolívar, 080020, Barranquilla, Colombia
| | - Howbeer Muhamadali
- School of Chemistry, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Integrative Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Biosciences Building, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Katherine A Hollywood
- Manchester Centre for Synthetic Biology of Fine and Speciality Chemicals (SYNBIOCHEM), Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Yun Xu
- School of Chemistry, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Integrative Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Biosciences Building, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Williamson Research Centre, School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Royston Goodacre
- School of Chemistry, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Integrative Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Biosciences Building, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Domingo Cantero
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Technology, University of Cadiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
- Institute of Viticulture and Agri-Food Research (IVAGRO) - International Campus of Excellence (ceiA3), University of Cadiz, 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Gema Cabrera
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Technology, University of Cadiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
- Institute of Viticulture and Agri-Food Research (IVAGRO) - International Campus of Excellence (ceiA3), University of Cadiz, 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Jorge Bolivar
- Department of Biomedicine, Biotechnology and Public Health-Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Cadiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain.
- Institute of Biomolecules (INBIO), University of Cadiz, 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain.
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15
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Xiu W, Wu M, Nixon SL, Lloyd JR, Bassil NM, Gai R, Zhang T, Su Z, Guo H. Genome-Resolved Metagenomic Analysis of Groundwater: Insights into Arsenic Mobilization in Biogeochemical Interaction Networks. Environ Sci Technol 2022; 56:10105-10119. [PMID: 35763428 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c02623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
High-arsenic (As) groundwaters, a worldwide issue, are critically controlled by multiple interconnected biogeochemical processes. However, there is limited information on the complex biogeochemical interaction networks that cause groundwater As enrichment in aquifer systems. The western Hetao basin was selected as a study area to address this knowledge gap, offering an aquifer system where groundwater flows from an oxidizing proximal fan (low dissolved As) to a reducing flat plain (high dissolved As). The key microbial interaction networks underpinning the biogeochemical pathways responsible for As mobilization along the groundwater flow path were characterized by genome-resolved metagenomic analysis. Genes associated with microbial Fe(II) oxidation and dissimilatory nitrate reduction were noted in the proximal fan, suggesting the importance of nitrate-dependent Fe(II) oxidation in immobilizing As. However, genes catalyzing microbial Fe(III) reduction (omcS) and As(V) detoxification (arsC) were highlighted in groundwater samples downgradient flow path, inferring that reductive dissolution of As-bearing Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides mobilized As(V), followed by enzymatic reduction to As(III). Genes associated with ammonium oxidation (hzsABC and hdh) were also positively correlated with Fe(III) reduction (omcS), suggesting a role for the Feammox process in driving As mobilization. The current study illustrates how genomic sequencing tools can help dissect complex biogeochemical systems, and strengthen biogeochemical models that capture key aspects of groundwater As enrichment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Xiu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, P. R. China
- Institute of Earth sciences, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, P. R. China
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, P. R. China
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
| | - Min Wu
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
| | - Sophie L Nixon
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN, U.K
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
| | - Naji M Bassil
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
| | - Ruixuan Gai
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, P. R. China
- Institute of Earth sciences, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, P. R. China
| | - Tianjing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, P. R. China
- Institute of Earth sciences, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, P. R. China
| | - Zhan Su
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, P. R. China
- Institute of Earth sciences, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, P. R. China
| | - Huaming Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, P. R. China
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, P. R. China
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16
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Lopez-Adams R, Fairclough SM, Lyon IC, Haigh SJ, Zhang J, Zhao FJ, Moore KL, Lloyd JR. Elucidating heterogeneous iron biomineralization patterns in a denitrifying As(iii)-oxidizing bacterium: implications for arsenic immobilization. Environ Sci Nano 2022; 9:1076-1090. [PMID: 35663418 PMCID: PMC9073584 DOI: 10.1039/d1en00905b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Anaerobic nitrate-dependent iron(ii) oxidation is a process common to many bacterial species, which promotes the formation of Fe(iii) minerals that can influence the fate of soil and groundwater pollutants, such as arsenic. Herein, we investigated simultaneous nitrate-dependent Fe(ii) and As(iii) oxidation by Acidovorax sp. strain ST3 with the aim of studying the Fe biominerals formed, their As immobilization capabilities and the metabolic effect on cells. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) nanodiffraction were applied for biomineral characterization in bulk and at the nanoscale, respectively. NanoSIMS (nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry) was used to map the intra and extracellular As and Fe distribution at the single-cell level and to trace metabolically active cells, by incorporation of a 13C-labeled substrate (acetate). Metabolic heterogeneity among bacterial cells was detected, with periplasmic Fe mineral encrustation deleterious to cell metabolism. Interestingly, Fe and As were not co-localized in all cells, indicating delocalized sites of As(iii) and Fe(ii) oxidation. The Fe(iii) minerals lepidocrocite and goethite were identified in XRD, although only lepidocrocite was identified via STEM nanodiffraction. Extracellular amorphous nanoparticles were formed earlier and retained more As(iii/v) than crystalline "flakes" of lepidocrocite, indicating that longer incubation periods promote the formation of more crystalline minerals with lower As retention capabilities. Thus, the addition of nitrate promotes Fe(ii) oxidation and formation of Fe(iii) biominerals by ST3 cells which retain As(iii/v), and although this process was metabolically detrimental to some cells, it warrants further examination as a viable mechanism for As removal in anoxic environments by biostimulation with nitrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebeca Lopez-Adams
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester Manchester UK
| | - Simon M Fairclough
- Department of Materials, University of Manchester Manchester UK
- Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
| | - Ian C Lyon
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester Manchester UK
| | - Sarah J Haigh
- Department of Materials, University of Manchester Manchester UK
| | - Jun Zhang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University Nanjing China
| | - Fang-Jie Zhao
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University Nanjing China
| | - Katie L Moore
- Department of Materials, University of Manchester Manchester UK
- Photon Science Institute, University of Manchester Manchester UK
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester Manchester UK
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17
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Egan-Morriss C, Kimber RL, Powell NA, Lloyd JR. Biotechnological synthesis of Pd-based nanoparticle catalysts. Nanoscale Adv 2022; 4:654-679. [PMID: 35224444 PMCID: PMC8805459 DOI: 10.1039/d1na00686j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Palladium metal nanoparticles are excellent catalysts used industrially for reactions such as hydrogenation and Heck and Suzuki C-C coupling reactions. However, the global demand for Pd far exceeds global supply, therefore the sustainable use and recycling of Pd is vital. Conventional chemical synthesis routes of Pd metal nanoparticles do not meet sustainability targets due to the use of toxic chemicals, such as organic solvents and capping agents. Microbes are capable of bioreducing soluble high oxidation state metal ions to form metal nanoparticles at ambient temperature and pressure, without the need for toxic chemicals. Microbes can also reduce metal from waste solutions, revalorising these waste streams and allowing the reuse of precious metals. Pd nanoparticles supported on microbial cells (bio-Pd) can catalyse a wide array of reactions, even outperforming commercial heterogeneous Pd catalysts in several studies. However, to be considered a viable commercial option, the intrinsic activity and selectivity of bio-Pd must be enhanced. Many types of microorganisms can produce bio-Pd, although most studies so far have been performed using bacteria, with metal reduction mediated by hydrogenase or formate dehydrogenase enzymes. Dissimilatory metal-reducing bacteria (DMRB) possess additional enzymes adapted for extracellular electron transport that potentially offer greater control over the properties of the nanoparticles produced. A recent and important addition to the field are bio-bimetallic nanoparticles, which significantly enhance the catalytic properties of bio-Pd. In addition, systems biology can integrate bio-Pd into biocatalytic processes, and processing techniques may enhance the catalytic properties further, such as incorporating additional functional nanomaterials. This review aims to highlight aspects of enzymatic metal reduction processes that can be bioengineered to control the size, shape, and cellular location of bio-Pd in order to optimise its catalytic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Egan-Morriss
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, University of Manchester UK
| | - Richard L Kimber
- Department of Environmental Geosciences, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna 1090 Vienna Austria
| | | | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, University of Manchester UK
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18
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Williamson AJ, Lloyd JR, Boothman C, Law GTW, Shaw S, Small JS, Vettese GF, Williams HA, Morris K. Biogeochemical Cycling of 99Tc in Alkaline Sediments. Environ Sci Technol 2021; 55:15862-15872. [PMID: 34825817 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c04416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
99Tc will be present in significant quantities in radioactive wastes including intermediate-level waste (ILW). The internationally favored concept for disposing of higher activity radioactive wastes including ILW is via deep geological disposal in an underground engineered facility located ∼200-1000 m deep. Typically, in the deep geological disposal environment, the subsurface will be saturated, cement will be used extensively as an engineering material, and iron will be ubiquitous. This means that understanding Tc biogeochemistry in high pH, cementitious environments is important to underpin safety case development. Here, alkaline sediment microcosms (pH 10) were incubated under anoxic conditions under "no added Fe(III)" and "with added Fe(III)" conditions (added as ferrihydrite) at three Tc concentrations (10-11, 10-6, and 10-4 mol L-1). In the 10-6 mol L-1 Tc experiments with no added Fe(III), ∼35% Tc(VII) removal occurred during bioreduction. Solvent extraction of the residual solution phase indicated that ∼75% of Tc was present as Tc(IV), potentially as colloids. In both biologically active and sterile control experiments with added Fe(III), Fe(II) formed during bioreduction and >90% Tc was removed from the solution, most likely due to abiotic reduction mediated by Fe(II). X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) showed that in bioreduced sediments, Tc was present as hydrous TcO2-like phases, with some evidence for an Fe association. When reduced sediments with added Fe(III) were air oxidized, there was a significant loss of Fe(II) over 1 month (∼50%), yet this was coupled to only modest Tc remobilization (∼25%). Here, XAS analysis suggested that with air oxidation, partial incorporation of Tc(IV) into newly forming Fe oxyhydr(oxide) minerals may be occurring. These data suggest that in Fe-rich, alkaline environments, biologically mediated processes may limit Tc mobility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Williamson
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
- CENBG-Équipe Radioactivité et Environnement, UMR 5797, CNRS-IN2P3/Université de Bordeaux, 19 chemin du Solarium, CS 10120, 33175 Gradignan, France
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
| | - Christopher Boothman
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
| | - Gareth T W Law
- Radiochemistry Unit, Department of Chemistry, The University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Samuel Shaw
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
| | - Joe S Small
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
- National Nuclear Laboratory, Risley, Warrington, Cheshire WA3 6AE, U.K
| | - Gianni F Vettese
- Radiochemistry Unit, Department of Chemistry, The University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Heather A Williams
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, U.K
| | - Katherine Morris
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
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19
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Xiu W, Ke T, Lloyd JR, Shen J, Bassil NM, Song H, Polya DA, Zhao Y, Guo H. Understanding Microbial Arsenic-Mobilization in Multiple Aquifers: Insight from DNA and RNA Analyses. Environ Sci Technol 2021; 55:15181-15195. [PMID: 34706533 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c04117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Biogeochemical processes critically control the groundwater arsenic (As) enrichment; however, the key active As-mobilizing biogeochemical processes and associated microbes in high dissolved As and sulfate aquifers are poorly understood. To address this issue, the groundwater-sediment geochemistry, total and active microbial communities, and their potential functions in the groundwater-sediment microbiota from the western Hetao basin were determined using 16S rRNA gene (rDNA) and associated 16S rRNA (rRNA) sequencing. The relative abundances of either sediment or groundwater total and active microbial communities were positively correlated. Interestingly, groundwater active microbial communities were mainly associated with ammonium and sulfide, while sediment active communities were highly related to water-extractable nitrate. Both sediment-sourced and groundwater-sourced active microorganisms (rRNA/rDNA ratios > 1) noted Fe(III)-reducers (induced by ammonium oxidation) and As(V)-reducers, emphasizing the As mobilization via Fe(III) and/or As(V) reduction. Moreover, active cryptic sulfur cycling between groundwater and sediments was implicated in affecting As mobilization. Sediment-sourced active microorganisms were potentially involved in anaerobic pyrite oxidation (driven by denitrification), while groundwater-sourced organisms were associated with sulfur disproportionation and sulfate reduction. This study provides an extended whole-picture concept model of active As-N-S-Fe biogeochemical processes affecting As mobilization in high dissolved As and sulfate aquifers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Xiu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
- Institute of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, P.R. China
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Tiantian Ke
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Jiaxing Shen
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Naji M Bassil
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Hokyung Song
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - David A Polya
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Yi Zhao
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Huaming Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, P.R. China
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20
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Byrd N, Lloyd JR, Small JS, Taylor F, Bagshaw H, Boothman C, Morris K. Microbial Degradation of Citric Acid in Low Level Radioactive Waste Disposal: Impact on Biomineralization Reactions. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:565855. [PMID: 33995289 PMCID: PMC8114274 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.565855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Organic complexants are present in some radioactive wastes and can challenge waste disposal as they may enhance subsurface mobility of radionuclides and contaminant species via chelation. The principal sources of organic complexing agents in low level radioactive wastes (LLW) originate from chemical decontamination activities. Polycarboxylic organic decontaminants such as citric and oxalic acid are of interest as currently there is a paucity of data on their biodegradation at high pH and under disposal conditions. This work explores the biogeochemical fate of citric acid, a model decontaminant, under high pH anaerobic conditions relevant to disposal of LLW in cementitious disposal environments. Anaerobic microcosm experiments were set up, using a high pH adapted microbial inoculum from a well characterized environmental site, to explore biodegradation of citrate under representative repository conditions. Experiments were initiated at three different pH values (10, 11, and 12) and citrate was supplied as the electron donor and carbon source, under fermentative, nitrate-, Fe(III)- and sulfate- reducing conditions. Results showed that citrate was oxidized using nitrate or Fe(III) as the electron acceptor at > pH 11. Citrate was fully degraded and removed from solution in the nitrate reducing system at pH 10 and pH 11. Here, the microcosm pH decreased as protons were generated during citrate oxidation. In the Fe(III)-reducing systems, the citrate removal rate was slower than in the nitrate reducing systems. This was presumably as Fe(III)-reduction consumes fewer moles of citrate than nitrate reduction for the same molar concentrations of electron acceptor. The pH did not change significantly in the Fe(III)-reducing systems. Sulfate reduction only occurred in a single microcosm at pH 10. Here, citrate was fully removed from solution, alongside ingrowth of acetate and formate, likely fermentation products. The acetate and lactate were subsequently used as electron donors during sulfate-reduction and there was an associated decrease in solution pH. Interestingly, in the Fe(III) reducing experiments, Fe(II) ingrowth was observed at pH values recorded up to 11.7. Here, TEM analysis of the resultant solid Fe-phase indicated that nanocrystalline magnetite formed as an end product of Fe(III)-reduction under these extreme conditions. PCR-based high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that bacteria capable of nitrate Fe(III) and sulfate reduction became enriched in the relevant, biologically active systems. In addition, some fermentative organisms were identified in the Fe(III)- and sulfate-reducing systems. The microbial communities present were consistent with expectations based on the geochemical data. These results are important to improve long-term environmental safety case development for cementitious LLW waste disposal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Byrd
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Joe S Small
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.,National Nuclear Laboratory, Warrington, United Kingdom
| | - Frank Taylor
- Low Level Waste Repository Ltd., Seascale, United Kingdom
| | - Heath Bagshaw
- School of Engineering, The University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Boothman
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine Morris
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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21
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Kuippers G, Morris K, Townsend LT, Bots P, Kvashnina K, Bryan ND, Lloyd JR. Biomineralization of Uranium-Phosphates Fueled by Microbial Degradation of Isosaccharinic Acid (ISA). Environ Sci Technol 2021; 55:4597-4606. [PMID: 33755437 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c03594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Geological disposal is the globally preferred long-term solution for higher activity radioactive wastes (HAW) including intermediate level waste (ILW). In a cementitious disposal system, cellulosic waste items present in ILW may undergo alkaline hydrolysis, producing significant quantities of isosaccharinic acid (ISA), a chelating agent for radionuclides. Although microbial degradation of ISA has been demonstrated, its impact upon the fate of radionuclides in a geological disposal facility (GDF) is a topic of ongoing research. This study investigates the fate of U(VI) in pH-neutral, anoxic, microbial enrichment cultures, approaching conditions similar to the far field of a GDF, containing ISA as the sole carbon source, and elevated phosphate concentrations, incubated both (i) under fermentation and (ii) Fe(III)-reducing conditions. In the ISA-fermentation experiment, U(VI) was precipitated as insoluble U(VI)-phosphates, whereas under Fe(III)-reducing conditions, the majority of the uranium was precipitated as reduced U(IV)-phosphates, presumably formed via enzymatic reduction mediated by metal-reducing bacteria, including Geobacter species. Overall, this suggests the establishment of a microbially mediated "bio-barrier" extending into the far field geosphere surrounding a GDF is possible and this biobarrier has the potential to evolve in response to GDF evolution and can have a controlling impact on the fate of radionuclides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina Kuippers
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal & Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
| | - Katherine Morris
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal & Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
| | - Luke T Townsend
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal & Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
| | - Pieter Bots
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal & Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G11XQ, U.K
| | - Kristina Kvashnina
- The Rossendorf Beamline at ESRF-The European Synchrotron, CS40220, 38043 Grenoble Cedex 9, France
- Helmholtz Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Resource Ecology, P.O. Box 510119, 01314 Dresden, Germany
| | - Nicholas D Bryan
- National Nuclear Laboratory Limited, Chadwick House, Warrington Road, Birchwood Park, Warrington, WA3 6AE, U.K
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal & Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
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22
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Lopez-Adams R, Newsome L, Moore KL, Lyon IC, Lloyd JR. Dissimilatory Fe(III) Reduction Controls on Arsenic Mobilization: A Combined Biogeochemical and NanoSIMS Imaging Approach. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:640734. [PMID: 33692773 PMCID: PMC7938665 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.640734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial metabolism plays a key role in controlling the fate of toxic groundwater contaminants, such as arsenic. Dissimilatory metal reduction catalyzed by subsurface bacteria can facilitate the mobilization of arsenic via the reductive dissolution of As(V)-bearing Fe(III) mineral assemblages. The mobility of liberated As(V) can then be amplified via reduction to the more soluble As(III) by As(V)-respiring bacteria. This investigation focused on the reductive dissolution of As(V) sorbed onto Fe(III)-(oxyhydr)oxide by model Fe(III)- and As(V)-reducing bacteria, to elucidate the mechanisms underpinning these processes at the single-cell scale. Axenic cultures of Shewanella sp. ANA-3 wild-type (WT) cells [able to respire both Fe(III) and As(V)] were grown using 13C-labeled lactate on an arsenical Fe(III)-(oxyhydr)oxide thin film, and after colonization, the distribution of Fe and As in the solid phase was assessed using nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS), complemented with aqueous geochemistry analyses. Parallel experiments were conducted using an arrA mutant, able to respire Fe(III) but not As(V). NanoSIMS imaging showed that most metabolically active cells were not in direct contact with the Fe(III) mineral. Flavins were released by both strains, suggesting that these cell-secreted electron shuttles mediated extracellular Fe(III)-(oxyhydr)oxide reduction, but did not facilitate extracellular As(V) reduction, demonstrated by the presence of flavins yet lack of As(III) in the supernatants of the arrA deletion mutant strain. 3D reconstructions of NanoSIMS depth-profiled single cells revealed that As and Fe were associated with the cell surface in the WT cells, whereas for the arrA mutant, only Fe was associated with the biomass. These data were consistent with Shewanella sp. ANA-3 respiring As(V) in a multistep process; first, the reductive dissolution of the Fe(III) mineral released As(V), and once in solution, As(V) was respired by the cells to As(III). As well as highlighting Fe(III) reduction as the primary release mechanism for arsenic, our data also identified unexpected cellular As(III) retention mechanisms that require further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebeca Lopez-Adams
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Newsome
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.,Camborne School of Mines, Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Katie L Moore
- Department of Materials, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.,Photon Science Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Ian C Lyon
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.,Photon Science Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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23
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Ritson JP, Alderson DM, Robinson CH, Burkitt AE, Heinemeyer A, Stimson AG, Gallego-Sala A, Harris A, Quillet A, Malik AA, Cole B, Robroek BJM, Heppell CM, Rivett DW, Chandler DM, Elliott DR, Shuttleworth EL, Lilleskov E, Cox F, Clay GD, Diack I, Rowson J, Pratscher J, Lloyd JR, Walker JS, Belyea LR, Dumont MG, Longden M, Bell NGA, Artz RRE, Bardgett RD, Griffiths RI, Andersen R, Chadburn SE, Hutchinson SM, Page SE, Thom T, Burn W, Evans MG. Towards a microbial process-based understanding of the resilience of peatland ecosystem service provisioning - A research agenda. Sci Total Environ 2021; 759:143467. [PMID: 33199011 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Peatlands are wetland ecosystems with great significance as natural habitats and as major global carbon stores. They have been subject to widespread exploitation and degradation with resulting losses in characteristic biota and ecosystem functions such as climate regulation. More recently, large-scale programmes have been established to restore peatland ecosystems and the various services they provide to society. Despite significant progress in peatland science and restoration practice, we lack a process-based understanding of how soil microbiota influence peatland functioning and mediate the resilience and recovery of ecosystem services, to perturbations associated with land use and climate change. We argue that there is a need to: in the short-term, characterise peatland microbial communities across a range of spatial and temporal scales and develop an improved understanding of the links between peatland habitat, ecological functions and microbial processes; in the medium term, define what a successfully restored 'target' peatland microbiome looks like for key carbon cycle related ecosystem services and develop microbial-based monitoring tools for assessing restoration needs; and in the longer term, to use this knowledge to influence restoration practices and assess progress on the trajectory towards 'intact' peatland status. Rapid advances in genetic characterisation of the structure and functions of microbial communities offer the potential for transformative progress in these areas, but the scale and speed of methodological and conceptual advances in studying ecosystem functions is a challenge for peatland scientists. Advances in this area require multidisciplinary collaborations between peatland scientists, data scientists and microbiologists and ultimately, collaboration with the modelling community. Developing a process-based understanding of the resilience and recovery of peatlands to perturbations, such as climate extremes, fires, and drainage, will be key to meeting climate targets and delivering ecosystem services cost effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan P Ritson
- School of Environment Education and Development, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Danielle M Alderson
- School of Environment Education and Development, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Clare H Robinson
- Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Williamson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | | | - Andreas Heinemeyer
- Stockholm Environment Institute, Department of Environment & Geography, York YO10 5NG, UK
| | - Andrew G Stimson
- North Pennines AONB Partnership, Weardale Business Centre, The Old Co-op building, 1 Martin Street, Stanhope, County Durham DL13 2UY, UK
| | - Angela Gallego-Sala
- Department of Geography, University of Exeter, Laver, North Park Road, Exeter EX4 4QE, UK
| | - Angela Harris
- Department of Geography, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Anne Quillet
- Department of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Reading, Whiteknights RG6 6AB, UK
| | - Ashish A Malik
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UU, UK
| | - Beth Cole
- School of Geography, Geology and the Environment, University of Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Bjorn J M Robroek
- Dept. of Aquatic Ecology & Environmental Biology, Institute for Water and Wetlands Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Catherine M Heppell
- School of Geography, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Damian W Rivett
- Department of Natural Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Dave M Chandler
- Moors for the Future Partnership, The Moorland Centre, Fieldhead, Edale, Derbyshire S33 7ZA, UK
| | - David R Elliott
- Environmental Sustainability Research Centre, University of Derby, Derby DE22 1GB, UK
| | - Emma L Shuttleworth
- School of Environment Education and Development, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Erik Lilleskov
- USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station, Houghton, MI 49931, USA
| | - Filipa Cox
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Gareth D Clay
- School of Environment Education and Development, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Iain Diack
- Natural England, Parkside Court, Hall Park Way, Telford, Shropshire TF3 4LR, UK
| | - James Rowson
- Department of Geography and Geology, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk Lancs L39 4QP, UK
| | - Jennifer Pratscher
- School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society, The Lyell Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AP, UK
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Williamson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | | | - Lisa R Belyea
- School of Geography, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Marc G Dumont
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Mike Longden
- Lancashire Wildlife Trust, 499-511 Bury new road, Bolton Bl2 6DH, UK
| | - Nicholle G A Bell
- School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, King's Buildings, David Brewster Road, Edinburgh EH93FJ, UK
| | - Rebekka R E Artz
- Ecological Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB15 8QH, UK
| | - Richard D Bardgett
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | | | - Roxane Andersen
- Environmental Research Institute, University of the Highlands and Islands, Castle St., Thurso KW14 7JD, UK
| | - Sarah E Chadburn
- College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4PY, UK
| | - Simon M Hutchinson
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford M5 4WT, UK
| | - Susan E Page
- School of Geography, Geology and the Environment, University of Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Tim Thom
- Yorkshire Peat Partnership, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Unit 23, Skipton Auction Mart, Gargrave Road, Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 1UD, UK
| | - William Burn
- Stockholm Environment Institute, Department of Environment & Geography, York YO10 5NG, UK
| | - Martin G Evans
- School of Environment Education and Development, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
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24
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Newsome L, Bacon CGD, Song H, Luo Y, Sherman DM, Lloyd JR. Natural attenuation of lead by microbial manganese oxides in a karst aquifer. Sci Total Environ 2021; 754:142312. [PMID: 33254903 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Lead is a toxic environmental contaminant associated with current and historic mine sites. Here we studied the natural attenuation of Pb in a limestone cave system that receives drainage from the ancient Priddy Mineries, UK. Extensive deposits of manganese oxides were observed to be forming on the cave walls and as coatings in the stream beds. Analysis of these deposits identified them as birnessite (δ-MnO2), with some extremely high concentrations of sorbed Pb (up to 56 wt%) also present. We hypothesised that these cave crusts were actively being formed by microbial Mn(II)-oxidation, and to investigate this the microbial communities were characterised by DNA sequencing, enrichment and isolation experiments. The birnessite deposits contained abundant and diverse prokaryotes and fungi, with ~5% of prokaryotes and ~ 10% of fungi closely related to known heterotrophic Mn(II)-oxidisers. A substantial proportion (up to 17%) of prokaryote sequences were assigned to groups known as autotrophic ammonia and nitrite oxidisers, suggesting that nitrogen cycling may play an important role in contributing energy and carbon to the cave crust microbial communities and consequently the formation of Mn(IV) oxides and Pb attenuation. Enrichment and isolation experiments showed that the birnessite deposits contained Mn(II)-oxidising microorganisms, and two isolates (Streptomyces sp. and Phyllobacterium sp.) could oxidise Mn(II) in the presence of 0.1 mM Pb. Supplying the enrichment cultures with acetate as a source of energy and carbon stimulated Mn(II)-oxidation, but excess organics in the form of glucose generated aqueous Mn(II), likely via microbial Mn(IV)-reduction. In this karst cave, microbial Mn(II)-oxidation contributes to the active sequestration and natural attenuation of Pb from contaminated waters, and therefore may be considered a natural analogue for the design of wastewater remediation systems and for understanding the geochemical controls on karst groundwater quality, a resource relied upon by billions of people across the globe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Newsome
- Williamson Research Centre, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom.
| | - Charles G D Bacon
- School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Wills Memorial Building, Queens Road, Bristol BS8 1RJ, United Kingdom
| | - Hokyung Song
- Williamson Research Centre, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Yunyao Luo
- Williamson Research Centre, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - David M Sherman
- School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Wills Memorial Building, Queens Road, Bristol BS8 1RJ, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Williamson Research Centre, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
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25
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Gavrilov SN, Zavarzina DG, Elizarov IM, Tikhonova TV, Dergousova NI, Popov VO, Lloyd JR, Knight D, El-Naggar MY, Pirbadian S, Leung KM, Robb FT, Zakhartsev MV, Bretschger O, Bonch-Osmolovskaya EA. Novel Extracellular Electron Transfer Channels in a Gram-Positive Thermophilic Bacterium. Front Microbiol 2021; 11:597818. [PMID: 33505370 PMCID: PMC7829351 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.597818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Biogenic transformation of Fe minerals, associated with extracellular electron transfer (EET), allows microorganisms to exploit high-potential refractory electron acceptors for energy generation. EET-capable thermophiles are dominated by hyperthermophilic archaea and Gram-positive bacteria. Information on their EET pathways is sparse. Here, we describe EET channels in the thermophilic Gram-positive bacterium Carboxydothermus ferrireducens that drive exoelectrogenesis and rapid conversion of amorphous mineral ferrihydrite to large magnetite crystals. Microscopic studies indicated biocontrolled formation of unusual formicary-like ultrastructure of the magnetite crystals and revealed active colonization of anodes in bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) by C. ferrireducens. The internal structure of micron-scale biogenic magnetite crystals is reported for the first time. Genome analysis and expression profiling revealed three constitutive c-type multiheme cytochromes involved in electron exchange with ferrihydrite or an anode, sharing insignificant homology with previously described EET-related cytochromes thus representing novel determinants of EET. Our studies identify these cytochromes as extracellular and reveal potentially novel mechanisms of cell-to-mineral interactions in thermal environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey N Gavrilov
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, FRC Biotechnology Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Daria G Zavarzina
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, FRC Biotechnology Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ivan M Elizarov
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, FRC Biotechnology Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Tamara V Tikhonova
- Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Natalia I Dergousova
- Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir O Popov
- Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.,Kurchatov Complex NBICS-Technologies, National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute," Moscow, Russia
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Dalton Nuclear Institute, FSE Research Institutes, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - David Knight
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | | | - Sahand Pirbadian
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Kar Man Leung
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Frank T Robb
- School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | | | | | - Elizaveta A Bonch-Osmolovskaya
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, FRC Biotechnology Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.,Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
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Ruiz-Lopez S, Foster L, Boothman C, Cole N, Morris K, Lloyd JR. Identification of a Stable Hydrogen-Driven Microbiome in a Highly Radioactive Storage Facility on the Sellafield Site. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:587556. [PMID: 33329459 PMCID: PMC7732693 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.587556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of nuclear power has been a significant part of the United Kingdom’s energy portfolio with the Sellafield site being used for power production and more recently reprocessing and decommissioning of spent nuclear fuel activities. Before being reprocessed, spent nuclear fuel is stored in water ponds with significant levels of background radioactivity and in high alkalinity (to minimize fuel corrosion). Despite these challenging conditions, the presence of microbial communities has been detected. To gain further insight into the microbial communities present in extreme environments, an indoor, hyper-alkaline, oligotrophic, and radioactive spent fuel storage pond (INP) located on the Sellafield site was analyzed. Water samples were collected from sample points within the INP complex, and also the purge water feeding tank (FT) that supplies water to the pond, and were screened for the presence of the 16S and 18S rRNA genes to inform sequencing requirements over a period of 30 months. Only 16S rRNA genes were successfully amplified for sequencing, suggesting that the microbial communities in the INP were dominated by prokaryotes. Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) analysis targeting 16S rRNA genes suggested that bacterial cells in the order of 104–106 mL–1 were present in the samples, with loadings rising with time. Next generation Illumina MiSeq sequencing was performed to identify the dominant microorganisms at eight sampling times. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis suggested that 70% and 91% from of the OTUs samples, from the FT and INP respectively, belonged to the phylum Proteobacteria, mainly from the alpha and beta subclasses. The remaining OTUs were assigned primarily to the phyla Acidobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and, Cyanobacteria. Overall the most abundant genera identified were Hydrogenophaga, Curvibacter, Porphyrobacter, Rhodoferax, Polaromonas, Sediminibacterium, Roseococcus, and Sphingomonas. The presence of organisms most closely related to Hydrogenophaga species in the INP areas, suggests the metabolism of hydrogen as an energy source, most likely linked to hydrolysis of water caused by the stored fuel. Isolation of axenic cultures using a range of minimal and rich media was also attempted, but only relatively minor components (from the phylum Bacteroidetes) of the pond water communities were obtained, emphasizing the importance of DNA-based, not culture-dependent techniques, for assessing the microbiome of nuclear facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Ruiz-Lopez
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester (UoM), Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Lynn Foster
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester (UoM), Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Boothman
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester (UoM), Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Nick Cole
- Sellafield Ltd., Warrington, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine Morris
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester (UoM), Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester (UoM), Manchester, United Kingdom
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27
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Bassil NM, Small JS, Lloyd JR. Enhanced microbial degradation of irradiated cellulose under hyperalkaline conditions. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2020; 96:fiaa102. [PMID: 32459307 PMCID: PMC7329180 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiaa102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Intermediate-level radioactive waste includes cellulosic materials, which under the hyperalkaline conditions expected in a cementitious geological disposal facility (GDF) will undergo abiotic hydrolysis forming a variety of soluble organic species. Isosaccharinic acid (ISA) is a notable hydrolysis product, being a strong metal complexant that may enhance the transport of radionuclides to the biosphere. This study showed that irradiation with 1 MGy of γ-radiation under hyperalkaline conditions enhanced the rate of ISA production from the alkali hydrolysis of cellulose, indicating that radionuclide mobilisation to the biosphere may occur faster than previously anticipated. However, irradiation also made the cellulose fibres more available for microbial degradation and fermentation of the degradation products, producing acidity that inhibited ISA production via alkali hydrolysis. The production of hydrogen gas as a fermentation product was noted, and this was associated with a substantial increase in the relative abundance of hydrogen-oxidising bacteria. Taken together, these results expand our conceptual understanding of the mechanisms involved in ISA production, accumulation and biodegradation in a biogeochemically active cementitious GDF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naji M Bassil
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Joe S Small
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
- National Nuclear Laboratory, Chadwick House, Birchwood Park, Warrington WA3 6AE, UK
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
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Foster L, Boothman C, Ruiz-Lopez S, Boshoff G, Jenkinson P, Sigee D, Pittman JK, Morris K, Lloyd JR. Microbial bloom formation in a high pH spent nuclear fuel pond. Sci Total Environ 2020; 720:137515. [PMID: 32325573 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Microorganisms are able to colonise a wide range of extreme environments, including nuclear facilities. In this study, the First Generation Magnox Storage Pond (FGMSP) a high pH, legacy spent nuclear fuel pond (SNFP) situated at Sellafield, Cumbria, UK, was studied. Despite the inhospitable conditions in the FGMSP, microorganisms can cause "blooms" within the facility which to date have not been studied. These microbial blooms significantly reduce visibility in the engineered facility, disrupting fuel retrieval operations and slowing decommissioning. The microbial community colonising the pond during two microbial bloom periods was determined by using physiological measurements and high throughput next generation sequencing techniques. In situ probes within the ponds targeting photosynthetic pigments indicated a cyanobacterial bloom event. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene data suggested that a single cyanobacterial genus was dominant during the bloom events, which was most closely related to Pseudanabaena sp. Comparisons between the microbial community of FGMSP and an adjacent SNFP that is periodically purged into the FGMSP, showed different community profiles. Data confirm the onset of the microbial blooms occurred when the pond purge rate was reduced, and blooms could be controlled by re-establishing the purging regime. The presence of Pseudanabaena sp. that can colonise the pond and dominate during bloom periods is notable since they have received little attention for their role in cyanobacterial bloom formation. This work also informs bioremediation efforts to treat waters contaminated with radionuclides, which could benefit from the use of cyanobacteria able to tolerate extreme environments and accumulate priority radionuclides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn Foster
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Christopher Boothman
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Sharon Ruiz-Lopez
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Genevieve Boshoff
- National Nuclear Laboratory, Chadwick House, Birchwood, Warrington WA3 6AE, UK.
| | | | - David Sigee
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Jon K Pittman
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Katherine Morris
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
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29
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Cliffe L, Nixon SL, Daly RA, Eden B, Taylor KG, Boothman C, Wilkins MJ, Wrighton KC, Lloyd JR. Identification of Persistent Sulfidogenic Bacteria in Shale Gas Produced Waters. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:286. [PMID: 32153553 PMCID: PMC7046593 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Produced waters from hydraulically fractured shale formations give insight into the microbial ecology and biogeochemical conditions down-well. This study explores the potential for sulfide production by persistent microorganisms recovered from produced water samples collected from the Marcellus shale formation. Hydrogen sulfide is highly toxic and corrosive, and can lead to the formation of “sour gas” which is costly to refine. Furthermore, microbial colonization of hydraulically fractured shale could result in formation plugging and a reduction in well productivity. It is vital to assess the potential for sulfide production in persistent microbial taxa, especially when considering the trend of reusing produced waters as input fluids, potentially enriching for problematic microorganisms. Using most probable number (MPN) counts and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, multiple viable strains of bacteria were identified from stored produced waters, mostly belonging to the Genus Halanaerobium, that were capable of growth via fermentation, and produced sulfide when supplied with thiosulfate. No sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) were detected through culturing, despite the detection of relatively low numbers of sulfate-reducing lineages by high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing. These results demonstrate that sulfidogenic produced water populations remain viable for years post production and, if left unchecked, have the potential to lead to natural gas souring during shale gas extraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Cliffe
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Sophie L Nixon
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca A Daly
- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, College of Agricultural Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Bob Eden
- Rawwater Engineering Company Limited, Culcheth, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin G Taylor
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Boothman
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Michael J Wilkins
- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, College of Agricultural Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Kelly C Wrighton
- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, College of Agricultural Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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Vettese GF, Morris K, Natrajan LS, Shaw S, Vitova T, Galanzew J, Jones DL, Lloyd JR. Multiple Lines of Evidence Identify U(V) as a Key Intermediate during U(VI) Reduction by Shewanella oneidensis MR1. Environ Sci Technol 2020; 54:2268-2276. [PMID: 31934763 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b05285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
As the dominant radionuclide by mass in many radioactive wastes, the control of uranium mobility in contaminated environments is of high concern. U speciation can be governed by microbial interactions, whereby metal-reducing bacteria are able to reduce soluble U(VI) to insoluble U(IV), providing a method for removal of U from contaminated groundwater. Although microbial U(VI) reduction is widely reported, the mechanism(s) for the transformation of U(VI) to relatively insoluble U(IV) phases are poorly understood. By combining a suite of analyses, including luminescence, U M4-edge high-energy resolved fluorescence detection-X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES), and U L3-edge XANES/extended X-ray absorption fine structure, we show that the microbial reduction of U(VI) by the model Fe(III)-reducing bacterium, Shewanella oneidensis MR1, proceeds via a single electron transfer to form a pentavalent U(V) intermediate which disproportionates to form U(VI) and U(IV). Furthermore, we have identified significant U(V) present in post reduction solid phases, implying that U(V) may be stabilized for up to 120.5 h.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianni F Vettese
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science and Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, Department of Earth and Environmental Science, School of Natural Sciences , The University of Manchester , Oxford Road , Manchester M13 9PL , England
| | - Katherine Morris
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science and Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, Department of Earth and Environmental Science, School of Natural Sciences , The University of Manchester , Oxford Road , Manchester M13 9PL , England
| | - Louise S Natrajan
- Centre for Radiochemistry Research, Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences , The University of Manchester , Oxford Road , Manchester M13 9PL , England
| | - Samuel Shaw
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science and Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, Department of Earth and Environmental Science, School of Natural Sciences , The University of Manchester , Oxford Road , Manchester M13 9PL , England
| | - Tonya Vitova
- Institute for Nuclear Waste Disposal (INE) , Karlsruhe Institute of Technology , Karlsruhe 76131 , Germany
| | - Jurij Galanzew
- Institute for Nuclear Waste Disposal (INE) , Karlsruhe Institute of Technology , Karlsruhe 76131 , Germany
| | - Debbie L Jones
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering , Bangor University , Bangor LL57 2DG , U.K
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science and Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, Department of Earth and Environmental Science, School of Natural Sciences , The University of Manchester , Oxford Road , Manchester M13 9PL , England
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31
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Townsend LT, Shaw S, Ofili NER, Kaltsoyannis N, Walton AS, Mosselmans JFW, Neill TS, Lloyd JR, Heath S, Hibberd R, Morris K. Formation of a U(VI)-Persulfide Complex during Environmentally Relevant Sulfidation of Iron (Oxyhydr)oxides. Environ Sci Technol 2020; 54:129-136. [PMID: 31838844 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b03180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Uranium is a risk-driving radionuclide in both radioactive waste disposal and contaminated land scenarios. In these environments, a range of biogeochemical processes can occur, including sulfate reduction, which can induce sulfidation of iron (oxyhydr)oxide mineral phases. During sulfidation, labile U(VI) is known to reduce to relatively immobile U(IV); however, the detailed mechanisms of the changes in U speciation during these biogeochemical reactions are poorly constrained. Here, we performed highly controlled sulfidation experiments at pH 7 and pH 9.5 on U(VI) adsorbed to ferrihydrite and investigated the system using geochemical analyses, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), and computational modeling. Analysis of the XAS data indicated the formation of a novel, transient U(VI)-persulfide complex as an intermediate species during the sulfidation reaction, concomitant with the transient release of uranium to the solution. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) modeling showed that a persulfide ligand was coordinated in the equatorial plane of the uranyl moiety, and formation of this species was supported by computational modeling. The final speciation of U was nanoparticulate U(IV) uraninite, and this phase was evident at 2 days at pH 7 and 1 year at pH 9.5. Our identification of a new, labile U(VI)-persulfide species under environmentally relevant conditions may have implications for U mobility in sulfidic environments pertinent to radioactive waste disposal and contaminated land scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - J Frederick W Mosselmans
- Diamond Light Source Ltd., Diamond House, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0DE, U.K
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Blackwell N, Perkins W, Palumbo-Roe B, Bearcock J, Lloyd JR, Edwards A. Seasonal blooms of neutrophilic Betaproteobacterial Fe(II) oxidizers and Chlorobi in iron-rich coal mine drainage sediments. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2019; 95:5561438. [DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiz140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Waters draining from flooded and abandoned coal mines in the South Wales Coalfield (SWC), are substantial sources of pollution to the environment characterized by circumneutral pH and elevated dissolved iron concentrations (>1 mg L−1). The discharged Fe precipitates to form Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides which sustain microbial communities. However, while several studies have investigated the geochemistry of mine drainage in the SWC, less is known about the microbial ecology of the sites presenting a gap in our understanding of biogeochemical cycling and pollutant turnover. This study investigated the biogeochemistry of the Ynysarwed mine adit in the SWC. Samples were collected from nine locations within sediment at the mine entrance from the upper and lower layers three times over one year for geochemical and bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. During winter, members of the Betaproteobacteria bloomed in relative abundance (>40%) including the microaerophilic Fe(II)-oxidizing genus Gallionella. A concomitant decrease in Chlorobi-associated bacteria occurred, although by summer the community composition resembled that observed in the previous autumn. Here, we provide the first insights into the microbial ecology and seasonal dynamics of bacterial communities of Fe(III)-rich deposits in the SWC and demonstrate that neutrophilic Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria are important and dynamic members of these communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nia Blackwell
- Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DB, UK
| | - William Perkins
- Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DB, UK
| | - Barbara Palumbo-Roe
- British Geological Survey, Environmental Science Centre, Nicker Hill, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UK
| | - Jenny Bearcock
- British Geological Survey, Environmental Science Centre, Nicker Hill, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UK
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Arwyn Edwards
- Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DB, UK
- Institute of Biological, Environment Rural Science (and Interdisciplinary Centre for Environmental Microbiology, and Centre for Glaciology), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, UK
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33
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Bower WR, Morris K, Livens FR, Mosselmans JFW, Fallon CM, Fuller AJ, Natrajan L, Boothman C, Lloyd JR, Utsunomiya S, Grolimund D, Ferreira Sanchez D, Jilbert T, Parker J, Neill TS, Law GTW. Metaschoepite Dissolution in Sediment Column Systems-Implications for Uranium Speciation and Transport. Environ Sci Technol 2019; 53:9915-9925. [PMID: 31317743 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b02292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Metaschoepite is commonly found in U-contaminated environments and metaschoepite-bearing wastes may be managed via shallow or deep disposal. Understanding metaschoepite dissolution and tracking the fate of any liberated U is thus important. Here, discrete horizons of metaschoepite (UO3·nH2O) particles were emplaced in flowing sediment/groundwater columns representative of the UK Sellafield Ltd. site. The column systems either remained oxic or became anoxic due to electron donor additions, and the columns were sacrificed after 6- and 12-months for analysis. Solution chemistry, extractions, and bulk and micro/nano-focus X-ray spectroscopies were used to track changes in U distribution and behavior. In the oxic columns, U migration was extensive, with UO22+ identified in effluents after 6-months of reaction using fluorescence spectroscopy. Unusually, in the electron-donor amended columns, during microbially mediated sulfate reduction, significant amounts of UO2-like colloids (>60% of the added U) were found in the effluents using TEM. XAS analysis of the U remaining associated with the reduced sediments confirmed the presence of trace U(VI), noncrystalline U(IV), and biogenic UO2, with UO2 becoming more dominant with time. This study highlights the potential for U(IV) colloid production from U(VI) solids under reducing conditions and the complexity of U biogeochemistry in dynamic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- William R Bower
- Centre for Radiochemistry Research, School of Chemistry , The University of Manchester , Manchester , U.K. , M13 9PL
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences , The University of Manchester , Manchester , U.K. , M13 9PL
- Radiochemistry Unit, Department of Chemistry , The University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland , 00014
| | - Katherine Morris
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences , The University of Manchester , Manchester , U.K. , M13 9PL
| | - Francis R Livens
- Centre for Radiochemistry Research, School of Chemistry , The University of Manchester , Manchester , U.K. , M13 9PL
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences , The University of Manchester , Manchester , U.K. , M13 9PL
| | | | - Connaugh M Fallon
- Centre for Radiochemistry Research, School of Chemistry , The University of Manchester , Manchester , U.K. , M13 9PL
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences , The University of Manchester , Manchester , U.K. , M13 9PL
- Radiochemistry Unit, Department of Chemistry , The University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland , 00014
| | - Adam J Fuller
- Centre for Radiochemistry Research, School of Chemistry , The University of Manchester , Manchester , U.K. , M13 9PL
| | - Louise Natrajan
- Centre for Radiochemistry Research, School of Chemistry , The University of Manchester , Manchester , U.K. , M13 9PL
| | - Christopher Boothman
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences , The University of Manchester , Manchester , U.K. , M13 9PL
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences , The University of Manchester , Manchester , U.K. , M13 9PL
| | - Satoshi Utsunomiya
- Kyushu University , Department of Chemistry , 744 Motooka , Nishi-ku , Fukuoka Japan , 819-0395
| | - Daniel Grolimund
- Swiss Light Source , Paul Scherrer Institute , Villigen , Switzerland , 5232
| | | | - Tom Jilbert
- Ecosystems and Environmental Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences , The University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland , 00014
| | - Julia Parker
- Diamond Light Source , Harwell Science and Innovation Campus , Didcot , U.K. , OX11 0DE
| | - Thomas S Neill
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences , The University of Manchester , Manchester , U.K. , M13 9PL
| | - Gareth T W Law
- Centre for Radiochemistry Research, School of Chemistry , The University of Manchester , Manchester , U.K. , M13 9PL
- Radiochemistry Unit, Department of Chemistry , The University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland , 00014
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Kaur A, Boghani HC, Milner EM, Kimber RL, Michie IS, Daalmans R, Dinsdale RM, Guwy AJ, Head IM, Lloyd JR, Yu EH, Sadhukhan J, Premier GC. Bioelectrochemical treatment and recovery of copper from distillery waste effluents using power and voltage control strategies. J Hazard Mater 2019; 371:18-26. [PMID: 30844646 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.02.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Copper recovery from distillery effluent was studied in a scalable bioelectro-chemical system with approx. 6.8 L total volume. Two control strategies based on the control of power with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) and the application of 0.5 V using an external power supply were used to investigate the resultant modified electroplating characteristics. The reactor system was constructed from two electrically separated, but hydraulically connected cells, to which the MPPT and 0.5 V control strategies were applied. Three experiments were carried out using a relatively high copper concentration i.e. 1000 mg/L followed by a lower concentration i.e. 50 mg/L, with operational run times defined to meet the treatment requirements for distillery effluents considered. Real distillery waste was introduced into the cathode to reduce ionic copper concentrations. This waste was then recirculated to the anode as a feed stock after the copper depletion step, in order to test the bioenergy self-sustainability of the system. Approx. 60-95% copper was recovered in the form of deposits depending on starting concentration. However, the recovery was low when the anode was supplied with copper depleted distillery waste. Through process control (MPPT or 0.5 V applied voltage) the amount and form of the copper recovered could be manipulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amandeep Kaur
- Sustainable Environment Research Centre (SERC), University of South Wales, Pontypridd, CF37 1DL, UK.
| | - Hitesh C Boghani
- College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Edward M Milner
- Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Richard L Kimber
- School of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Iain S Michie
- Sustainable Environment Research Centre (SERC), University of South Wales, Pontypridd, CF37 1DL, UK
| | | | - Richard M Dinsdale
- Sustainable Environment Research Centre (SERC), University of South Wales, Pontypridd, CF37 1DL, UK
| | - Alan J Guwy
- Sustainable Environment Research Centre (SERC), University of South Wales, Pontypridd, CF37 1DL, UK
| | - Ian M Head
- School of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Eileen H Yu
- College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Jhuma Sadhukhan
- Centre for Environment & Sustainability, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Giuliano C Premier
- Sustainable Environment Research Centre (SERC), University of South Wales, Pontypridd, CF37 1DL, UK
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Newsome L, Lopez Adams R, Downie HF, Moore KL, Lloyd JR. NanoSIMS imaging of extracellular electron transport processes during microbial iron(III) reduction. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2019; 94:5033680. [PMID: 29878195 PMCID: PMC6041951 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiy104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbial iron(III) reduction can have a profound effect on the fate of contaminants in natural and engineered environments. Different mechanisms of extracellular electron transport are used by Geobacter and Shewanella spp. to reduce insoluble Fe(III) minerals. Here we prepared a thin film of iron(III)-(oxyhydr)oxide doped with arsenic, and allowed the mineral coating to be colonised by Geobacter sulfurreducens or Shewanella ANA3 labelled with 13C from organic electron donors. This preserved the spatial relationship between metabolically active Fe(III)-reducing bacteria and the iron(III)-(oxyhydr)oxide that they were respiring. NanoSIMS imaging showed cells of G. sulfurreducens were co-located with the iron(III)-(oxyhydr)oxide surface and were significantly more 13C-enriched compared to cells located away from the mineral, consistent with Geobacter species requiring direct contact with an extracellular electron acceptor to support growth. There was no such intimate relationship between 13C-enriched S. ANA3 and the iron(III)-(oxyhydr)oxide surface, consistent with Shewanella species being able to reduce Fe(III) indirectly using a secreted endogenous mediator. Some differences were observed in the amount of As relative to Fe in the local environment of G. sulfurreducens compared to the bulk mineral, highlighting the usefulness of this type of analysis for probing interactions between microbial cells and Fe-trace metal distributions in biogeochemical experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Newsome
- Williamson Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Rebeca Lopez Adams
- Williamson Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Helen F Downie
- Williamson Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Katie L Moore
- School of Materials, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.,Photon Science Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Williamson Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
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Newsome L, Morris K, Cleary A, Masters-Waage NK, Boothman C, Joshi N, Atherton N, Lloyd JR. The impact of iron nanoparticles on technetium-contaminated groundwater and sediment microbial communities. J Hazard Mater 2019; 364:134-142. [PMID: 30343175 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Revised: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Iron nanoparticles are a promising new technology to treat contaminated groundwater, particularly as they can be engineered to optimise their transport properties. Technetium is a common contaminant at nuclear sites and can be reductively scavenged from groundwater by iron(II). Here we investigated the potential for a range of optimised iron nanoparticles to remove technetium from contaminated groundwater, and groundwater/sediment systems. Nano zero-valent iron and Carbo-iron stimulated the development of anoxic conditions while generating Fe(II) which reduced soluble Tc(VII) to sparingly soluble Tc(IV). Similar results were observed for Fe(II)-bearing biomagnetite, albeit at a slower rate. Tc(VII) remained in solution in the presence of the Fe(III) mineral nano-goethite, until acetate was added to stimulate microbial Fe(III)-reduction after which Tc(VII) concentrations decreased concomitant with Fe(II) ingrowth. The addition of iron nanoparticles to sediment microcosms caused an increase in the relative abundance of Firmicutes, consistent with fermentative/anoxic metabolisms. Residual bacteria from the synthesis of the biomagnetite nanoparticles were out-competed by the sediment microbial community. Overall the results showed that iron nanoparticles were highly effective in removing Tc(VII) from groundwater in sediment systems, and generated sustained anoxic conditions via the stimulation of beneficial microbial processes including Fe(III)-reduction and sulfate reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Newsome
- Williamson Research Centre and Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Katherine Morris
- Williamson Research Centre and Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Adrian Cleary
- Williamson Research Centre and Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Nicholas Karl Masters-Waage
- Williamson Research Centre and Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Christopher Boothman
- Williamson Research Centre and Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Nimisha Joshi
- Williamson Research Centre and Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Nick Atherton
- Sellafield Ltd. Land Quality, Sellafield, Seascale, Cumbria, CA20 1PG, UK
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Williamson Research Centre and Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
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MeGraw VE, Brown AR, Boothman C, Goodacre R, Morris K, Sigee D, Anderson L, Lloyd JR. A Novel Adaptation Mechanism Underpinning Algal Colonization of a Nuclear Fuel Storage Pond. mBio 2018; 9:e02395-17. [PMID: 29946053 PMCID: PMC6020298 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02395-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Geochemical analyses alongside molecular techniques were used to characterize the microbial ecology and biogeochemistry of an outdoor spent nuclear fuel storage pond at Sellafield, United Kingdom, that is susceptible to seasonal algal blooms that cause plant downtime. 18S rRNA gene profiling of the filtered biomass samples showed the increasing dominance of a species closely related to the alga Haematococcus pluvialis, alongside 16S rRNA genes affiliated with a diversity of freshwater bacteria, including Proteobacteria and Cyanobacteria High retention of 137Cs and 90Sr on pond water filters coincided with high levels of microbial biomass in the pond, suggesting that microbial colonization may have an important control on radionuclide fate in the pond. To interpret the unexpected dominance of Haematococcus species during bloom events in this extreme environment, the physiological response of H. pluvialis to environmentally relevant ionizing radiation doses was assessed. Irradiated laboratory cultures produced significant quantities of the antioxidant astaxanthin, consistent with pigmentation observed in pond samples. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy suggested that radiation did not have a widespread impact on the metabolic fingerprint of H. pluvialis in laboratory experiments, despite the 80-Gy dose. This study suggests that the production of astaxanthin-rich encysted cells may be related to the preservation of the Haematococcus phenotype, potentially allowing it to survive oxidative stress arising from radiation doses associated with the spent nuclear fuel. The oligotrophic and radiologically extreme conditions in this environment do not prevent extensive colonization by microbial communities, which play a defining role in controlling the biogeochemical fate of major radioactive species present.IMPORTANCE Spent nuclear fuel is stored underwater in large ponds prior to processing and disposal. Such environments are intensively radioactive but can be colonized by microorganisms. Colonization of such inhospitable radioactive ponds is surprising, and the survival mechanisms that microbes use is of fundamental interest. It is also important to study these unusual ecosystems, as microbes growing in the pond waters may accumulate radionuclides present in the waters (for bioremediation applications), while high cell loads can hamper management of the ponds due to poor visibility. In this study, an outdoor pond at the U.K. Sellafield facility was colonized by a seasonal bloom of microorganisms, able to accumulate high levels of 137Cs and 90Sr and dominated by the alga Haematococcus This organism is not normally associated with deep water bodies, but it can adapt to radioactive environments via the production of the pigment astaxanthin, which protects the cells from radiation damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria E MeGraw
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Ashley R Brown
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Boothman
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Royston Goodacre
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine Morris
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - David Sigee
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Lizzie Anderson
- Thorp Management Centre, Sellafield, Seascale, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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38
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Ashworth H, Abrahamsen-Mills L, Bryan N, Foster L, Lloyd JR, Kellet S, Heath S. Effect of humic acid & bacterial exudates on sorption-desorption interactions of 90Sr with brucite. Environ Sci Process Impacts 2018; 20:956-964. [PMID: 29774347 DOI: 10.1039/c8em00073e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
One of the nuclear fuel storage ponds at Sellafield (United Kingdom) is open to the air, and has contained a significant inventory of corroded magnox fuel and sludge for several decades. As a result, some fission products have also been released into solution. 90Sr is known to constitute a small mass of the radionuclides present in the pond, but due to its solubility and activity, it is at risk of challenging effluent discharge limits. The sludge is predominantly composed of brucite (Mg(OH)2), and organic molecules are known to be present in the pond liquor with occasional algal blooms restricting visibility. Understanding the chemical interactions of these components is important to inform ongoing sludge retrievals and effluent management. Additionally, interactions of radionuclides with organics at high pH will be an important consideration for the evolution of cementitious backfilled disposal sites in the UK. Batch sorption-desorption experiments were performed with brucite, 90Sr and natural organic matter (NOM) (humic acid (HA) and Pseudanabaena catenata cyanobacterial growth supernatant) in both binary and ternary systems at high pH. Ionic strength, pH and order of addition of components were varied. 90Sr was shown not to interact strongly with the bulk brucite surface in binary systems under pH conditions relevant to the pond. HA in both binary and ternary systems demonstrated a strong affinity for the brucite surface. Ternary systems containing HA demonstrated enhanced sorption of 90Sr at pH 11.5 and vice versa, likely via formation of strontium-humate complexes regardless of the order of addition of components. The distribution coefficients show HA sorption to be reversible at all pH values studied, and it appeared to control 90Sr behaviour at pH 11.5. Ternary systems containing cyanobacterial supernatant demonstrated a difference in 90Sr behaviour when the culture had been subjected to irradiation in the first stages of its growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hollie Ashworth
- Centre for Radiochemistry Research, School of Chemistry, University of Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
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Kuippers G, Boothman C, Bagshaw H, Ward M, Beard R, Bryan N, Lloyd JR. The biogeochemical fate of nickel during microbial ISA degradation; implications for nuclear waste disposal. Sci Rep 2018; 8:8753. [PMID: 29884890 PMCID: PMC5993814 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26963-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Intermediate level radioactive waste (ILW) generally contains a heterogeneous range of organic and inorganic materials, of which some are encapsulated in cement. Of particular concern are cellulosic waste items, which will chemically degrade under the conditions predicted during waste disposal, forming significant quantities of isosaccharinic acid (ISA), a strongly chelating ligand. ISA therefore has the potential to increase the mobility of a wide range of radionuclides via complex formation, including Ni-63 and Ni-59. Although ISA is known to be metabolized by anaerobic microorganisms, the biodegradation of metal-ISA complexes remains unexplored. This study investigates the fate of a Ni-ISA complex in Fe(III)-reducing enrichment cultures at neutral pH, representative of a microbial community in the subsurface. After initial sorption of Ni onto Fe(III)oxyhydroxides, microbial ISA biodegradation resulted in >90% removal of the remaining Ni from solution when present at 0.1 mM, whereas higher concentrations of Ni proved toxic. The microbial consortium associated with ISA degradation was dominated by close relatives to Clostridia and Geobacter species. Nickel was preferentially immobilized with trace amounts of biogenic amorphous iron sulfides. This study highlights the potential for microbial activity to help remove chelating agents and radionuclides from the groundwater in the subsurface geosphere surrounding a geodisposal facility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina Kuippers
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal & Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Christopher Boothman
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal & Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Heath Bagshaw
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal & Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Michael Ward
- Leeds Electron Microscopy and Spectroscopy Centre, School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Rebecca Beard
- Radioactive Waste Management Limited, Building 587, Curie Avenue, Harwell Oxford, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RH, UK.,National Nuclear Laboratory Limited, Chadwick House, Warrington Road, Birchwood Park, Warrington, WA3 6AE, UK
| | - Nicholas Bryan
- National Nuclear Laboratory Limited, Chadwick House, Warrington Road, Birchwood Park, Warrington, WA3 6AE, UK
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal & Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
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Bassil NM, Lloyd JR. Anaerobacillus isosaccharinicus sp. nov., an alkaliphilic bacterium which degrades isosaccharinic acid. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2018; 69:3666-3671. [PMID: 29580368 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.002721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Strain NB2006T was isolated from an isosaccharinate-degrading, nitrate-reducing enrichment culture in minimal freshwater medium at pH 10. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that this strain was most closely related to species of the newly established genus Anaerobacillus. This was supported by phenotypic and metabolic characterisation that showed that NB2006T was rod-shaped, Gram-stain-positive, motile and formed endospores. It was an aerotolerant anaerobe and an obligate alkaliphile that grew at pH 8.5-11, could tolerate up to 6 % (w/v) NaCl, and grew at a temperature between 10 and 40 °C. In addition, it could utilise a number of organic substrates, and was able to reduce nitrate and arsenate. The predominant cellular fatty acids were C16 : 0, C16 : 1ω11c, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 1ω7c/iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and C14 : 0. The cell wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and the DNA G+C content was 37.7 mol%. In silico DNA-DNA hybridization with the four known species of the genus Anaerobacillus showed 21.8, 21.9, 22.4, and 21.5 % relatedness to Anaerobacillusarseniciselenatis DSM 15340T, Anaerobacilus alkalidiazotrophicus DSM 22531T, Anaerobacillusalkalilacustris DSM 18345T, and Anaerobacillus macyae DSM 16346T, respectively. NB2006T differed from strains of other species of the genus Anaerobacillus in its ability to metabolise isosaccharinate, an alkaline hydrolysis product of cellulose. On the basis of the consensus of phylogenetic and phenotypic analyses, this strain represents a novel species of the genus Anaerobacillus, for which the name Anaerobacillus isosaccharinicus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NB2006T (=DSM 100644T=LMG 30032T).
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Affiliation(s)
- Naji M Bassil
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
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Kimber RL, Lewis EA, Parmeggiani F, Smith K, Bagshaw H, Starborg T, Joshi N, Figueroa AI, van der Laan G, Cibin G, Gianolio D, Haigh SJ, Pattrick RAD, Turner NJ, Lloyd JR. Biosynthesis and Characterization of Copper Nanoparticles Using Shewanella oneidensis: Application for Click Chemistry. Small 2018; 14. [PMID: 29359400 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201703145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Revised: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) have a wide range of applications as heterogeneous catalysts. In this study, a novel green biosynthesis route for producing Cu-NPs using the metal-reducing bacterium, Shewanella oneidensis is demonstrated. Thin section transmission electron microscopy shows that the Cu-NPs are predominantly intracellular and present in a typical size range of 20-40 nm. Serial block-face scanning electron microscopy demonstrates the Cu-NPs are well-dispersed across the 3D structure of the cells. X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy and extended X-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy analysis show the nanoparticles are Cu(0), however, atomic resolution images and electron energy loss spectroscopy suggest partial oxidation of the surface layer to Cu2 O upon exposure to air. The catalytic activity of the Cu-NPs is demonstrated in an archetypal "click chemistry" reaction, generating good yields during azide-alkyne cycloadditions, most likely catalyzed by the Cu(I) surface layer of the nanoparticles. Furthermore, cytochrome deletion mutants suggest a novel metal reduction system is involved in enzymatic Cu(II) reduction and Cu-NP synthesis, which is not dependent on the Mtr pathway commonly used to reduce other high oxidation state metals in this bacterium. This work demonstrates a novel, simple, green biosynthesis method for producing efficient copper nanoparticle catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard L Kimber
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Edward A Lewis
- School of Materials, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Fabio Parmeggiani
- School of Chemistry, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Kurt Smith
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Heath Bagshaw
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Toby Starborg
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Matrix Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Nimisha Joshi
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Adriana I Figueroa
- Magnetic Spectroscopy Group, Diamond Light Source, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0DE, UK
| | - Gerrit van der Laan
- Magnetic Spectroscopy Group, Diamond Light Source, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0DE, UK
| | | | | | - Sarah J Haigh
- School of Materials, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Richard A D Pattrick
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Nicholas J Turner
- School of Chemistry, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
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Masters-Waage NK, Morris K, Lloyd JR, Shaw S, Mosselmans JFW, Boothman C, Bots P, Rizoulis A, Livens FR, Law GTW. Impacts of Repeated Redox Cycling on Technetium Mobility in the Environment. Environ Sci Technol 2017; 51:14301-14310. [PMID: 29144125 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b02426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Technetium is a problematic contaminant at nuclear sites and little is known about how repeated microbiologically mediated redox cycling impacts its fate in the environment. We explore this question in sediments representative of the Sellafield Ltd. site, UK, over multiple reduction and oxidation cycles spanning ∼1.5 years. We found the amount of Tc remobilised from the sediment into solution significantly decreased after repeated redox cycles. X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) confirmed that sediment bound Tc was present as hydrous TcO2-like chains throughout experimentation and that Tc's increased resistance to remobilization (via reoxidation to soluble TcO4-) resulted from both shortening of TcO2 chains during redox cycling and association of Tc(IV) with Fe phases in the sediment. We also observed that Tc(IV) remaining in solution during bioreduction was likely associated with colloidal magnetite nanoparticles. These findings highlight crucial links between Tc and Fe biogeochemical cycles that have significant implications for Tc's long-term environmental mobility, especially under ephemeral redox conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas K Masters-Waage
- Centre for Radiochemistry Research, School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester , M13 9PL, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester , M13 9PL, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine Morris
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester , M13 9PL, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester , M13 9PL, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Samuel Shaw
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester , M13 9PL, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - J Frederick W Mosselmans
- Diamond Light Source Ltd ., Diamond House, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0DE, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Boothman
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester , M13 9PL, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Pieter Bots
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester , M13 9PL, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Athanasios Rizoulis
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester , M13 9PL, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Francis R Livens
- Centre for Radiochemistry Research, School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester , M13 9PL, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Gareth T W Law
- Centre for Radiochemistry Research, School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester , M13 9PL, Manchester, United Kingdom
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Gnanaprakasam ET, Lloyd JR, Boothman C, Ahmed KM, Choudhury I, Bostick BC, van Geen A, Mailloux BJ. Microbial Community Structure and Arsenic Biogeochemistry in Two Arsenic-Impacted Aquifers in Bangladesh. mBio 2017; 8:e01326-17. [PMID: 29184025 PMCID: PMC5705915 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01326-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-term exposure to trace levels of arsenic (As) in shallow groundwater used for drinking and irrigation puts millions of people at risk of chronic disease. Although microbial processes are implicated in mobilizing arsenic from aquifer sediments into groundwater, the precise mechanism remains ambiguous. The goal of this work was to target, for the first time, a comprehensive suite of state-of-the-art molecular techniques in order to better constrain the relationship between indigenous microbial communities and the iron and arsenic mineral phases present in sediments at two well-characterized arsenic-impacted aquifers in Bangladesh. At both sites, arsenate [As(V)] was the major species of As present in sediments at depths with low aqueous As concentrations, while most sediment As was arsenite [As(III)] at depths with elevated aqueous As concentrations. This is consistent with a role for the microbial As(V) reduction in mobilizing arsenic. 16S rRNA gene analysis indicates that the arsenic-rich sediments were colonized by diverse bacterial communities implicated in both dissimilatory Fe(III) and As(V) reduction, while the correlation analyses involved phylogenetic groups not normally associated with As mobilization. Findings suggest that direct As redox transformations are central to arsenic fate and transport and that there is a residual reactive pool of both As(V) and Fe(III) in deeper sediments that could be released by microbial respiration in response to hydrologic perturbation, such as increased groundwater pumping that introduces reactive organic carbon to depth.IMPORTANCE The consumption of arsenic in waters collected from tube wells threatens the lives of millions worldwide and is particularly acute in the floodplains and deltas of southern Asia. The cause of arsenic mobilization from natural sediments within these aquifers to groundwater is complex, with recent studies suggesting that sediment-dwelling microorganisms may be the cause. In the absence of oxygen at depth, specialist bacteria are thought able to use metals within the sediments to support their metabolism. Via these processes, arsenic-contaminated iron minerals are transformed, resulting in the release of arsenic into the aquifer waters. Focusing on a field site in Bangladesh, a comprehensive, multidisciplinary study using state-of-the-art geological and microbiological techniques has helped better understand the microbes that are present naturally in a high-arsenic aquifer and how they may transform the chemistry of the sediment to potentially lethal effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin T Gnanaprakasam
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, the University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, the University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Boothman
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, the University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Benjamin C Bostick
- Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, New York, USA
| | - Alexander van Geen
- Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, New York, USA
| | - Brian J Mailloux
- Environmental Science Department, Barnard College, New York, New York, USA
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Thorpe CL, Law GTW, Lloyd JR, Williams HA, Atherton N, Morris K. Quantifying Technetium and Strontium Bioremediation Potential in Flowing Sediment Columns. Environ Sci Technol 2017; 51:12104-12113. [PMID: 28968094 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b02652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The high-yield fission products 99Tc and 90Sr are found as problematic radioactive contaminants in groundwater at nuclear sites. Treatment options for radioactively contaminated land include bioreduction approaches, and this paper explores 99mTc and 90Sr behavior and stability under a range of biogeochemical conditions stimulated by electron donor addition methods. Dynamic column experiments with sediment from the Sellafield nuclear facility, completed at site relevant flow conditions, demonstrated that Fe(III)-reducing conditions had developed by 60 days. Sediment reactivity toward 99Tc was then probed using a 99mTc(VII) tracer at <10-10 mol L-1 and γ camera imaging showed full retention of 99mTc in acetate amended systems. Sediment columns were then exposed to selected treatments to examine the effects of different acetate amendment regimes and reoxidation scenarios over 55 days when they were again imaged with 99mTc. Here, partially oxidized sediments with no further electron donor additions remained reactive toward 99mTc under relevant groundwater O2 and NO3- concentrations over 55 days. Immobilization of 99mTc was highest where continuous acetate amendment had resulted in sulfate-reducing conditions. Interestingly, the sulfate reducing system showed enhanced Sr retention when stable Sr2+ was added continuously as a proxy for 90Sr. Overall, sediment reactivity was nondestructively imaged over an extended period to provide new information about dynamic iron and radionuclide biogeochemistry throughout realistic sediment redox cycling regimes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare L Thorpe
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester , Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Gareth T W Law
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester , Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
- Centre for Radiochemistry Research, School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester , Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester , Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Heather A Williams
- Nuclear Medicine Centre, Manchester Royal Infirmary , Manchester M13 9WL, United Kingdom
| | - Nick Atherton
- Sellafield Ltd. , Land Quality, Sellafield, Seascale, Cumbria CA20 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine Morris
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester , Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
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Sadhukhan J, Joshi N, Shemfe M, Lloyd JR. Life cycle assessment of sustainable raw material acquisition for functional magnetite bionanoparticle production. J Environ Manage 2017; 199:116-125. [PMID: 28527738 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.05.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Revised: 05/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) have several applications, including use in medical diagnostics, renewable energy production and waste remediation. However, the processes for MNP production from analytical-grade materials are resource intensive and can be environmentally damaging. This work for the first time examines the life cycle assessment (LCA) of four MNP production cases: (i) industrial MNP production system; (ii) a state-of-the-art MNP biosynthesis system; (iii) an optimal MNP biosynthesis system and (iv) an MNP biosynthesis system using raw materials sourced from wastewaters, in order to recommend a sustainable raw material acquisition pathway for MNP synthesis. The industrial production system was used as a benchmark to compare the LCA performances of the bio-based systems (cases ii-iv). A combination of appropriate life cycle impact assessment methods was employed to analyse environmental costs and benefits of the systems comprehensively. The LCA results revealed that the state-of-the-art MNP biosynthesis system, which utilises analytical grade ferric chloride and sodium hydroxide as raw materials, generated environmental costs rather than benefits compared to the industrial MNP production system. Nevertheless, decreases in environmental impacts by six-fold were achieved by reducing sodium hydroxide input from 11.28 to 1.55 in a mass ratio to MNPs and replacing ferric chloride with ferric sulphate (3.02 and 2.59, respectively, in a mass ratio to MNPs) in the optimal biosynthesis system. Thus, the potential adverse environmental impacts of MNP production via the biosynthesis system can be reduced by minimising sodium hydroxide and substituting ferric sulphate for ferric chloride. Moreover, considerable environmental benefits were exhibited in case (iv), where Fe(III) ions were sourced from metal-containing wastewaters and reduced to MNPs by electrons harvested from organic substrates. It was revealed that 14.4 kJ and 3.9 kJ of primary fossil resource savings could be achieved per g MNP and associated electricity recoveries from wastewaters, respectively. The significant environmental benefits exhibited by the wastewater-fed MNP biosynthesis system shows promise for the sustainable production of MNPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhuma Sadhukhan
- Centre for Environment and Sustainability, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK.
| | - Nimisha Joshi
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Science, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Mobolaji Shemfe
- Centre for Environment and Sustainability, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Science, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
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Nixon SL, Walker L, Streets MDT, Eden B, Boothman C, Taylor KG, Lloyd JR. Guar Gum Stimulates Biogenic Sulfide Production at Elevated Pressures: Implications for Shale Gas Extraction. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:679. [PMID: 28469616 PMCID: PMC5395621 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2016] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Biogenic sulfide production is a common problem in the oil industry, and can lead to costly hydrocarbon processing and corrosion of extraction infrastructure. The same phenomenon has recently been identified in shale gas extraction by hydraulic fracturing, and organic additives in fracturing fluid have been hypothesized to stimulate this process. Constraining the relative effects of the numerous organic additives on microbial metabolism in situ is, however, extremely challenging. Using a bespoke bioreactor system we sought to assess the potential for guar gum, the most commonly used gelling agent in fracturing fluids, to stimulate biogenic sulfide production by sulfate-reducing microorganisms at elevated pressure. Two pressurized bioreactors were fed with either sulfate-amended freshwater medium, or low-sulfate natural surface water, in addition to guar gum (0.05 w/v%) and an inoculum of sulfate-reducing bacteria for a period of 77 days. Sulfide production was observed in both bioreactors, even when the sulfate concentration was low. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicate that heterotrophic bacteria closely associated with the genera Brevundimonas and Acinetobacter became enriched early in the bioreactor experiments, followed by an increase in relative abundance of 16S rRNA genes associated with sulfate-reducing bacteria (Desulfosporosinus and Desulfobacteraceae) at later time points. Results demonstrate that guar gum can stimulate acid- and sulfide-producing microorganisms at elevated pressure, and may have implications for the potential role in microbially induced corrosion during hydraulic fracturing operations. Key differences between experimental and in situ conditions are discussed, as well as additional sources of carbon and energy for biogenic sulfide production during shale gas extraction. Our laboratory approach can be tailored to better simulate deep subsurface conditions in order to probe the role of other fracturing fluid additives and downhole parameters on microbial metabolisms observed in these systems. Such baseline studies will prove essential for effective future development of shale gas worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie L Nixon
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of ManchesterManchester, UK
| | | | | | - Bob Eden
- Rawwater Engineering Company LimitedCulcheth, UK
| | - Christopher Boothman
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of ManchesterManchester, UK
| | - Kevin G Taylor
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of ManchesterManchester, UK
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of ManchesterManchester, UK
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Newsome L, Cleary A, Morris K, Lloyd JR. Long-Term Immobilization of Technetium via Bioremediation with Slow-Release Substrates. Environ Sci Technol 2017; 51:1595-1604. [PMID: 28051295 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b04876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Radionuclides are present in groundwater at contaminated nuclear facilities with technetium-99, one of the most mobile radionuclides encountered. In situ bioremediation via the generation of microbially reducing conditions has the potential to remove aqueous and mobile Tc(VII) from groundwater as insoluble Tc(IV). However, questions remain regarding the optimal methods of biostimulation and the stability of reduced Tc(IV) phases under oxic conditions. Here, we selected a range of slow-release electron donor/chemical reduction based substrates available for contaminated land treatment, and assessed their potential to stimulate the formation of recalcitrant Tc(IV) biominerals under conditions relevant to radioactively contaminated land. These included a slow-release polylactate substrate (HRC), a similar substrate with an additional organosulfur ester (MRC) and a substrate containing zerovalent iron and plant matter (EHC). Results showed that Tc was removed from solution in the form of poorly soluble hydrous Tc(IV)-oxides or Tc(IV)-sulfides during the development of reducing conditions. Reoxidation experiments showed that these phases were largely resistant to oxidative remobilization and were more resistant than Tc(IV) produced via biostimulation with an acetate/lactate electron donor mix in the sediments tested. The implications of the targeted formation of recalcitrant Tc(IV) phases using these proprietorial substrates in situ is discussed in the context of the long-term management of technetium at legacy nuclear sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Newsome
- Williamson Research Centre and Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester , Williamson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian Cleary
- Williamson Research Centre and Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester , Williamson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine Morris
- Williamson Research Centre and Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester , Williamson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Williamson Research Centre and Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester , Williamson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
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48
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Smith SL, Boothman C, Williams HA, Ellis BL, Wragg J, West JM, Lloyd JR. Microbial impacts on 99mTc migration through sandstone under highly alkaline conditions relevant to radioactive waste disposal. Sci Total Environ 2017; 575:485-495. [PMID: 27751688 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.08.126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2016] [Revised: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 08/18/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Geological disposal of intermediate level radioactive waste in the UK is planned to involve the use of cementitious materials, facilitating the formation of an alkali-disturbed zone within the host rock. The biogeochemical processes that will occur in this environment, and the extent to which they will impact on radionuclide migration, are currently poorly understood. This study investigates the impact of biogeochemical processes on the mobility of the radionuclide technetium, in column experiments designed to be representative of aspects of the alkali-disturbed zone. Results indicate that microbial processes were capable of inhibiting 99mTc migration through columns, and X-ray radiography demonstrated that extensive physical changes had occurred to the material within columns where microbiological activity had been stimulated. The utilisation of organic acids under highly alkaline conditions, generating H2 and CO2, may represent a mechanism by which microbial processes may alter the hydraulic conductivity of a geological environment. Column sediments were dominated by obligately alkaliphilic H2-oxidising bacteria, suggesting that the enrichment of these bacteria may have occurred as a result of H2 generation during organic acid metabolism. The results from these experiments show that microorganisms are able to carry out a number of processes under highly alkaline conditions that could potentially impact on the properties of the host rock surrounding a geological disposal facility for intermediate level radioactive waste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Smith
- Research Centre for Radwaste and Decommissioning & Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Williamson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom; British Geological Survey, Environmental Science Centre, Nicker Hill, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Boothman
- Research Centre for Radwaste and Decommissioning & Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Williamson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Heather A Williams
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, M13 9WL, United Kingdom
| | - Beverly L Ellis
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, M13 9WL, United Kingdom
| | - Joanna Wragg
- British Geological Survey, Environmental Science Centre, Nicker Hill, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, United Kingdom
| | - Julia M West
- British Geological Survey, Environmental Science Centre, Nicker Hill, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Research Centre for Radwaste and Decommissioning & Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Williamson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
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Cherkouk A, Law GTW, Rizoulis A, Law K, Renshaw JC, Morris K, Livens FR, Lloyd JR. Influence of riboflavin on the reduction of radionuclides by Shewanella oneidenis MR-1. Dalton Trans 2016; 45:5030-7. [PMID: 26632613 DOI: 10.1039/c4dt02929a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Uranium (as UO2(2+)), technetium (as TcO4(-)) and neptunium (as NpO2(+)) are highly mobile radionuclides that can be reduced enzymatically by a range of anaerobic and facultatively anaerobic microorganisms, including Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, to poorly soluble species. The redox chemistry of Pu is more complicated, but the dominant oxidation state in most environments is highly insoluble Pu(IV), which can be reduced to Pu(III) which has a potentially increased solubility which could enhance migration of Pu in the environment. Recently it was shown that flavins (riboflavin and flavin mononucleotide (FMN)) secreted by Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 can act as electron shuttles, promoting anoxic growth coupled to the accelerated reduction of poorly-crystalline Fe(III) oxides. Here, we studied the role of riboflavin in mediating the reduction of radionuclides in cultures of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. Our results demonstrate that the addition of 10 μM riboflavin enhances the reduction rate of Tc(VII) to Tc(IV), Pu(IV) to Pu(III) and to a lesser extent, Np(V) to Np(IV), but has no significant influence on the reduction rate of U(VI) by Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. Thus riboflavin can act as an extracellular electron shuttle to enhance rates of Tc(VII), Np(V) and Pu(IV) reduction, and may therefore play a role in controlling the oxidation state of key redox active actinides and fission products in natural and engineered environments. These results also suggest that the addition of riboflavin could be used to accelerate the bioremediation of radionuclide-contaminated environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Cherkouk
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Gareth T W Law
- Centre for Radiochemistry Research, School of Chemistry, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Athanasios Rizoulis
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Katie Law
- Centre for Radiochemistry Research, School of Chemistry, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Joanna C Renshaw
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Katherine Morris
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Francis R Livens
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK. and Centre for Radiochemistry Research, School of Chemistry, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
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Byrne JM, Muhamadali H, Coker VS, Cooper J, Lloyd JR. Scale-up of the production of highly reactive biogenic magnetite nanoparticles using Geobacter sulfurreducens. J R Soc Interface 2016; 12:rsif.2015.0240. [PMID: 25972437 PMCID: PMC4590511 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2015.0240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although there are numerous examples of large-scale commercial microbial synthesis routes for organic bioproducts, few studies have addressed the obvious potential for microbial systems to produce inorganic functional biomaterials at scale. Here we address this by focusing on the production of nanoscale biomagnetite particles by the Fe(III)-reducing bacterium Geobacter sulfurreducens, which was scaled up successfully from laboratory- to pilot plant-scale production, while maintaining the surface reactivity and magnetic properties which make this material well suited to commercial exploitation. At the largest scale tested, the bacterium was grown in a 50 l bioreactor, harvested and then inoculated into a buffer solution containing Fe(III)-oxyhydroxide and an electron donor and mediator, which promoted the formation of magnetite in under 24 h. This procedure was capable of producing up to 120 g of biomagnetite. The particle size distribution was maintained between 10 and 15 nm during scale-up of this second step from 10 ml to 10 l, with conserved magnetic properties and surface reactivity; the latter demonstrated by the reduction of Cr(VI). The process presented provides an environmentally benign route to magnetite production and serves as an alternative to harsher synthetic techniques, with the clear potential to be used to produce kilogram to tonne quantities.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Byrne
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK Geomicrobiology, Center for Applied Geoscience, University of Tuebingen, Sigwartstrasse 10, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - H Muhamadali
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN, UK
| | - V S Coker
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - J Cooper
- The Centre for Process Innovation, CPI, Wilton Centre, Wilton, Redcar TS10 4RF, UK
| | - J R Lloyd
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
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