1
|
Stewart DI, Vasconcelos EJR, Burke IT, Baker A. Metagenomes from microbial populations beneath a chromium waste tip give insight into the mechanism of Cr (VI) reduction. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 931:172507. [PMID: 38657818 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Dumped Chromium Ore Processing Residue (COPR) at legacy sites poses a threat to health through leaching of toxic Cr(VI) into groundwater. Previous work implicates microbial activity in reducing Cr(VI) to less mobile and toxic Cr(III), but the mechanism has not been explored. To address this question a combined metagenomic and geochemical study was undertaken. Soil samples from below the COPR waste were used to establish anaerobic microcosms which were challenged with Cr(VI), with or without acetate as an electron donor, and incubated for 70 days. Cr was rapidly reduced in both systems, which also reduced nitrate, nitrite then sulfate, but this sequence was accelerated in the acetate amended microcosms. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that the original soil sample was diverse but both microcosm systems became less diverse by the end of the experiment. A high proportion of 16S rRNA gene reads and metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) with high completeness could not be taxonomically classified, highlighting the distinctiveness of these alkaline Cr impacted systems. Examination of the coding capacity revealed widespread capability for metal tolerance and Fe uptake and storage, and both populations possessed metabolic capability to degrade a wide range of organic molecules. The relative abundance of genes for fatty acid degradation was 4× higher in the unamended compared to the acetate amended system, whereas the capacity for dissimilatory sulfate metabolism was 3× higher in the acetate amended system. We demonstrate that naturally occurring in situ bacterial populations have the metabolic capability to couple acetate oxidation to sequential reduction of electron acceptors which can reduce Cr(VI) to less mobile and toxic Cr(III), and that microbially produced sulfide may be important in reductive precipitation of chromate. This capability could be harnessed to create a Cr(VI) trap-zone beneath COPR tips without the need to disturb the waste.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Douglas I Stewart
- School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
| | | | - Ian T Burke
- School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
| | - Alison Baker
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Iso S, Sato Y, Kimura H. Impacts of Groundwater Pumping on Subterranean Microbial Communities in a Deep Aquifer Associated with an Accretionary Prism. Microorganisms 2024; 12:679. [PMID: 38674625 PMCID: PMC11052133 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12040679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Accretionary prisms are composed mainly of ancient marine sediment scraped from the subducting oceanic plate at convergent plate boundaries. Anoxic groundwater is stored in deep aquifers associated with accretionary prisms and can be collected via deep wells. We investigated how such groundwater pumping affects the microbial community in a deep aquifer. Groundwater samples were collected from a deep well drilled down to 1500 m every six months (five times in total) after completion of deep well construction and the start of groundwater pumping. Next-generation sequencing and clone-library analyses of 16S rRNA genes were used to describe the subterranean microbial communities in the samples. The archaea: the prokaryote ratio in groundwater increased significantly from 1 to 7% (0 and 7 months after initiating groundwater pumping) to 59 to 72% (13, 19, and 26 months after initiating groundwater pumping), and dominant prokaryotes changed from fermentative bacteria to sulfate-reducing archaea. The optimal growth temperature of the sulfate-reducing archaea, estimated based on the guanine-plus-cytosine contents of their 16S rRNA genes, was 48-52 °C, which agreed well with the groundwater temperature at the deep-well outflow. Our results indicated that, in deep aquifers, groundwater pumping enhances groundwater flow, and the supply of sulfate-containing seawater activates the metabolism of thermophilic sulfate-reducing archaea.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shinsei Iso
- Department of Science, Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan
| | - Yu Sato
- Research Center for Thermotolerant Microbial Resources, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan;
| | - Hiroyuki Kimura
- Department of Science, Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan
- Department of Geosciences, Faculty of Science, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan
- Research Institute of Green Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hessler T, Harrison ST, Banfield JF, Huddy RJ. Harnessing Fermentation May Enhance the Performance of Biological Sulfate-Reducing Bioreactors. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:2830-2846. [PMID: 38301118 PMCID: PMC10867827 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Biological sulfate reduction (BSR) represents a promising strategy for bioremediation of sulfate-rich waste streams, yet the impact of metabolic interactions on performance is largely unexplored. Here, genome-resolved metagenomics was used to characterize 17 microbial communities in reactors treating synthetic sulfate-contaminated solutions. Reactors were supplemented with lactate or acetate and a small amount of fermentable substrate. Of the 163 genomes representing all the abundant bacteria, 130 encode 321 NiFe and FeFe hydrogenases and all genomes of the 22 sulfate-reducing microorganisms (SRM) encode genes for H2 uptake. We observed lactate oxidation solely in the first packed bed reactor zone, with propionate and acetate oxidation in the middle and predominantly acetate oxidation in the effluent zone. The energetics of these reactions are very different, yet sulfate reduction kinetics were unaffected by the type of electron donor available. We hypothesize that the comparable rates, despite the typically slow growth of SRM on acetate, are a result of the consumption of H2 generated by fermentation. This is supported by the sustained performance of a predominantly acetate-supplemented stirred tank reactor dominated by diverse fermentative bacteria encoding FeFe hydrogenase genes and SRM capable of acetate and hydrogen consumption and CO2 assimilation. Thus, addition of fermentable substrates to stimulate syntrophic relationships may improve the performance of BSR reactors supplemented with inexpensive acetate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Hessler
- The
Center for Bioprocess Engineering Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of Cape
Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa
- The
Innovative Genomics Institute at the University of California, Berkeley, California CA94720, United
States
- The
Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of California, Berkeley, California CA94720, United States
- Environmental
Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence
Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California CA94720, United States
| | - Susan T.L. Harrison
- The
Center for Bioprocess Engineering Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of Cape
Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa
- The Future
Water Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa
| | - Jillian F. Banfield
- The
Innovative Genomics Institute at the University of California, Berkeley, California CA94720, United
States
- The
Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of California, Berkeley, California CA94720, United States
- The
Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, California CA94720, United States
| | - Robert J. Huddy
- The
Center for Bioprocess Engineering Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of Cape
Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa
- The Future
Water Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ramezanzadeh M, Slowinski S, Rezanezhad F, Murr K, Lam C, Smeaton C, Alibert C, Vandergriendt M, Van Cappellen P. Effects of freeze-thaw cycles on methanogenic hydrocarbon degradation: Experiment and modeling. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 325:138405. [PMID: 36931401 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Cold regions are warming much faster than the global average, resulting in more frequent and intense freeze-thaw cycles (FTCs) in soils. In hydrocarbon-contaminated soils, FTCs modify the biogeochemical and physical processes controlling petroleum hydrocarbon (PHC) biodegradation and the associated generation of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Thus, understanding the effects of FTCs on the biodegradation of PHCs is critical for environmental risk assessment and the design of remediation strategies for contaminated soils in cold regions. In this study, we developed a diffusion-reaction model that accounts for the effects of FTCs on toluene biodegradation, including methanogenic biodegradation. The model is verified against data generated in a 215 day-long batch experiment with soil collected from a PHC contaminated site in Ontario, Canada. The fully saturated soil incubations with six different treatments were exposed to successive 4-week FTCs, with temperatures oscillating between -10 °C and +15 °C, under anoxic conditions to stimulate methanogenic biodegradation. We measured the headspace concentrations and 13C isotope compositions of CH4 and CO2 and analyzed the porewater for pH, acetate, dissolved organic and inorganic carbon, and toluene. The numerical model represents solute diffusion, volatilization, sorption, as well as a reaction network of 13 biogeochemical processes. The model successfully simulates the soil porewater and headspace concentration time series data by representing the temperature dependencies of microbial reaction and gas diffusion rates during FTCs. According to the model results, the observed increases in the headspace concentrations of CH4 and CO2 by 87% and 136%, respectively, following toluene addition are explained by toluene fermentation and subsequent methanogenesis reactions. The experiment and the numerical simulation show that methanogenic degradation is the primary toluene attenuation mechanism under the electron acceptor-limited conditions experienced by the soil samples, representing 74% of the attenuation, with sorption contributing to 11%, and evaporation contributing to 15%. Also, the model-predicted contribution of acetate-based methanogenesis to total produced CH4 agrees with that derived from the 13C isotope data. The freezing-induced soil matrix organic carbon release is considered as an important process causing DOC increase following each freezing period according to the calculations of carbon balance and SUVA index. The simulation results of a no FTC scenario indicate that, in the absence of FTCs, CO2 and CH4 generation would decrease by 29% and 26%, respectively, and that toluene would be biodegraded 23% faster than in the FTC scenario. Because our modeling approach represents the dominant processes controlling PHC biodegradation and the associated CH4 and CO2 fluxes, it can be used to analyze the sensitivity of these processes to FTC frequency and duration driven by temperature fluctuations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Ramezanzadeh
- Ecohydrology Research Group, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Water Institute, University of Waterloo, Canada.
| | - Stephanie Slowinski
- Ecohydrology Research Group, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Water Institute, University of Waterloo, Canada
| | - Fereidoun Rezanezhad
- Ecohydrology Research Group, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Water Institute, University of Waterloo, Canada
| | - Kathleen Murr
- Ecohydrology Research Group, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Water Institute, University of Waterloo, Canada
| | - Christina Lam
- Ecohydrology Research Group, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Water Institute, University of Waterloo, Canada
| | - Christina Smeaton
- School of Science and the Environment, Grenfell Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada
| | - Clement Alibert
- Ecohydrology Research Group, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Water Institute, University of Waterloo, Canada
| | - Marianne Vandergriendt
- Ecohydrology Research Group, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Water Institute, University of Waterloo, Canada
| | - Philippe Van Cappellen
- Ecohydrology Research Group, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Water Institute, University of Waterloo, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhou S, Guo J, Li Y, Li C, Jiang F. A novel steady-state model to quantitively assess the effect of pH elevation by dissimilatory sulfate reduction process in acidic waters in mining areas. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 222:118852. [PMID: 35908481 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Acidic waters such as groundwater, drainage and lakes in mining area contain high-strength acids and metal ions, posing serious threats to aquatic ecosystems and human health. Dissimilatory sulfate reduction (DSR)-based processes are attractive technologies for remediating acidic waters because it produces alkalinity and sulfide for metal precipitation and acid neutralization. However, the effects of pH elevation achieved by DSR-based processes are case-sensitive and difficult to be quantitively assessed, which limits the application of DSR process for acidic water remediation. Therefore, in this study, a Sulfidogenic Acid mine water Remediation Model (SARM) considering the DSR process, weak acids balance, metal sulfide and hydroxide precipitations, and gas-liquid exchanges of H2S and CO2, was developed to quantitatively assess the effects of various environmental factors on the pH elevation by a DSR process in acidic waters. A long-term trial of a DSR reactor was conducted to calibrate and validate the SARM. The experimental results revealed that the DSR-based process is effective to relieve acidity. The calibrated SARM demonstrated the excellent performance to predict the pH variation in the DSR reactor, under the varied conditions of influent pH and organic concentration. The calibrated SARM was further validated with data collected from literatures, and the results verified that the proposed model is capable to accurately assess the effect of DSR process on acid neutralization and metal removals under various conditions in steady state. The model was employed to systematically evaluate the impacts of environmental factors on acid remediation within a DSR-based process. The results revealed that the background alkalinity plays an important role in acid neutralization. However, with an increase in sulfate reduction, biogenic sulfide and carbonate become the dominant buffering substances to neutralize acidity. Furthermore, the SARM was used to evaluate the applicability of the DSR-based process for the remediation of acidic waters by evaluating the sulfide production thresholds for acid neutralization and metal removal. The simulation results demonstrated that, the DSR-based process is recommended for the remediation of acidic waters with low background alkalinity. Collectively, the SARM proposed in this study was found to be a useful and efficient tool for quantitatively assessing the potential of DSR-based processes for neutralizing acidic waters, which is vital for biogeochemistry and environmental engineering research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shunjie Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, School of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jiahua Guo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Yu Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, School of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Cheng Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Feng Jiang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hessler T, Harrison STL, Huddy RJ. Integrated Kinetic Modelling and Microbial Profiling Provide Insights Into Biological Sulfate-Reducing Reactor Design and Operation. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:897094. [PMID: 35845424 PMCID: PMC9277144 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.897094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological sulfate reduction (BSR) is an attractive approach for the bioremediation of sulfate-rich wastewater streams. Many sulfate-reducing microorganisms (SRM), which facilitate this process, have been well-studied in pure culture. However, the role of individual members of microbial communities within BSR bioreactors remains understudied. In this study we investigated the performance of two up-flow anaerobic packed bed reactors (UAPBRs) supplemented primarily with acetate and with lactate, respectively, during a hydraulic retention time (HRT) study set up to remediate sulfate-rich synthetic wastewater over the course of 1,000 + days. Plug-flow hydrodynamics led to a continuum of changing volumetric sulfate reduction rates (VSRRs), available electron donors, degrees of biomass retention and compositions of microbial communities throughout these reactors. Microbial communities throughout the successive zones of the reactors were resolved using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing which allowed the association of features of performance with discrete microorganisms. The acetate UAPBR achieved a maximum VSRR of 23.2 mg.L−1. h−1 at a one-day HRT and a maximum sulfate conversion of the 1 g/L sulfate of 96% at a four-day HRT. The sulfate reduction reactions in this reactor could be described with a reaction order of 2.9, an important observation for optimisation and future scale-up. The lactate UAPBR achieved a 96% sulfate conversion at one-day HRT, corresponding with a VSRR of 40.1 mg.L−1. h−1. Lactate was supplied in this reactor at relatively low concentrations necessitating the subsequent use of propionate and acetate, by-products of lactate fermentation with acetate also a by-product of incomplete lactate oxidation, to achieve competitive performance. The consumption of these electron donors could be associated with specific SRM localised within biofilms of discrete zones. The sulfate reduction rates in the lactate UAPBR could be modelled as first-order reactions, indicating effective rates were conferred by these propionate- and acetate-oxidising SRM. Our results demonstrate how acetate, a low-cost substrate, can be used effectively despite low associated SRM growth rates, and that lactate, a more expensive substrate, can be used sparingly to achieve high VSRR and sulfate conversions. We further identified the preferred environment of additional microorganisms to inform how these microorganisms could be enriched or diminished in BSR reactors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Hessler
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research (CeBER), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Susan T L Harrison
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research (CeBER), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Future Water Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Robert J Huddy
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research (CeBER), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Future Water Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Response to substrate limitation by a marine sulfate-reducing bacterium. THE ISME JOURNAL 2022; 16:200-210. [PMID: 34285365 PMCID: PMC8692349 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-021-01061-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Sulfate-reducing microorganisms (SRM) in subsurface sediments live under constant substrate and energy limitation, yet little is known about how they adapt to this mode of life. We combined controlled chemostat cultivation and transcriptomics to examine how the marine sulfate reducer, Desulfobacterium autotrophicum, copes with substrate (sulfate or lactate) limitation. The half-saturation uptake constant (Km) for lactate was 1.2 µM, which is the first value reported for a marine SRM, while the Km for sulfate was 3 µM. The measured residual lactate concentration in our experiments matched values observed in situ in marine sediments, supporting a key role of SRM in the control of lactate concentrations. Lactate limitation resulted in complete lactate oxidation via the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway and differential overexpression of genes involved in uptake and metabolism of amino acids as an alternative carbon source. D. autotrophicum switched to incomplete lactate oxidation, rerouting carbon metabolism in response to sulfate limitation. The estimated free energy was significantly lower during sulfate limitation (-28 to -33 kJ mol-1 sulfate), suggesting that the observed metabolic switch is under thermodynamic control. Furthermore, we detected the upregulation of putative sulfate transporters involved in either high or low affinity uptake in response to low or high sulfate concentration.
Collapse
|
8
|
Makhathini TP, Mulopo J, Bakare BF. Sulfidogenic fluidized-bed bioreactor kinetics for co-treatment of hospital wastewater and acid mine drainage. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 32:e00683. [PMID: 34745909 PMCID: PMC8551841 DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2021.e00683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Bioremediation process for acidic mine water co-treatment with hospital wastewater. Metal precipitation reached 98% and soluble concentrations of Fe and Zn were less than 0.1 mg/l. SO42− removal was above 90% in the sulfidogenic bioreactor. Naproxen, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and diclofenac partially removed during the co-treatment process.
A passive co-treatment of acid mine drainage and hospital wastewater previously demonstrated a promising bioremediation viable approach for both toxic streams. The study of inhibition kinetics and microbial communities is essential to understand better the diverse species and the reaction mechanisms within the system. The kinetics and microbiology diversity in the sulfidogenic fluidized-bed reactor (at 30 °C) for co-treatment of hospital wastewater and metal-containing acidic water were examined. The alkalinity from organic oxidation raised the pH of the effluent from 2.3 to 6.1–8.2. Michaelis-Menten modeling yielded (Km =7.3 mg/l, Vmax = 0.12 mg/l min−1) in the batch bioreactor treatment using sulfate-reducing bacteria. For COD oxidation, the dissolved sulfide inhibition constant (Ki) was 3.6 mg/l, and the Ki value for H2S was 9 mg/l. The dominant species in the treatment process belong to the Proteobacteria group (especially Deltaproteobacteria). The ibuprofen and diclofenac compounds achieved the highest removal rates in the bioreactor of 58.6% and 52.3%, respectively; while, ketoprofen and naproxen of 41.9% and 46.6%, respectively. The findings in COD kinetics, sulfate-reducing bacteria abundance, and selected pharmaceutical concentration reduction provide insight into this co-treatment process's capability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thobeka Pearl Makhathini
- School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, P/Bag 3, Wits 2050, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Department of Chemical Engineering, Mangosuthu University of Technology, 511 Mangosuthu Highway, Umlazi, Durban 4031, South Africa
| | - Jean Mulopo
- School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, P/Bag 3, Wits 2050, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Babatunde Femi Bakare
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Mangosuthu University of Technology, 511 Mangosuthu Highway, Umlazi, Durban 4031, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Bazemo U, Gardner E, Romero A, Hauduc H, Al-Omari A, Takacs I, Murthy S, Torrents A, De Clippeleir H. Investigating the dynamics of volatile sulfur compound emission from primary systems at a water resource recovery facility. WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH : A RESEARCH PUBLICATION OF THE WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION 2021; 93:316-327. [PMID: 32706455 DOI: 10.1002/wer.1417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This study quantifies volatile sulfur compound (VSC) emissions from primary settling tanks and investigates their mechanisms of generation. Hydrogen sulfide (H2 S) and methyl mercaptan (MM) concentrations in the off-gas were dominant among the VSCs analyzed, while dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) were under their odor threshold for most sampling dates. H2 S emission in primary settling tanks was mainly the result of the stripping of dissolved sulfide (64%) generated in the sewers. Results indicate that MM emission was more dependent on the conditions in the primary clarifiers (only 16% stripping). Prevention of odor emission in primary settling tanks can be achieved by managing biofilms and microbial reactions in the sewer network. Controlling the biomass seeding and fermentation product availability in the primary settling tanks is essential to significantly minimize the kinetics of H2 S and MM generation. Overall, the management of sludge blanket heights and thus avoiding time at low oxidation-reduction potential minimized odor emission independent of sewer conditions. PRACTITIONER POINTS: H2 S emission from primary clarifiers mainly originated from the stripping of the dissolved sulfide formed in the sewers. MM emission contributed for 89% to overall odor emitted from primary clarifiers. Seeding of active biomass from the sewer into the primary clarifiers was be the main driver for both MM and H2 S formation. Increased availability of fermentation products or fermenters increased MM production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Elena Gardner
- The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | | | | | - Ahmed Al-Omari
- DC Water and Sewer Authority, Washington, District of Columbia
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Jiang X, Xu B, Wu J. Sulfur recovery in the sulfide-oxidizing membrane aerated biofilm reactor: experimental investigation and model simulation. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2019; 40:1557-1567. [PMID: 29319410 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2018.1426638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2017] [Accepted: 01/07/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The production of sulfur (S) from the biological oxidization of sulfide (S2-) by SOB (sulfide-oxidizing bacteria) allows for resource recovery. Past researches have indicated that S recovery from S2- oxidation MABR (the membrane aerated biofilm reactor) was feasible. The process was complicated by the requirement of maintaining appropriate oxygen supply to prevent the produced S from being further oxidized into sulfate ( SO42- ) and by the presence of heterotrophic biomass. In this study, a multispecies biofilm model was developed and experimentally validated to gain insight for the S recovery process in MABR. The developed model was capable of predicting the S recovery performance in the MABR. The optimal conditions involved in maintaining the appropriate oxygen flux and the biofilm thickness according to the hydraulic and S2- loading rate. The low anoxic heterotrophic growth rate using SO42- and S as electron donors could explain why the impact of heterotrophic growth was insignificant.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Jiang
- a School of Environmental Engineering and Science , Yangzhou University , Yangzhou , People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Xu
- a School of Environmental Engineering and Science , Yangzhou University , Yangzhou , People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Wu
- a School of Environmental Engineering and Science , Yangzhou University , Yangzhou , People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Jørgensen BB, Findlay AJ, Pellerin A. The Biogeochemical Sulfur Cycle of Marine Sediments. Front Microbiol 2019. [DOI: 10.10.3389/fmicb.2019.00849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
|
12
|
Jørgensen BB, Findlay AJ, Pellerin A. The Biogeochemical Sulfur Cycle of Marine Sediments. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:849. [PMID: 31105660 PMCID: PMC6492693 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 195] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial dissimilatory sulfate reduction to sulfide is a predominant terminal pathway of organic matter mineralization in the anoxic seabed. Chemical or microbial oxidation of the produced sulfide establishes a complex network of pathways in the sulfur cycle, leading to intermediate sulfur species and partly back to sulfate. The intermediates include elemental sulfur, polysulfides, thiosulfate, and sulfite, which are all substrates for further microbial oxidation, reduction or disproportionation. New microbiological discoveries, such as long-distance electron transfer through sulfide oxidizing cable bacteria, add to the complexity. Isotope exchange reactions play an important role for the stable isotope geochemistry and for the experimental study of sulfur transformations using radiotracers. Microbially catalyzed processes are partly reversible whereby the back-reaction affects our interpretation of radiotracer experiments and provides a mechanism for isotope fractionation. We here review the progress and current status in our understanding of the sulfur cycle in the seabed with respect to its microbial ecology, biogeochemistry, and isotope geochemistry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Barker Jørgensen
- Department of Bioscience, Center for Geomicrobiology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Dalby FR, Hansen MJ, Feilberg A. Application of Proton-Transfer-Reaction Mass Spectrometry (PTR-MS) and 33S Isotope Labeling for Monitoring Sulfur Processes in Livestock Waste. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:2100-2107. [PMID: 29338206 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b04570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Reduced sulfur compounds emitted from livestock production cause odor nuisance for local residents. The microbial processes responsible for this are not well described in swine manure and a method for monitoring the biological processes is necessary to develop strategic abatement technologies. In this study, Proton-Transfer-Reaction Mass Spectrometry and isotope-labeled sulfate were combined and applied to elucidate the sulfur processes in swine manure with high time resolution. We successfully monitored reduction of isotope 33S labeled sulfate into corresponding 33S hydrogen sulfide and found that some of the 33S hydrogen sulfide was further methylated into 33S methanethiol. The isotope patterns in reduced sulfur compounds together with usage of inhibitors enabled us to calculate a sulfate reduction rate of 1.03 ± 0.18 mM/day equivalent to 76.9 ± 3.0% of total hydrogen sulfide emissions. Cysteine degradation constituted 20.2 ± 2.7% of the total hydrogen sulfide produced and the remaining hydrogen sulfide came from demethylation of methanethiol and dimethyl sulfide. Another source to methanethiol, besides hydrogen sulfide methylation, was methionine degradation, which contributed with 78.3 ± 2.5% of the methanethiol production, whereas the remaining 21.7 ± 2.5% came from hydrogen sulfide methylation. This study suggests, therefore, that emissions of odorous sulfur compounds from swine manure can be reduced by inhibiting methionine degradation and sulfate reduction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frederik R Dalby
- Department of Engineering, Aarhus University , Hangøvej 2, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Michael J Hansen
- Department of Engineering, Aarhus University , Hangøvej 2, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Anders Feilberg
- Department of Engineering, Aarhus University , Hangøvej 2, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Zhang Y, Yu M, Guo J, Wu D, Hua ZS, Chen GH, Lu H. Spatiotemporal heterogeneity of core functional bacteria and their synergetic and competitive interactions in denitrifying sulfur conversion-assisted enhanced biological phosphorus removal. Sci Rep 2017; 7:10927. [PMID: 28883665 PMCID: PMC5589776 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-11448-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Denitrifying sulfur conversion-assisted enhanced biological phosphorus removal (DS-EBPR) has recently been developed for simultaneously removing nitrogen and phosphorus from saline sewage with minimal sludge production. This novel process could potentially enable sustainable wastewater treatment. Yet, the core functional bacteria and their roles are unknown. Here, we used high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing coupled with principal coordinates analysis and ANOVA with Tukey's test to unravel the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of functional bacteria and their synergetic and competitive interactions. We did not find any obvious spatial heterogeneity within the bacterial population in different size-fractionated sludge samples, but the main functional bacteria varied significantly with operation time. Thauera was enriched (9.26~13.63%) as become the core functional genus in the DS-EBPR reactors and links denitrifying phosphorus removal to sulfide oxidation. The other two functional genera were sulfate-reducing Desulfobacter (4.31~12.85%) and nitrate-reducing and sulfide-oxidizing Thiobacillus (4.79~9.92%). These bacteria cooperated in the DS-EBPR process: Desulfobacter reduced sulfate to sulfide for utilization by Thiobacillus, while Thauera and Thiobacillus competed for nitrate and sulfide as well as Thauera and Desulfobacter competed for acetate. This study is the first to unravel the interactions among core functional bacteria in DS-EBPR, thus improving our understanding of how this removal process works.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou, 510275, PR China
| | - Mei Yu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou, 510275, PR China
| | - Jianhua Guo
- Advanced Water Management Centre (AWMC), The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Di Wu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Control and Treatment of Heavy Metal Pollution (Hong Kong Branch), Fok Ying Tung Research Institute, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, PR China.
| | - Zheng-Shuang Hua
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Dynamics and Conservation of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, College of Ecology and Evolution, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Guang-Hao Chen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Control and Treatment of Heavy Metal Pollution (Hong Kong Branch), Fok Ying Tung Research Institute, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, PR China
| | - Hui Lu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China. .,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou, 510275, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Deng D, Lin LS. Continuous sulfidogenic wastewater treatment with iron sulfide sludge oxidation and recycle. WATER RESEARCH 2017; 114:210-217. [PMID: 28249212 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.02.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Revised: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 02/19/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated the technical feasibility of packed-bed sulfidogenic bioreactors dosed with ferrous chloride for continuous wastewater treatment over a 450-day period. In phase I, the bioreactors were operated under different combinations of carbon, iron, and sulfate mass loads without sludge recycling to identify optimal treatment conditions. A COD/sulfate mass ratio of 2 and a Fe/S molar ratio of 1 yielded the best treatment performance with COD oxidation rate of 786 ± 82 mg/(L⋅d), which resulted in 84 ± 9% COD removal, 94 ± 6% sulfate reduction, and good iron retention (99 ± 1%) under favorable pH conditions (6.2-7.0). In phase II, the bioreactors were operated under this chemical load combination over a 62-day period, during which 7 events of sludge collection, oxidation, and recycling were performed. The collected sludge materials contained both inorganic and organic matter with FeS and FeS2 as the main inorganic constituents. In each event, the sludge materials were oxidized in an oxidizing basin before recycling to mix with the wastewater influent. Sludge recycling yielded enhanced COD removal (90 ± 6% vs. 75 ± 7%), and better effluent quality in terms of pH (6.8 ± 0.1 vs. 6.5 ± 0.2), iron (0.7 ± 0.5 vs. 1.9 ± 1.7 mg/L), and sulfide-S (0.3 ± 0.1 vs. 0.4 ± 0.1 mg/L) removal compared to the baseline operation without sludge recycling during phase II. This process exhibited treatment stability with reasonable variations, and fairly consistent sludge content over long periods of operation under a range of COD/sulfate and Fe/S ratios without sludge recycling. The bioreactors were found to absorb recycling-induced changes efficiently without causing elevated suspended solids in the effluents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongyang Deng
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506-6103, USA
| | - Lian-Shin Lin
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506-6103, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Tarpgaard IH, Jørgensen BB, Kjeldsen KU, Røy H. The marine sulfate reducer Desulfobacterium autotrophicum HRM2 can switch between low and high apparent half-saturation constants for dissimilatory sulfate reduction. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2017; 93:2966865. [DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fix012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
|
17
|
Deng D, Weidhaas JL, Lin LS. Kinetics and microbial ecology of batch sulfidogenic bioreactors for co-treatment of municipal wastewater and acid mine drainage. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2016; 305:200-208. [PMID: 26686479 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2015.11.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2015] [Revised: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 11/20/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The kinetics and microbial ecology in sulfidogenic bioreactors used in a novel two-stage process for co-treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD) and municipal wastewater (MWW) were investigated. Michaelis-Menten modeling of COD oxidation by sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) (Vmax=0.33mgL(-1)min(-1), Km=4.3mgL(-1)) suggested that the Vmax can be reasonably achieved given the typical COD values in MWW and anticipated mixing with AMD. Non-competitive inhibition modeling (Ki=6.55mgL(-1)) indicated that excessive iron level should be avoided to limit its effects on SRB. The COD oxidation rate was positively correlated to COD/sulfate ratio and SRB population, as evidenced by dsrA gene copies. Phylogenetic analysis revealed diverse microbial communities dominated by sulfate reducing delta-proteobacteria. Microbial community and relative quantities of SRB showed significant differences under different COD/sulfate ratios (0.2, 1 and 2), and the highest dsrA gene concentration and most complex microbial diversity were observed under COD/sulfate ratio 2. Major species were associated with Desulfovirga, Desulfobulbus, Desulfovibrio, and Syntrophus sp. The reported COD kinetics, SRB abundances and the phylogenetic profile provide insights into the co-treatment process and help identify the parameters of concerns for such technology development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongyang Deng
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506-6103, United States
| | - Jennifer L Weidhaas
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506-6103, United States
| | - Lian-Shin Lin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506-6103, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Villahermosa D, Corzo A, Garcia-Robledo E, González JM, Papaspyrou S. Kinetics of Indigenous Nitrate Reducing Sulfide Oxidizing Activity in Microaerophilic Wastewater Biofilms. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0149096. [PMID: 26872267 PMCID: PMC4752510 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0149096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Accepted: 01/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitrate decreases sulfide release in wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), but little is known on how it affects the microzonation and kinetics of related microbial processes within the biofilm. The effect of nitrate addition on these properties for sulfate reduction, sulfide oxidation, and oxygen respiration were studied with the use of microelectrodes in microaerophilic wastewater biofilms. Mass balance calaculations and community composition analysis were also performed. At basal WWTP conditions, the biofilm presented a double-layer system. The upper microaerophilic layer (~300 μm) showed low sulfide production (0.31 μmol cm-3 h-1) and oxygen consumption rates (0.01 μmol cm-3 h-1). The anoxic lower layer showed high sulfide production (2.7 μmol cm-3 h-1). Nitrate addition decreased net sulfide production rates, caused by an increase in sulfide oxidation rates (SOR) in the upper layer, rather than an inhibition of sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB). This suggests that the indigenous nitrate reducing-sulfide oxidizing bacteria (NR-SOB) were immediately activated by nitrate. The functional vertical structure of the biofilm changed to a triple-layer system, where the previously upper sulfide-producing layer in the absence of nitrate split into two new layers: 1) an upper sulfide-consuming layer, whose thickness is probably determined by the nitrate penetration depth within the biofilm, and 2) a middle layer producing sulfide at an even higher rate than in the absence of nitrate in some cases. Below these layers, the lower net sulfide-producing layer remained unaffected. Net SOR varied from 0.05 to 0.72 μmol cm-3 h-1 depending on nitrate and sulfate availability. Addition of low nitrate concentrations likely increased sulfate availability within the biofilm and resulted in an increase of both net sulfate reduction and net sulfide oxidation by overcoming sulfate diffusional limitation from the water phase and the strong coupling between SRB and NR-SOB syntrophic relationship.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Desirée Villahermosa
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales, Universidad de Cádiz, Pol. Río San Pedro s/n, 11510-Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Alfonso Corzo
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales, Universidad de Cádiz, Pol. Río San Pedro s/n, 11510-Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Emilio Garcia-Robledo
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales, Universidad de Cádiz, Pol. Río San Pedro s/n, 11510-Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Juan M. González
- Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología, IRNAS-CSIC, Avda. Reina Mercedes 10, 41012-Sevilla, Spain
| | - Sokratis Papaspyrou
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales, Universidad de Cádiz, Pol. Río San Pedro s/n, 11510-Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Bradley AS, Leavitt WD, Schmidt M, Knoll AH, Girguis PR, Johnston DT. Patterns of sulfur isotope fractionation during microbial sulfate reduction. GEOBIOLOGY 2016; 14:91-101. [PMID: 26189479 DOI: 10.1111/gbi.12149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2014] [Accepted: 06/10/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Studies of microbial sulfate reduction have suggested that the magnitude of sulfur isotope fractionation varies with sulfate concentration. Small apparent sulfur isotope fractionations preserved in Archean rocks have been interpreted as suggesting Archean sulfate concentrations of <200 μm, while larger fractionations thereafter have been interpreted to require higher concentrations. In this work, we demonstrate that fractionation imposed by sulfate reduction can be a function of concentration over a millimolar range, but that nature of this relationship depends on the organism studied. Two sulfate-reducing bacteria grown in continuous culture with sulfate concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 6 mm showed markedly different relationships between sulfate concentration and isotope fractionation. Desulfovibrio vulgaris str. Hildenborough showed a large and relatively constant isotope fractionation ((34) εSO 4-H2S ≅ 25‰), while fractionation by Desulfovibrio alaskensis G20 strongly correlated with sulfate concentration over the same range. Both data sets can be modeled as Michaelis-Menten (MM)-type relationships but with very different MM constants, suggesting that the fractionations imposed by these organisms are highly dependent on strain-specific factors. These data reveal complexity in the sulfate concentration-fractionation relationship. Fractionation during MSR relates to sulfate concentration but also to strain-specific physiological parameters such as the affinity for sulfate and electron donors. Previous studies have suggested that the sulfate concentration-fractionation relationship is best described with a MM fit. We present a simple model in which the MM fit with sulfate concentration and hyperbolic fit with growth rate emerge from simple physiological assumptions. As both environmental and biological factors influence the fractionation recorded in geological samples, understanding their relationship is critical to interpreting the sulfur isotope record. As the uptake machinery for both sulfate and electrons has been subject to selective pressure over Earth history, its evolution may complicate efforts to uniquely reconstruct ambient sulfate concentrations from a single sulfur isotopic composition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A S Bradley
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - W D Leavitt
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - M Schmidt
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - A H Knoll
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - P R Girguis
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - D T Johnston
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Glombitza C, Jaussi M, Røy H, Seidenkrantz MS, Lomstein BA, Jørgensen BB. Formate, acetate, and propionate as substrates for sulfate reduction in sub-arctic sediments of Southwest Greenland. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:846. [PMID: 26379631 PMCID: PMC4547046 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Accepted: 08/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) are key intermediates in the anaerobic mineralization of organic matter in marine sediments. We studied the role of VFAs in the carbon and energy turnover in the sulfate reduction zone of sediments from the sub-arctic Godthåbsfjord (SW Greenland) and the adjacent continental shelf in the NE Labrador Sea. VFA porewater concentrations were measured by a new two-dimensional ion chromatography-mass spectrometry method that enabled the direct analysis of VFAs without sample pretreatment. VFA concentrations were low and surprisingly constant (4–6 μmol L−1 for formate and acetate, and 0.5 μmol L−1 for propionate) throughout the sulfate reduction zone. Hence, VFAs are turned over while maintaining a stable concentration that is suggested to be under a strong microbial control. Estimated mean diffusion times of acetate between neighboring cells were <1 s, whereas VFA turnover times increased from several hours at the sediment surface to several years at the bottom of the sulfate reduction zone. Thus, diffusion was not limiting the VFA turnover. Despite constant VFA concentrations, the Gibbs energies (ΔGr) of VFA-dependent sulfate reduction decreased downcore, from −28 to −16 kJ (mol formate)−1, −68 to −31 kJ (mol acetate)−1, and −124 to −65 kJ (mol propionate)−1. Thus, ΔGr is apparently not determining the in-situ VFA concentrations directly. However, at the bottom of the sulfate zone of the shelf station, acetoclastic sulfate reduction might operate at its energetic limit at ~ −30 kJ (mol acetate)−1. It is not clear what controls VFA concentrations in the porewater but cell physiological constraints such as energetic costs of VFA activation or uptake could be important. We suggest that such constraints control the substrate turnover and result in a minimum ΔGr that depends on cell physiology and is different for individual substrates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clemens Glombitza
- Department of Bioscience, Center for Geomicrobiology, Aarhus University Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Marion Jaussi
- Department of Bioscience, Center for Geomicrobiology, Aarhus University Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Hans Røy
- Department of Bioscience, Center for Geomicrobiology, Aarhus University Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Marit-Solveig Seidenkrantz
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Center, Aarhus University Aarhus, Denmark ; Department of Geoscience, Centre for Past Climate Studies, Aarhus University Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Bente A Lomstein
- Department of Bioscience, Center for Geomicrobiology, Aarhus University Aarhus, Denmark ; Section for Microbiology, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Bo B Jørgensen
- Department of Bioscience, Center for Geomicrobiology, Aarhus University Aarhus, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Ma C, Yu Z, Lu Q, Zhuang L, Zhou SG. Anaerobic humus and Fe(III) reduction and electron transport pathway by a novel humus-reducing bacterium, Thauera humireducens SgZ-1. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2014; 99:3619-28. [PMID: 25503315 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-014-6254-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2014] [Accepted: 11/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In this study, an anaerobic batch experiment was conducted to investigate the humus- and Fe(III)-reducing ability of a novel humus-reducing bacterium, Thauera humireducens SgZ-1. Inhibition tests were also performed to explore the electron transport pathways with various electron acceptors. The results indicate that in anaerobic conditions, strain SgZ-1 possesses the ability to reduce a humus analog, humic acids, soluble Fe(III), and Fe(III) oxides. Acetate, propionate, lactate, and pyruvate were suitable electron donors for humus and Fe(III) reduction by strain SgZ-1, while fermentable sugars (glucose and sucrose) were not. UV-visible spectra obtained from intact cells of strain SgZ-1 showed absorption peaks at 420, 522, and 553 nm, characteristic of c-type cytochromes (cyt c). Dithionite-reduced cyt c was reoxidized by Fe-EDTA and HFO (hydrous ferric oxide), which suggests that cyt c within intact cells of strain SgZ-1 has the ability to donate electrons to extracellular Fe(III) species. Inhibition tests revealed that dehydrogenases, quinones, and cytochromes b/c (cyt b/c) were involved in reduction of AQS (9, 10-anthraquinone-2-sulfonic acid, humus analog) and oxygen. In contrast, only NADH dehydrogenase was linked to electron transport to HFO, while dehydrogenases and cyt b/c were found to participate in the reduction of Fe-EDTA. Thus, various different electron transport pathways are employed by strain SgZ-1 for different electron acceptors. The results from this study help in understanding the electron transport processes and environmental responses of the genus Thauera.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chen Ma
- Guangdong Institute of Eco-Environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, People's Republic of China
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Drønen K, Roalkvam I, Beeder J, Torsvik T, Steen IH, Skauge A, Liengen T. Modeling of heavy nitrate corrosion in anaerobe aquifer injection water biofilm: a case study in a flow rig. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2014; 48:8627-8635. [PMID: 25020005 DOI: 10.1021/es500839u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Heavy carbon steel corrosion developed during nitrate mitigation of a flow rig connected to a water injection pipeline flowing anaerobe saline aquifer water. Genera-specific QPCR primers quantified 74% of the microbial biofilm community, and further 87% of the community of the nonamended parallel rig. The nonamended biofilm hosted 6.3 × 10(6) SRB cells/cm(2) and the S(35)-sulfate-reduction rate was 1.1 μmol SO4(2-)/cm(2)/day, being congruent with the estimated SRB biomass formation and the sulfate areal flux. Nitrate amendment caused an 18-fold smaller SRB population, but up to 44 times higher sulfate reduction rates. This H2S formation was insufficient to form the observed Fe3S4 layer. Additional H2S was provided by microbial disproportionation of sulfur, also explaining the increased accessibility of sulfate. The reduced nitrate specie nitrite inhibited the dominating H2-scavenging Desulfovibrio population, and sustained the formation of polysulfide and Fe3S4, herby also dissolved sulfur. This terminated the availability of acetate in the inner biofilm and caused cell starvation that initiated growth upon metallic electrons, probably by the sulfur-reducing Desulfuromonas population. On the basis of these observations we propose a model of heavy nitrate corrosion where three microbiological processes of nitrate reduction, disproportionation of sulfur, and metallic electron growth are nicely woven into each other.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karine Drønen
- Uni Research CIPR , Allégaten 41, 5007 Bergen, Norway
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Xu XJ, Chen C, Wang AJ, Guo HL, Yuan Y, Lee DJ, Ren NQ. Kinetics of nitrate and sulfate removal using a mixed microbial culture with or without limited-oxygen fed. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2014; 98:6115-24. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-014-5642-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2014] [Accepted: 02/22/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
|
24
|
Petropavlovskii A, Sillanpää M. Removal of micropollutants by biofilms: current approaches and future prospects. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.1080/21622515.2013.865794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
|
25
|
Zhuang K, Ma E, Lovley DR, Mahadevan R. The design of long-term effective uranium bioremediation strategy using a community metabolic model. Biotechnol Bioeng 2012; 109:2475-83. [PMID: 22510989 DOI: 10.1002/bit.24528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2012] [Revised: 03/30/2012] [Accepted: 04/06/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Acetate amendment at uranium contaminated sites in Rifle, CO. leads to an initial bloom of Geobacter accompanied by the removal of U(VI) from the groundwater, followed by an increase of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRBs) which are poor reducers of U(VI). One of the challenges associated with bioremediation is the decay in Geobacter abundance, which has been attributed to the depletion of bio-accessible Fe(III), motivating the investigation of simultaneous amendments of acetate and Fe(III) as an alternative bioremediation strategy. In order to understand the community metabolism of Geobacter and SRBs during artificial substrate amendment, we have created a genome-scale dynamic community model of Geobacter and SRBs using the previously described Dynamic Multi-species Metabolic Modeling framework. Optimization techniques are used to determine the optimal acetate and Fe(III) addition profile. Field-scale simulation of acetate addition accurately predicted the in situ data. The simulations suggest that batch amendment of Fe(III) along with continuous acetate addition is insufficient to promote long-term bioremediation, while continuous amendment of Fe(III) along with continuous acetate addition is sufficient to promote long-term bioremediation. By computationally minimizing the acetate and Fe(III) addition rates as well as the difference between the predicted and target uranium concentration, we showed that it is possible to maintain the uranium concentration below the environmental safety standard while minimizing the cost of chemical additions. These simulations show that simultaneous addition of acetate and Fe(III) has the potential to be an effective uranium bioremediation strategy. They also show that computational modeling of microbial community is an important tool to design effective strategies for practical applications in environmental biotechnology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K Zhuang
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College St., Rm 326, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Kousi P, Remoundaki E, Hatzikioseyian A, Battaglia-Brunet F, Joulian C, Kousteni V, Tsezos M. Metal precipitation in an ethanol-fed, fixed-bed sulphate-reducing bioreactor. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2011; 189:677-684. [PMID: 21316850 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2011.01.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2010] [Revised: 12/23/2010] [Accepted: 01/17/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
A batch upflow fixed-bed sulphate-reducing bioreactor has been set up and monitored for the treatment of synthetic solutions containing divalent iron (100mg/L and 200mg/L), zinc (100mg/L and 200mg/L), copper (100mg/L and 200mg/L), nickel (100mg/L and 200mg/L) and sulphate (1700 mg/L and 2130 mg/L) at initial pH 3-3.5, using ethanol as the sole electron donor. The reactor has been operated at the theoretical stoichiometric ethanol/sulphate ratio. Complete oxidation of ethanol has been achieved through complete oxidation of the intermediately, microbially produced acetate. This is mainly attributed to the presence of Desulfobacter postgatei species which dominated the sulphate-reducing community in the reactor. The reduction of sulphate was limited to about 85%. Quantitative precipitation of the soluble metal ions has been achieved. XRD and SEM-EDS analyses performed on samples of the produced sludge showed poorly crystalline phases of marcasite, covellite and wurtzite as well as several mixed metal sulphides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pavlina Kousi
- National Technical University of Athens, School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, Laboratory of Environmental Science and Engineering, Heroon Polytechniou 9, 15780 Athens, Greece.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Gibson BD, Amos RT, Blowes DW. 34S/32S fractionation during sulfate reduction in groundwater treatment systems: reactive transport modeling. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2011; 45:2863-2870. [PMID: 21355530 DOI: 10.1021/es1038276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Isotope ratio measurements provide a tool for indicating the relative significance of biogeochemical reactions and for constraining estimates of the extent and rate of reactions in passive treatment systems. In this paper, the reactive transport model MIN3P is used to evaluate sulfur isotope fractionation in column experiments designed to simulate treatment of contaminated water by microbially mediated sulfate reduction occurring within organic carbon-based and iron and carbon-based permeable reactive barriers. A mass dependent fractionation model was used to determine reaction rates for 32S and 34S compounds during reduction, precipitation, and dissolution reactions and to track isotope-dependent mass transfer during SO4 removal. The δ34S values obtained from the MIN3P model were similar to those obtained from the Rayleigh equation, indicating that there was not a significant difference between the conceptual models. Differences between the MIN3P derived α value and the Rayleigh equation derived value were attributed to minor changes in the dissolution and precipitation rate of gypsum and mathematical differences in the fitting models. The results indicated that the prediction of δ34S was fairly insensitive to differences in the fractionation factor at the concentration ranges measured in the current study. However, more significant differences would be expected at low sulfate conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Blair D Gibson
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
|
29
|
Zhang F, Wu WM, Parker JC, Mehlhorn T, Kelly SD, Kemner KM, Zhang G, Schadt C, Brooks SC, Criddle CS, Watson DB, Jardine PM. Kinetic analysis and modeling of oleate and ethanol stimulated uranium (VI) bio-reduction in contaminated sediments under sulfate reduction conditions. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2010; 183:482-489. [PMID: 20702039 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2010.07.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2010] [Revised: 05/29/2010] [Accepted: 07/12/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Microcosm tests with uranium contaminated sediments were performed to explore the feasibility of using oleate as a slow-release electron donor for U(VI) reduction in comparison to ethanol. Oleate degradation proceeded more slowly than ethanol with acetate produced as an intermediate for both electron donors under a range of initial sulfate concentrations. A kinetic microbial reduction model was developed and implemented to describe and compare the reduction of sulfate and U(VI) with oleate or ethanol. The reaction path model considers detailed oleate/ethanol degradation and the production and consumption of intermediates, acetate and hydrogen. Although significant assumptions are made, the model tracked the major trend of sulfate and U(VI) reduction and describes the successive production and consumption of acetate, concurrent with microbial reduction of aqueous sulfate and U(VI) species. The model results imply that the overall rate of U(VI) bioreduction is influenced by both the degradation rate of organic substrates and consumption rate of intermediate products.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 2871, Beijing 100085, China.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Nielsen PH. Biofilm Dynamics and Kinetics during High-Rate Sulfate Reduction under Anaerobic Conditions. Appl Environ Microbiol 2010; 53:27-32. [PMID: 16347263 PMCID: PMC203596 DOI: 10.1128/aem.53.1.27-32.1987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The sulfate kinetics in an anaerobic, sulfate-reducing biofilm were investigated with an annular biofilm reactor. Biofilm growth, sulfide production, and kinetic constants (K(m) and V(max)) for the bacterial sulfate uptake within the biofilm were determined. These parameters were used to model the biofilm kinetics, and the experimental results were in good agreement with the model predictions. Typical zero-order volume rate constants for sulfate reduction in a biofilm without substrate limitation ranged from 56 to 93 mumol of SO(4)-cm h at 20 degrees C. The temperature dependence (Q(10)) of sulfate reduction was equivalent to 3.4 at between 9 and 20 degrees C. The measured rates of sulfate reduction could explain the relatively high sulfide levels found in sewers and wastewater treatment systems. Furthermore, it has been shown that sulfate reduction in biofilms just a few hundred micrometers thick is limited by sulfate diffusion into biofilm at concentrations below 0.5 mM. This observation might, in some cases, be an explanation for the relatively poor capacity of the sulfate-reducing bacteria to compete with the methanogenic bacteria in anaerobic wastewater treatment in submerged filters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P H Nielsen
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, University of Aalborg, DK-9000 Aalborg, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Isa Z, Grusenmeyer S, Verstraete W. Sulfate reduction relative to methane production in high-rate anaerobic digestion: microbiological aspects. Appl Environ Microbiol 2010; 51:580-7. [PMID: 16347019 PMCID: PMC238922 DOI: 10.1128/aem.51.3.580-587.1986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In the high-rate anaerobic reactors studied (ca. 10 g of chemical oxygen demand [COD] removed per liter of reactor per day), the sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) were poor competitors of methane-producing bacteria (MPB), scavenging only on the order of 10 to 20% of the total electron flow. The relatively noncompetitive nature of the SRB in this type of reactor is in sharp contrast to the tendency of the SRB to dominate in natural environments and in other types of anaerobic digesters. Various factors such as the feedback inhibition of H(2)S on the SRB, iron limitation, the origin of the SRB inocula, biokinetics, and thermodynamics were investigated. The outcome of the SRB-MPB competition under the reactor conditions studied appeared to be particularly determined by two factors. The SRB, as predicted by the V(max)-K(m) kinetics, competed most effectively at low substrate levels (<0.5 g of COD per liter). The MPB, however, appeared to colonize and adhere much more effectively to the polyurethane carrier matrix present in the reactor, thus compensating for the apparent lower growth rates. Even if the reactor was initially allowed to be predominantly colonized by SRB, the MPB could regain dominance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Z Isa
- Laboratory of Microbial Ecology, State University of Ghent, Coupure L 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Onstott TC, Hinton SM, Silver BJ, King HE. Coupling hydrocarbon degradation to anaerobic respiration and mineral diagenesis: theoretical constraints. GEOBIOLOGY 2010; 8:69-88. [PMID: 20055900 DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-4669.2009.00224.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The diagenetic mineral assemblages in petroleum reservoirs control the formation fluid pH and pCO(2). Anaerobic biodegradation of petroleum is controlled by the transfer of electrons from reduced organic species to inorganic, redox sensitive, aqueous and mineral species in many cases through intermediates such as H(2) and CH(3)COO(-). The terminal electron accepting reactions induce the dissolution or precipitation of the same minerals that control the ambient pH and pCO(2) in petroleum reservoirs. In this study, we develop a model for anaerobic biodegradation of petroleum that couples the production of acetate and H(2) to 'late stage' diagenetic reactions. The model reveals that the principal terminal electron accepting process and electron donor control the type of diagenetic reaction, and that the petroleum biodegradation rate is controlled through thermodynamic restriction by the minimum DeltaG required to support a specific microbial metabolism, the fluid flux and the mineral assemblage. These relationships are illustrated by modeling coupled microbial diagenesis and biodegradation of the Gullfaks oil reservoir. The results indicate that the complete dissolution of albite by acids generated during oil biodegradation and the corresponding elevated pCO(2) seen in the Gullfaks field are best explained by methanogenic respiration coupled to hydrocarbon degradation and that the biodegradation rate is likely controlled by the pCH(4). Biodegradation of Gullfaks oil by a consortium that includes either Fe(3+)-reducing or -reducing bacteria cannot explain the observed diagenetic mineral assemblage or pCO(2). For octane, biodegradation, not water washing, was the principal agent for removal at fluid velocities <20 m Myr(-1).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T C Onstott
- Department of Geosciences, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Size-dependent variations on the nutritional pathway of Bathymodiolus azoricus demonstrated by a C-flux model. Ecol Modell 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2008.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
34
|
Himmelheber DW, Taillefert M, Pennell KD, Hughes JB. Spatial and temporal evolution of biogeochemical processes following in situ capping of contaminated sediments. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2008; 42:4113-20. [PMID: 18589974 DOI: 10.1021/es702626x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
In situ capping has recently emerged as a remedial method for contaminated sediments and involves placing a layer of clean material at the sediment-water interface. The biogeochemical response of native sediment following capping, as well as the redoxenvironmentsthatdevelopwithinthe cap, are currently unknown. Column experiments were performed using voltammetric microelectrodes to characterize spatial and temporal distributions of biogeochemical processes in capped sediments under stagnant and upflow conditions. Oxygen penetration into sand caps extended only a few centimeters, thus maintaining underlying sediment anaerobic. Chemical species indicative of heterotrophic organic matter degradation (Mn2+, Fe2+, organic--FeIII(aq), FexSy(aq), sigmaH2S) were observed in stratified zones below the oxic layer. The majority of the overlying cap was subject to iron-reducing conditions under stagnant flow, while upflow conditions led to a compression of the redox zones toward the cap-water interface. Controls confirmed that sediment capping induced an upward, vertical shift of biogeochemical processes into the overlying cap, with redox stratification conserved. The redox conditions within the cap, specifically the predominance of iron reduction, should allow for reductive contaminant attenuation processes to extend into the overlying cap. These findings improve our understanding of the dynamics of biogeochemical processes following capping of contaminated sediments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David W Himmelheber
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Al-Darbi MM, Agha K, Islam MR. Comprehensive Modelling of the Pitting Biocorrosion of Steel. CAN J CHEM ENG 2008. [DOI: 10.1002/cjce.5450830509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
|
36
|
Singhal N, Islam J. One-dimensional model for biogeochemical interactions and permeability reduction in soils during leachate permeation. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY 2008; 96:32-47. [PMID: 17996980 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2007.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2006] [Revised: 09/23/2007] [Accepted: 09/26/2007] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
This paper uses the findings from a column study to develop a reactive model for exploring the interactions occurring in leachate-contaminated soils. The changes occurring in the concentrations of acetic acid, sulphate, suspended and attached biomass, Fe(II), Mn(II), calcium, carbonate ions, and pH in the column are assessed. The mathematical model considers geochemical equilibrium, kinetic biodegradation, precipitation-dissolution reactions, bacterial and substrate transport, and permeability reduction arising from bacterial growth and gas production. A two-step sequential operator splitting method is used to solve the coupled transport and biogeochemical reaction equations. The model gives satisfactory fits to experimental data and the simulations show that the transport of metals in soil is controlled by multiple competing biotic and abiotic reactions. These findings suggest that bioaccumulation and gas formation, compared to chemical precipitation, have a larger influence on hydraulic conductivity reduction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naresh Singhal
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
| | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Blodau C, Mayer B, Peiffer S, Moore TR. Support for an anaerobic sulfur cycle in two Canadian peatland soils. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007. [DOI: 10.1029/2006jg000364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
|
38
|
Icgen B, Moosa S, Harrison STL. A study of the relative dominance of selected anaerobic sulfate-reducing bacteria in a continuous bioreactor by fluorescence in situ hybridization. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2007; 53:43-52. [PMID: 16941240 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-006-9009-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2005] [Revised: 11/10/2005] [Accepted: 11/12/2005] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The diversity and the community structure of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in an anaerobic continuous bioreactor used for treatment of a sulfate-containing wastewater were investigated by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Hybridization to the 16S rRNA probe EUB338 for the domain Bacteria was performed, followed by a nonsense probe NON338 as a control for nonspecific staining. Sulfate-reducing consortia were identified by using five nominally genus-specific probes (SRB129 for Desulfobacter, SRB221 for Desulfobacterium, SRB228 for Desulfotomaculum, SRB660 for Desulfobulbus, and SRB657 for Desulfonema) and four group-specific probes (SRB385 as a general SRB probe, SRB687 for Desulfovibrioaceae, SRB814 for Desulfococcus group, and SRB804 for Desulfobacteriaceae). The total prokaryotic population was determined by 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining. Hybridization analysis using these 16S rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes showed that, of those microbial groupings investigated, Desulfonema, Desulfobulbus, spp., and Desulfobacteriaceae group were the main sulfate-reducing bacteria in the bioreactor when operated at steady state at 35 degrees C, pH 7.8, and a 2.5-day residence time with feed stream containing 2.5 kg m-3 sulfate as terminal electron acceptor and 2.3 kg m-3 acetate as carbon source and electron donor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B Icgen
- Bioprocess Engineering Research Unit, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Kondo R, Purdy KJ, de Queiroz Silva S, Nedwell DB. Spatial Dynamics of Sulphate-reducing Bacterial Compositions in Sediment along a Salinity Gradient in a UK Estuary. Microbes Environ 2007. [DOI: 10.1264/jsme2.22.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ryuji Kondo
- Department of Marine Bioscience, Fukui Prefectural University
| | - Kevin J. Purdy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Gibbet Hill, University of Warwick
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Roychoudhury AN, Merrett GL. Redox pathways in a petroleum contaminated shallow sandy aquifer: Iron and sulfate reductions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2006; 366:262-74. [PMID: 16387349 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2005.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2005] [Revised: 10/19/2005] [Accepted: 10/21/2005] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
A comprehensive hydro-geochemical characterization was carried out in a petroleum-contaminated shallow sandy aquifer in South Africa. The results indicate the presence of a BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene) plume that has moved, although only slightly, along the regional hydraulic gradient from the spill site. Associated with the contaminant plume, spatial distribution pattern of terminal electron acceptors and metabolites indicates simultaneous occurrence of nitrate, manganese, iron and sulfate reductions resulting in overlapping redox zones within the aquifer. From the measured concentration of metabolic by-products, sulfate and iron reductions seem to be the dominant metabolic pathways, though. Incubation experiments conducted with hydrocarbon contaminated aquifer sediments and inherent microbial assemblages provide a sulfate reduction rate of 4272 nmol cm(-3) day(-1) and 96 nmol cm(-3) day(-1) for winter and summer, respectively. As oppose to this, iron reduction dominates in summer with measured respiration rate of 1414 nmol cm(-3) day(-1). In winter iron reduction was measured to be only 24 nmol cm(-3) day(-1). Based on the dissimilatory iron and sulfate reduction rate measurements, we predict that at the aquifer site, intrinsic BTEX oxidation is primarily occurring in winter and is coupled to sulfate reduction. Although widespread in the aquifer, the contribution of iron reduction for the removal of aromatic monocyclic hydrocarbons is relatively minor.
Collapse
|
41
|
Sung Y, Fletcher KE, Ritalahti KM, Apkarian RP, Ramos-Hernández N, Sanford RA, Mesbah NM, Löffler FE. Geobacter lovleyi sp. nov. strain SZ, a novel metal-reducing and tetrachloroethene-dechlorinating bacterium. Appl Environ Microbiol 2006; 72:2775-82. [PMID: 16597982 PMCID: PMC1448980 DOI: 10.1128/aem.72.4.2775-2782.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 203] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A bacterial isolate, designated strain SZ, was obtained from noncontaminated creek sediment microcosms based on its ability to derive energy from acetate oxidation coupled to tetrachloroethene (PCE)-to-cis-1,2-dichloroethene (cis-DCE) dechlorination (i.e., chlororespiration). Hydrogen and pyruvate served as alternate electron donors for strain SZ, and the range of electron acceptors included (reduced products are given in brackets) PCE and trichloroethene [cis-DCE], nitrate [ammonium], fumarate [succinate], Fe(III) [Fe(II)], malate [succinate], Mn(IV) [Mn(II)], U(VI) [U(IV)], and elemental sulfur [sulfide]. PCE and soluble Fe(III) (as ferric citrate) were reduced at rates of 56.5 and 164 nmol min(-1) mg of protein(-1), respectively, with acetate as the electron donor. Alternate electron acceptors, such as U(VI) and nitrate, did not inhibit PCE dechlorination and were consumed concomitantly. With PCE, Fe(III) (as ferric citrate), and nitrate as electron acceptors, H(2) was consumed to threshold concentrations of 0.08 +/- 0.03 nM, 0.16 +/- 0.07 nM, and 0.5 +/- 0.06 nM, respectively, and acetate was consumed to 3.0 +/- 2.1 nM, 1.2 +/- 0.5 nM, and 3.6 +/- 0.25 nM, respectively. Apparently, electron acceptor-specific acetate consumption threshold concentrations exist, suggesting that similar to the hydrogen threshold model, the measurement of acetate threshold concentrations offers an additional diagnostic tool to delineate terminal electron-accepting processes in anaerobic subsurface environments. Genetic and phenotypic analyses classify strain SZ as the type strain of the new species, Geobacter lovleyi sp. nov., with Geobacter (formerly Trichlorobacter) thiogenes as the closest relative. Furthermore, the analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences recovered from PCE-dechlorinating consortia and chloroethene-contaminated subsurface environments suggests that Geobacter lovleyi belongs to a distinct, dechlorinating clade within the metal-reducing Geobacter group. Substrate versatility, consumption of electron donors to low threshold concentrations, and simultaneous reduction of electron acceptors suggest that strain SZ-type organisms have desirable characteristics for bioremediation applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Youlboong Sung
- Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 311 Ferst Drive, 3228 ES&T Building, Atlanta, GA 30332-0512, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Burton ED, Bush RT, Sullivan LA. Reduced inorganic sulfur speciation in drain sediments from acid sulfate soil landscapes. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2006; 40:888-93. [PMID: 16509333 DOI: 10.1021/es0516763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
We examined processes regulating reduced inorganic sulfur (RIS) speciation in drain sediments from coastal acid sulfate soil (ASS) landscapes. Pore water sulfide was undetectable or present at low levels (0.6-18.8 microM), consistent with FeS(s) precipitation in the presence of high concentrations of Fe2+ (generally >2 mM). Acid-volatile sulfide (AVS), with concentrations up to 1019 micromol g(-1), comprised a major proportion of RIS. The AVS to pyrite-S ratios were up to 2.6 in sediment profiles containing abundant reactive Fe (up to approximately 4000 micromol g(-1)). Such high AVS:pyrite-S ratios are indicative of inefficient conversion of FeS(s) to pyrite. This may be due to low pore water sulfide levels causing slow rates of pyrite formation via the polysulfide and H2S oxidation pathways. Overall, RIS speciation in ASS-associated drain sediments is unique and is largely regulated by abundant reactive Fe.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edward D Burton
- Centre for Acid Sulfate Soil Research, School of Environmental Science and Management, Southern Cross University, Military Road, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Trimmer M, Purdy KJ, Nedwell DB. Process measurement and phylogenetic analysis of the sulfate reducing bacterial communities of two contrasting benthic sites in the upper estuary of the Great Ouse, Norfolk, UK. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2006. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6941.1997.tb00450.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
|
44
|
Purdy KJ, Nedwell DB, Embley T, Takii S. Use of 16S rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes to investigate the occurrence and selection of sulfate-reducing bacteria in response to nutrient addition to sediment slurry microcosms from a Japanese estuary. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2006. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6941.1997.tb00439.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
|
45
|
Moosa S, Nemati M, Harrison ST. A kinetic study on anaerobic reduction of sulphate, part II: incorporation of temperature effects in the kinetic model. Chem Eng Sci 2005. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2004.11.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
46
|
Decker KLM, Potter CS, Bebout BM, Marais DJD, Carpenter S, Discipulo M, Hoehler TM, Miller SR, Thamdrup B, Turk KA, Visscher PT. Mathematical simulation of the diel O, S, and C biogeochemistry of a hypersaline microbial mat. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2005; 52:377-95. [PMID: 16329922 DOI: 10.1016/j.femsec.2004.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2004] [Revised: 09/16/2004] [Accepted: 12/08/2004] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The creation of a mathematical simulation model of photosynthetic microbial mats is important to our understanding of key biogeochemical cycles that may have altered the atmospheres and lithospheres of early Earth. A model is presented here as a tool to integrate empirical results from research on hypersaline mats from Baja California Sur (BCS), Mexico into a computational system that can be used to simulate biospheric inputs of trace gases to the atmosphere. The first version of our model, presented here, calculates fluxes and cycling of O(2), sulfide, and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) via abiotic components and via four major microbial guilds: cyanobacteria (CYA), sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB), purple sulfur bacteria (PSB) and colorless sulfur bacteria (CSB). We used generalized Monod-type equations that incorporate substrate and energy limits upon maximum rates of metabolic processes such as photosynthesis and sulfate reduction. We ran a simulation using temperature and irradiance inputs from data collected from a microbial mat in Guerrero Negro in BCS (Mexico). Model O(2), sulfide, and DIC concentration profiles and fluxes compared well with data collected in the field mats. There were some model-predicted features of biogeochemical cycling not observed in our actual measurements. For instance, large influxes and effluxes of DIC across the MBGC mat boundary may reveal previously unrecognized, but real, in situ limits on rates of biogeochemical processes. Some of the short-term variation in field-collected mat O(2) was not predicted by MBGC. This suggests a need both for more model sensitivity to small environmental fluctuations for the incorporation of a photorespiration function into the model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K L M Decker
- Division of Science and Environmental Policy, California State University, Monterey Bay, Mail Stop 242-4, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Roden EE, Scheibe TD. Conceptual and numerical model of uranium(VI) reductive immobilization in fractured subsurface sediments. CHEMOSPHERE 2005; 59:617-628. [PMID: 15792659 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2004.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2004] [Revised: 10/25/2004] [Accepted: 11/03/2004] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
A conceptual model and numerical simulations of bacterial U(VI) reduction in fractured subsurface sediments were developed to assess the potential feasibility of biomineralization at the fracture/matrix interface as a mechanism for immobilization of uranium in structured subsurface media. The model envisions flow of anaerobic groundwater, with or without acetate as an electron donor for stimulation of U(VI) reduction by dissimilatory metal-reducing bacteria (DMRB), within mobile macropores along a one-dimensional flow path. As the groundwater moves along the flow path, U(VI) trapped in the immobile mesopore and micropore domains (the sediment matrix) becomes desorbed and transferred to the mobile macropores (fractures) via a first-order exchange mechanism. By allowing bacterial U(VI) reduction to occur in the mesopore domain (assumed to account for 12% of total sediment pore volume) according to experimentally-determined kinetic parameters and an assumed DMRB abundance of 10(7) cells per cm3 bulk sediment (equivalent to 4 mg of cells per dm3 bulk sediment), the concentration of U(VI) in the macropore domain was reduced ca. 10-fold compared to that predicted in the absence of mesopore DMRB activity after a 6-month simulation period. The results suggest that input of soluble electron donors over a period of years could lead to a major redistribution of uranium in fractured subsurface sediments, converting potentially mobile sorbed U(VI) to an insoluble reduced phase (i.e. uraninite) in the mesopore domain that is expected to be permanently immobile under sustained anaerobic conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eric E Roden
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, Box 870206, A122 Bevill Bldg 7th Ave. Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0206, United States.
| | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Boshoff G, Duncan J, Rose PD. Tannery effluent as a carbon source for biological sulphate reduction. WATER RESEARCH 2004; 38:2651-2658. [PMID: 15207595 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2004.03.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2003] [Revised: 03/25/2004] [Accepted: 03/31/2004] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Tannery effluent was assessed as a carbon source for biological sulphate reduction in a pilot-scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB), stirred tank reactor (STR) and trench reactor (TR). Sulphate removals of between 60-80% were obtained in all three reactors at total sulphate feed levels of up to 1800 mg l(-1). Sulphate removal in the TR (400-500 mg SO4 l(-1) day(-1)) and UASB (up to 600 mg SO4 l(-1) day(-1)) were higher than those obtained in the STR (250 mg SO4 l(1) day(-1)). A change in operation mode from a UASB to a STR had a large impact on chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiencies. COD removal rates decreased by 25% from 600-700 mg COD l(-1) day(-1) to 200-600 mg COD l(-1) day(-1). The TR had an average COD removal rate of 500 mg COD l(-1) day(-1). Large quantities of sulphide were produced in the reactors (up to 1500 mg l(-1)). However due to the elevated pH in the reactor, only a small amount was in the form of H2S and thus the odour problem normally associated with biological sulphate reduction was not present.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Boshoff
- Environmental Engineering Research Centre, School of Civil Engineering, Queens University Belfast, David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Northern Ireland BT9 5AG, UK.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Stams AJM, Oude Elferink SJWH, Westermann P. Metabolic interactions between methanogenic consortia and anaerobic respiring bacteria. ADVANCES IN BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING/BIOTECHNOLOGY 2003; 81:31-56. [PMID: 12747560 DOI: 10.1007/3-540-45839-5_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Most types of anaerobic respiration are able to outcompete methanogenic consortia for common substrates if the respective electron acceptors are present in sufficient amounts. Furthermore, several products or intermediate compounds formed by anaerobic respiring bacteria are toxic to methanogenic consortia. Despite the potentially adverse effects, only few inorganic electron acceptors potentially utilizable for anaerobic respiration have been investigated with respect to negative interactions in anaerobic digesters. In this chapter we review competitive and inhibitory interactions between anaerobic respiring populations and methanogenic consortia in bioreactors. Due to the few studies in anaerobic digesters, many of our discussions are based upon studies of defined cultures or natural ecosystems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A J M Stams
- Wageningen University and Research Centre, Laboratory of Microbiology, Hesselink van Suchtelenweg 4, 6703 CT Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
|