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Valero A, Petrash DA, Kuchenbuch A, Korth B. Enriching electroactive microorganisms from ferruginous lake waters - Mind the sulfate reducers! Bioelectrochemistry 2024; 157:108661. [PMID: 38340618 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2024.108661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Electroactive microorganisms are pivotal players in mineral transformation within redox interfaces characterized by pronounced oxygen and dissolved metal gradients. Yet, their systematic cultivation from such environments remains elusive. Here, we conducted an anodic enrichment using anoxic ferruginous waters from a post-mining lake as inoculum. Weak electrogenicity (j = ∼5 µA cm-2) depended on electroactive planktonic cells rather than anodic biofilms, with a preference for formate as electron donor. Addition of yeast extract decreased the lag phase but did not increase current densities. The enriched bacterial community varied depending on the substrate composition but mainly comprised of sulfate- and nitrate-reducing bacteria (e.g., Desulfatomaculum spp. and Stenotrophomonas spp.). A secondary enrichment strategy resulted in different bacterial communities composed of iron-reducing (e.g., Klebsiella spp.) and fermentative bacteria (e.g., Paeniclostridium spp.). Secondary electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy results indicate the precipitation of sulfur- and iron-rich organomineral aggregates at the anode surface, presumably impeding current production. Our findings indicate that (i) anoxic waters containing geogenically derived metals can be used to enrich weak electricigens, and (ii) it is necessary to specifically inhibit sulfate reducers. Otherwise, sulfate reducers tend to dominate over EAM during cultivation, which can lead to anode passivation due to biomineralization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astolfo Valero
- Institute of Soil Biology and Biogeochemistry, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Department of Ecosystem Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel A Petrash
- Institute of Soil Biology and Biogeochemistry, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Department of Environmental Geochemistry and Biogeochemistry, Czech Geological Survey, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Anne Kuchenbuch
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Benjamin Korth
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany.
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2
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Ceballos-Escalera A, Pous N, Korth B, Harnisch F, Balaguer MD, Puig S. Ex-situ electrochemical characterisation of fixed-bed denitrification biocathodes: A promising strategy to improve bioelectrochemical denitrification. Chemosphere 2024; 347:140699. [PMID: 37977534 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
The worldwide issue of nitrate-contaminated groundwater requires practical solutions, and electro-bioremediation offers a promising and sustainable treatment. While it has shown potential benefits, there is room for improvement in treatment rates, which is crucial for its further and effective implementation. In this field, electrochemical characterisation is a valuable tool for providing the foundation for optimising bioelectrochemical reactors, but applying it in fixed-bed reactors is challenging due to its high intrinsic electrical resistance. To overcome these challenges, this study employed the easy and swift eClamp methodology to screen different process parameters and their influence on the performance of fixed-bed denitrifying biocathodes composed of granular graphite. Granules were extracted and studied ex-situ under controlled conditions while varying key operational parameters (such as pH, temperature, and nitrate concentration). In the studied biocathode, the extracellular electron transfer associated with denitrification was identified as the primary limiting step with a formal potential of -0.225 ± 0.007 V vs. Ag/AgCl sat. KCl at pH 7 and 25 °C. By varying the nitrate concentration, it was revealed that the biocathode exhibits a strong affinity for nitrate (KMapp of 0.7 ± 0.2 mg N-NO3- L-1). The maximum denitrification rate was observed at a pH of 6 and a temperature of 35 °C. Furthermore, the findings highlight a 2e-/1H+ transfer, which holds considerable implications for the energy metabolism of bioelectrochemical denitrifiers. These compiled results provide valuable insights into the understanding of denitrifying biocathodes and enable the improvement and prediction of their performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Ceballos-Escalera
- LEQUiA, Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Capmany, 69, E-17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Narcís Pous
- LEQUiA, Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Capmany, 69, E-17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Benjamin Korth
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Falk Harnisch
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany
| | - M Dolors Balaguer
- LEQUiA, Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Capmany, 69, E-17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Sebastià Puig
- LEQUiA, Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Capmany, 69, E-17003, Girona, Spain.
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3
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Dai S, Harnisch F, Morejón MC, Keller NS, Korth B, Vogt C. Microbial electricity-driven anaerobic phenol degradation in bioelectrochemical systems. Environ Sci Ecotechnol 2024; 17:100307. [PMID: 37593528 PMCID: PMC10432169 DOI: 10.1016/j.ese.2023.100307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Microbial electrochemical technologies have been extensively employed for phenol removal. Yet, previous research has yielded inconsistent results, leaving uncertainties regarding the feasibility of phenol degradation under strictly anaerobic conditions using anodes as sole terminal electron acceptors. In this study, we employed high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to investigate the anaerobic phenol degradation pathway. Our findings provide robust evidence for the purely anaerobic degradation of phenol, as we identified benzoic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, glutaric acid, and other metabolites of this pathway. Notably, no typical intermediates of the aerobic phenol degradation pathway were detected. One-chamber reactors (+0.4 V vs. SHE) exhibited a phenol removal rate of 3.5 ± 0.2 mg L-1 d-1, while two-chamber reactors showed 3.6 ± 0.1 and 2.6 ± 0.9 mg L-1 d-1 at anode potentials of +0.4 and + 0.2 V, respectively. Our results also suggest that the reactor configuration certainly influenced the microbial community, presumably leading to different ratios of phenol consumers and microorganisms feeding on degradation products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shixiang Dai
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Falk Harnisch
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Micjel Chávez Morejón
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nina Sophie Keller
- Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Benjamin Korth
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Carsten Vogt
- Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
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Korth B, Pereira J, Sleutels T, Harnisch F, Heijne AT. Comparing theoretical and practical biomass yields calls for revisiting thermodynamic growth models for electroactive microorganisms. Water Res 2023; 242:120279. [PMID: 37451189 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Research on electroactive microorganisms (EAM) often focuses either on their physiology and the underlying mechanisms of extracellular electron transfer or on their application in microbial electrochemical technologies (MET). Thermodynamic understanding of energy conversions related to growth and activity of EAM has received only a little attention. In this study, we aimed to prove the hypothesized restricted energy harvest of EAM by determining biomass yields by monitoring growth of acetate-fed biofilms presumably enriched in Geobacter, using optical coherence tomography, at three anode potentials and four acetate concentrations. Experiments were concurrently simulated using a refined thermodynamic model for EAM. Neither clear correlations were observed between biomass yield and anode potential nor acetate concentration, albeit the statistical significances are limited, mainly due to the observed experimental variances. The experimental biomass yield based on acetate consumption (YX/ac = 37 ± 9 mgCODbiomass gCODac-1) was higher than estimated by modeling, indicating limitations of existing growth models to predict yields of EAM. In contrast, the modeled biomass yield based on catabolic energy harvest was higher than the biomass yield from experimental data (YX/cat = 25.9 ± 6.8 mgCODbiomass kJ-1), supporting restricted energy harvest of EAM and indicating a role of not considered energy sinks. This calls for an adjusted growth model for EAM, including, e.g., the microbial electrochemical Peltier heat to improve the understanding and modeling of their energy metabolism. Furthermore, the reported biomass yields are important parameters to design strategies for influencing the interactions between EAM and other microorganisms and allowing more realistic feasibility assessments of MET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Korth
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ, Permoserstr. 15, Leipzig 04318, Germany.
| | - João Pereira
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9 8911, MA, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands; Environmental Technology, Wageningen University, Bornse Weilanden 9, P.O. Box 17 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Tom Sleutels
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9 8911, MA, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands; Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Falk Harnisch
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ, Permoserstr. 15, Leipzig 04318, Germany
| | - Annemiek Ter Heijne
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University, Bornse Weilanden 9, P.O. Box 17 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Dai S, Harnisch F, Bin-Hudari MS, Keller NS, Vogt C, Korth B. Improving the performance of bioelectrochemical sulfate removal by applying flow mode. Microb Biotechnol 2023; 16:595-604. [PMID: 36259447 PMCID: PMC9948226 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment of wastewater contaminated with high sulfate concentrations is an environmental imperative lacking a sustainable and environmental friendly technological solution. Microbial electrochemical technology (MET) represents a promising approach for sulfate reduction. In MET, a cathode is introduced as inexhaustible electron source for promoting sulfate reduction via direct or mediated electron transfer. So far, this is mainly studied in batch mode representing straightforward and easy-to-use systems, but their practical implementation seems unlikely, as treatment capacities are limited. Here, we investigated bioelectrochemical sulfate reduction in flow mode and achieved removal efficiencies (Esulfate , 89.2 ± 0.4%) being comparable to batch experiments, while sulfate removal rates (Rsulfate , 3.1 ± 0.2 mmol L-1 ) and Coulombic efficiencies (CE, 85.2 ± 17.7%) were significantly increased. Different temperatures and hydraulic retention times (HRT) were applied and the best performance was achieved at HRT 3.5 days and 30°C. Microbial community analysis based on amplicon sequencing demonstrated that sulfate reduction was mainly performed by prokaryotes belonging to the genera Desulfomicrobium, Desulfovibrio, and Desulfococcus, indicating that hydrogenotrophic and heterotrophic sulfate reduction occurred by utilizing cathodically produced H2 or acetate produced by homoacetogens (Acetobacterium). The advantage of flow operation for bioelectrochemical sulfate reduction is likely based on higher absolute biomass, stable pH, and selection of sulfate reducers with a higher sulfide tolerance, and improved ratio between sulfate-reducing prokaryotes and homoacetogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shixiang Dai
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Falk Harnisch
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Mohammad Sufian Bin-Hudari
- Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nina Sophie Keller
- Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Carsten Vogt
- Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Benjamin Korth
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
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6
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Korth B, Pous N, Hönig R, Haus P, Corrêa FB, Nunes da Rocha U, Puig S, Harnisch F. Electrochemical and Microbial Dissection of Electrified Biotrickling Filters. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:869474. [PMID: 35711746 PMCID: PMC9197458 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.869474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrified biotrickling filters represent sustainable microbial electrochemical technology for treating organic carbon-deficient ammonium-contaminated waters. However, information on the microbiome of the conductive granule bed cathode remains inexistent. For uncovering this black box and for identifying key process parameters, minimally invasive sampling units were introduced, allowing for the extraction of granules from different reactor layers during reactor operation. Sampled granules were analyzed using cyclic voltammetry and molecular biological tools. Two main redox sites [-288 ± 18 mV and -206 ± 21 mV vs. standard hydrogen electrode (SHE)] related to bioelectrochemical denitrification were identified, exhibiting high activity in a broad pH range (pH 6-10). A genome-centric analysis revealed a complex nitrogen food web and the presence of typical denitrifiers like Pseudomonas nitroreducens and Paracoccus versutus with none of these species being identified as electroactive microorganism so far. These are the first results to provide insights into microbial structure-function relationships within electrified biotrickling filters and underline the robustness and application potential of bioelectrochemical denitrification for environmental remediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Korth
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Narcís Pous
- Laboratory of Chemical and Environmental Engineering (LEQUiA), Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Richard Hönig
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Philip Haus
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Felipe Borim Corrêa
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ulisses Nunes da Rocha
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sebastià Puig
- Laboratory of Chemical and Environmental Engineering (LEQUiA), Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Falk Harnisch
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany
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7
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Dai S, Korth B, Schwab L, Aulenta F, Vogt C, Harnisch F. Deciphering the fate of sulfate in one- and two-chamber bioelectrochemical systems. Electrochim Acta 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2022.139942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Dai S, Korth B, Vogt C, Harnisch F. Microbial Electrochemical Oxidation of Anaerobic Digestion Effluent From Treating HTC Process Water. Front Chem Eng 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fceng.2021.652445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a promising technology for chemical and material synthesis. However, HTC produces not only valuable solid coal-materials but also yields process water (PW) with high chemical oxygen demand (COD) that requires extensive treatment. Anaerobic digestion (AD) has been used for initial treatment of HTC-PW, but the AD effluent is still high in COD and particles. Here, we show that microbial electrochemical technologies (MET) can be applied for COD removal from AD effluent of HTC-PW. Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) treating different shares of AD effluent from HTC-PW exhibited similar trends for current production. Thereby, maximum current densities of 0.24 mA cm−2 and COD removal of 65.4 ± 4.4% were reached (n = 3). Microbial community analysis showed that the genus Geobacter dominated anode biofilm and liquid phase of all reactors indicating its central role for COD oxidation and current generation.
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Quejigo JR, Korth B, Kuchenbuch A, Harnisch F. Redox Potential Heterogeneity in Fixed-Bed Electrodes Leads to Microbial Stratification and Inhomogeneous Performance. ChemSusChem 2021; 14:1155-1165. [PMID: 33387375 PMCID: PMC7986606 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202002611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Bed electrodes provide high electrode area-to-volume ratios represent a promising configuration for transferring bioelectrochemical systems close to industrial applications. Nevertheless, the intrinsic electrical resistance leads to poor polarization behavior. Therefore, the distribution of Geobacter spp. and their electrochemical performance within exemplary fixed-bed electrodes are investigated. A minimally invasive sampling system allows characterization of granules from different spatial locations of bed electrodes. Cyclic voltammetry of single granules (n=63) demonstrates that the major share of electroactivity (134.3 mA L-1 ) is achieved by approximately 10 % of the bed volume, specifically that being close to the current collector. Nevertheless, analysis of the microbial community reveals that Geobacter spp. dominated all sampled granules. These findings clearly demonstrate the need for engineered bed electrodes to improve electron exchange between microorganisms and granules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Rodrigo Quejigo
- Department of Environmental MicrobiologyHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH – UFZPermoser Str. 1504318LeipzigGermany
| | - Benjamin Korth
- Department of Environmental MicrobiologyHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH – UFZPermoser Str. 1504318LeipzigGermany
| | - Anne Kuchenbuch
- Department of Environmental MicrobiologyHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH – UFZPermoser Str. 1504318LeipzigGermany
| | - Falk Harnisch
- Department of Environmental MicrobiologyHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH – UFZPermoser Str. 1504318LeipzigGermany
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Ceballos-Escalera A, Pous N, Chiluiza-Ramos P, Korth B, Harnisch F, Bañeras L, Balaguer MD, Puig S. Electro-bioremediation of nitrate and arsenite polluted groundwater. Water Res 2021; 190:116748. [PMID: 33360100 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The coexistence of different pollutants in groundwater is a common threat. Sustainable and resilient technologies are required for their treatment. The present study aims to evaluate microbial electrochemical technologies (METs) for treating groundwater contaminated with nitrate (NO3-) while containing arsenic (in form of arsenite (As(III)) as a co-contaminant. The treatment was based on the combination of nitrate reduction to dinitrogen gas and arsenite oxidation to arsenate (exhibiting less toxicity, solubility, and mobility), which can be removed more easily in further post-treatment. We operated a bioelectrochemical reactor at continuous-flow mode with synthetic contaminated groundwater (33 mg N-NO3- L-1 and 5 mg As(III) L-1) identifying the key operational conditions. Different hydraulic retention times (HRT) were evaluated, reaching a maximum nitrate reduction rate of 519 g N-NO3- m3Net Cathodic Compartment d-1 at HRT of 2.3 h with a cathodic coulombic efficiency of around 100 %. Simultaneously, arsenic oxidation was complete at all HRT tested down to 1.6 h reaching an oxidation rate of up to 90 g As(III) m-3Net Reactor Volume d -1. Electrochemical and microbiological characterization of single granules suggested that arsenite at 5 mg L-1 did not have an inhibitory effect on a denitrifying biocathode mainly represented by Sideroxydans sp. Although the coexistence of abiotic and biotic arsenic oxidation pathways was shown to be likely, microbial arsenite oxidation linked to denitrification by Achromobacter sp. was the most probable pathway. This research paves the ground towards a real application for treating groundwater with widespread pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Ceballos-Escalera
- LEQUiA, Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Capmany, 69, E-17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Narcís Pous
- LEQUiA, Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Capmany, 69, E-17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Paola Chiluiza-Ramos
- Group of Environmental Microbial Ecology, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Capmany, 40, E-17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Benjamin Korth
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Falk Harnisch
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Lluís Bañeras
- Group of Environmental Microbial Ecology, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Capmany, 40, E-17003, Girona, Spain
| | - M Dolors Balaguer
- LEQUiA, Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Capmany, 69, E-17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Sebastià Puig
- LEQUiA, Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Capmany, 69, E-17003, Girona, Spain.
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Pous N, Korth B, Osset-Álvarez M, Balaguer MD, Harnisch F, Puig S. Electrifying biotrickling filters for the treatment of aquaponics wastewater. Bioresour Technol 2021; 319:124221. [PMID: 33254451 PMCID: PMC7547830 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.124221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
This work aimed to study the electrification of biotrickling filters by means of Microbial electrochemical technologies (MET) to develop an easy-to-assemble and easy-to-use MET for nitrogen removal without external aeration nor addition of chemicals. Four different designs were tested. The highest ammonium and nitrate removal rates (94 gN·m-3·d-1 and 43 gN·m-3·d-1, respectively) were reached by combining an aerobic zone with an electrified anoxic zone. The standards of effluent quality suitable for hydroponics were met at low energy cost (8.3 × 10-2 kWh·gN-1). Electrified biotrickling filters are a promising alternative for aquaponics and a potential treatment for organic carbon-deficient ammonium-contaminated waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narcís Pous
- Laboratory of Chemical and Environmental Engineering (LEQUiA), Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, Carrer Maria Aurèlia Capmany, 69, E-17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Benjamin Korth
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoser Str. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Miguel Osset-Álvarez
- Laboratory of Chemical and Environmental Engineering (LEQUiA), Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, Carrer Maria Aurèlia Capmany, 69, E-17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Maria Dolors Balaguer
- Laboratory of Chemical and Environmental Engineering (LEQUiA), Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, Carrer Maria Aurèlia Capmany, 69, E-17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Falk Harnisch
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoser Str. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sebastià Puig
- Laboratory of Chemical and Environmental Engineering (LEQUiA), Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, Carrer Maria Aurèlia Capmany, 69, E-17003 Girona, Spain.
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Korth B, Kuchenbuch A, Harnisch F. Front Cover: Availability of Hydrogen Shapes the Microbial Abundance in Biofilm Anodes based on
Geobacter
Enrichment (ChemElectroChem 18/2020). ChemElectroChem 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/celc.202001007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Korth
- Department of Environmental Microbiology Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH – UFZ Permoser Str. 15 04318 Leipzig Germany
| | - Anne Kuchenbuch
- Department of Environmental Microbiology Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH – UFZ Permoser Str. 15 04318 Leipzig Germany
| | - Falk Harnisch
- Department of Environmental Microbiology Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH – UFZ Permoser Str. 15 04318 Leipzig Germany
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Korth B, Kuchenbuch A, Harnisch F. Availability of Hydrogen Shapes the Microbial Abundance in Biofilm Anodes based on
Geobacter
Enrichment. ChemElectroChem 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/celc.202001006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Korth
- Department of Environmental Microbiology Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH – UFZ Permoser Str. 15 04318 Leipzig Germany
| | - Anne Kuchenbuch
- Department of Environmental Microbiology Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH – UFZ Permoser Str. 15 04318 Leipzig Germany
| | - Falk Harnisch
- Department of Environmental Microbiology Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH – UFZ Permoser Str. 15 04318 Leipzig Germany
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Korth B, Kuchenbuch A, Harnisch F. Availability of Hydrogen Shapes the Microbial Abundance in Biofilm Anodes based on
Geobacter
Enrichment. ChemElectroChem 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/celc.202000731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Korth
- Department of Environmental Microbiology Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH – UFZ Permoser Str. 15 04318 Leipzig Germany
| | - Anne Kuchenbuch
- Department of Environmental Microbiology Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH – UFZ Permoser Str. 15 04318 Leipzig Germany
| | - Falk Harnisch
- Department of Environmental Microbiology Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH – UFZ Permoser Str. 15 04318 Leipzig Germany
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Korth B, Kretzschmar J, Bartz M, Kuchenbuch A, Harnisch F. Determining incremental coulombic efficiency and physiological parameters of early stage Geobacter spp. enrichment biofilms. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0234077. [PMID: 32559199 PMCID: PMC7304624 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Geobacter spp. enrichment biofilms were cultivated in batch using one-chamber and two-chamber bioelectrochemical reactors. Time-resolved substrate quantification was performed to derive physiological parameters as well as incremental coulombic efficiency (i.e., coulombic efficiency during one batch cycle, here every 6h) during early stage biofilm development. The results of one-chamber reactors revealed an intermediate acetate increase putatively due to the presence of acetogens. Total coulombic efficiencies of two-chamber reactors were considerable lower (19.6±8.3% and 49.3±13.2% for 1st and 2nd batch cycle, respectively) compared to usually reported values of mature Geobacter spp. enrichment biofilms presumably reflecting energetic requirements for biomass production (i.e., cells and extracellular polymeric substances) during early stages of biofilm development. The incremental coulombic efficiency exhibits considerable changes during batch cycles indicating shifts between phases of maximizing metabolic rates and maximizing biomass yield. Analysis based on Michaelis-Menten kinetics yielded maximum substrate uptake rates (vmax,Ac, vmax,I) and half-saturation concentration coefficients (KM,Ac,KM,I) based on acetate uptake or current production, respectively. The latter is usually reported in literature but neglects energy demands for biofilm growth and maintenance as well as acetate and electron storage. From 1st to 2nd batch cycle, vmax,Ac and KM,Ac, decreased from 0.0042–0.0051 mmol Ac− h−1 cm−2 to 0.0031–0.0037 mmol Ac− h−1 cm−2 and 1.02–2.61 mM Ac− to 0.28–0.42 mM Ac−, respectively. Furthermore, differences between KM,Ac/KM,I and vmax,Ac/vmax,I were observed providing insights into the physiology of Geobacter spp. enrichment biofilms. Notably, KM,I considerably scattered while vmax,Ac/vmax,I and KM,Ac remained rather stable indicating that acetate transport within biofilm only marginally affects reaction rates. The observed data variation mandates the requirement of a more detailed analysis with an improved experimental system, e.g., using flow conditions and a comparison with Geobacter spp. pure cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Korth
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
| | - Jörg Kretzschmar
- Biochemical Conversion Department, DBFZ Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gemeinnützige GmbH, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
| | - Manuel Bartz
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
| | - Anne Kuchenbuch
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
| | - Falk Harnisch
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Korth B, Harnisch F. Corrigendum: Spotlight on the Energy Harvest of Electroactive Microorganisms: The Impact of the Applied Anode Potential. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2744. [PMID: 31839792 PMCID: PMC6901914 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Korth
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Falk Harnisch
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
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Korth B, Harnisch F. Spotlight on the Energy Harvest of Electroactive Microorganisms: The Impact of the Applied Anode Potential. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1352. [PMID: 31293531 PMCID: PMC6606774 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Electroactive microorganisms (EAM) harvest energy by reducing insoluble terminal electron acceptors (TEA) including electrodes via extracellular electron transfer (EET). Therefore, compared to microorganisms respiring soluble TEA, an adapted approach is required for thermodynamic analyses. In EAM, the thermodynamic frame (i.e., maximum available energy) is restricted as only a share of the energy difference between electron donor and TEA is exploited via the electron-transport chain to generate proton-motive force being subsequently utilized for ATP synthesis. However, according to a common misconception, the anode potential is suggested to co-determine the thermodynamic frame of EAM. By comparing the model organism Geobacter spp. and microorganisms respiring soluble TEA, we reason that a considerable part of the electron-transport chain of EAM performing direct EET does not contribute to the build-up of proton-motive force and thus, the anode potential does not co-determine the thermodynamic frame. Furthermore, using a modeling platform demonstrates that the influence of anode potential on energy harvest is solely a kinetic effect. When facing low anode potentials, NADH is accumulating due to a slow direct EET rate leading to a restricted exploitation of the thermodynamic frame. For anode potentials ≥ 0.2 V (vs. SHE), EET kinetics, NAD+/NADH ratio as well as exploitation of the thermodynamic frame are maximized, and a further potential increase does not result in higher energy harvest. Considering the limited influence of the anode potential on energy harvest of EAM is a prerequisite to improve thermodynamic analyses, microbial resource mining, and to transfer microbial electrochemical technologies (MET) into practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Korth
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Falk Harnisch
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
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Malek DM, Munroe JH, Schmitt DJ, Korth B. Statistical Evaluation of Sensory Judges. Journal of the American Society of Brewing Chemists 2018. [DOI: 10.1094/asbcj-44-0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Koch C, Korth B, Harnisch F. Microbial ecology-based engineering of Microbial Electrochemical Technologies. Microb Biotechnol 2018; 11:22-38. [PMID: 28805354 PMCID: PMC5743830 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.12802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2017] [Revised: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial ecology is devoted to the understanding of dynamics, activity and interaction of microorganisms in natural and technical ecosystems. Bioelectrochemical systems represent important technical ecosystems, where microbial ecology is of highest importance for their function. However, whereas aspects of, for example, materials and reactor engineering are commonly perceived as highly relevant, the study and engineering of microbial ecology are significantly underrepresented in bioelectrochemical systems. This shortfall may be assigned to a deficit on knowledge and power of these methods as well as the prerequisites for their thorough application. This article discusses not only the importance of microbial ecology for microbial electrochemical technologies but also shows which information can be derived for a knowledge-driven engineering. Instead of providing a comprehensive list of techniques from which it is hard to judge the applicability and value of information for a respective one, this review illustrates the suitability of selected techniques on a case study. Thereby, best practice for different research questions is provided and a set of key questions for experimental design, data acquisition and analysis is suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christin Koch
- Department of Environmental MicrobiologyHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH ‐ UFZPermoserstraße 1504318LeipzigGermany
| | - Benjamin Korth
- Department of Environmental MicrobiologyHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH ‐ UFZPermoserstraße 1504318LeipzigGermany
| | - Falk Harnisch
- Department of Environmental MicrobiologyHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH ‐ UFZPermoserstraße 1504318LeipzigGermany
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Abstract
Mathematical modeling is an overarching approach for assessing the complexity of microbial electrosynthesis (MES) and for complementing the relevant experimental research. By describing and linking compartments, components, and processes with appropriate mathematical equations, MES and the corresponding bioelectrodes and complete bioelectrochemical systems can be analyzed and predicted across several temporal and local scales. Thereby, insights into fundamental phenomena and mechanisms, in addition to process engineering and design can be obtained. However, a substantial lack of knowledge about extracellular electron transfer mechanisms and electrotrophic microorganisms presumably prevented the development of adequate models of MES, especially of biocathodes, so far. To propel efforts regarding this demanding task, this chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the relevant compartments, components and processes, appropriate model strategies, and a discussion on potential modeling pitfalls. By adapting an established approach to assessing the energetics of microorganism, an instruction for calculating stoichiometry, thermodynamics, and kinetics, with the example of electro-autotrophic growth at cathodes, is presented. Models of bioanodes and fundamental electrochemical equations are described to provided strategies for calculating cathodic electron-uptake reactions and connecting them to the microbial metabolism. Finally, differential equations are detailed for coupling the distinct compartments of a bioelectrochemical system. Although MES comprises anodic and cathodic reactions, the present chapter focuses on biocathodes representing a functional connection between cathode and electron-accepting microorganisms. Graphical Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Korth
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Falk Harnisch
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
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Korth B, Rosa LF, Harnisch F, Picioreanu C. A framework for modeling electroactive microbial biofilms performing direct electron transfer. Bioelectrochemistry 2015; 106:194-206. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2015.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2014] [Revised: 03/24/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Abstract
The personality theory of Cattell depends heavily on the methodology og factor analysis. One of the critical matters for the theory is the replication of factors both within and between variable domains, which depends on the development of significance levels for matching indices like the congruence coefficient. The tables of Schneewind & Cattell have been used to evaluate congruence coefficients, even though the tables are appropriately constructed and the null hypothesis which is tested is not appropriate. A Monte Carlo method is used to construct new tables that test the hypothesis that an independent set of random vectors has been matched. Less than half of the congruence coefficients reported by Cattell in two articles exceed the critical values thus created. There is some non-random structure in Cattell's results, but not enough to support the conclusion that factors have been replicated.
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