Progress 07/01/10 to 06/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience has been the scientific community through publications in scientific journals and the general public through outreach. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training: The principal investigator/project director for this project is Professor Donna Fennell. Dr. Valdis Krumins (Assistant Research Professor) performed associated work investigating bioaerosols. He has gained knowledge in the use of advanced, deep sequencing to study microbes in air. Dr. Weimin Sun (Postdoctoral Associate) investigated the fate of contaminants in polluted sediments and groundwater using stable isotope probing. He is gaining knowledge on bioremediation. Miss Sunirat Rattana and Miss Amanda Luther performed experiments in ammonia toxicity in anaerobic digestion and gained experience in anaerobic culture and molecular techniques. Miss Luther has received her PhD and Miss Rattana has defended her dissertaion and will recieve her PhD in January 2015. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been reported to the scientific community and practitioners in the form of peer-reviewed journal articles and to the public through hands-on activites presented at Rutgers Day. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Summary of accomplishments for each stated goal 1) Bioremediation a) Identify bacteria that biotransform aniline and para-chloroaniline in groundwater and sediments. Anaerobic aniline biodegradation was investigated under different electron-accepting conditions using contaminated canal and groundwater aquifer sediments from an industrial site. Aniline loss was observed in nitrate- and sulfate-amended microcosms and in microcosms established to promote methanogenic conditions. Lag times of 37 days (sulfate amended) to more than 100 days (methanogenic) were observed prior to activity. Time-series DNA-stable isotope probing (SIP) was used to identify bacteria that incorporated 13C-labeled aniline in the microcosms established to promote methanogenic conditions. In microcosms from heavily contaminated aquifer sediments, a phylotype with 92.7% sequence similarity to Ignavibacterium album was identified as a dominant aniline degrader as indicated by incorporation of 13C-aniline into its DNA. In microcosms from contaminated canal sediments, a bacterial phylotype within the family Anaerolineaceae, but without a match to any known genus, demonstrated the assimilation of 13C-aniline. Acidovorax spp. were also identified as putative aniline degraders in both of these two treatments, indicating that these species were present and active in both the canal and aquifer sediments. There were multiple bacterial phylotypes associated with anaerobic degradation of aniline at this complex industrial site, which suggests that anaerobic transformation of aniline is an important process at the site. Furthermore, the aniline degrading phylotypes identified in the current study are not related to any known aniline-degrading bacteria. The identification of novel putative aniline degraders expands current knowledge regarding the potential fate of aniline under anaerobic conditions. This work was published in Environmental Science and Technology. b) Identification and characterization of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)- and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofuran (PCDD/F)-dechlorinating bacteria. Long-term (years-long) incubations of PCDD/F-amended microcosms made with sediment from a variety of contaminated sites were continued. Because of the very slow rates of degradation, monitoring is on-going, however active microcosms have not yet been characterized with respect to the identities of the dechlorinating bacteria. c) Development of methods for in situ stimulation of PCB and PCDD/F-dechlorinating bacteria On-going work is monitoring progress of organohalide respiration in long-term microcosms amended with tetra-chloro-dibenzo-p-dioxin and examining the impact of electron donor addition on biostimulation. 2) Bioaerosols a) Characterize identities and activities of bacteria in air Reported previously. b) Characterize the activity of airborne bacteria under different conditions of pollutant presence, temperature and humidity Reported previously. 3) Bioenergy a) Determine the feasibility of anaerobic digestion to produce methane from New Jersey's waste biomass, especially equine stall waste These activities were reported previously. b) Investigate feasibility of on-site and regional anaerobic digesters in New Jersey and the Northeast Ammonia toleranance of microorganisms enriched from swine waste digestate and wastewater sludge digestate was investigated in mesophilic anaerobic reactors under target total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) concentrations up to 12.5 g TAN/L. Results indicated that swine waste digestate reactors revealed that the microorganisms acclimation occurred over time in the second treatment (5 g TAN/L) set up 185 days later using inoculum from the first experiment, whereas reactors with 7.5, 10, and 12.5 g TAN/L exhibited low methane production and volatile fatty acid (VFA) accumulation, especially propionate. However, using swine waste digestate as inoculum suggested better reactor performances than using wastewater sludge digestate. Microbial community analysis revealed different dominance of bacteria and archaea from both reactors. Phylotypes related to Tepidanaerobacter acetatoxydans, Methanosarcina spp., and Methanoculleus spp. dominated in swine waste digestate reactors. In contrast, phylotypes related to Thermanaerovibrio spp. and Methanoculleus spp. are dominant bacteria and archaea in reactors inoculated with wastewater sludge digestate. c) Capture ammonia from anaerobic digesters. We are investigating which microorganisms are tolerant to high concentrations of ammonia in digesters. The ability to operate digesters at high ammonia concentrations will allow more economical capture of ammonia for use as a biofuel. Small (100 mL) reactors were established for a variety of inocula from swine waste, municipal wastewater sludge, and landfills. The reactors are operated under total ammonia concentrations of trace to 12 g N/L. Different inocula respond differently. It is apparent that certain microbial community members can withstand high ammonia levels. Microbial communities tolerant to high ammonia concentrations were enriched from landfill leachate waste streams obtained from New Jersey, USA and Chonburi, Thailand. The material obtained from New Jersey contained landfill leachate from a bioreactor landfill along with liquid leachate from an associated sludge composting facility and domestic sewage produced by the complex. The leachate from Thailand was obtained directly from a traditional landfill. Semi-continuous batch reactors operated at 35°C with a hydraulic retention time of 140 days were inoculated with the leachate and were operated for 300 days with glutamate as a sole model high-nitrogen substrate. Target total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) concentrations of 5 to 12.5 g TAN/L were imposed on the reactors. Microbial community analysis by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and 454 pyrosequencing of amplified bacterial and archaeal 16S rRNA genes revealed that community makeup varied in relation to the source of the inoculum, the imposed TAN and to reactor instability evidenced by observed fluctuations in volatile fatty acids concentrations, and methane production. The microbial community enriched from Thailand leachate with an imposed TAN of 12.5 g/L exhibited little acclimation time and produced the same methane volumes as the non-TAN stressed controls. Phylotypes related to Tepidanaerobacter acetatoxydans, an anaerobic, syntrophic acetate-oxidizing (SAO) bacterium in the phylum Firmicutes and Methanosarcina spp. (Euryarchaeota) were dominant members of this ammonia tolerant community. In contrast, the microbial community enriched from the New Jersey waste with an imposed TAN of 12.5 g/L exhibitied instability and ultimately produced only half of the methane as the non-TAN stressed controls. Here we show that a landfill in Thailand houses ammonia-tolerant organisms that acclimated rapidly to a high N model feedstock and operated with high methane production under an imposed TAN of 12.5 g/L. The New Jersey waste (leachate mixed with composting liquids and domestic wastewater) did not exhibit similar robustness. These results are currently being prepared for publication.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Zhen, H.; Krumins, V.; Fennell, D.E.; and Mainelis G. 2015. Development of a dual-internal-reference technique to improve accuracy when determining bacterial 16S rRNA:16S rRNA gene ratio with application to Escherichia coli liquid and aerosol samples. Journal of Microbiological Methods, 117, 113-121.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Sun, W.; Li, Y.; McGuinness, L.; Luo, S.; Huang, W.; Kerkhof, L.; Mack, E.E.; H�ggblom, M.M.; and Fennell, D.E. 2015. Identification of anaerobic aniline-degrading bacteria at a contaminated industrial site. Environmental Science and Technology, doi: 10.1021/acs.est.5b02166.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Luther, A.K.; Desloover, J.; Fennell, D.E.; and Rabaey, K. 2015. Electrochemically driven extraction and recovery of ammonia from human urine. Water Research, 87, 367-377.
- Type:
Book Chapters
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Sun W.; Krumins V.; Fennell D.E.; Kerkhof L.J.; and H�ggblom, M.M. 2015. Anaerobic degradation of aromatic compounds. In: Manual of Environmental Microbiology, Chapter 5.1.3.; 14 pp. Fourth Edition, ASM Press. doi:10.1128/9781555818821.ch5.1.3.
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Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: The target audience for this project is scientists, engineers and practitioners in the areas of environmental science and engineering. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The principal investigator/project director for this project is Professor Donna Fennell. She is gaining knowledge in use of molecular methods. Dr. Valdis Krumins (Research Associate) performed associated work investigating bioaerosols. He has gained knowledge in the use of advanced, deep sequencing and RNA and protein extraction to study microbes in air. Dr. Weimin Sun (Postdoctoral Associate) investigated the fate of contaminants in polluted sediments and groundwater using stable isotope probing. He is gaining knowledge on bioremediation. Miss Sunirat Rattana and Miss Amanda Luther performed experiments in ammonia toxicity in anaerobic digestion. These students are gaining knowledge in molecular methods to study microbes and in anaerobic culture. Miss Luther performed a six month internship at the University of Ghent in Belgium and gained knowledge in the operation of biological and chemical reactors to remove ammonia directly from urine. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results have been reported to the scientific community and practitioners in the form of peer-reviewed journal articles. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? In the coming period we will report on the identification of anaerobic bacteria the degrade the toxic pollutant, aniline. This study is being prepared for publication. We will also complete analysis of data from a proteomic study of Sphingomonas aeolata in the airborne state.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Impact This research is investigating microorganisms in natural and engineered systems whose activities have an impact on ecological and human health and environmental sustainability. The research activities associated with this project are focused in three major thrust areas in the field of bioenvironmental engineering: (1) Bioremediation, (2) Bioaerosols, and (3) Bioenergy. The outcomes and results of this proposed project are benefit citizens of New Jersey, the USA and the world by providing new information about the function and identity of microorganisms involved in atmospheric processes, environmental restoration and sustainable energy production. Bacteria become aerosolized by a variety of processes and remain in the atmosphere for days. Many studies have characterized bacteria in air, but little is known regarding whether airborne bacteria are active. During this reporting period we published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology Letters an article that describes for the first time the production of ribosomes (as measured by an increase in 16S ribosomal RNA) in airborne bacterial cells that were exposed to the volatile organic compounds ethanol and acetic acid. Ribosomes are where proteins are produced inside cells and an increase in ribosome content indicates an increase in metabolic activity. Specifically, we showed that a bacterial strain previously isolated from air, Sphingomonas aerolata NW12, exhibited metabolic activity while in the airborne state. Airborne cells incubated in rotating gas-phase bioreactors in the presence of known growth substrates acetic acid and ethanol in the gaseous phase had higher ribosomal RNA to ribosomal RNA gene (DNA) content than airborne cells without growth substrates. This demonstrates that this species of airborne bacteria have a differential metabolic response to gaseous substrates in the aerial environment by increasing ribosomal RNA, suggesting that the cells have the potential to produce proteins while aloft. This work raises the possibility that airborne cells can use volatile compounds found in air as substrates. Such activity has great importance for understanding processes in the atmosphere. Summary of accomplishments for each stated goal 1) Bioremediation a) Identify bacteria that biotransform aniline and para-chloroaniline in groundwater and sediments. We used stable isotope probing to identify bacteria specifically involved in the biodegradation of aniline in sediments from a contaminated industrial site in New Jersey. 13C-labled aniline was added to sediment microcosms and DNA containing 13C was recovered through gradient centrifugation. The DNA was analyzed by sequencing the 16S rRNA genes. The phylogenies of the active bacteria (those degrading aniline) were determined. This work established the identities of the responsible organisms and also confirmed that the pollutants were being broken down. This work will be reported in detail in a future report. b) Identification and characterization of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)- and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofuran (PCDD/F)-dechlorinating bacteria. Long-term (years-long) incubations of PCDD/F-amended microcosms made with sediment from a variety of contaminated sites were continued. Because of the very slow rates of degradation, monitoring is on-going, however active microcosms have not yet been characterized with respect to the identities of the dechlorinating bacteria. c) Development of methods for in situ stimulation of PCB and PCDD/F-dechlorinating bacteria A mixed culture containing Dehalococcoides mccartyi strain 195 dechlorinated 1,2,3,7,8-pentachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD) and selected polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners in Aroclors 1260, 1254 and 1242. Dehalococcoides mccartyi strain 195 is an important and well-characterized dechlorinating bacterial strain. We have expanded knowledge of its substrate range and shown that it can detoxify dioxins and PCBs of environmental significance. Specifically, 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD was dechlorinated to 1,3,7-trichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (1,3,7-TrCDD) and/or 1,3,8-TrCDD via 1,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (1,3,7,8-TeCDD), a pathway that excludes the production of the most toxic dioxin congener, 2,3,7,8-TeCDD. Dechlorination rate and extent was greatly enhanced by the addition of 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorobenzene (1,2,3,4-TeCB) as an alternate halogenated substrate and/or incubation temperature increase from 25°C to 35°C. The most extensive dechlorination of PCBs occurred for Aroclor 1260 with 13 major PCB congeners making up 44.1 mol% of the original PCBs dechlorinated by 42% over 250 days at 25°C. When 1,2,3,4-TeCB was amended as co-substrate, the extent of dechlorination increased to 82%, over 250 days. The mixed culture primarily dechlorinated the doubly-flanked chlorines on 2,3,4-, 2,3,4,6-, and 2,3,4,5,6-substituted chlorophenyl rings, whereas it primarily removed the doubly-flanked para chlorine from the 2,3,4,5-substituted chlorophenyl ring. Experiments using diluted culture indicated that the bacterium may not be able to grow using the dioxins and PCBs utilized in this study. This may mean that if strain 195 is used as a bioaugmentation strain that is added to sediments for enhancing remediation, multiple additions may be needed. 2) Bioaerosols a) Characterize identities and activities of bacteria in air We collected bioaerosols from air at different geographic locations in New Jersey. We used Illumina Sequencing to identify the phyla present in the air. We also extracted RNA and protein from airborne cells. These biomolecules are being used to characterize identity and functional activity of airborne bacteria. b) Characterize the activity of airborne bacteria under different conditions of pollutant presence, temperature and humidity As mentioned under "Impact" we showed that a bacterial strain previously isolated from air, Sphingomonas aerolata NW12, exhibited metabolic activity while in the airborne state. Airborne cells incubated in rotating gas-phase bioreactors in the presence of known growth substrates acetic acid and ethanol in the gaseous phase had statistically significantly higher ribosomal RNA to ribosomal RNA gene (DNA) content than airborne cells without growth substrates. This demonstrates that this species of airborne bacteria have the potential to produce proteins while aloft. 3) Bioenergy a) Determine the feasibility of anaerobic digestion to produce methane from New Jersey's waste biomass, especially equine stall waste These activities were reported previously. b) Investigate feasibility of on-site and regional anaerobic digesters in New Jersey and the Northeast We are examining the effect of ammonia toxicity on microbial communities in swine waste digester enrichments. Swine waste digestate was obtained from a swine farm in Pennsylvania. Small bioreactors were established and operated under different conditions. Different microbial populations emerged under high ammonia stress. These findings will aid in determining whether anaerobic digestion is suitable for high nitrogen wastes such as manures. c) Capture ammonia from anaerobic digesters. We are investigating which microorganisms are tolerant to high concentrations of ammonia in digesters. The ability to operate digesters at high ammonia concentrations will allow more economical capture of ammonia for use as a biofuel. Small (100 mL) reactors were established for a variety of inocula from swine waste, municipal wastewater sludge, and landfills. The reactors were operated under total ammonia concentrations of trace to 12 g N/L. Different inocula respond differently. It is apparent that certain microbial community members can withstand high ammonia levels. We are currently using a variety of molecular approaches to identify the ammonia tolerant microbes.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Maphosa, F., Lieten, S. H., Dinkla, I., Stams, A. J., Smidt, H., & Fennell, D. E. 2012. Ecogenomics of microbial communities in bioremediation of chlorinated contaminated sites. Frontiers in microbiology, 3.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Zhen, H.; Han, T.; Fennell, D.E.; and Mainelis, G. 2013. Release of free DNA by Membrane-impaired bacterial aerosols due to aerosolization and air sampling." Applied and Environmental Microbiology 79, 7780-7789.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Liu, H.; Park, J-W.; Fennell, D. E.; Rodenburg, L. A.; Verta, M.; H�ggblom, M.M. 2013 Microbial reductive dechlorination of weathered polychlorinated dibenzofurans in Kymijoki sediment mesocosms. Chemosphere, 91, 212221.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Krumins, V.; Mainelis G., Kerkhof, L.J.; Fennell, D.E. 2014. Substrate-dependent rRNA production in an airborne bacterium. Environmental Science and Technology Letters, 9, 376-381.
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Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: The target audience for this project is scientists, engineers and practitioners in the areas of environmental science and engineering. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Training The principal investigator/project director for this project is Professor Donna Fennell. Dr. Valdis Krumins (Research Associate) performed associated work investigating bioaerosols. He has gained knowledge in the use of advanced, deep sequencing to study microbes in air. Dr. Weimin Sun (Postdoctoral Associate) investigated the fate of contaminants in polluted sediments and groundwater using stable isotope probing. He is gaining knowledge on bioremediation. Miss Sunirat Rattana and Miss Amanda Luther performed experiments in ammonia toxicity in anaerobic digestion. These students are gaining knowledge in molecular methods to study microbes and in anaerobic culture. The ammonia to hydrogen model was the work of former graduate student Dr. David Babson. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results have been reported to the scientific community and practitioners in the form of a peer-reviewed journal article. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? In the coming reporting period, the focus is on study of reductive dechlorination of PCBs and PCDD/Fs. We have submitted a manuscript on reductive dechlorination of these compounds by a known dechlorinating organism, Dehalococcoides mccartyi strain 195. We will also report further on our results on microbes in air. We are investigating whether bacteria in air are actively consuming volatile organic compounds found in air.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Impact This research is investigating microorganisms in natural and engineered systems whose activities have an impact on ecological and human health and environmental sustainability. The research activities associated with this project are focused in three major thrust areas in the field of bioenvironmental engineering: (1) Bioremediation, (2) Bioaerosols, and (3) Bioenergy. The outcomes and results of this proposed project are benefit citizens of New Jersey, the USA and the world by providing new information about the function and identity of microorganisms involved in atmospheric processes, environmental restoration and sustainable energy production. Specifically, during this reporting period we published in the journal Biomass and Bioenergy a theoretical model showing that the ammonia that is released by microbes during anaerobic digestion of wastes can be harvested and converted to hydrogen (a biofuel) in a manner that improves the energy balance of the digestion process, which normally produces only methane as a fuel. This work established scientific and engineering parameters for the production of the biofuels methane and hydrogen from diverse waste biomass at different carbon to nitrogen ratios. This finding has broad implications for changing the way wastes – human waste, municipal solid waste, food waste, or animal wastes—might be handled for energy production in the future. This work made a substantial contribution to the quest for alternative energy. Summary of accomplishments for each stated goal 1) Bioremediation a) Identify bacteria that biotransform aniline and para-chloroaniline in groundwater and sediments. We used stable isotope probing to identify bacteria specifically involved in the biodegradation of aniline in sediments from a contaminated industrial site in New Jersey. 13C-labled aniline was added to sediment microcosms and DNA containing 13C was recovered through gradient centrifugation. The DNA was analyzed by sequencing the 16S rRNA genes. The phylogenies of the active bacteria (those degrading aniline) were determined. This work established the identities of the responsible organisms and also confirmed that the pollutants were being broken down. b) Identification and characterization of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)- and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofuran (PCDD/F)-dechlorinating bacteria. Long-term (years-long) incubations of PCDD/F-amended microcosms made with sediment from a variety of contaminated sites were continued. Because of the very slow rates of degradation, there are no specific results to report at this time. c) Development of methods for in situ stimulation of PCB and PCDD/F-dechlorinating bacteria We used tetrachlorobenzene as an amendment to stimulate PCDD and PCB dechlorination by the known dechlorinator, Dehalococcoides mccartyi strain 195. Strain 195 was grown in mixed culture and then amended with selected PCB Aroclors and a PCDD congener (1,2,3,4,7,8-PeCDD). The bacteria dechlorinated selected PCBs and PCDDs. Addition of the chlorobenzene was effective at stimulating the rates and extents of dechlorination. We will report on this objective in detail in the next report. 2) Bioaerosols a) Characterize identities and activities of bacteria in air We collected bioaerosols from air at different geographic locations in New Jersey. We used Illumina Sequencing to identify the phyla present in the air. b) Characterize the activity of airborne bacteria under different conditions of pollutant presence, temperature and humidity From the collected bioaerosols, we cultivated those that would grow in liquid culture using common atmospheric VOCs as substrates. These "active" organisms were identified. We re-aerosolized these organisms into gas-phase bioreactors and studied the impacts of humidity on their cultivility. 3) Bioenergy a) Determine the feasibility of anaerobic digestion to produce methane from New Jersey's waste biomass, especially equine stall waste b) Investigate feasibility of on-site and regional anaerobic digesters in New Jersey and the Northeast c) Capture ammonia from anaerobic digesters. This project is investigating anaerobic digestion of wastes containing high concentrations of nitrogen. During anaerobic digestion, wastes with high concentrations of nitrogen produce free ammonia. Ammonia is a major water pollutant and it is toxic to the microbes carrying out anaerobic digestion. For example, horse waste is a major agricultural waste in the state of New Jersey. There is very little information available regarding the anaerobic digestion of this material. Anaerobic digestion of horse waste to produce methane could provide added value for horse farmers. We investigated the methane production potential of different wastes under various ammonia nitrogen contents to determine whether there are microbial communities that are resistant to ammonia toxicity. In addition to the model showing that ammonia conversion to hydrogen could result in a positive energy balance for anaerobic digesters, we are also investigating which microorganisms are tolerant to high concentrations of ammonia in digesters.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Babson, D., Bellman K.; Prakash, S.; Fennell, D.E. Anaerobic digestion for methane generation and ammonia reforming for hydrogen production: A thermodynamic energy balance of a model system to demonstrate net energy feasibility. Biomass and Bioenergy, 56 (493-505) 2013.
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Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Activities: This project is investigating anaerobic digestion of wastes containing high concentrations of nitrogen. During anaerobic digestion, wastes with high concentrations of nitrogen produce free ammonia. Ammonia is a major water pollutant and it is toxic to the microbes carrying out anaerobic digestion. For example, horse waste is a major agricultural waste in the state of New Jersey. There is very little information available regarding the anaerobic digestion of this material. Anaerobic digestion of horse waste to produce methane could provide added value for horse farmers. We investigated the methane production potential of different wastes under various ammonia nitrogen contents to determine whether there are microbial communities that are resistant to ammonia toxicity. Products: Research. This project has supplied novel information regarding the anaerobic digestion of different types of wastes important in the state of New Jersey. Dr. Fennell presented a talk entitled Poop to Power: Anaerobic digestion of Horse Waste at the Rutgers Equine Science Update 2012 with an audience of horse industry participants. PARTICIPANTS: The principal investigator/project director for this project is Professor Donna Fennell. Dr. Valdis Krumins (Research Associate) performed associated work investigating bioaerosols. Miss Sunirat Rattana and Miss Amanda Luther performed experiments in anaerobic digestion. Dr. Fennell was on sabbatical leave at Wageningen University in the Netherlands from August 2011 to July 2012. She worked with Professor Hauke Smidt in the Laboratory of Microbiology. Her work focused on learning new techniques for characterizing microbial communities using advanced genomic and proteomic methods. TARGET AUDIENCES: Dr. Fennell presented a talk entitled Poop to Power: Anaerobic digestion of Horse Waste at the Rutgers Equine Science Update 2012. Information about anaerobic digestion of horse waste was disseminated to members of the Equine Industry. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Research. This project is determining the methane potential of wastes such as horse stall waste and is identifying factors important in the digestion of high nitrogen wastes.
Publications
- Wartell, B.A.; Krumins, V.; Alt, J.; Kang, K.; Schwab, B.J.; and Fennell, D.E. 2012. Methane production from horse manure and stall waste with softwood bedding. Bioresource Technology, 112, 42 - 50.
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Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Activities: This project is investigating the presence and activity of microorganisms in the atmosphere. We collected bioaerosol samples from air at a variety of environmental locations in New Jersey including suburban, urban and rural locations. These samples were used to develop microbial enrichments growing on different types of contaminants found in air - e.g., methanol, acetone and acetic acid. Additionally, molecular assays were utilized to identify the microorganisms present in the samples and the enrichments. Further, the enrichments were utilized in experiments in 300 L gas-phase reactors to study the activity of airborne microorganisms. Products: Research. This project has supplied novel information regarding the types of microbes in air in New Jersey under different conditions. PARTICIPANTS: The principal investigator/project director for this project is Professor Donna Fennell. Dr. Valdis Krumins (Research Associate) and ValaRae Partee (summer undergraduate researcher) performed associated work investigating bioaerosols. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Research. This project is determining the identity of microorganisms found in ambient air in different environmental locations. Further, the project has determined that bacteria and other microorganisms captured from air can be grown in culture on chemical compounds that are typically found in air.
Publications
- Fennell, D.E.; Du, S.; Liu, H.; Liu F.; and Haggblom, M.M. 2011. 6.13. Dehalogenation of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins and Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Brominated Flame Retardants and Potential as a Bioremediation Strategy. In Comprehensive Biotechnology: Principles, Applications and Regulations in Industry, Agriculture, Medicine and the Environment, second edition, Volume 6 Environmental Biotechnology, Article 369. S. Agathos, Volume Editor; M. Moo-Young, Editor-in-Chief. [http://www.elsevierdirect.com/ISBN/9780444533524/Comprehensive-Biote chnology-2nd-edition]
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Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Activities: We continued our ongoing work to investigate the reductive dechlorination of historical PCBs in Anacostia River, Washington DC, sediments during biostimulation and bioaugmentation by Dehalococcoides. We previously showed enhanced dechlorination of existing PCBs using a variety of stimulants and tracked the native and bioaugmented dechlorinating bacteria over 14 months using molecular techniques. We observed that specific dehalogenase genes were present in higher abundance in sediments where stimulated reductive dehalogenation of weathered PCBs occurred. Products: Research. This project has supplied new information regarding the dechlorination of PCBs by dehalorespiring bacteria. Understanding the fundamental aspects of PC dechlorination by these organisms is an important step in development of bioaugmentation strategies. Our project has elucidated pathways and signatures of this activity that could be directly applied for detoxification of sediments. PARTICIPANTS: The principal investigator/project director for this project is Professor Donna Fennell. Dr. Dr. Songyan Du (Post-Doctoral Associate) performed associated work investigating use of Dehalococcoides as a bioaugmentation agent. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Research. This project has supplied new information regarding biomarkers such as dehalogenase genes that could be useful for monitoring enhanced remediation of contaminated sediments.
Publications
- Joong-Wook Park, Valdis Krumins, Birthe V. Kjellerup, Donna E. Fennell, Lisa A. Rodenburg, Kevin R. Sowers, Lee J. Kerkhof and Max M. Haggblom. 2010. The effect of co-substrate activation on indigenous and bioaugmented PCB dechlorinating bacterial communities in sediment microcosms. in press. Applied Microbiology Biotechnology. DOI 10.1007/s00253-010-2958-8.
- Rodenburg, L.A., Du, S., Fennell, D.E. and Cavallo, G. 2010. Evidence for Widespread Dechlorination of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Groundwater, Landfills, and Wastewater Collection Systems. Environmental Science and Technology, 44, 7534-7540.
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