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Development of Sulfidogenic Sludge from Marine Sediments and Trichloroethylene Reduction in an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactor
Published on: October 15, 2015
In situ TCE degradation mediated by complex dehalorespiring communities during biostimulation processes
Eric Dugat-Bony1, Corinne Biderre-Petit, Faouzi Jaziri
1Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, Laboratoire Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement, BP 10448, F63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
Microbial Biotechnology
|March 22, 2012
Summary
Complete chloroethene biodegradation in groundwater relies on diverse dehalorespiring bacteria. Monitoring these microbial communities using functional gene biomarkers like DechloArray is key to effective bioremediation strategies.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Bioremediation Science
- Groundwater Contamination
Background:
- Chloroethene contamination in groundwater poses significant environmental challenges.
- Complete dechlorination of contaminants like trichloroethene to ethene requires the synergistic action of multiple microbial species.
- Effective bioremediation strategies are crucial for mitigating groundwater pollution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the composition of functional genes involved in chloroethene bioremediation using a DNA microarray.
- To understand the role of diverse dehalorespiring populations in enhanced bioremediation systems.
- To identify specific microbial biomarkers for monitoring bioremediation efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an explorative functional DNA microarray (DechloArray) to analyze groundwater samples.
- Examined microbial community composition in systems where bioremediation was enhanced by hydrogen-releasing compounds.
- Assessed the spatial and temporal variations of specific functional genes.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated complete biodegradation of chloroethenes through diverse dehalorespiring populations, including Sulfurospirillum, Dehalobacter, Desulfitobacterium, Geobacter, and Dehalococcoides.
- Observed distinct activity patterns, with Sulfurospirillum dominant in high contamination zones and Geobacter in lower contamination zones.
- Detected specific Dehalococcoides genes (bvcA, vcrA) linked to complete dechlorination, absent where cis-dichloroethene accumulated.
Conclusions:
- Complete chloroethene bioremediation is facilitated by a dynamic consortium of dehalorespiring bacteria.
- The DechloArray is a powerful tool for identifying functional biomarkers to monitor bioremediation effectiveness.
- Targeted monitoring of specific dechlorinator populations can guide and improve in-situ bioremediation strategies.
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