This study investigated the feasibility of using a polarized graphite electrode as direct or indirect (via electrolytic oxygen generation) electron acceptor to stimulate the microbial oxidation of cisdichloroethene (cis-DCE) in contaminated groundwater. A microbial culture was enriched in the anode chamber of a bioelectrochemical cell using a mixture of cis-DCE and ethene as substrates. The bioelectrochemical cell was operated by controlling the anode potential at +1.0 V or +1.5 V versus the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE). Enhanced cometabolic removal of cis-DCE, with ethene serving as the growth substrate, was observed in batch tests with the anode polarized at +1.5 V versus SHE. At this potential, (chloro)ethenes removal was probably sustained by molecular oxygen generated at the anode from water oxidation. Conversely, negligible anaerobic degradation was observed at +1.0 V versus SHE (a potential which does not allow oxygen generation), hence suggesting that molecular oxygen is needed to initiate (chloro)ethene degradation. PCR-DGGE analysis of the microbial culture followed by band sequencing and phylogenetic analysis evidenced the selective enrichment of a Bacillus species, providing a strong indication that this microorganism was responsible for cis-DCE and ethene degradation.
Federico Aulenta, Roberta Verdini, Marco Zeppilli, Giulio Zanaroli, Fabio Fava, Simona Rossetti, et al. (2013). Electrochemical stimulation of microbial cis-dichloroethene (cis-DCE) oxidation by an ethene-assimilating culture. NEW BIOTECHNOLOGY, 30, 749-755 [10.1016/j.nbt.2013.04.003].
Electrochemical stimulation of microbial cis-dichloroethene (cis-DCE) oxidation by an ethene-assimilating culture
ZANAROLI, GIULIO;FAVA, FABIO;
2013
Abstract
This study investigated the feasibility of using a polarized graphite electrode as direct or indirect (via electrolytic oxygen generation) electron acceptor to stimulate the microbial oxidation of cisdichloroethene (cis-DCE) in contaminated groundwater. A microbial culture was enriched in the anode chamber of a bioelectrochemical cell using a mixture of cis-DCE and ethene as substrates. The bioelectrochemical cell was operated by controlling the anode potential at +1.0 V or +1.5 V versus the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE). Enhanced cometabolic removal of cis-DCE, with ethene serving as the growth substrate, was observed in batch tests with the anode polarized at +1.5 V versus SHE. At this potential, (chloro)ethenes removal was probably sustained by molecular oxygen generated at the anode from water oxidation. Conversely, negligible anaerobic degradation was observed at +1.0 V versus SHE (a potential which does not allow oxygen generation), hence suggesting that molecular oxygen is needed to initiate (chloro)ethene degradation. PCR-DGGE analysis of the microbial culture followed by band sequencing and phylogenetic analysis evidenced the selective enrichment of a Bacillus species, providing a strong indication that this microorganism was responsible for cis-DCE and ethene degradation.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
