Analysis of nitrifying bacteria growth on two new types of biomass carrier using respirometry and molecular genetic methods.

This work addresses the testing of two newly produced biomass carriers (micro- and nanofibers) and one commercially available AnoxKaldnes™ K3 carrier in a laboratory post-nitrification reactor. The carriers were prepared under parameters suitable for high-quality biomass adhesion to their surface, and each was characterized by its specific structures. As part of the evaluation of the biofilms using respirometry and molecular genetic methods, the carriers were assessed in terms of their effectiveness and comparability. The rate of biofilm development was dependent on the structure and surface properties of the individual carriers. The results showed that the biofilm most strongly adhered to nanofiber carriers, where nitrating bacteria's slower but more abundant development occurred. Microfiber carriers were more stable, but a diverse internal structure may be unsuitable in a populated carrier's early stages. The AnoxKaldnes™ K3 carriers showed the slowest growth of biofilm, but the monitored nitrifying bacteria were abundant after an extended time. AOB representatives are likely to prefer an environment with a high amount of biomass and a large active area. Conversely, NOB representatives thrive better in a slowly forming biofilm. The methods used to monitor biofilm are challenging to compare directly, but they do complement each other, which aids in verifying the individual test results. Developing new types of biomass carriers with the potential for high-quality adhesion of microorganisms is a prerequisite for the expansion of highly efficient biotechnological processes, especially for wastewater treatment.

Stratification of chlorinated ethenes natural attenuation in an alluvial aquifer assessed by hydrochemical and biomolecular tools.

Biomolecular and hydrochemical tools were used to evaluate natural attenuation of chlorinated ethenes in a Quaternary alluvial aquifer located close to a historical source of large-scale tetrachloroethylene (PCE) contamination. Distinct stratification of redox zones was observed, despite the aquifer's small thickness (2.8 m). The uppermost zone of the target aquifer was characterised by oxygen- and nitrate-reducing conditions, with mixed iron- to sulphate-reducing conditions dominant in the lower zone, along with indications of methanogenesis. Natural attenuation of PCE was strongly influenced by redox heterogeneity, while higher levels of PCE degradation coincided with iron- to sulphate reducing conditions. Next generation sequencing of the middle and/or lower zones identified anaerobic bacteria (Firmicutes, Chloroflexi, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes) associated with reductive dechlorination. The relative abundance of dechlorinators (Dehalococcoides mccartyi, Dehalobacter sp.) identified by real-time PCR in soil from the lower levels supports the hypothesis that there is a significant potential for reductive dechlorination of PCE. Local conditions were insufficiently reducing for rapid complete dechlorination of PCE to harmless ethene. For reliable assessment of natural attenuation, or when designing monitoring or remedial systems, vertical stratification of key biological and hydrochemical markers should be analysed as standard, even in shallow aquifers.

Recovery of salts from ion-exchange regeneration streams by a coupled nanofiltration-membrane distillation process.

Ion-exchange tap water demineralization for process water preparation results in a saline regeneration wastewater (20-100 mS cm(-1)) that is increasingly problematic in view of discharge. A coupled nanofiltration-membrane distillation (NF-MD) process is evaluated for the recovery of water and sodium chloride from this wastewater. NF-MD treatment of mixed regeneration wastewater is compared to NF-MD treatment of separate anion- and cation-regenerate fractions. NF on mixed regeneration wastewater results in a higher flux (30 L m(-2) h(-1) at 7 bar) compared to NF on the separate fractions (6-9 L m(-2) h(-1) at 30 bar). NF permeate recovery is strongly limited by scaling (50% for separate and 60% for mixed, respectively). Physical signs of scaling were found during MD treatment of the NF permeates but did not result in flux decline for mixed regeneration wastewater. Final salt composition is expected to qualify as a road de-icing salt. NF-MD is an economically viable alternative compared to external disposal of wastewater for larger-scale installations (1.4 versus 2.5 euro m(-3) produced demineralized water for a 10 m3 regenerate per day plant). The cost benefits of water re-use and salt recuperation are small when compared to total treatment costs for mixed regenerate wastewater.

Effects of a static magnetic field on phenol degradation effectiveness and Rhodococcus erythropolis growth and respiration in a fed-batch reactor.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of short-term repeated exposure to a static magnetic field (induction 370 mT) on the Rhodococcus erythropolis cells. Specifically, it was ascertained the magnetic field's potential to influence degradation of a phenol substrate, cell growth and respiration activity (oxygen consumption) during substrate biodegradation. The experiment took place over 3 days, with R. erythropolis exposed to the magnetic field for the first day. During the experiment, different recirculation rates between the reactor and the magnetic contactor has been tested. Use of the magnetic field at higher recirculation rates (residence time in contactor was less than 7 min) stimulated substrate (phenol) oxidation by around 34%; which, in turn, promoted R. erythropolis growth by around 28% by shortening the lag- and exponential-phases and increasing bacterial respiration activity by around 10%.

Dynamics of an oligotrophic bacterial aquifer community during contact with a groundwater plume contaminated with benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes: an in situ mesocosm study.

An in situ mesocosm system was designed to monitor the in situ dynamics of the microbial community in polluted aquifers. The mesocosm system consists of a permeable membrane pocket filled with aquifer material and placed within a polypropylene holder, which is inserted below groundwater level in a monitoring well. After a specific time period, the microcosm is recovered from the well and its bacterial community is analyzed. Using this system, we examined the effect of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) contamination on the response of an aquifer bacterial community by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis of PCR-amplified 16S rRNA genes and PCR detection of BTEX degradation genes. Mesocosms were filled with nonsterile or sterile aquifer material derived from an uncontaminated area and positioned in a well located in either the uncontaminated area or a nearby contaminated area. In the contaminated area, the bacterial community in the microcosms rapidly evolved into a stable community identical to that in the adjacent aquifer but different from that in the uncontaminated area. At the contaminated location, bacteria with tmoA- and xylM/xylE1-like BTEX catabolic genotypes colonized the aquifer, while at the uncontaminated location only tmoA-like genotypes were detected. The communities in the mesocosms and in the aquifer adjacent to the wells in the contaminated area consisted mainly of Proteobacteria. At the uncontaminated location, Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria were found. Our results indicate that communities with long-term stability in their structures follow the contamination plume and rapidly colonize downstream areas upon contamination.