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The Effects of Biochar on the Revival and Performance of an Organohalide-Respiring Mixed Culture.

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Aerobic Bioaugmentation to Decrease Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) Emissions from Contaminated Sediments to Air.

Christian M Bako1,2, Andres Martinez1,2, Jessica M Ewald1,2

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Bioaugmentation with aerobic microorganisms significantly reduced polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) emissions from contaminated sediment. This microbial treatment lowered airborne PCB levels, potentially reducing inhalation exposure risks for nearby communities.

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Microbiology
  • Environmental Chemistry

Background:

  • Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants with significant environmental and health concerns.
  • Contaminated sediments act as a source for PCB emissions into the atmosphere, posing inhalation risks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the efficacy of bioaugmentation with aerobic PCB-degrading microorganisms in reducing PCB emissions from contaminated sediments.
  • To assess the impact of a biosurfactant on microbial activity and PCB biodegradation.

Main Methods:

  • Bioaugmentation of PCB-contaminated sediment with *Paraburkholderia xenovorans* strain LB400 in bioreactors.
  • Quantification of PCB congeners in vapor and aqueous phases using passive samplers over 35 days.
  • Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) to monitor microbial gene abundance (biphenyl dioxygenase, *bphA*) and simulations using a PCB reactive transport model.

Main Results:

  • Bioaugmented treatments showed a 57% average reduction in total PCB mass in the vapor phase compared to controls.
  • LB400 preferentially biodegraded lower-chlorinated PCBs (LC-PCBs), with a >90% decrease in the release of PCB 4.
  • Saponin enhanced the abundance of *bphA* genes, indicating improved microbial activity and PCB bioavailability.

Conclusions:

  • Aerobic bioaugmentation with *P. xenovorans* LB400 effectively mitigates PCB emissions from contaminated sediments.
  • The use of saponin can enhance the performance of bioaugmentation strategies by improving microbial activity.
  • This approach offers a promising strategy for reducing inhalation exposure to PCBs in communities near contaminated sites.