| Title | Enhanced Hydrocarbons Biodegradation at Deep-Sea Hydrostatic Pressure with Microbial Electrochemical Snorkels |
| Abstract | In anaerobic sediments, microbial degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons is limited by the rapid depletion of electron acceptors (e.g., ferric oxide, sulfate) and accumulation of toxic metabolites (e.g., sulfide, following sulfate reduction). Deep-sea sediments are increasingly impacted by oil contamination, and the elevated hydrostatic pressure (HP) they are subjected to represents an additional limitation for microbial metabolism. While the use of electrodes to support electrobioremediation in oil-contaminated sediments has been described, there is no evidence on their applicability for deep-sea sediments. Here, we tested a passive bioelectrochemical system named "oil-spill snorkel" with two crude oils carrying different alkane contents (4 vs. 15%), at increased or ambient HP (10 vs. 0.1 MPa). Snorkels enhanced alkanes biodegradation at both 10 and 0.1 MPa within only seven weeks, as compared to nonconductive glass controls. Microprofiles in anaerobic, contaminated sediments indicated that snorkels kept sulfide concentration to low titers. Bulk-sediment analysis confirmed that sulfide oxidation by snorkels largely regenerated sulfate. Hence, the sole application of snorkels could eliminate a toxicity factor and replenish a spent electron acceptor at increased HP. Both aspects are crucial for petroleum decontamination of the deep sea, a remote environment featured by low metabolic activity. |
| Source | Catalysts 11 (2) |
| Keywords | crude oilhydrostatic pressuredeep seaalkanessulfidesulfate |
| Journal | Catalysts |
| Editor | Molecular Diversity Preservation International, Basel, |
| Year | 2021 |
| Type | Articolo in rivista |
| DOI | 10.3390/catal11020263 |
| Authors | Aulenta, Federico; Palma, Enza; Marzocchi, Ugo; Viggi, Carolina Cruz; Rossetti, Simona; Scoma, Alberto |
| Text | 449778 2021 10.3390/catal11020263 ISI Web of Science WOS 000622285700001 crude oil hydrostatic pressure deep sea alkanes sulfide sulfate Enhanced Hydrocarbons Biodegradation at Deep Sea Hydrostatic Pressure with Microbial Electrochemical Snorkels Aulenta, Federico; Palma, Enza; Marzocchi, Ugo; Viggi, Carolina Cruz; Rossetti, Simona; Scoma, Alberto IRSA CNR; Aarhus Univ; Aarhus Univ; Aarhus Univ; Aarhus Univ In anaerobic sediments, microbial degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons is limited by the rapid depletion of electron acceptors e.g., ferric oxide, sulfate and accumulation of toxic metabolites e.g., sulfide, following sulfate reduction . Deep sea sediments are increasingly impacted by oil contamination, and the elevated hydrostatic pressure HP they are subjected to represents an additional limitation for microbial metabolism. While the use of electrodes to support electrobioremediation in oil contaminated sediments has been described, there is no evidence on their applicability for deep sea sediments. Here, we tested a passive bioelectrochemical system named oil spill snorkel with two crude oils carrying different alkane contents 4 vs. 15% , at increased or ambient HP 10 vs. 0.1 MPa . Snorkels enhanced alkanes biodegradation at both 10 and 0.1 MPa within only seven weeks, as compared to nonconductive glass controls. Microprofiles in anaerobic, contaminated sediments indicated that snorkels kept sulfide concentration to low titers. Bulk sediment analysis confirmed that sulfide oxidation by snorkels largely regenerated sulfate. Hence, the sole application of snorkels could eliminate a toxicity factor and replenish a spent electron acceptor at increased HP. Both aspects are crucial for petroleum decontamination of the deep sea, a remote environment featured by low metabolic activity. In anaerobic sediments, microbial degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons is limited by the rapid depletion of electron acceptors e.g., ferric oxide, sulfate and accumulation of toxic metabolites e.g., sulfide, following sulfate reduction . Deep sea sediments are increasingly impacted by oil contamination, and the elevated hydrostatic pressure HP they are subjected to represents an additional limitation for microbial metabolism. While the use of electrodes to support electrobioremediation in oil contaminated sediments has been described, there is no evidence on their applicability for deep sea sediments. Here, we tested a passive bioelectrochemical system named oil spill snorkel with two crude oils carrying different alkane contents 4 vs. 15% , at increased or ambient HP 10 vs. 0.1 MPa . Snorkels enhanced alkanes biodegradation at both 10 and 0.1 MPa within only seven weeks, as compared to nonconductive glass controls. Microprofiles in anaerobic, contaminated sediments indicated that snorkels kept sulfide concentration to low titers. Bulk sediment analysis confirmed that sulfide oxidation by snorkels largely regenerated sulfate. Hence, the sole application of snorkels could eliminate a toxicity factor and replenish a spent electron acceptor at increased HP. Both aspects are crucial for petroleum decontamination of the deep sea, a remote environment featured by low metabolic activity. 11 Published version https //www.mdpi.com/2073 4344/11/2/263 Catalysts paper published article catalysts 11 00263 v2.pdf Articolo in rivista Molecular Diversity Preservation International 2073 4344 Catalysts Catalysts Catalysts Catalysts. simona.rossetti ROSSETTI SIMONA federico.aulenta AULENTA FEDERICO carolina.cruzviggi CRUZ VIGGI CAROLINA ELECTRA Electricity driven Low Energy and Chemical input Technology foR Accelerated bioremediation |
