Search results for "BIODEGRADATION"
showing 10 items of 317 documents
Anticipating the impact of pitfalls in kinetic biodegradation parameter estimation from substrate depletion curves of organic pollutants
2019
[EN] Accurate and reliable estimation of kinetic parameters of pollutant biodegradation processes is essential for environmental and health risk assessment. Common biodegradation models proposed in the literature, such as the nonlinear Monod equation and its simplified versions (e.g. Michaelis-Menten-like and first-order equations), are problematic in terms of accuracy of kinetic parameters due to the parameter correlation. However, a comparison between these models in terms of accuracy and reliability, related to data imprecision, has not been performed in the literature. This task is necessary, mainly because the model selection cannot be straightforward, as shown in this work. To facilit…
Targeted delivery of hydrogen for the bioremediation of aquifers contaminated by dissolved chlorinated compounds.
2019
Dihydrogen (H2) gas injection is a promising option to enhance the reductive biodehalogenation of contaminants in groundwater. However, it is challenging to ensure its targeted delivery at the right places in plumes, and for the long times required for bioremediation. In this paper, the ability of surfactant foam to retain H2 in the saturated zone and to enhance its release in the dissolved form was compared to traditional biosparging. H2 gas was injected, either alone, or as foam, in a 2D saturated cell packed with glass beads. This cell was continuously flushed with deoxygenated water to mimic aquifer circulation, and H2 was studied both in terms of gas distribution in the cell and dissol…
Molecular composition of dissolved organic matter from a wetland plant (Juncus effusus) after photochemical and microbial decomposition (1.25 yr): Co…
2013
We hypothesized that microbial and photochemical processing of dissolved organic matter (DOM) determines its molecular formula composition in aquatic systems to a greater degree than does the original source of the DOM. To test this hypothesis, we exposed DOM from a leachate of a wetland plant (Juncus effusus) to solar radiation or incubated it in the dark for 1.25 yr. Analysis of the extracted DOM of the leachates via Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) identified 2800 molecular formulae. Of the formulae in the initial DOM, 11% were lost during microbial decomposition in the dark and 54% under solar radiation. Solar radiation also produced a large number…
Plant growth promotion, metabolite production and metal tolerance of dark septate endophytes isolated from metal-polluted poplar phytomanagement sites
2016
Numerous studies address the distribution and the diversity of dark septate endophytes (DSEs) in the literature, but little is known about their ecological role and their effect on host plants, especially in metal-polluted soils. Seven DSE strains belonging to Cadophora, Leptodontidium, Phialophora and Phialocephala were isolated from roots of poplar trees from metal-polluted sites. All strains developed on a wide range of carbohydrates, including cell-wall-related compounds. The strains evenly colonized birch, eucalyptus and ryegrass roots in re-synthesis experiments. Root and shoot growth promotion was observed and was both plant and strain dependent. Two Phialophora and Leptodontidium st…
Innovative, ecofriendly biosorbent-biodegrading biofilms for bioremediation of oil- contaminated water.
2019
Immobilization of microorganisms capable of degrading specific contaminants significantly promotes bioremediation processes. In this study, innovative and ecofriendly biosorbent-biodegrading biofilms have been developed in order to remediate oil-contaminated water. This was achieved by immobilizing hydrocarbon-degrading gammaproteobacteria and actinobacteria on biodegradable oil-adsorbing carriers, based on polylactic acid and polycaprolactone electrospun membranes. High capacities for adhesion and proliferation of bacterial cells were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The bioremediation efficiency of the systems, tested on crude oil and quantified by gas chromatography, showed that…
Biotrickling filter modeling for styrene abatement. Part 1: Model development, calibration and validation on an industrial scale
2017
Abstract A three-phase dynamic mathematical model based on mass balances describing the main processes in biotrickling filtration: convection, mass transfer, diffusion, and biodegradation was calibrated and validated for the simulation of an industrial styrene-degrading biotrickling filter. The model considered the key features of the industrial operation of biotrickling filters: variable conditions of loading and intermittent irrigation. These features were included in the model switching from the mathematical description of periods with and without irrigation. Model equations were based on the mass balances describing the main processes in biotrickling filtration: convection, mass transfe…
Co-digestion of harvested microalgae and primary sludge in a mesophilic anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR): Methane potential and microbial divers…
2020
Abstract Anaerobic co-digestion of primary sludge and raw microalgae (Scenedesmus and Chlorella) was performed in a lab-scale semi-continuous anaerobic membrane bioreactor to assess the biological performance and identify the microbial community involved in the co-digestion process. The reactor was operated at 35 °C for 440 days, working at a solids retention time of 100 days. The system achieved 73% biodegradability and showed high stability in terms of pH and volatile fatty acids. An enriched microbial community was observed. Of the several phyla, Chloroflexi and Proteobacteria were the most abundant. Cellulose-degraders phyla (Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi and Thermotogae) were detected. Sy…
Anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBR) treating urban wastewater in mild climates
2020
[EN] Feasibility of an AnMBR demonstration plant treating urban wastewater (UWW) at temperatures around 25-30 degrees C was assessed during a 350-day experimental period. The plant was fed with the effluent from the pretreatment of a full-scale municipal WWTP, characterized by high COD and sulfate concentrations. Biodegradability of the UWW reached values up to 87%, although a portion of the biodegradable COD was consumed by sulfate reducing organisms. Effluent COD remained below effluent discharge limits, achieving COD removals above 90%. System operation resulted in a reduction of sludge production of 36-58% compared to theoretical aerobic sludge productions. The membranes were operated a…
Recovery of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from wastewater : a review
2020
Abstract Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biopolyesters accumulated as carbon and energy storage materials under unbalanced growth conditions by various microorganisms. They are one of the most promising potential substitutes for conventional non-biodegradable plastics due to their similar physicochemical properties, but most important, its biodegradability. Production cost of PHAs is still a great barrier to extend its application at industrial scale. In order to reduce that cost, research is focusing on the use of several wastes as feedstock (such as agro-industrial and municipal organic waste and wastewater) in a platform based on mixed microbial cultures. This review provides a critical…
Assessment of landfill leachate biodegradability and treatability by means of allochthonous and autochthonous biomasses
2020
Abstract The biodegradability and treatability of a young (3 years old) municipal landfill leachate was evaluated by means of chemical oxygen demand (COD) fractionation tests, based on respirometric techniques. The tests were performed using two different biomasses: one cultivated from the raw leachate (autochthonous biomass) and the other collected from a conventional municipal wastewater treatment plant after its acclimation to leachate (allochthonous biomass). The long term performances of the two biomasses were also studied. The results demonstrated that the amount of biodegradable COD in the leachate was strictly dependent on the biomass that was used to perform the fractionation tests…