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PubMed2004

Methods to assess the amenability of petroleum hydrocarbons to bioremediation.

Bioremediation has achieved acceptance as a cost-effective technique for the remediation of soils and groundwater contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons (PHC). A range of laboratory techniques to assess the biodegradability and bioavailability of PHCs are presented. Biodegradability and bioavailability are important determinants of the bioremediation performance of PHCs. Novel methods for the assessment of the bioavailability of PHC components are described. The techniques are demonstrated for a hydraulic fluid and a spindle oil from a contaminated site. Biodegradation is measured by oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production. Bioavailability of the PHCs is estimated based on the PHC-water partitioning of tracer compounds and a novel analysis of gas chromatograms based on Raoult's law. The PHCs tested were only partially biodegradable (< 25% in 78 d) due to the low solubility and likely recalcitrance of some of their components. The combination of techniques outlined is expected to be of use in assessing the likely bioremediation performance of PHCs for which published data are scarce or inadequate.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Bioremediation of residual fertilizer nitrate: I. Laboratory demonstration of an on-farm in situ pollution control system.

This exploratory laboratory study was undertaken to develop and test an in situ bioremediation system intended to point the way toward a possible field application. The proposed method uses a water table management (WTM) system to deliver nutrients or other amendments to subsoil microorganisms for biostimulation and subsequent biodegradation of pollutants in the saturated and unsaturated zones of the soil. The study was carried out on packed soil columns and bioremediation of residual fertilizer nitrate was attempted. Different levels of organic carbon supplement (glucose C) were introduced into these columns via subirrigation in order to supplement the readily available organic carbon levels in the soil. The study was carried out in two experimental setups. The first setup investigated (i) the effect of addition of a high (970 mg L(-1)) and a low (120 mg L(-1)) glucose C level and (ii) the efficacy of using the subirrigation system as a method for nutrient delivery in bioremediation of leached nitrate. This setup was monitored with time, depth, and with reference to the nitrate residue in the soil solution. Leached nitrate was denitrified to less than 10 mg L(-1) nitrate N at both glucose levels. The second setup investigated the effect of a range of low levels of glucose C on nitrate decontamination, soil pH, and total microbial count in order to find out an optimal glucose C level that reduced the most nitrate and maintained the pH homeostasis of soil.

Agriculture↗
PubMed2001

Impacts of crude oil on the germination and growth of cress seeds (Lepidium sp.) after bioremediation of agricultural soil polluted with crude petroleum using "adapted" Pseudomonas putida.

The impacts of crude oil on the germination, growth and morphology of cress seeds (Lepidium sp.) after bioremediation of agricultural soil polluted with crude petroleum using "adapted" Pseudomonas putida (PP) were examined for 15 days. At day 15 there was 100% germination in the untreated control samples, the mean height of the seedlings was 75.8 +/- 2.6 mm and all appeared to have grown morphologically normal. In the experimental samples treated with oil and PP inoculation, there was 98% germination and the seedlings reached a height of 63.8 +/- 6.9 mm; again, morphologically the seedlings appeared normal. However, in the control samples treated with oil but without PP inoculation, there was 31-38% germination and seedling heights of 34.2 +/- 11.4-42.3 +/- 8.5 mm with abnormal morphology. Treatment of oil-impacted agricultural soil with PP as a bioremediation agent does produce soil which is capable of growing larger and healthier plants than where bioremediation has not taken place.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed2002

[Bioremediation of low-level radionuclide contaminated soils and water].

Different anthroponic factors have led up to increasing background concentrations of radionuclides in human ecosystems. As long as these radionuclides enter into soil-water substrates, they can pose hazards to human health through different pathways. Since most conventional chemical or physical procedures are not practical for dealing with low-level radionuclides in the water-soil substrates, new remediation technologies are being developed to tackle the problem. Bioremediation has attracted much attention because of its many advantages such as low cost and less environmental disturbance. The present paper summarizes the sources of radionuclides and introduces the concept of low-level radionuclide bioremediation. The state of the art in the field of bioremediation of low-level radionuclide contaminated water-soil substrates has also been reviewed and summarized in this paper. On the basis of above mentioned discussions the future developing trends were put forward.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed2003

Toxicity evaluation of a commercial bioremediation agent mixed with crude oil.

The toxicity and efficacy of a bacteria-based commercial bioremediation agent (CBA) was assessed through bioassays with juvenile inland silverside minnows, Menidia beryllina, and flask studies of oil degradation. Addition of the CBA to weathered Alaska, USA North Slope crude oil (ANS-521) prior to testing increased toxicity of the water-soluble fraction (WSF) of the oil in both chronic (growth) and acute (mortality) toxicity tests. Time-course toxicity assessment of the water-soluble fraction of the CBA/oil combination indicated increases in effect after 7 to 14 d of mixing that coincided with elevated concentrations of both alkanes and aromatics in the WSF. Under controlled laboratory conditions, the CBA significantly enhanced degradation of the oil compared with a treatment with nutrients alone. The alkane fraction was degraded by nearly 100% over a 42-d period while the aromatic fraction was decreased by 70%. While toxicity testing is not currently required to list bioremediation agents on the product schedule of the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan, the potential interaction between bioremediation agents and oil should be further investigated and listing requirements reassessed as necessary. Recommendations for future investigations of this issue include characterization of temporal trends in toxicity of CBA and oil mixtures, use of multiple test methods (battery testing) when evaluating toxicity, comparative evaluations of indigenous versus product-derived microorganisms in efficacy studies, and the use of a comparable oil between studies to facilitate comparison of efficacy and toxicity data for different products.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Relationship between soil microbial diversity and bioremediation process at an oil refinery.

Microbial diversity in hydrocarbon-contaminated soil was characterized during a bioremediation project at an oil refinery. The project consisted of isolation and cultivation of microbes on laboratory media and the subsequent characterization of pure isolates. In a lagoon at the Czechowice Oil Refinery, Poland, a biopile with actively and passively aerated sections was constructed and has been operated since 1997. The bioremediation process has been continuously monitored by physical, chemical, and microbiological methods. One hundred and forty nine bacterial and fungal strains were isolated from site soils by standard procedures. Analysis of cultivable microorganisms revealed a diverse microbial population within the cultured isolates. Among isolated strains, Pseudomonas and Chryseomonas genera predominated in the bacterial population while Candida, Fusarium, and Trichophyton dominated the fungal population. This paper describes the application of traditional microbiological methods (plating and microscopic methods) to evaluate cultivable microbial diversity in bioremediated soil.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed2004

Bioremediation of quinoline-contaminated soil using bioaugmentation in slurry-phase reactor.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possibility of using bioaugmentation as a strategy for remediating quinoline-contaminated soil. METHODS: Microorganisms were introduced to the soil to assess the feasibility of enhancing the removal of quinoline from quinoline-contaminated soil. Slurry-phase reactor was used to investigate the bioremediation of quinoline-contaminated soil. HPLC (Hewlett-Packard model 5050 with an UV detector) was used for analysis of quinoline concentration. RESULTS: The biodegradation rate of quinoline was increased through the introduction of Burkholderia pickettii. Quinoline, at a concentration of 1 mg/g soil, could be removed completely within 6 and 8 hours with and without combined effect of indigenous microbes, respectively. Although the indigenous microbes alone had no quinoline-degrading ability, they cooperated with the introduced quinoline-degrader to remove quinoline more quickly than the introduced microbes alone. Bioaugmentaion process was accelerated by the increase of inoculum size and bio-stimulation. The ratio of water to soil in slurry had no significant impact on bioremediation results. CONCLUSION: Bioaugmetation is an effective way for bioremediation of quinoline-contaminated soil.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed2004

[Biological treatments for contaminated soils: hydrocarbon contamination. Fungal applications in bioremediation treatment].

Bioremediation is a spontaneous or controlled process in which biological, mainly microbiological, methods are used to degrade or transform contaminants to non or less toxic products, reducing the environmental pollution. The most important parameters to define a contaminated site are: biodegradability, contaminant distribution, lixiviation grade, chemical reactivity of the contaminants, soil type and properties, oxygen availability and occurrence of inhibitory substances. Biological treatments of organic contaminations are based on the degradative abilities of the microorganisms. Therefore the knowledge on the physiology and ecology of the biological species or consortia involved as well as the characteristics of the polluted sites are decisive factors to select an adequate biorremediation protocol. Basidiomycetes which cause white rot decay of wood are able to degrade lignin and a variety of environmentally persistent pollutants. Thus, white rot fungi and their enzymes are thought to be useful not only in some industrial process like biopulping and biobleaching but also in bioremediation. This paper provides a review of different aspects of bioremediation technologies and recent advances on ligninolytic metabolism research.

Basidiomycota↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and its application to the bioremediation of contaminated soils and sludges].

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of priority pollutants due to their toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic properties. They are found in high concentration in many soils and sludges, mainly those associated with petroleum, gas-production and wood-preservation industries. Application of microorganisms for the remediation of contaminated soils and sludges has gained interest as a promising technique in comparison to the conventional practices of landfilling, incineration or solvent extraction. This paper reviews the controlling variables of the biodegradation of PAHs as well as the use of solid-phase and slurry-phase bioremediation techniques. The acceptance of bioremediation technology requires the demonstration of its efficacy, reliability, predictability of the field performance from lab-scale treatability studies, and economical advantage. Some limitations in the biodegradation of high-molecular-weight PAHs and failures in the control of scale-depending factors (mass transport, spatial heterogeneities, abiotic losses) can reduce its effectiveness. Methodology used for the systematic evaluation of bioremediation is also reviewed.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed2026

Bioremediation potential of lead and cadmium tolerant bacteria isolated from industrial (tannery) effluents.

Heavy metal pollution from tannery industries presents significant environmental and public health concerns due to the toxicity and persistence of metals such as Pb2+ and Cd2+. This study aimed to isolate and characterize indigenous Pb2+ and Cd2+-tolerant bacteria from tannery effluents and contaminated soils of highly polluted areas in Dhaka for potential bioremediation applications. A total of 72 Pb2+-tolerant and 52 Cd2+-tolerant bacterial isolates were obtained using metal-supplemented LB agar. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) recorded were 4000&#xa0;ppm for Pb2+ and 250&#xa0;ppm for Cd2+. Quantitative analysis demonstrated removal efficiencies of 93.91% for Pb2+ and 89.66% for Cd2+. All isolates exhibited plant growth-promoting traits, including phosphate solubilization, ammonia production, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, and cellulase activity. Most isolates were antibiotic-sensitive, though some showed multidrug resistance, emphasizing the need for biosafety evaluation. The most promising isolates were partially identified as Enterobacter spp. and K. pneumoniae. Protein expression profiling by SDS-PAGE revealed metal-responsive proteins ranging from 25 to 75&#xa0;kDa under selective Pb2+ and Cd2+ stress. Genomic and proteomic analyses further indicated the involvement of efflux pump-associated genes in metal resistance, where cusR was identified as a common resistance gene among the dominant strains. Overall, these findings suggest that the indigenous K. pneumoniae possesses strong potential for Pb2+ and Cd2+ removal, along with plant growth-promoting capabilities, making them promising candidate for bioremediation and phytoremediation strategies.

Antibiogram↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Engineering polyphosphate metabolism in Escherichia coli: implications for bioremediation of inorganic contaminants.

Polyphosphate metabolism plays an important role in the bioremediation of phosphate contamination in municipal wastewater, and may play a key role in heavy metal tolerance and bioremediation. However, little is known about the regulation of polyphosphate metabolism in microorganisms and its role in heavy metal toxicity. We have manipulated polyphosphate metabolism in Escherichia coli by overexpressing the genes for polyphosphate kinase (ppk) and for polyphosphatase (ppx) under control of their native promoters and inducible promoters. Overexpression of ppk results in high levels of intracellular polyphosphate, improved phosphate uptake, but no increase in tolerance to heavy metals. Overexpression of both ppk and ppx results in lower levels of intracellular polyphosphate, secretion of phosphate from the cell, and increased tolerance to heavy metals. Metabolic flux analysis indicates that the cell responds to increased flux through the PPK-PPX pathway by altering flux through the TCA cycle.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases↗
PubMed1998

Cyclodextrin effects on the ex-situ bioremediation of a chronically polychlorobiphenyl-contaminated soil

The possibility of enhancing the intrinsic ex-situ bioremediation of a chronically polychlorinated biphenyl-contaminated soil by using cyclodextrins was studied in this work. The soil, contaminated with a large array of polychlorinated biphenyls and deriving from a dump site where it has been stored for about 10 years, was found to contain indigenous cultivable aerobic bacteria capable of utilising biphenyl and chlorobenzoic acids. The soil was amended with inorganic nutrients and biphenyl, saturated with water, and treated in aerobic batch slurry- and fixed-phase reactors. Hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin and gamma-cyclodextrin, added to both reactor systems at the concentration of 10 g/L at the 39th and 100th days of treatment, were found to generally enhance the depletion rate and extent of the soil polychlorobiphenyls. Despite some abiotic losses could have affected the depletion data, experimental evidence, such as the production of metabolites tentatively characterized as chlorobenzoic acids and chloride ion accumulation in the reactors, indicated that cyclodextrins significantly enhanced the biological degradation of the soil polychlorobiphenyls. This result has been ascribed to the capability of cyclodextrins of enhancing the availability of polychlorobiphenyls in the hydrophilic soil environment populated by immobilised and suspended indigenous soil microorganisms. Both cyclodextrins were metabolised by the indigenous soil microorganisms at the concentration at which they were used. Therefore, cyclodextrins, both for their capability of enhancing the biodegradation of soil polychlorobiphenyls and for their biodegradability, can have the potential of being successfully used in the bioremediation of chronically polychlorinated biphenyl-contaminated soils. Copyright 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Bioremediation of toluene and naphthalene: development and validation of a GC-FID method for their monitoring.

Bioremediation of toluene and naphthalene in liquid cultures of bacteria grown in the presence of these aromatic compounds as unique sources of carbon was investigated by gas chromatography (GC). For this purpose, a method based on the use of GC with flame ionization detection was developed and validated. Validation was carried out in terms of limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantitation (LOQ), linearity, precision and trueness. In the case of naphthalene, LOD and LOQ values of 0.43 and 0.72 mg kg(-1) were achieved. Linearity was established over one order of magnitude in the range of interest, i.e. 10-100 mg kg(-1). Excellent precision was obtained both in terms of intra-day repeatability and between-day precision on two concentration levels (RSD% lower than 0.5%). A recovery of 97.9 +/- 0.2% (n=3) was calculated by addition of 640 mg kg(-1) of naphthalene to the Bushnell & Haas mineral salts basal solution containing the micro-organisms. Findings clearly showed a reduction of the naphthalene content equal to 50% and 75% after two and four weeks of contact with the micro-organisms, whereas a lower degradation was shown in the case of toluene. Finally bioremediation activity was ascribed to two different microbial populations, Bordetella Petrii and Bacillus Sphericus, which survived in the polluted medium.

Bacillus↗
PubMed2004

Effects of cyclodextrins, humic substances, and rhamnolipids on the washing of a historically contaminated soil and on the aerobic bioremediation of the resulting effluents.

Nontoxic and biodegradable pollutant-mobilizing agents, instead of chemical surfactants, were tested in the washing of an actual-site chloroaromatic-contaminated soil. A soil historically contaminated by chlorinated anilines and benzenes, thiophenes and several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was subjected to washing by suspending it (15% w/v) in water or in water with 1.0% (w/v) beta-clodextrin (beta-CD), hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-beta-CD), rhamnolipid (RL), dissolved humic substances (HS), or Triton X-100 (TX) in shaken batch reactors for 24 hr. The resulting wastewaters were amended with nutrients and treated aerobically in shaken reactors for 65 days. The biogenic agents markedly enhanced (by 237%, beta-CD; 265%, HP-beta-CD; 400%, RL; 566%, HS) the capability of water of eluting organic pollutants from the soil. TX enhanced the overall pollutant removal by about 660%; however, a lower depletion of the initial soil ecotoxicity, along with a more extensive impact on the soil organic matter, was observed. Furthermore, TX adversely affected the bioremediation of the resulting effluent by apparently inducing a premature decrease of specialized bacterial biomass. By contrast, the biogenic agents, and in particular HS and RL, sustained the biodegradation and dechlorination of pollutants by apparently enhancing the availability of specialized bacteria in the reactors. Thus, the biogenic agents proposed here seem to be promising nontoxic and nonaggressive soil washing agents for the integrated physicochemical (washing) and biological (aerobic posttreatment) restoration of poorly bioremediable (chloro) organics-contaminated soils.

Aerobiosis↗
PubMed1996

Bioremediation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene-contaminated soils by two different aerated compost systems.

Two composting systems were compared on a laboratory scale as a bioremediation technology for degradation or immobilization of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) in contaminated soils. The first compost was aerated from the beginning whereas the second compost was only aerated after an anaerobic prephase of 65 days. In the first compost system the TNT concentration declined rapidly by 92% but, at the end, TNT could be partially recovered. During the anaerobic prephase of the second compost system, TNT was almost completely converted to aminodinitrotoluenes, which during the subsequent aeration almost entirely disappeared. In addition, the second compost generated less toxic material than the first one as confirmed by inhibition of bioluminescence of Vibrio fischeri. These data show that microbiological TNT-degradation systems can be successfully designed which are prerequisite for an efficient bioremediation of contaminated soils.

Aerobiosis↗
PubMed1995

Bioremediation of organic and metal contaminants with dissimilatory metal reduction.

Dissimilatory metal reduction has the potential to be a helpful mechanism for both intrinsic and engineered bioremediation of contaminated environments. Dissimilatory Fe(III) reduction is an important intrinsic process for removing organic contaminants from aquifers contaminated with petroleum or landfill leachate. Stimulation of microbial Fe(III) reduction can enhance the degradation of organic contaminants in ground water. Dissimilatory reduction of uranium, selenium, chromium, technetium, and possibly other metals, can convert soluble metal species to insoluble forms that can readily be removed from contaminated waters or waste streams. Reduction of mercury can volatilize mercury from waters and soils. Despite its potential, there has as yet been limited applied research into the use of dissimilatory metal reduction as a bioremediation tool.

Bacteria↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A simple method for quantifying activity and survival of microorganisms involved in bioremediation processes.

We have developed a substrate-induced growth response (SIGR) method for quantifying activity and population dynamics of microorganisms involved in bioremediation processes in soil and bioreactors. The biomass of organisms that can mineralize a given chemical can be estimated based on the concentration of that chemical needed to induce the growth of the standing population. Estimates of population size are obtained by using nonlinear regression techniques to fit a simple model of microbial population dynamics to biodegradation curves. Using this approach we obtain estimates of values for parameters such as initial population size and growth rate of organisms carrying out biodegradative processes. Our approach was validated by comparing model parameter estimates with independent estimates of the same parameters from the same bioremediation systems. Examples studied include pentachlorophenol degraders introduced into soil and 2,4-dinitrophenol degrading organisms in a bioreactor.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Molecular site assessment and process monitoring in bioremediation and natural attenuation. off.

A variety of modern biotechnical approaches are available to assist in optimizing and controlling bioremediation processes. These approaches are broad-ranging, and may include genetic engineering to improve biodegradative performance, maintenance of the environment, and process monitoring and control. In addition to direct genetic engineering strategies, molecular diagnostic and monitoring technology using DNA gene probing methods and new quantitative mRNA analytical procedures allows direct analysis of degradative capacity, activity, and response under in situ conditions. Applications of these molecular approaches in process developments for trichloroethylene (TCE), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) bio-oxidation in soils, aquifer sediments, and ground-water treatment reactors have been demonstrated. Molecular genetic technologies permit not only the development of new processes for bioremediation, but also new process monitoring, control strategies, and molecular optimization paradigms that take full advantage of vast and diverse abilities of microorganisms to destroy problem chemicals.

Bacteria↗