Article
Microbiology
Sara Gushgari-Doyle, Ronald S. Oremland, Ray Keren, Shaun M. Baesman, Denise M. Akob, Jillian F. Banfield, Lisa Alvarez-Cohen
Summary: The study demonstrates that microbial communities in groundwater can utilize C2H2 for reductive dechlorination of organic chlorinated compounds, expanding our understanding of biotransformation at contaminated sites and identifying a novel anaerobic acetylenotroph in the environment.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Li Gong, Jianlong Qi, Neng Lv, Xiaojiang Qiu, Yawei Gu, Jiawei Zhao, Feng He
Summary: The mechanistic role of nitrate (NO3-) in trichloroethylene (TCE) dechlorination by sulfidated and unsulfidated zero-valent iron (ZVI) was explored through experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Sulfidation inhibited nitrate reduction by ZVI, while nitrate suppressed TCE dechlorination by sulfidated ZVI due to continuous electron competition. Nitrate reduction also facilitated the formation of Fe3O4 on ZVI particles, promoting dechlorination by unsulfidated ZVI after a certain period of time.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shubin Zhang, Tianxiao Wang, Xin Guo, Shengwen Chen, Lijun Wang
Summary: Sulfidated nanoscale zerovalent iron (S-nZVI) modified with elemental silver (Ag) was prepared, forming a hybrid composite Ag/S-ZVI. The addition of Ag improved the reactivity and recycling ability of S-nZVI, resulting in enhanced removal of TCE. The irregular clusters and rough surfaces of Ag/S-ZVI provided a large contact area for the reaction, while the quasi-spherical shape and small agglomeration ensured efficient transport of electrons.
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Srivatsan Mohana Rangan, Shefali Rao, Aide Robles, Aatikah Mouti, Laurie LaPat-Polasko, Gregory Lowry, Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown, Anca G. Delgado
Summary: This study investigates the efficacy of coupling Fe0 with H2-utilizing organohalide-respiring bacteria (D. mccartyi) for the remediation of chlorinated solvents. By decoupling the application of Fe0 from organic substrates and D. mccartyi-containing cultures, the study demonstrates that reduced groundwater from Fe0 can support microbial reductive dechlorination and achieve high conversion rates of trichloroethene to ethene. The findings suggest that separating the application of Fe0 and biostimulation/bioaugmentation in space and time can enhance microbial trichloroethene reductive dechlorination, particularly in oxic conditions.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Charles E. Schaefer, Paul Ho, Erin Berns, Charles Werth
Summary: Laboratory batch experiments demonstrated that various ferrous minerals can facilitate the reduction of TCE under anoxic conditions and generate hydroxyl radicals under oxic conditions. The iron content and reduction potential of the minerals may influence the first-order abiotic dechlorination rate constants of TCE.
JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Li Gong, Xiaojiang Qiu, Dong Cheng, Yao Hu, Zaizhi Zhang, Qunsen Yuan, Dezhi Yang, Chengshuai Liu, Liyuan Liang, Feng He
Summary: Sulfidation and nitridation synergistically increased the dechlorination rate of trichloroethene by S-N(C)-mZVI(bm), showcasing a higher reaction constant than S-mZVI(bm) and N(C)-mZVI(bm). The multiheteroatom incorporation approach optimized ZVI for groundwater remediation, providing a basis for further advances in reactive material synthesis.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Petra Najmanova, Jana Steinova, Marie Czinnerova, Jan Nemecek, Roman Spanek, Vladislav Knytl, Martin Halecky
Summary: In this study, the degradation of TCE was investigated using various methods, including monitoring changes in dechlorinating bacteria, observing functional genes and specific bacteria, and analyzing the effects of elevated temperature and whey addition. The results showed that elevated temperature and whey addition significantly enhanced TCE dechlorination. This study demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of biological dechlorination of TCE with elevated temperature and whey addition.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sara Gushgari-Doyle, Christopher I. Olivares, Mohan Sun, Lisa Alvarez-Cohen
Summary: Interactions and nutrient exchanges among members of microbial communities are important for understanding functional relationships in environmental microbiology. This study investigates the effects of arsenic on a syntrophic co-culture and finds that the presence of D. vulgaris can ameliorate the arsenic stress on D. mccartyi, thereby improving TCE dechlorination.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shahrzad Saffari Ghandehari, Jessica Boyer, Dana Ronin, James R. White, Cathleen J. Hapeman, Dana Jackson, Devrim Kaya, Alba Torrents, Birthe V. Kjellerup
Summary: Many groundwater aquifers worldwide are polluted with trichloroethene (TCE), which poses risks to human and ecosystem health. Permeable Reactive Barriers (PRB) are commonly used for TCE-contaminated groundwater remediation, and biosolids from wastewater treatment plants can serve as a beneficial PRB filling material. Bench scale experiments found that although biosolids led to increased methanogenesis, TCE reductive dechlorination was not impaired. Moreover, biosolids enhanced the abundance of dechlorination microorganisms and methanogens, which contributed to maintaining an efficient dechlorinating microbial community.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kyriakos Kandris, Marina Pantazidou, Daniel Mamais
Summary: The composition of mixed dechlorinating communities varies significantly, affecting the rate of dechlorination. A model-based approach was used to investigate how the variability of microbial community composition impacts electron donor supply strategies. Differences in the makeup of non-dechlorinators may have a significant influence on the utilization of the offered electron donor.
JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Miroslav Brumovsky, Jana Oborna, Vesna Micic, Ondrej Malina, Josef Kaslik, Daniel Tunega, Miroslav Kolos, Thilo Hofmann, Frantisek Karlicky, Jan Filip
Summary: The article discusses the significant enhancement in reactivity and corrosion resistance of zerovalent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) through nitriding. The study demonstrates the outstanding catalytic performance of iron nitrides (FexN) in various applications and their potential as a tool for trichloroethylene (TCE) dechlorination. The research findings provide valuable insights into the application of nitriding nanoparticles in environmental remediation.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Richard L. Kimber, Fabio Parmeggiani, Thomas S. Neill, Mohamed L. Merroun, Gregory Goodlet, Nigel A. Powell, Nicholas J. Turner, Jonathan R. Lloyd
Summary: Bimetallic nanoparticle catalysts were synthesized using metal-reducing bacteria, showing enhanced catalytic activity compared to monometallic counterparts. Pd/Ag nanoparticles exhibited superior performance in Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions. The green synthesis method demonstrated the versatility and high catalytic activity of these bimetallic nanoparticles.
MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shichao Cai, Bo Chen, Xiaojiang Qiu, Jiamei Li, Paul G. Tratnyek, Feng He
Summary: Sulfidation of microscale ZVI using elemental sulfur as a reactant can achieve high efficiency in contaminant removal, with higher sulfidation efficiency compared to traditional sulfidation agents. The sulfidated mZVI has shown significantly enhanced reactivity and electron efficiency when reacting with trichloroethylene, making it a promising product for engineering applications.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Li Gong, Zaizhi Zhang, Chenyun Xia, Jing Zheng, Yawei Gu, Feng He
Summary: Electron efficiency (ee) of Pd-nZVI and S-nZVI was systematically explored and compared in this study. It was found that the ee of Pd-nZVI increased and then decreased with [Pd/Fe], while that of S-nZVI increased with [S/Fe]. The variables of TCE concentrations, pH solution, aging time, and water matrices also affected the ee of both materials.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Dandan Zhou, Yi-Hao Luo, Chen-Wei Zheng, Min Long, Xiangxing Long, Yuqiang Bi, Xiong Zheng, Chen Zhou, Bruce E. Rittmann
Summary: The H-2-MCfR introduces a method for in situ reduction and immobilization of Pd-0 catalysts, with high yield and controllable forms. This reactor allows rapid catalytic reduction of various oxyanions and organics at room temperature, with controlled reduction kinetics and selectivity through adjustments in Pd-0 loading, H-2 pressure, and pH.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ainsley M. Inglis, Nicholas A. Head, Ahmed I. A. Chowdhury, Ariel Nunez Garcia, David A. Reynolds, Dave Hogberg, Elizabeth Edwards, Line Lomheim, Kela Weber, Sarah J. Wallace, Leanne M. Austrins, Jennifer Hayman, Marlaina Auger, Audrey Sidebottom, Jake Eimers, Jason I. Gerhard, Denis M. O'Carroll
Summary: The study demonstrated that electrokinetically-enhanced bioremediation can improve the delivery of lactate in chlorinated solvent contaminated soil, leading to the stimulation of bacterial populations and significant reductions in contaminant concentrations through biodegradation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tohren C. G. Kibbey, Rafal Jabrzemski, Denis M. O'Carroll
Summary: The paper introduces a quantitative method for predicting the relative composition of PFAS in different phases, aiming to reconcile composition differences in different phases from various sources. The results provide a baseline for recognizing cases where hydrophobicity is not the primary driver of PFAS distribution between phases, and may be useful in forensic applications for classifying PFAS across phases.
Article
Environmental Sciences
David Patch, Iris Koch, Derek Peloquin, Denis O'Carroll, Kela Weber
Summary: The study aimed to develop a method to simulate human weathering of silver-containing textiles. It found that non-weathered textiles released a certain amount of silver into wash water effluent, with a portion being ionic silver and the rest as metallic nanomaterials, nanosheets, and particulates. Real and simulated human weathered textiles released similar amounts of total silver, consisting of ionic and a mixture of metallic and chlorinated nanomaterials, nano-sheets, and particulates. The method effectively detached environmentally representative silver materials from textiles for future studies on their fate, transport, and toxicity.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Devon B. Gray, Vincent Gagnon, Mark Button, Anbareen J. Farooq, David J. Patch, Sarah J. Wallace, Iris Koch, Denis M. O'Carroll, Kela P. Weber
Summary: The study found that silver nanomaterials did not significantly impact the density, activity, function, and diversity of soil microbial communities. However, the positive ionic silver treatment showed suppression of microbial activity and an increase in specific microbial populations, indicating a need for further investigation.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sabina Rakhimbekova, Denis M. O'Carroll, Clare E. Robinson
Summary: The study focused on the internal phosphorus storage mechanisms in offshore lakebed sediments and nearshore aquifer sediments. It found that phosphorus mobility in nearshore aquifers is closely linked to redox-driven iron cycling and that increased infiltration of alkaline surface water may promote phosphorus release from sediments. The study suggests that while current internal phosphorus storage mechanisms in nearshore aquifer sediments may limit phosphorus loads to lakes, there is a possibility of increased phosphorus loads in the future due to the buildup of phosphorus stores over time.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Song-Thao Le, Yi Gao, Tohren C. G. Kibbey, William C. Glamore, Denis M. O'Carroll
Summary: This study develops a mass-action model to predict the interfacial behavior of PFAS in the presence of different salts. The results highlight the significant impact of multivalent salts on interfacial adsorption and the potential underestimation of PFAS interfacial adsorption when considering only monovalent salts.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Song-Thao Le, Yi Gao, Tohren C. G. Kibbey, William C. Glamore, Denis M. O'Carroll
Summary: A new mass-action model is developed to predict the interfacial behavior of surfactants as a function of salt concentration, providing more robust predictions for different systems and conditions. The model is consistent with experimental data and can predict the effects of salt on adsorption, which is crucial for quantitative prediction of PFAS behavior in the environment.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
M. O. Cuthbert, G. C. Rau, M. Ekstrom, D. M. O'Carroll, A. J. Bates
Summary: Urban greening can help to mitigate both heat and flooding risks, but how these effects interact is not well known. Here, the authors provide a global analysis and show that most cities benefit from one of these two effects, but only few from both.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jun Sun, Sreenu Jennepalli, Matthew Lee, Adele Jones, Denis M. O'Corroll, Michael J. Mane Field, Mohan Bhadbhade, Bjorn Akermark, Biswanath Das, Naresh Kumar
Summary: Porphyrin-based metal complexes have been found to efficiently degrade PFOS, with higher degradation rate compared to VB12. Moreover, the CoII-TPP-TiIII citrate system can still efficiently degrade PFOS at room temperature.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Liza K. McDonough, Martin S. Andersen, Megan Behnke, Helen Rutlidge, Phetdala Oudone, Karina Meredith, Denis M. O'Carroll, Isaac R. Santos, Christopher E. Marjo, Robert G. M. Spencer, Amy M. McKenna, Andy Baker
Summary: Groundwater contains a diverse mix of dissolved organic matter (DOM) molecules, which undergo different degradation pathways compared to those in marine, river, and lake systems. The degradation of groundwater DOM has significant implications for the global carbon cycle.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
David Patch, Natalia O'Connor, Iris Koch, Tom Cresswell, Cath Hughes, Justin B. Davies, Jennifer Scott, Denis O'Carroll, Kela Weber
Summary: This study aimed to elucidate and refine the current understanding of PFAS degradation mechanisms in water through controlled gamma irradiation experiments. It was found that aqueous electrons were the key reactive species responsible for initial PFAS degradation, and the initial -F/+H can occur throughout the chain length, leading to more complex degradation pathways.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Valentina Mendez, Sophie Holland, Shefali Bhardwaj, James McDonald, Stuart Khan, Denis O'Carroll, Russell Pickford, Sarah Richards, Casey O'Farrell, Nicholas Coleman, Matthew Lee, Michael J. Manefield
Summary: In this study, a bacterial strain capable of utilizing 6:2 FTS as a sulfur source was isolated and analyzed for its genomic and proteomic characteristics. The findings provide insights into the biodegradation of 6:2 FTS by the Actinobacterium D. aurantiaca J3, informing the fate of PFAS in the environment.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Song-Thao Le, Yi Gao, Tohren C. G. Kibbey, Denis M. O'Carroll
Summary: This study presents a tool for predicting the salt-dependent adsorption of PFAS compounds based entirely on chemical structure. It is of great value for predicting the real-world environmental behavior of these compounds.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Correction
Environmental Sciences
Song Thao Le, Tohren C. G. Kibbey, Kela P. Weber, William C. Glamore, Denis M. O'Carroll
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Christian Krohn, Leadin Khudur, Daniel Anthony Dias, Ben van den Akker, Catherine A. A. Rees, Nicholas D. D. Crosbie, Aravind Surapaneni, Denis M. M. O'Carroll, Richard M. M. Stuetz, Damien J. J. Batstone, Andrew S. S. Ball
Summary: The use of next-generation diagnostic tools to optimize anaerobic digestion has the potential to improve renewable natural gas recovery, biosolid fertilizer reuse, and circular economies. This review highlights the importance of microbial ecology in improving digester performance, and the need for a systems biology approach to monitor anaerobic sewage sludge in continuously stirred reactor tanks. Further research on sludge ecology and the development of biomarkers will be crucial for addressing operational issues and improving the overall function of anaerobic digestion.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
