| Title | Polyhydroxyalkanoate as a slow-release carbon source for in situ bioremediation of contaminated aquifers: From laboratory investigation to pilot-scale testing in the field |
| Abstract | A pilot-scale study aiming to evaluate the potential use of poly-3-hydroxy-butyrate (PHB) as an electron donor source for in situ bioremediation of chlorinated hydrocarbons in groundwater was conducted. Compared with commercially available electron donors, PHB offers a restricted fermentation pathway (i.e., through acetic acid and molecular hydrogen) by avoiding the formation of any residual carbon that could potentially spoil groundwater quality. The pilot study was carried out at an industrial site in Italy, heavily contaminated by different chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons (CAHs). Prior to field testing, PHB was experimentally verified as a suitable electron donor for biological reductive dechlorination processes at the investigated site by microcosm studies carried out on site aquifer material and measuring the quantitative transformation of detected CAHs to ethene. Owing to the complex geological characteristics of the aquifer, the use of a groundwater circulation well (GCW) was identified as a potential strategy to enable effective delivery and distribution of electron donors in less permeable layers and to mobilise contaminants. A 3-screened, 30-m-deep GCW coupled with an external treatment unit was installed at the site. The effect of PHB fermentation products on the in situ reductive dechlorination processes were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The results from the first 4 months of operation clearly demonstrated that the PHB fermentation products were effectively delivered to the aquifer and positively influenced the biological dechlorination activity. Indeed, an increased abundance of Dehalococcoides mccartyi (up to 6.6 fold) and reduced CAH concentrations at the installed monitoring wells were observed. (C) |
| Source | New biotechnology (Print) 37, pp. 60–68 |
| Keywords | Poly (3-hydroxybutyrate)Chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbonsBiological reductive dechlorinationGroundwater circulation wellReal-time PCR |
| Journal | New biotechnology (Print) |
| Editor | Elsevier Life Science, Amsterdam, Paesi Bassi |
| Year | 2017 |
| Type | Articolo in rivista |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.nbt.2016.11.004 |
| Authors | Pierro, Lucia; Matturro, Bruna; Rossetti, Simona; Sagliaschi, Marco; Sucato, Salvatore; Alesi, Editard; Bartsch, Ernst; Arjmand, Firoozeh; Petrangeli Papini, Marco |
| Text | 372384 2017 10.1016/j.nbt.2016.11.004 ISI Web of Science WOS 000401208000007 Poly 3 hydroxybutyrate Chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons Biological reductive dechlorination Groundwater circulation well Real time PCR Polyhydroxyalkanoate as a slow release carbon source for in situ bioremediation of contaminated aquifers From laboratory investigation to pilot scale testing in the field Pierro, Lucia; Matturro, Bruna; Rossetti, Simona; Sagliaschi, Marco; Sucato, Salvatore; Alesi, Editard; Bartsch, Ernst; Arjmand, Firoozeh; Petrangeli Papini, Marco Istituto di Ricerca Sulle Acque; Sapienza Universita di Roma; EDF Fenice SpA; IEG Technol GmbH Gruibingen A pilot scale study aiming to evaluate the potential use of poly 3 hydroxy butyrate PHB as an electron donor source for in situ bioremediation of chlorinated hydrocarbons in groundwater was conducted. Compared with commercially available electron donors, PHB offers a restricted fermentation pathway i.e., through acetic acid and molecular hydrogen by avoiding the formation of any residual carbon that could potentially spoil groundwater quality. The pilot study was carried out at an industrial site in Italy, heavily contaminated by different chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons CAHs . Prior to field testing, PHB was experimentally verified as a suitable electron donor for biological reductive dechlorination processes at the investigated site by microcosm studies carried out on site aquifer material and measuring the quantitative transformation of detected CAHs to ethene. Owing to the complex geological characteristics of the aquifer, the use of a groundwater circulation well GCW was identified as a potential strategy to enable effective delivery and distribution of electron donors in less permeable layers and to mobilise contaminants. A 3 screened, 30 m deep GCW coupled with an external treatment unit was installed at the site. The effect of PHB fermentation products on the in situ reductive dechlorination processes were evaluated by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction qPCR . The results from the first 4 months of operation clearly demonstrated that the PHB fermentation products were effectively delivered to the aquifer and positively influenced the biological dechlorination activity. Indeed, an increased abundance of Dehalococcoides mccartyi up to 6.6 fold and reduced CAH concentrations at the installed monitoring wells were observed. C 37 Published version https //www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1871678416325821 Polyhydroxyalkanoate as a slow release carbon source Pierro et al.,2017.pdf Articolo in rivista Elsevier Life Science 1871 6784 New biotechnology Print New biotechnology Print New biotechnology. Print simona.rossetti ROSSETTI SIMONA bruna.matturro MATTURRO BRUNA |
