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Skinner J, Delgado AG, Hyman M, Chu MYJ. Implementation of in situ aerobic cometabolism for groundwater treatment: State of the knowledge and important factors for field operation. Sci Total Environ 2024; 925:171667. [PMID: 38485017 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171667] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
In situ aerobic cometabolism of groundwater contaminants has been demonstrated to be a valuable bioremediation technology to treat many legacy and emerging contaminants in dilute plumes. Several well-designed and documented field studies have shown that this technology can concurrently treat multiple contaminants and reach very low cleanup goals. Fundamentally different from metabolism-based biodegradation of contaminants, microorganisms that cometabolically degrade contaminants do not obtain sufficient carbon and energy from the degradation process to support their growth and require an exogenous growth supporting primary substrate. Successful applications of aerobic cometabolic treatment therefore require special considerations beyond conventional in situ bioremediation, such as competitive inhibition between growth-supporting primary substrate(s) and contaminant non-growth substrates, toxic effects resulting from contaminant degradation, and differences in microbial population dynamics exhibited by biostimulated indigenous consortia versus bioaugmentation cultures. This article first provides a general review of microbiological factors that are likely to affect the rate of aerobic cometabolic biodegradation. We subsequently review fourteen well documented field-scale aerobic cometabolic bioremediation studies and summarize the underlying microbiological factors that may affect the performance observed in these field studies. The combination of microbiological and engineering principles gained from field testing leads to insights and recommendations on planning, design, and operation of an in situ aerobic cometabolic treatment system. With a vision of more aerobic cometabolic treatments being considered to tackle large, dilute plumes, we present several novel topics and future research directions that can potentially enhance technology development and foster success in implementing this technology for environmental restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Skinner
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, 1001 S McAllister Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA; School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, 660 S College Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA; Engineering Research Center for Bio-mediated and Bio-inspired Geotechnics (CBBG), Arizona State University, 650 E Tyler Mall, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA; Andrews Engineering, Inc., 3300 Ginger Creek Drive, Springfield, IL 62711, USA
| | - Anca G Delgado
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, 1001 S McAllister Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA; School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, 660 S College Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA; Engineering Research Center for Bio-mediated and Bio-inspired Geotechnics (CBBG), Arizona State University, 650 E Tyler Mall, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - Michael Hyman
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University, Thomas Hall 4545, 112 Derieux Place, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Min-Ying Jacob Chu
- Haley & Aldrich Inc., 400 E Van Buren St, Ste 545, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA.
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2
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Berens MJ, Deen TW, Chun CL. Bioelectrochemical reactor to manage anthropogenic sulfate pollution for freshwater ecosystems: Mathematical modeling and experimental validation. Chemosphere 2024; 357:142054. [PMID: 38642774 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142054] [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] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
Anthropogenic sulfate loading into otherwise low-sulfate freshwater systems can cause significant ecological consequences as a biogeochemical stressor. To address this challenge, in situ bioremediation technologies have been developed to leverage naturally occurring microorganisms that transform sulfate into sulfide rather than implementing resource-intensive physio-chemical processes. However, bioremediation technologies often require the supply of electron donors to facilitate biological sulfate reduction. Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) can be an alternative approach for supplying molecular hydrogen as an electron donor for sulfate-reducing bacteria through water electrolysis. Although the fundamental mechanisms behind BESs have been studied, limited research has evaluated the design and operational parameters of treatment systems when developing BESs on a scale relevant to environmental systems. This study aimed to develop an application-based mathematical model to evaluate the performance of BESs across a range of reactor configurations and operational modes. The model was based on sulfate transformation by hydrogenotrophic sulfate-reducing bacteria coupled with the recovery of solid iron sulfide species formed by the oxidative dissolution of dissolved ferrous iron from a stainless steel anode. Sulfate removal closely corresponded to the rate of electrolytic hydrogen production and hydraulic residence time but was less sensitive to specific microbial rate constants. The mathematical model results were compared to experimental data from a pilot-scale BES tested with nonacidic mine drainage as a case study. The close agreement between the mathematical model and the pilot-scale BES experiment highlights the efficacy of using a mathematical model as a tool to develop a conceptual design of a scaled-up treatment system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Berens
- Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN, 55811, USA; Current Address: Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
| | - Tobin W Deen
- Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN, 55811, USA; Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN, 55805, USA
| | - Chan Lan Chun
- Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN, 55811, USA; Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN, 55805, USA.
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3
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Cai Q, Shi C, Yuan S, Tong M. Integrated anaerobic-aerobic biodegradation of mixed chlorinated solvents by electrolysis coupled with groundwater circulation in a simulated aquifer. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2023; 30:31188-31201. [PMID: 36445524 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-24377-8] [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: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Chlorinated solvents are widespread subsurface contaminants that are often present as complex mixtures. Complete biodegradation of mixed chlorinated solvents remains challenging because the optimal redox conditions for biodegradation of different chlorinated solvents differ significantly. In this study, anaerobic and aerobic conditions were integrated by electrolysis coupled with groundwater circulation for biodegradation of a mixture of chloroform (CF, 8.25 mg/L), 1,2-dichloroethane (DCA, 7.01 mg/L), and trichloroethylene (TCE, 4.56 mg/L). A two-dimensional tank was filled with field sandy and silty-clayed sediments to simulate aquifer conditions, a pair of electrodes was installed between an injection well and abstraction well, and groundwater circulation transported cathodic H2 and anodic O2 to produce multiple redox conditions. Microbial community analysis demonstrated that the system constructed a habitat suitable for the co-existence of aerobic and anaerobic microbes. After 50 days of treatment, 93.1%, 100%, and 87.3% of CF, 1,2-DCA, and TCE were removed without observed intermediates, respectively. Combined with compound specific isotope analysis, the degradation of 1,2-DCA and CF was mainly attributed to aerobic oxidation and reductive dechlorination, respectively, and TCE was removed by both aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation. Our findings provide a new and efficient strategy for in situ bioremediation of groundwater contaminated by mixed chlorinated solvents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qizheng Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, No. 68 Jincheng Street, East Lake High-Tech Development Zone, Wuhan, 430078, People's Republic of China
| | - Chongwen Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, No. 68 Jincheng Street, East Lake High-Tech Development Zone, Wuhan, 430078, People's Republic of China
| | - Songhu Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, No. 68 Jincheng Street, East Lake High-Tech Development Zone, Wuhan, 430078, People's Republic of China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, No. 68 Jincheng Street, East Lake High-Tech Development Zone, Wuhan, 430078, People's Republic of China
| | - Man Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, No. 68 Jincheng Street, East Lake High-Tech Development Zone, Wuhan, 430078, People's Republic of China.
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, No. 68 Jincheng Street, East Lake High-Tech Development Zone, Wuhan, 430078, People's Republic of China.
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4
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Ciampi P, Esposito C, Bartsch E, Alesi EJ, Petrangeli Papini M. 3D dynamic model empowering the knowledge of the decontamination mechanisms and controlling the complex remediation strategy of a contaminated industrial site. Sci Total Environ 2021; 793:148649. [PMID: 34328981 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [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: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Knowledge of the geology and hydrogeology of the polluted site emblematize a key requirement for environmental remediation, through assembling and synthesizing findings from various sources of physical evidence. In an increasingly virtual era, digital and geo-referenced metadata may serve as tools for collecting, merging, matching, and understanding multi-source information. The main goal of this paper is to emphasize the significance of a 3D hydrogeochemical model to the portrayal and the understanding of contamination dynamics and decontamination mechanisms at a highly contaminated industrial site. Some remediation measures are active on-site, due to the evidence-based presence of chlorinated solvents in groundwater. These are attributable to a slow-release source of pollutants in the saturated zone associated with very low permeability sediments. Therefore, in this research, a new technique for the remediation of secondary sources of dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) contamination was investigated for the first time on a full-scale application. The combination of groundwater circulation wells (IEG-GCW®) and a continuous electron donor production device was set up to boost in situ bioremediation (ISB). A multi-phase approach was followed handling and releasing data during various remediation stages, from site characterization via pilot testing to full-scale remediation, thus allowing users to monitor, analyze, and manipulate information in 3D space-time. Multi-source and multi-temporal scenarios reveal the impact of ongoing hydraulic dynamics and depict the decontamination mechanisms in response to the interventions implemented over time, by quantifying the overall performance of the adopted strategies in terms of removal of secondary sources of pollution still active at the site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Ciampi
- Department of Earth Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Carlo Esposito
- Department of Earth Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Ernst Bartsch
- IEG Technologie GmbH, Hohlbachweg 2, D-73344 Gruibingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
| | - Eduard J Alesi
- IEG Technologie GmbH, Hohlbachweg 2, D-73344 Gruibingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
| | - Marco Petrangeli Papini
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
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Shen R, Yu L, Xu P, Liang Z, Lu Q, Liang D, He Z, Wang S. Water content as a primary parameter determines microbial reductive dechlorination activities in soil. Chemosphere 2021; 267:129152. [PMID: 33316619 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.129152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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: 03/14/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Organohalide-respiring bacteria (OHRB) remove halogens from a variety of organohalides, which have been utilized for in situ remediation of different contaminated sites, e.g., groundwater, sediment and soil. Nonetheless, dehalogenation activities of OHRB and consequent remediation efficiencies can be synergistically affected by water content, soil type and inoculated/indigenous OHRB, which need to be disentangled to identify the key driving parameter and to elucidate the underlying mechanism. In this study, we investigated the impacts of water content (0-100%), soil type (laterite, brown soil and black soil) and inoculated OHRB (Dehalococcoides mccartyi CG1 and a river sediment culture) on reductive dechlorination of perchloroethene (PCE) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), as well as on associated microbial communities. Results suggested that the water content as a primary rate-limiting parameter governed dechlorination activities in environmental matrices, particularly in the soil, possibly through mediation of cell-to-organohalide mobility of OHRB. By contrast, interestingly, organohalide-dechlorinating microbial communities were predominantly clustered based on soil types, rather than water contents or inoculated OHRB. This study provided knowledge on the impacts of major parameters on OHRB-mediated reductive dechlorination in groundwater, sediment and soil for future optimization of in situ bioremediation of organohalides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Shen
- Environmental Microbiomics Research Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Ling Yu
- Analysis and Test Center, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Pan Xu
- Environmental Microbiomics Research Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Zhiwei Liang
- Environmental Microbiomics Research Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Qihong Lu
- Environmental Microbiomics Research Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Dawei Liang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Energy Materials and Devices, School of Space & Environment, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Zhili He
- Environmental Microbiomics Research Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Shanquan Wang
- Environmental Microbiomics Research Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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Chen X, Ye Q, Sanders CJ, Du J, Zhang J. Bacterial-derived nutrient and carbon source-sink behaviors in a sandy beach subterranean estuary. Mar Pollut Bull 2020; 160:111570. [PMID: 32861939 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111570] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Microbial communities in subterranean estuaries play important roles in the biogeochemical cycle. However, the microorganisms associated with biogeochemical behaviors in subterranean estuaries have received little attention. Here, the bacterial communities were compared between the fresh and saline groundwater in a subterranean estuary. Correlation analysis between bacterial groups and salinity indicated that different species represented different groundwater types. The key bacterial groups found along the subterranean estuaries have been shown to influence organic pollutant degradation and nitrate utilization. These species may be potential candidates for the in situ bioremediation of subterranean estuaries that are contaminated with pollutants. The utilization of nitrate and organic pollutants by bacteria in subterranean estuaries serves as a nitrate sink and inorganic carbon source. Our results show the role of bacteria in remediating pollutants through submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) to the coastal ocean, and specific species may be helpful in selecting reasonable groundwater end-members and reducing SGD uncertainties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaogang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Qi Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China.
| | - Christian J Sanders
- National Marine Science Centre, Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450, Australia
| | - Jinzhou Du
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Institute of Eco-Chongming (IEC), Shanghai 202162, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
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Han K, Park S, Kwon S, Kim Y. Evaluating a new injection method of liquid/gas mixture spray injection via performing long-term in situ bioremediation tests. J Environ Manage 2020; 268:110691. [PMID: 32510434 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110691] [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: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
During in situ bioremediation, continuous injection of growth substrates such as carbon sources, electron donors, or electron acceptors inevitably results in microbial growth, resulting in biological clogging in an aquifer. Therefore, for successful bioremediation, development of a new injection method is needed to reduce or alleviate this clogging problem. In this study, we carried out field tracer tests using single-well push-pull tests (SWPPTs), single-well natural gradient drift tests (SWNGDTs), and long-term in situ well-to-well tests to develop and evaluate a new method of liquid/gas mixture spray injection. The effectiveness of the new method was evaluated by estimating the factors as follow: longitudinal dispersivity (αL), radius of influence (RI), shear stress on the surface of aquifer particles (σ), biofilm-shear-loss rate (Rs), and the ratio of volume occupied by cells grown to the original pore volume. At the tested site, the liquid/gas mixture spray injection method turned out to have several advantages compared to the traditional solution injection method: 1) transport of solute to a larger proportion of an aquifer by a factor of 1.3-1.7, 2) application of higher shear stress onto the surface of soil particles by a factor of 4.2-5.0, 3) faster biofilm sloughing rates by a factor of 2.3-2.6, 4) reduction in the ratio of the volume occupied by microorganisms to total pore volume (Volmicrobes/Volpore), and 5) efficient trichloroethylene (TCE) dechlorination for a period of 550 days without any injection problems. This new injection method showed positive effects on the hydrogeological and physical characteristics of the system, thus alleviating the biological clogging problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyungjin Han
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Korea University, Sejong, South Korea
| | - Sunhwa Park
- National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Sooyoul Kwon
- Department of Environmental Health, Korea National Open University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Young Kim
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Korea University, Sejong, South Korea.
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Tao W, Mei C, Hamzah N. The application of surfactant colloidal gas aphrons to remediate contaminated soil: A review. J Contam Hydrol 2020; 231:103620. [PMID: 32126294 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2020.103620] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Surfactant solutions have been frequently studied for soil remediation. However, since they are expensive, massive consumption of surfactant solution can constrain their application. Surfactant microbubbles, or colloidal gas aphrons (CGAs), can serve as cost effective alternatives of surfactant solution because the use of CGAs reduce the amount of surfactant consumption. Moreover, CGAs can also improve the contact with the contaminated environment due to their unique surface properties, e.g. containing 40-70% of gas, small size, large interfacial areas, water-like flow properties and buoyant rise velocities. In this review paper, the properties and flow character of CGAs in soil matrix reviewed due to their relevance to soil remediation process. A comprehensive overview of the application of CGAs in flushing off organic pollutants and heavy metals, and carrying oxygen, bacteria and dissolved materials for soil remediation were provided. This paper also highlighted the limitation of CGAs application and important future research scopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Tao
- School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, Zigong 643000, PR China..
| | - Changgen Mei
- School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, Zigong 643000, PR China..
| | - Nurhidayah Hamzah
- Department of Water Resource and Environmental System, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Selangor, Malaysia.
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9
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Han K, Hong U, Kim YW, Kwon S, Kim Y. Assessing the feasibility of sequential aerobic respiration and heterotrophic denitrification of a high-strength mixture of phenol and its derivatives in the field single-well-drift test. Chemosphere 2020; 239:124800. [PMID: 31526993 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.124800] [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: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Biological degradation of high strength phenol and its derivatives in groundwater is problematic because these compounds are toxic to human and microbes. To evaluate the feasibility of in situ bioremediation using sequential aerobic respiration and heterotrophic denitrification, a field single-well-drift test (SWDT) was conducted in groundwater contaminated with coal tar distillates. To stimulate indigenous phenol degrading microorganisms, a 1400 L of oxygen-saturated test solution containing bromide (3.96 ± 0.179 mmol-Br/L) and nitrate (5.34 ± 0.187 mmol NO3--N/L) was injected into an aquifer. After injection of the test solution, significant consumption of dissolved oxygen (DO) was immediately observed; then, degradation of the methyl derivatives o-cresol and m,p-cresol was observed with average zero-order rate coefficients of 0.047 mmol/L/d and 0.23 mmol/L/d, respectively. After 73% of the injected DO was consumed, significant NO3- consumption was observed along with degradation of phenol and the dimethyl derivatives 2,4-xylenol and 3,5-xylenol, which had average zero-order rate coefficients of 0.17 mmol/L/d, 0.060 mmol/L/d, and 0.018 mmol/L/d, respectively. The production of CO2, NO2-, and N2O along with significant consumption of DO and NO3- suggest that phenolic compounds were biologically degraded by sequential aerobic respiration and heterotrophic denitrification. The results of 16s RNA analysis revealed that, after injection of the test solution, a bacterium that shared a 99% 16s rRNA sequence similarity with an uncultured bacterium revealed to be Pseudomonas stutzeri, a facultative heterotrophic denitrifier, was found in the aquifer. Thus, these results suggest that simultaneous injection of DO and NO3- is an appropriate in situ bioremediation strategy for degrading mixtures of high-strength phenolic compounds in an aquifer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyungjin Han
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Korea University, Sejong, 30019, Republic of Korea
| | - Uijeon Hong
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Korea University, Sejong, 30019, Republic of Korea; KE Tech Incorporated, Daejeon, 34016, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Wan Kim
- Department of Food and Biotechnology, Korea University, Sejong, 30019, Republic of Korea
| | - Sooyoul Kwon
- Department of Environmental Health, Korea National Open University, Seoul, 110-791, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Kim
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Korea University, Sejong, 30019, Republic of Korea.
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10
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Lee TH, Cao WZ, Tsang DCW, Sheu YT, Shia KF, Kao CM. Emulsified polycolloid substrate biobarrier for benzene and petroleum-hydrocarbon plume containment and migration control - A field-scale study. Sci Total Environ 2019; 666:839-848. [PMID: 30818208 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [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: 12/16/2018] [Revised: 02/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2019] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this field-scale study was to assess the effectiveness of applying an emulsified polycolloid substrate (EPS; containing cane molasses, soybean oil, and surfactants) biobarrier in the control and remediation of a petroleum-hydrocarbon plume in natural waters. An abandoned petrochemical manufacturing facility site was contaminated by benzene and other petroleum products due to a leakage from a storage tank. Because benzene is a petroleum hydrocarbon with a high migration ability, it was used as the target compound in the field-scale study. Batch partition and sorption experiment results indicated that the EPS to water partition coefficient for benzene was 232 mg/mg at 25 °C. This suggests that benzene had a higher sorption affinity to EPS, which decreased the benzene concentrations in groundwater. The EPS solution was pressure-injected into three remediation wells (RWs; 150 L EPS in 800 L groundwater). Groundwater samples were collected from an upgradient background well, two downgradient monitor wells (MWs), and the three RWs for analyses. EPS injection increased total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations (up to 786 mg/L) in groundwater, which also resulted in the formation of anaerobic conditions. An abrupt drop in benzene concentration (from 6.9 to below 0.04 mg/L) was observed after EPS supplementation in the RWs due to both sorption and biodegradation mechanisms. Results show that the EPS supplement increased total viable bacteria and enhanced bioremediation efficiency, which accounted for the observed decrease in benzene concentration. The first-order decay rate in RW1 increased from 0.003 to 0.023 d-1 after EPS application. Injection of EPS resulted in significant growth of indigenous bacteria, and 23 petroleum-hydrocarbon-degrading bacterial species were detected, which enhanced the in situ benzene biodegradation efficiency. Results demonstrate that the EPS biobarrier can effectively contain a petroleum-hydrocarbon plume and prevent its migration to downgradient areas, which reduces the immediate risk presented to downgradient receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- T H Lee
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - W Z Cao
- College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - D C W Tsang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Y T Sheu
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - K F Shia
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - C M Kao
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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11
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Bansal N, Coetzee JJ, Chirwa EMN. In situ bioremediation of hexavalent chromium in presence of iron by dried sludge bacteria exposed to high chromium concentration. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2019; 172:281-289. [PMID: 30716662 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.01.094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [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: 06/08/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Stability of chromium in the ferrochrome slag dumps and leachate are affected by pH, redox potential and the presence of other metallic species in the slag. It is desirable to keep chromium in slag dumps in the trivalent [Cr(III)] state because trivalent chromium is 1000 times less toxic to living organisms than the hexavalent form [Cr(VI)]. Due to the low toxicity and low mobility of Cr(III), it is recommended to convert Cr(VI) to Cr(III) wherever possible to protect the health of living organisms. In this study, the role of Cr(VI) reducing organisms for stabilising chromium in slag dumps was evaluated in the presence of iron [oxidation states Fe(II) and Fe(III)]. The study showed that stabilisation of chromium species in the trivalent state was most favourable under aerated conditions. Up to 100 mg/L Cr(VI) was reduced in less than 24 h by cultures grown under aerobic conditions in the presence of Fe(III). A much shorter time (6 h) was required to reduce the same amount of Cr(VI) in the presence of Fe(II). When oxygen was completely excluded, it was only possible to reduce 20 mg/L in about 48 h which was much slower than the removal of 100 mg/L in less than 24 h under aerated conditions. Fe(II) contributed directly to catalytic reduction of Cr(VI) reduction whereas Fe(III) was beneficial to Cr(VI) reduction up to an initial Cr(VI) concentration of 75 mg/L. Evaluation of Cr(VI) reduction kinetics showed that Cr(VI) reduction under aerobic conditions followed the non-competitively inhibited mixed-order reaction. Cr(VI) reduction in sealed reactor vessels, under anaerobic conditions, followed a modified non-competitive inhibition reaction model. The results indicate that chromium stabilisation in ferrochrome slag dumps would require maintenance of a fully aerated dump supplemented by a culture of Cr(VI) reducing organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neetu Bansal
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa.
| | - Johan J Coetzee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
| | - Evans M N Chirwa
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
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12
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Lee TH, Tsang DCW, Chen WH, Verpoort F, Sheu YT, Kao CM. Application of an emulsified polycolloid substrate biobarrier to remediate petroleum-hydrocarbon contaminated groundwater. Chemosphere 2019; 219:444-455. [PMID: 30551111 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.12.028] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Revised: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Emulsified polycolloid substrate (EPS) was developed and applied in situ to form a biobarrier for the containment and enhanced bioremediation of a petroleum-hydrocarbon plume. EPS had a negative zeta potential (-35.7 mv), which promoted its even distribution after injection. Batch and column experiments were performed to evaluate the effectiveness of EPS on toluene containment and biodegradation. The EPS-to-water partition coefficient for toluene (target compound) was 943. Thus, toluene had a significant sorption affinity to EPS, which caused reduced toluene concentration in water phase in the EPS/water system. Groundwater containing toluene (18 mg/L) was pumped into the three-column system at a flow rate of 0.28 mL/min, while EPS was injected into the second column to form a biobarrier. A significant reduction of toluene concentration to 0.1 mg/L was observed immediately after EPS injection. This indicates that EPS could effectively contain toluene plume and prevent its further migration to farther downgradient zone. Approximately 99% of toluene was removed after 296 PVs of operation via sorption, natural attenuation, and EPS-enhanced biodegradation. Increase in total organic carbon and bacteria were also observed after EPS supplement. Supplement of EPS resulted in a growth of petroleum-hydrocarbon degrading bacteria, which enhanced the toluene biodegradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- T H Lee
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - D C W Tsang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong
| | - W H Chen
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - F Verpoort
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Y T Sheu
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - C M Kao
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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Xu S, Xing Y, Liu S, Huang Q, Chen W. Role of novel bacterial Raoultella sp. strain X13 in plant growth promotion and cadmium bioremediation in soil. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 103:3887-97. [PMID: 30820635 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-019-09700-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Heavy metal pollution in agricultural soils has become a widespread serious problem with the rapid industrialization and urbanization in the past two decades. Cadmium (Cd2+) is of the most concern in soils due to its high toxicity. It is necessary to develop remediation strategies to remove or neutralize its toxic effects in Cd-contaminated soil. Microbial bioremediation is a promising technology to treat heavy metal-contaminated soils. In this study, Cd-resistant bacterium, isolated from heavy metal-polluted soil in Southern China, was characterized as Raoultella sp. strain X13 on the basis of its biochemical profile and 16S rRNA. We investigated the characterization of Cd2+ distribution in different cellular compartments after Cd2+ uptake. Cd2+ uptake by strain X13 was mainly by ion exchange and chelation binding tightly to the cell wall. In addition, X13 plant growth-promoting characteristics suggested that X13 could solubilize phosphate and produce indole acetic acid. Pot experiments for the remediation of Cd-contaminated soil in situ by X13 inoculation demonstrated that X13 application to Cd-contaminated soils significantly promoted pak choi growth and improved production. We also found that X13 substantially reduced the Cd2+ bioavailability for pak choi. Therefore, strain X13 is an effective treatment for potential application in Cd2+ remediation as well as for sustainable agronomic production programs in Cd-contaminated soils.
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14
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Mikkonen A, Yläranta K, Tiirola M, Dutra LAL, Salmi P, Romantschuk M, Copley S, Ikäheimo J, Sinkkonen A. Successful aerobic bioremediation of groundwater contaminated with higher chlorinated phenols by indigenous degrader bacteria. Water Res 2018; 138:118-128. [PMID: 29574199 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.03.033] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Revised: 03/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The xenobiotic priority pollutant pentachlorophenol has been used as a timber preservative in a polychlorophenol bulk synthesis product containing also tetrachlorophenol and trichlorophenol. Highly soluble chlorophenol salts have leaked into groundwater, causing severe contamination of large aquifers. Natural attenuation of higher-chlorinated phenols (HCPs: pentachlorophenol + tetrachlorophenol) at historically polluted sites has been inefficient, but a 4-year full scale in situ biostimulation of a chlorophenol-contaminated aquifer by circulation and re-infiltration of aerated groundwater was remarkably successful: pentachlorophenol decreased from 400 μg L-1 to <1 μg L-1 and tetrachlorophenols from 4000 μg L-1 to <10 μg L-1. The pcpB gene, the gene encoding pentachlorophenol hydroxylase - the first and rate-limiting enzyme in the only fully characterised aerobic HCP degradation pathway - was present in up to 10% of the indigenous bacteria already 4 months after the start of aeration. The novel quantitative PCR assay detected the pcpB gene in situ also in the chlorophenol plume of another historically polluted aquifer with no remediation history. Hotspot groundwater HCPs from this site were degraded efficiently during a 3-week microcosm incubation with one-time aeration but no other additives: from 5400 μg L-1 to 1200 μg L-1 and to 200 μg L-1 in lightly and fully aerated microcosms, respectively, coupled with up to 2400% enrichment of the pcpB gene. Accumulation of lower-chlorinated metabolites was observed in neither in situ remediation nor microcosms, supporting the assumption that HCP removal was due to the aerobic degradation pathway where the first step limits the mineralisation rate. Our results demonstrate that bacteria capable of aerobic mineralisation of xenobiotic pentachlorophenol and tetrachlorophenol can be present at long-term polluted groundwater sites, making bioremediation by simple aeration a viable and economically attractive alternative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anu Mikkonen
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Niemenkatu 73, 15140 Lahti, Finland; Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Survontie 9 C, 40500 Jyväskylä, Finland.
| | - Kati Yläranta
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Niemenkatu 73, 15140 Lahti, Finland
| | - Marja Tiirola
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Survontie 9 C, 40500 Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Lara Ambrosio Leal Dutra
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Survontie 9 C, 40500 Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Pauliina Salmi
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Survontie 9 C, 40500 Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Martin Romantschuk
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Niemenkatu 73, 15140 Lahti, Finland; Institute of Environmental Sciences, Kazan Federal University, 420008, Kremlevskaya 18, Kazan, Russia
| | - Shelley Copley
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences and Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, CO 80309 Boulder, United States
| | | | - Aki Sinkkonen
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Niemenkatu 73, 15140 Lahti, Finland
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15
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Tribedi P, Dey S. Pre-oxidation of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) by ultraviolet light (UV) promotes enhanced degradation of LDPE in soil. Environ Monit Assess 2017; 189:624. [PMID: 29124475 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-017-6351-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [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: 07/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Polyethylene represents nearly 64% of all the synthetic plastics produced and are mainly used for domestic and industrial applications. Their extensive use poses a serious environmental threat because of their non-biodegradable nature. Among all the polyethylene remediation strategies, in situ bioremediation happens to be the safest and efficient one. In the current study, efforts had been given to compare the extent of LDPE degradation under UV-treated and UV-untreated conditions by soil microcosm. Landfill soil was collected and UV-treated and UV-untreated LDPE were added separately to the soil following incubation under similar conditions. Electron microscopic images as well as the weight loss and the tensile strength results clearly revealed that UV-treated LDPE showed better degradation than the non-treated ones in soil. To elucidate the mechanism of this enhanced biodegradation, the bond spectra of differentially treated LDPE were analyzed by FTIR. The results obtained from bond spectra studies revealed that UV treatment increases both carbonyl and terminal double-bond index of the LDPE, thereby making it highly susceptible for microbial degradation. Moreover, incubation of UV-treated LDPE with soil favors better adherence of metabolically active and significantly higher number of microorganisms on it. Taken together, all these results demonstrate the higher microbial association and their better metabolic potential to the UV-treated LDPE that lead to enhanced degradation of the LDPE by the soil microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prosun Tribedi
- Department of Microbiology, Assam Don Bosco University, Tapesia, Sonapur, Assam, 782402, India.
- Department of Biotechnology, The Neotia University, Sarisha, West Bengal, 743363, India.
| | - Samrat Dey
- Department of Physics, Assam Don Bosco University, Azara, Assam, 781017, India
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16
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Sarkar P, Roy A, Pal S, Mohapatra B, Kazy SK, Maiti MK, Sar P. Enrichment and characterization of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria from petroleum refinery waste as potent bioaugmentation agent for in situ bioremediation. Bioresour Technol 2017; 242:15-27. [PMID: 28533069 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2017.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [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: 01/31/2017] [Revised: 04/30/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Intrinsic biodegradation potential of bacteria from petroleum refinery waste was investigated through isolation of cultivable strains and their characterization. Pseudomonas and Bacillus spp. populated the normal cultivable taxa while prolonged enrichment with hydrocarbons and crude oil yielded hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria of genera Burkholderia, Enterobacter, Kocuria, Pandoraea, etc. Strains isolated through enrichment showed assemblages of superior metabolic properties: utilization of aliphatic (C6-C22) and polyaromatic compounds, anaerobic growth with multiple terminal electron acceptors and higher biosurfactant production. Biodegradation of dodecane was studied thoroughly by GC-MS along with detection of gene encoding alkane hydroxylase (alkB). Microcosms bioaugmented with Enterobacter, Pandoraea and Burkholderia strains showed efficient biodegradation (98% TPH removal) well fitted in first order kinetic model with low rate constants and decreased half-life. This study proves that catabolically efficient bacteria resides naturally in complex petroleum refinery wastes and those can be useful for bioaugmentation based bioremediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poulomi Sarkar
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, India
| | - Ajoy Roy
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Durgapur, Durgapur 713209, India
| | - Siddhartha Pal
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Durgapur, Durgapur 713209, India
| | - Balaram Mohapatra
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, India
| | - Sufia K Kazy
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Durgapur, Durgapur 713209, India
| | - Mrinal K Maiti
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, India
| | - Pinaki Sar
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, India.
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17
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Gerber U, Zirnstein I, Krawczyk-Bärsch E, Lünsdorf H, Arnold T, Merroun ML. Combined use of flow cytometry and microscopy to study the interactions between the gram-negative betaproteobacterium Acidovorax facilis and uranium(VI). J Hazard Mater 2016; 317:127-134. [PMID: 27262280 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2016.05.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [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: 04/13/2016] [Revised: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The former uranium mine Königstein (Saxony, Germany) is currently in the process of remediation by means of controlled underground flooding. Nevertheless, the flooding water has to be cleaned up by a conventional wastewater treatment plant. In this study, the uranium(VI) removal and tolerance mechanisms of the gram-negative betaproteobacterium Acidovorax facilis were investigated by a multidisciplinary approach combining wet chemistry, flow cytometry, and microscopy. The kinetics of uranium removal and the corresponding mechanisms were investigated. The results showed a biphasic process of uranium removal characterized by a first phase where 95% of uranium was removed within the first 8h followed by a second phase that reached equilibrium after 24h. The bacterial cells displayed a total uranium removal capacity of 130mgU/g dry biomass. The removal of uranium was also temperature-dependent, indicating that metabolic activity heavily influenced bacterial interactions with uranium. TEM analyses showed biosorption on the cell surface and intracellular accumulation of uranium. Uranium tolerance tests showed that A. facilis was able to withstand concentrations up to 0.1mM. This work demonstrates that A. facilis is a suitable candidate for in situ bioremediation of flooding water in Königstein as well as for other contaminated waste waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Gerber
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Resource Ecology, P.O. Box 510119, 01314 Dresden, Germany.
| | - I Zirnstein
- Research Institute of Leather and Plastic Sheeting (FILK) gGmbH, Meissner Ring 1-5, 09599 Freiberg, Germany
| | - E Krawczyk-Bärsch
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Resource Ecology, P.O. Box 510119, 01314 Dresden, Germany
| | - H Lünsdorf
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Central Facility for Microscopy, Inhoffenstr. 7, D-38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - T Arnold
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Resource Ecology, P.O. Box 510119, 01314 Dresden, Germany
| | - M L Merroun
- University of Granada, Department of Microbiology, Campus Fuentenueva, E-18071 Granada, Spain
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18
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Sun W, Xiao E, Kalin M, Krumins V, Dong Y, Ning Z, Liu T, Sun M, Zhao Y, Wu S, Mao J, Xiao T. Remediation of antimony-rich mine waters: Assessment of antimony removal and shifts in the microbial community of an onsite field-scale bioreactor. Environ Pollut 2016; 215:213-222. [PMID: 27208755 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [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: 02/02/2016] [Revised: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/05/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
An on-site field-scale bioreactor for passive treatment of antimony (Sb) contamination was installed downstream of an active Sb mine in Southwest China, and operated for one year (including a six month monitoring period). This bioreactor consisted of five treatment units, including one pre-aerobic cell, two aerobic cells, and two microaerobic cells. With the aerobic cells inoculated with indigenous mine water microflora, the bioreactor removed more than 90% of total soluble Sb and 80% of soluble antimonite (Sb(III)). An increase in pH and decrease of oxidation-reduction potential (Eh) was also observed along the flow direction. High-throughput sequencing of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene variable (V4) region revealed that taxonomically diverse microbial communities developed in the bioreactor. Metal (loid)-oxidizing bacteria including Ferrovum, Thiomonas, Gallionella, and Leptospirillum, were highly enriched in the bioreactor cells where the highest total Sb and Sb(III) removal occurred. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) indicated that a suite of in situ physicochemical parameters including pH and Eh were substantially correlated with the overall microbial communities. Based on an UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean) tree and PCoA (Principal Coordinates Analysis), the microbial composition of each cell was distinct, indicating these in situ physicochemical parameters had an effect in shaping the indigenous microbial communities. Overall, this study was the first to employ a field-scale bioreactor to treat Sb-rich mine water onsite and, moreover, the findings suggest the feasibility of the bioreactor in removing elevated Sb from mine waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weimin Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; Guangdong Institute of Eco-environment and Soil Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China; Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Enzong Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | | | - Valdis Krumins
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Yiran Dong
- Department of Geology, University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Zengping Ning
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Tong Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Min Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yanlong Zhao
- Water Resources Protection Bureau of Pearl River Water Resources Commission, Guangzhou, 510611, China
| | - Shiliang Wu
- Water Resources Protection Bureau of Pearl River Water Resources Commission, Guangzhou, 510611, China
| | - Jianzhong Mao
- Yunnan Provincial Bureau of Hydrology and Water Resources, Kunming 650106, China
| | - Tangfu Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China.
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19
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Salminen JM, Petäjäjärvi SJ, Tuominen SM, Nystén TH. Ethanol-based in situ bioremediation of acidified, nitrate-contaminated groundwater. Water Res 2014; 63:306-315. [PMID: 25019597 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2014.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [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: 04/30/2014] [Revised: 05/28/2014] [Accepted: 06/11/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
A novel approach for the in situ bioremediation of acidified, nitrate-contaminated groundwater was developed. Ethanol was introduced into the groundwater to enhance the activity of intrinsic denitrifying micro-organisms. Infiltration of the carbon source was made via an infiltration gallery constructed in the unsaturated zone to avoid clogging problems and to allow wider distribution of ethanol in the groundwater. The changes in the groundwater geochemistry and soil gas composition were monitored at the site to evaluate the efficiencies of the infiltration system and nitrate removal. Moreover, the impact of pH and ethanol addition on the denitrification rate was studied in laboratory. A reduction of 95% was achieved in the groundwater nitrate concentrations during the study. Neither clogging problems nor inefficient introduction of ethanol into the saturated zone were observed. Most crucial to the denitrifying communities was pH, values above 6 were required for efficient denitrification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jani M Salminen
- Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production, Finnish Environment Institute, P.O. Box 140, FI-00251 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Sanna J Petäjäjärvi
- Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production, Finnish Environment Institute, P.O. Box 140, FI-00251 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sirkku M Tuominen
- Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production, Finnish Environment Institute, P.O. Box 140, FI-00251 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Taina H Nystén
- Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production, Finnish Environment Institute, P.O. Box 140, FI-00251 Helsinki, Finland
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20
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Frascari D, Zanaroli G, Danko AS. In situ aerobic cometabolism of chlorinated solvents: a review. J Hazard Mater 2014; 283:382-399. [PMID: 25306537 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2014.09.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [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: 03/06/2014] [Revised: 09/04/2014] [Accepted: 09/05/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The possible approaches for in situ aerobic cometabolism of aquifers and vadose zones contaminated by chlorinated solvents are critically evaluated. Bioaugmentation of resting-cells previously grown in a fermenter and in-well addition of oxygen and growth substrate appear to be the most promising approaches for aquifer bioremediation. Other solutions involving the sparging of air lead to satisfactory pollutant removals, but must be integrated by the extraction and subsequent treatment of vapors to avoid the dispersion of volatile chlorinated solvents in the atmosphere. Cometabolic bioventing is the only possible approach for the aerobic cometabolic bioremediation of the vadose zone. The examined studies indicate that in situ aerobic cometabolism leads to the biodegradation of a wide range of chlorinated solvents within remediation times that vary between 1 and 17 months. Numerous studies include a simulation of the experimental field data. The modeling of the process attained a high reliability, and represents a crucial tool for the elaboration of field data obtained in pilot tests and for the design of the full-scale systems. Further research is needed to attain higher concentrations of chlorinated solvent degrading microbes and more reliable cost estimates. Lastly, a procedure for the design of full-scale in situ aerobic cometabolic bioremediation processes is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Frascari
- Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering, University of Bologna, Via Terracini 28, 40131 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Giulio Zanaroli
- Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering, University of Bologna, Via Terracini 28, 40131 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Anthony S Danko
- Geo-Environmental and Resources Research Center, Department of Mining Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, s/n, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; Centre for Natural Resources and the Environment (CERENA), Instituto Superior Técnico, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal.
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21
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Lacroix E, Brovelli A, Holliger C, Barry DA. Control of groundwater pH during bioremediation: improvement and validation of a geochemical model to assess the buffering potential of ground silicate minerals. J Contam Hydrol 2014; 160:21-29. [PMID: 24589423 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2014.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [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: 09/21/2013] [Revised: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 01/22/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Accurate control of groundwater pH is of critical importance for in situ biological treatment of chlorinated solvents. The use of ground silicate minerals mixed with groundwater is an appealing buffering strategy as silicate minerals may act as long-term sources of alkalinity. In a previous study, we developed a geochemical model for evaluation of the pH buffering capacity of such minerals. The model included the main microbial processes driving groundwater acidification as well as mineral dissolution. In the present study, abiotic mineral dissolution experiments were conducted with five silicate minerals (andradite, diopside, fayalite, forsterite, nepheline). The goal of the study was to validate the model and to test the buffering capacity of the candidate minerals identified previously. These five minerals increased the pH from acidic to neutral and slightly basic values. The model was revised and improved to represent better the experimental observations. In particular, the experiments revealed the importance of secondary mineral precipitation on the buffering potential of silicates, a process not included in the original formulation. The main secondary phases likely to precipitate were identified through model calibration, as well as the degree of saturation at which they formed. The predictions of the revised geochemical model were in good agreement with the observations, with a correlation coefficient higher than 0.9 in most cases. This study confirmed the potential of silicates to act as pH control agents and showed the reliability of the geochemical model, which can be used as a design tool for field applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsa Lacroix
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC), Ecological Engineering Laboratory, Station 2, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC), Laboratory for Environmental Biotechnology, Station 6, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alessandro Brovelli
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC), Ecological Engineering Laboratory, Station 2, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Christof Holliger
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC), Laboratory for Environmental Biotechnology, Station 6, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - D A Barry
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC), Ecological Engineering Laboratory, Station 2, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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22
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Aleer S, Adetutu EM, Weber J, Ball AS, Juhasz AL. Potential impact of soil microbial heterogeneity on the persistence of hydrocarbons in contaminated subsurface soils. J Environ Manage 2014; 136:27-36. [PMID: 24553295 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2014.01.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [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: 12/09/2012] [Revised: 12/06/2013] [Accepted: 01/27/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In situ bioremediation is potentially a cost effective treatment strategy for subsurface soils contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons, however, limited information is available regarding the impact of soil spatial heterogeneity on bioremediation efficacy. In this study, we assessed issues associated with hydrocarbon biodegradation and soil spatial heterogeneity (samples designated as FTF 1, 5 and 8) from a site in which in situ bioremediation was proposed for hydrocarbon removal. Test pit activities showed similarities in FTF soil profiles with elevated hydrocarbon concentrations detected in all soils at 2 m below ground surface. However, PCR-DGGE-based cluster analysis showed that the bacterial community in FTF 5 (at 2 m) was substantially different (53% dissimilar) and 2-3 fold more diverse than communities in FTF 1 and 8 (with 80% similarity). When hydrocarbon degrading potential was assessed, differences were observed in the extent of (14)C-benzene mineralisation under aerobic conditions with FTF 5 exhibiting the highest hydrocarbon removal potential compared to FTF 1 and 8. Further analysis indicated that the FTF 5 microbial community was substantially different from other FTF samples and dominated by putative hydrocarbon degraders belonging to Pseudomonads, Xanthomonads and Enterobacteria. However, hydrocarbon removal in FTF 5 under anaerobic conditions with nitrate and sulphate electron acceptors was limited suggesting that aerobic conditions were crucial for hydrocarbon removal. This study highlights the importance of assessing available microbial capacity prior to bioremediation and shows that the site's spatial heterogeneity can adversely affect the success of in situ bioremediation unless area-specific optimizations are performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Aleer
- Centre for Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation (CERAR), University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes Campus, Adelaide, South Australia 5095, Australia; Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE), Mawson Lakes, Adelaide, South Australia 5095, Australia
| | - Eric M Adetutu
- Centre for Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation (CERAR), University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes Campus, Adelaide, South Australia 5095, Australia; Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE), Mawson Lakes, Adelaide, South Australia 5095, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
| | - John Weber
- Centre for Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation (CERAR), University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes Campus, Adelaide, South Australia 5095, Australia; Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE), Mawson Lakes, Adelaide, South Australia 5095, Australia
| | - Andrew S Ball
- School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
| | - Albert L Juhasz
- Centre for Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation (CERAR), University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes Campus, Adelaide, South Australia 5095, Australia; Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE), Mawson Lakes, Adelaide, South Australia 5095, Australia.
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23
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Song X, Hong E, Seagren EA. Laboratory-scale in situ bioremediation in heterogeneous porous media: biokinetics-limited scenario. J Contam Hydrol 2014; 158:78-92. [PMID: 24508684 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2014.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [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: 06/03/2013] [Revised: 01/06/2014] [Accepted: 01/07/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Subsurface heterogeneities influence interfacial mass-transfer processes and affect the application of in situ bioremediation by impacting the availability of substrates to the microorganisms. However, for difficult-to-degrade compounds, and/or cases with inhibitory biodegradation conditions, slow biokinetics may also limit the overall bioremediation rate, or be as limiting as mass-transfer processes. In this work, a quantitative framework based on a set of dimensionless coefficients was used to capture the effects of the competing interfacial and biokinetic processes and define the overall rate-limiting process. An integrated numerical modeling and experimental approach was used to evaluate application of the quantitative framework for a scenario in which slow-biokinetics limited the overall bioremediation rate of a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (naphthalene). Numerical modeling was conducted to simulate the groundwater flow and naphthalene transport and verify the system parameters, which were used in the quantitative framework application. The experiments examined the movement and biodegradation of naphthalene in a saturated, heterogeneous intermediate-scale flow cell with two layers of contrasting hydraulic conductivities. These experiments were conducted in two phases: Phase I, simulating an inhibited slow biodegradation; and Phase II, simulating an engineered bioremediation, with system perturbations selected to enhance the slow biodegradation rate. In Phase II, two engineered perturbations to the system were selected to examine their ability to enhance in situ biodegradation. In the first perturbation, nitrogen and phosphorus in excess of the required stoichiometric amounts were spiked into the influent solution to mimic a common remedial action taken in the field. The results showed that this perturbation had a moderate positive impact, consistent with slow biokinetics being the overall rate-limiting process. However, the second perturbation, which was to alleviate inhibition and increase the biodegradation rate, enhanced the overall biotransformation rate to a greater degree.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Song
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, United States.
| | - Eunyoung Hong
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, United States
| | - Eric A Seagren
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, United States; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, United States.
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