CENSUS® is Microbial Insights’ qPCR environmental testing service – a DNA-based method that accurately quantifies the specific microorganisms and functional genes responsible for contaminant biodegradation. Rather than growing bacteria in a lab, CENSUS® analyzes site DNA directly, eliminating the biases of traditional approaches like plate counts and MPNs. The result: precise, defensible data on contaminant degraders (e.g., Dehalococcoides, Dehalobacter) and functional genes (e.g., vinyl chloride reductase, anaerobic benzene carboxylase) that site managers can act on immediately
CENSUS qPCR ER ADVANTAGES:
ACCURATE
Direct analysis of sample DNA removes the need to grow the bacteria, thus eliminating biases associated with traditional approaches (e.g., plate counts and MPNs).
QUANTITATIVE
Absolute quantification of the concentrations of specific microorganisms and functional genes encoding enzymes responsible for contaminant biodegradation gives site managers a direct line of evidence to evaluate remediation options and monitor remedy performance. Results reported as cells/mL, cells/g, etc.
INFORMATIVE
Is that a low, medium, or high concentration of contaminant degraders? With the MI Database, clients can retrieve percentile rankings of their CENSUS ® qPCR results to answer that question based on the tens of thousands of samples MI has received from sites around the world.
SENSITIVE
Practical Detection Limits (PDL) are as low as 100 cells per sample with a dynamic range over seven orders of magnitude. Low detection limits are particularly important when evaluating whether bioaugmentation is needed or an unnecessary expense.
SPECIFIC
Target specific bacterial groups (e.g., Dehalococcoides, Dehalobacter, Dehalogenimonas) and functional genes (e.g. vinyl chloride reductases, anaerobic benzene carboxylase) responsible for contaminant biodegradation.
COST EFFECTIVE
Fast turnaround time (7-10 days), with rush service available, so you can make decisions and take action quickly. CENSUS® qPCR is inexpensive and ultimately saves money by allowing site managers to make more informed decisions.
FLEXIBLE
Analysis can be performed on almost any type of sample (water, soil, sediments, Bio-Traps®, and others).
CUSTOMIZABLE
Assays are available for quantification of many microorganisms and functional genes responsible for biodegradation of a broad spectrum of contaminants. Custom assays can also be developed to fit your needs.
HOW CENSUS ® qPCR ER WORKS:
Effective qPCR environmental testing goes beyond chemistry, along with contaminant concentrations and geochemical parameters, quantifying the specific microorganisms and functional genes responsible for biodegradation is a key component of remedy selection and performance monitoring at sites impacted by chlorinated solvents, petroleum hydrocarbons, and emerging contaminants.
Use CENSUS ® qPCR to help answer…
- How feasible is MNA? Is enhanced bioremediation needed? Is bioaugmentation needed?
- What are the concentrations of contaminant degraders under existing conditions?
- Are degrader concentrations greater in impacted wells than background wells?
- Based on the MI Database, are concentrations of contaminant degraders low, medium, or high in the plume?
- Is enhanced bioremediation effective?
- Did concentrations of contaminant degraders and functional genes increase in response to treatment?
- Are additional types of degraders and functional genes now detected that were previously below detection limits?
RESOURCES
CASE STUDIES
In Situ Microcosms: Screening MNA vs Sulfate Injection at a BTEX Impacted Site
• The ISM study conducted at this site provided clear, actionable evidence that increasing the sulfate concentration at the site would stimulate hydrocarbon biodegradation. Further, this evidence was provided in a significantly more cost effective manner than a bench-scale treatability study or a pilot scale study and in a more timely manner.
CENSUS® qPCR: Actionable Data for Evaluating MNA
• A petroleum pipeline release in a remote area had gone undiscovered for a number of years and groundwater was impacted with BTEX. Groundwater monitoring results suggested that BTEX concentrations were decreasing although results were variable.
• Trends in decreasing BTEX concentrations were validated as biological in origin supporting an MNA management strategy and avoiding the greater costs of enhanced remediation.
CENSUS® qPCR: Evaluating Biostimulation to Overcome DCE Stall
• A site impacted by PCE and TCE was experiencing an accumulation of cis-DCE (DCE stall). CENSUS® qPCR quantification demonstrated that Dehalococcoides concentrations were too low for effective rates of complete reductive dechlorination.
• Avoiding the expense of bioaugmentation resulted in significant cost savings while achieving treatment goals with biostimulation alone.