Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Feilun Wu, Yuanchi Ha, Andrea Weiss, Meidi Wang, Jeffrey Letourneau, Shangying Wang, Nan Luo, Shuquan Huang, Charlotte T. Lee, Lawrence A. David, Lingchong You
Summary: Spatial partitioning modulates the dynamics of microbial communities, promoting the persistence of populations with negative interactions and suppressing those with positive interactions. An intermediate level of partitioning maximizes the overall diversity of the community.
NATURE CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Elham Lashani, Mohammad Ali Amoozegar, Raymond J. Turner, Hamid Moghimi
Summary: Microorganisms play a crucial role in reducing metalloid contamination risks through their ability to tolerate and detoxify these elements.
Article
Environmental Sciences
A. B. Bugnot, K. A. Dafforn, K. Erickson, A. McGrath, W. A. O'Connor, P. E. Gribben
Summary: Anthropogenic environmental stressors have caused a decline in biodiversity and ecosystem functions in urban areas. To mitigate these impacts, ecological restoration strategies are needed. This study suggests that restoring biodiversity to unvegetated sediments can improve ecosystem health in marine urban areas.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lige Zhang, Xiaoyu Qiu, Ling Huang, Jijun Xu, Weiwei Wang, Zhao Li, Ping Xu, Hongzhi Tang
Summary: The PDMC bacterial consortium efficiently degrades PAHs and demonstrates excellent stability in small-scale wastewater bioremediation.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Letter
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tao Xiang
Summary: This is a letter to the editor.
Article
Microbiology
Maryam Yavari-Bafghi, Maryam Rezaei Somee, Mohammad Ali Amoozegar, Seyed Mohammad Mehdi Dastgheib, Mahmoud Shavandi
Summary: This study investigated the removal of phenol using Small Bioreactor Chambers and CaO2 nanoparticles in continuous-flow sand-packed columns. The results showed that simultaneous biostimulation and bioaugmentation could completely eliminate phenol within 42 days, while natural bioremediation columns still had 80.2% remaining at the end of the experiment. CaO2 injection decreased microbial diversity, with order-level groups such as Rhodobacterales and Xanthomonadales dominating in biostimulation columns. Long-term exposure to phenol shifted the microbial population towards heterotrophic members with the potential for phenol and hydrocarbon degradation.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
A. Saravanan, P. Senthil Kumar, Dai-Viet N. Vo, S. Jeevanantham, S. Karishma, P. R. Yaashikaa
Summary: Industrialization and human activities pose serious threats to the environment, with toxic pollutants harming living beings in ecosystems. Bioremediation, using enzymes to convert pollutants into non-toxic forms, is an efficient method for environmental restoration.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Michaeline B. N. Albright, Stilianos Louca, Daniel E. Winkler, Kelli L. Feeser, Sarah-Jane Haig, Katrine L. Whiteson, Joanne B. Emerson, John Dunbar
Summary: Microbiome engineering is increasingly utilized to address challenges in health, agriculture, and climate, but the failure to consider barriers to organism establishment, particularly in terms of biotic interactions, may hinder the long-term success of engineering solutions.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Tahseena Naaz, Kalpana Sharma, Arpita Roy, Abhilasha Singh Mathuriya, Vineeta Yadav, Soumya Pandit, Mudassir Hasan, Jigisha Anand, Sanket Joshi, Rohit Sharma
Summary: In this study, a methyl orange-degrading bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli) was isolated from cow dung and its efficiency in degrading methyl orange was investigated. The co-culturing of E. coli and a pre-cultured strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a microbial fuel cell (MFC) resulted in simultaneous electricity production and methyl orange degradation. The study also analyzed the electrochemical characteristics and parameters affecting the degradation efficiency and power density. The results confirmed the effectiveness of E. coli in degrading methyl orange and demonstrated the potential of MFC for wastewater treatment and energy production.
FOOD AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Guilherme Lucio Martins, Adijailton Jose de Souza, Julio Flavio Osti, Julia Branda Gontijo, Mauricio Roberto Cherubin, Douglas Gomes Viana, Mayra Maniero Rodrigues, Valdemar Luiz Tornisielo, Jussara Borges Regitano
Summary: Land use and management changes affect soil bacteria and fungi composition and diversity, which can impact soil health and ecological functions. This study evaluated the effects of land-use, soil management, and microbial diversity depletion on soil enzyme activities involved in nutrient cycles and glyphosate mineralization. Bacterial communities played a critical role in glyphosate degradation, with microbial diversity being more important than land use and soil management. Conservation tillage systems, specifically no-tillage, were found to mitigate the negative effects of microbial diversity depletion and promote soil health and functionality, including soil detoxification in tropical agroecosystems.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Guofang Xu, Hung Liang Ng, Chen Chen, Siyan Zhao, Jianzhong He
Summary: This study demonstrates that bioaugmentation with Dehalococcoides can accelerate the remediation of pentabrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in sediments, and the presence of tetrachloroethene (PCE) can improve the bioaugmentation performance. Ecological analysis shows that bioaugmentation leads to more deterministic microbial communities.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sweta Parimita Bera, Maulin P. Shah, Manoj Godhaniya
Summary: This research article reports a bacterial consortium capable of decolourizing and degrading the textile dye acid orange, which shows efficient treatment of dye wastewater and is confirmed by various detection methods.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Vanessa Rosana Ribeiro, Hector David Delgado Osorio, Amanda Canterle Ulrich, Tiele Medianeira Rizzetti, Andrea Sanchez Barrios, Rosana de Cassia de Souza Schneider, Lisianne Brittes Benitez
Summary: The study evaluated the bioremediation and bioelectricity production of synthetic wastewater in a microalgaemicrobial fuel cell system. The results showed that the combination of Escherichia coli and Desmodesmus subspicatus was most effective in bioelectricity generation.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Domenico Borello, Gabriele Gagliardi, Giorgia Aimola, Valeria Ancona, Paola Grenni, Giuseppe Bagnuolo, Gian Luigi Garbini, Ludovica Rolando, Anna Barra Caracciolo
Summary: The study showed that using terrestrial Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC) can effectively promote the removal of DDE from soil, and adding compost can stimulate microbial activity and improve MFC performance.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Amanda Pacholak, Agnieszka Zgola-Grzeskowiak, Ewa Kaczorek
Summary: The purpose of this research was to investigate the biodegradation of nitrofurantoin (NFT), a potential carcinogenic nitrofuran antibiotic, by two microbial communities from different environmental niches. The study found that NFT significantly altered the community structure and increased biodiversity in the aquatic systems. The research also discovered new transformation products of NFT.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Susan A. Welch, Julia M. Sheets, Rebecca A. Daly, Andrea Hanson, Shikha Sharma, Thomas Darrah, John Olesik, Anthony Lutton, Paula J. Mouser, Kelly C. Wrighton, Michael J. Wilkins, Tim Carr, David R. Cole
Summary: Fluid samples from UPP and Marcellus sites in Ohio and West Virginia over two years show similar trends in TDS and major solubilized elements, indicating that the brines from these formations may have originated from native formational brines and evaporated seawater.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Astha Thakali, Jean D. MacRae
Summary: A circular food system involves processing food waste to recover nutrients for soil, enabling more food production and decreasing energy and water use in the system. Contaminants like heavy metals, halogenated organic compounds, foodborne pathogens, and antibiotic resistance genes are major concerns that need to be managed carefully to ensure the safety and sustainability of the circular food system. Further research is needed to clarify the fate of contaminants during treatment and prevent the potential risks of accumulation in the system.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sasha Harris-Lovett, Kara L. Nelson, Paloma Beamer, Heather N. Bischel, Aaron Bivins, Andrea Bruder, Caitlyn Butler, Todd D. Camenisch, Susan K. De Long, Smruthi Karthikeyan, David A. Larsen, Katherine Meierdiercks, Paula J. Mouser, Sheree Pagsuyoin, Sarah M. Prasek, Tyler S. Radniecki, Jeffrey L. Ram, D. Keith Roper, Hannah Safford, Samendra P. Sherchan, William Shuster, Thibault Stalder, Robert T. Wheeler, Katrina Smith Korfmacher
Summary: Wastewater surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 is an emerging approach to identify COVID-19 outbreak risks, especially for institutions like colleges, prisons, and nursing homes. Considerations in wastewater monitoring include local information needs, resources, result interpretation, and follow-up actions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Chengdong Xu, Sneha P. Couvillion, Ryan L. Sontag, Nancy G. Isern, Yukari Maezato, Stephen R. Lindemann, Taniya Roy Chowdhury, Rui Zhao, Beau R. Morton, Rosalie K. Chu, Ronald J. Moore, Janet K. Jansson, Vanessa L. Bailey, Paula J. Mouser, Margaret F. Romine, James F. Fredrickson, Thomas O. Metz
Summary: MetFish is a method for analyzing metabolites and chemicals in hypersaline samples, allowing for direct LC-MS-based exometabolomics analysis. It provides high sensitivity and accuracy, with low limits of quantification, broad linear dynamic ranges, and low interday reproducibility. The method has been successfully applied in various microbial community analyses, demonstrating its versatility and reliability for metabolomics in high-salt environments.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Suzanne L. Ishaq, Alice Hotopp, Samantha Silverbrand, Jonathan E. Dumont, Amy Michaud, Jean D. MacRae, S. Patricia Stock, Eleanor Groden
Summary: The necromenic nematode Pristionchus entomophagus found in nests of invasive European ants may contribute to ant mortality by transferring environmental bacteria. Bacterial distribution in nematodes varies between adult and juvenile stages, with host species influencing bacterial community profiles. Host species also share certain bacterial sequences across ants, nematodes, and exposed wax moth larvae.
Article
Soil Science
Kaizad F. Patel, Corianne Tatariw, Jean D. MacRae, Tsutomu Ohno, Sarah J. Nelson, Ivan J. Fernandez
Summary: The experiment found that freeze-thaw cycles increased the extractable ammonium nitrogen content in soil, with little effect on water-extractable organic carbon concentrations. In the O horizon soil, freeze-thaw cycles reduced respiration, while in the B horizon soil, freeze-thaw cycles increased respiration. Total carbon and nitrogen remained relatively unchanged under freeze-thaw cycles.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Alexandria Hidrovo, Jenna L. Luek, Carmela Antonellis, James P. Malley, Paula J. Mouser
Summary: Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are emerging contaminants in water that have a significant impact on aquatic ecosystems. Our investigation found that improved wastewater treatment facilities are more effective in removing PPCPs. Understanding the fate of PPCPs during treatment helps assess their impact on estuarine resources and develop appropriate mitigation strategies.
WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Sudheera Yaparatne, Zachary E. Doherty, Andre L. Magdaleno, Emily E. Matula, Jean D. MacRae, Sergi Garcia-Segura, Onur G. Apul
Summary: Nanobubble aeration showed potential in enhancing aerobic activated sludge treatment by increasing dissolved oxygen levels and improving chemical oxygen demand removal. It also resulted in reduced filamentous bacteria and specific bacterial populations in the sludge.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Suzanne L. Ishaq, Sarah M. Turner, M. Scarlett Tudor, Jean D. MacRae, Heather Hamlin, Joelle Kilchenmann, Grace Lee, Deborah Bouchard
Summary: Research on lobster microbiomes is important for understanding disease transmission and host-microbe dynamics, as well as the impact of climate change on lobster microbiomes and their environment.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Astha Thakali, Jean D. MacRae, Cindy Isenhour, Travis Blackmer
Summary: Food waste recycling is necessary for a sustainable, circular food system, but careful management is needed to prevent contamination. Contaminants such as physical contaminants, heavy metals, halogenated organics, pathogens, and antibiotic resistance genes were found in source-separated food waste. Overall contamination was low, except for some antibiotic resistance genes.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Eliza M. Costigan, Morgan A. Oehler, Jean D. MacRae
Summary: Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) are popular for their potential to provide high-quality protein and this study investigates the applicability of a phosphorus adsorbent in RAS wastewater treatment. The results show that the adsorbent has high removal efficiencies and good selectivity for phosphate under different water conditions.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Caleb P. Goossen, Rachel E. Schattman, Jean D. MacRae
Summary: For decades, PFAS have been used to make food packaging waterproof and greaseproof. Concerns about the health effects of these compounds have raised awareness about the potential contamination of the food system. A study found that compost made from manure and compostable food packaging at a large fair contained multiple PFAS compounds, including perfluorooctanoic acid, a known carcinogen. In contrast, fresh manure and composted food waste without compostable serviceware had minimal or undetectable levels of PFAS.
Review
Biophysics
Alex E. Scearce, Caleb P. Goossen, Rachel E. Schattman, Ellen B. Mallory, Jean D. MaCrae
Summary: Widespread contamination of PFAS in agricultural areas is mainly caused by the application of sewage sludge. The variation in reported plant uptake levels of PFAS poses a barrier to managing the contaminated land. Factors such as the chemical composition of PFAS, soil conditions, and plant physiology contribute to this variation. Further research and data collection are needed to understand the mechanisms of PFAS uptake and develop predictive models. A conceptual framework linking plant PFAS uptake drivers to phytomanagement approaches can provide support for land managers.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Elham Tavasoli, Jenna L. Luek, James P. Malley, Paula J. Mouser
Summary: PFAS, as a class of persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic anthropogenic compounds, are of growing concern due to their widespread use. This study in six New Hampshire municipal WWTFs found that short-chain PFAS were dominant in influent and effluent, while long-chain compounds were prevalent in sludge. The TOP assay indicated a significantly lower proportion of oxidizable PFAS precursors in July influent and effluent compared to March.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Mina Aghababaei, Jenna L. Luek, Paul F. Ziemkiewicz, Paula J. Mouser
Summary: The study evaluated the toxicity of wastewater generated from hydraulic fracturing, showing higher acute toxicity of early-stage flowback and drilling muds, which decreases as natural gas wells mature. Differences in toxicity were associated with specific chemical additives, with wells containing more organic additives showing higher acute toxicity, while wells with higher levels of ammonium persulfate displaying greater mammalian toxicity. Acute toxicity and thiol reactivity were consistently detected in produced waters, emphasizing the need for cautious management of early produced fluids.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2021)