Environmental Remediation is a complex issue that can require the interplay of a diverse set of skills, specialties and techniques. Often with strenuous regulatory hurdles for both efficacy and speed.
In particular, the need may be remedial work to increase the value of a property, meet regulatory demands, or simply ensure an asset is fit for a proposed purpose. Many remediation methods can be both costly and time intensive and even organizations with significant resources may have staff who only specialize in a portion of the toolsets.
Due to these challenges, clients will often select a strategy in isolation and may not get the best picture of what their site requires. While important, chemical and geochemical data only tell part of the story. These lines of evidence almost always benefit from understanding the impact of microorganisms.
Our team of researchers will explain the techniques available, help you select the best test and then guide you through the interpretation of the results. All included as part of our package, ensuring you get the highest return for your investment. Microbial Insights is a partner that can help fill those gaps and meet you where you stand.
Benefits of MBTs for Remediation
There are many options for remedial strategies including monitored natural attenuation (MNA), biostimulation, bioaugmentation, chemical oxidation/reduction and thermal. All of these processes are impacted by microorganisms. By including an assessment of the microbial population, you can harness the power of these microbes in the subsurface and help lower costs and accelerate remediation efforts.
Our tools have the ability to give broad based views of site communities, quantify specific targets related to degradation and monitor changes over time. This allows our client to better plan their remediation efforts and evaluate the success of their chosen strategies during all stages of site assessment (initial characterization, remediation strategy implantation/optimization and closure). This ensures peace of mind that the strategy is working, or pivots can be made as conditions change.
Expert Analysis and Reporting
MI provides an array of reporting tools to meet all of our clients’ needs. CENSUS® reports provide a simple quantification of requested targets to give the cost-effective ability to compare changes over time. QuantArray® reporting provides quantification data for multiple pathways related to the compound or process of interest as well as guidelines for common interpretation of the targets involved in that process.
Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) reports provide broad based community ratios to give a snapshot of the site as a whole. Stable Isotope Probing (SIP) proves that a contaminant of concern is degrading. Finally, MI offers Comprehensive Reporting that incorporates additional data from the specific site to provide a unique, detailed interpretation of the microbial population.
Why Choose Microbial Insights
MI has over 30 years of experience delivering unbiased, accurate and cost-effective data that can help our clients plan and monitor chosen strategies. Our tools can help fill in the gaps left by other analyses and ensure that site remediation is on track and on budget. MI is also constantly looking for new ways that MBTs can support clients’ goals. Our ISO certified lab works with clients and industry partners to ensure that there is access to the best possible solutions.
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Contaminants
Chlorinated Solvents – Remediation
For more information call a service expert at 865-573-8188 or email us at [email protected].
Sources
Chlorinated Ethenes are commonly used as in a variety of industrial processes such as dry cleaning, electronics manufacturing and even metal finishing.
Risks
Chlorinated Ethenes that have been released into the environment can contaminate groundwater and soil, leading to cancer and damage to the reproductive and nervous systems in humans and animals.
Tools
MI has a wide range of tools to help with your site, regardless of the nature of your contamination or your preferred remediation strategy.
Biodegradation: Biodegradation tools answer the key questions impacting the feasibility and performance of bioremediation as a treatment strategy such as, “What are the concentrations of contaminant degrading microorganisms?”. To help you answer these questions, MI recommends either CENSUS® qPCR for Dehalococcoides, Functional Genes or the more comprehensive QuantArray-Chlor®.
Monitored Natural Attenuation: MNA is a comparatively low-cost remediation strategy that makes use of organisms in the environment to degrade a contaminant. Given its nature, regulators often require many lines of evidence to ensure degradation is taking place. MI offers two tools to help you do so: CENSUS® qPCR for anaerobic degradation (DHC, BVC, TCE, VCR) as well as cometabolic degradation via oxygenase genes (sMMO, PHE, RMO and TOD) or abiotic degration with Magnetic Susceptibility. Upgrade CENSUS® to QuantArray-Chlor®for a more comprehensive view.
Abiotic Degradation: This can be a substantial or even the primary attenuation process for TCE and other chlorinated hydrocarbons in long dilute plumes and at sites undergoing or transitioning to monitored natural attenuation (MNA). Use Magnetic Susceptibility and AMIBA to provide multiple lines of evidence or swap out AMIBA for X-Ray Diffraction (XRD).
Anaerobic Biodegradation: Under anaerobic conditions, PCE can be reductively dechlorinated all the way through to ethene. Because ethene is a non-toxic byproduct, anaerobic bioremediation is a common treatment strategy at chlorinated ethene sites. MI recommends either CENSUS® qPCR for Dehalococcoides, functional genes or the more comprehensive QuantArray-Chlor®.
Aerobic Biodegradation: Under aerobic conditions, several different types of bacteria can cometabolize or co-oxidize TCE, DCE and Vinyl Chloride. In general, this is mediated by monoxygenase enzymes and requires a primary, growth supporting substrate. Due to the more complicated interplay, MI recommends the use of QuantArray-Chlor®.
For more information on specifics, please Contact Project Success at [email protected] or see our Chlorinated Ethenes page.
For more information call a service expert at 865-573-8188 or email us at [email protected].
Sources
Chlorinated Ethanes are commonly used as metal degreasers, aerosol propellants, refrigerants, and industrial solvents.
Risks
Chlorinated Ethanes that have been released into the environment can contaminate groundwater and soil, leading to cancer and damage to the reproductive and nervous systems in humans and animals.
Tools
MI has a wide range of tools to help with your site, regardless of the nature of your contamination or your preferred remediation strategy.
Biodegradation: Biodegradation Tools answer the key questions impacting the feasibility and performance of bioremediation as a treatment strategy: (1) What are the concentrations of contaminant degrading microorganisms and (2) Has contaminant degradation occurred? To help you answer these questions, MI recommends QuantArray-Chlor®.
Anaerobic Biodegradation: Under anaerobic conditions, chlorinated ethanes are susceptible to reductive dechlorination by several organisms and a variety of functional genes. MI recommends either CENSUS® qPCR for Dehalobacter and Dehalogenimonas or the more comprehensive QuantArray-Chlor®.
Aerobic Biodegradation: While less widely studied than cometabolism of TCE and other chlorinated ethenes, some chlorinated ethanes including 1,1,1-TCA and 1,2-DCA are also susceptible to cometabolism/co-oxidation. In general, this is mediated by monoxygenase enzymes and requires a primary, growth supporting substrate. MI recommends the use of CENSUS® qPCR for sMMO, PPO and BMO. If your site is impacted by both Chlorinated Ethenes and Chlorinated Ethanes, consider using QuantArray-Chlor® to cover both with a single analysis.
For more information on specifics, please Contact Project Success at [email protected] or see our Chlorinated Ethanes page.
For more information call a service expert at 865-573-8188 or email us at [email protected].
Sources
Chlorinated Methanes are commonly used as industrial solvents, refrigerants, fire extinguishants, pesticides and herbicides.
Risks
Chlorinated Methanes that have been released into the environment can contaminate groundwater and soil, leading to cancer and damage to the reproductive and nervous systems in humans and animals. In addition, when released into the air they can contribute to air pollution and ozone depletion.
Tools
MI has a wide range of tools to help with your site, regardless of the nature of your contamination or your preferred remediation strategy.
Biodegradation: Biodegradation tools answer the key questions impacting the feasibility and performance of bioremediation as a treatment strategy such as, “What are the concentrations of contaminant degrading microorganisms?”. To help you answer these questions, MI recommends the comprehensive QuantArray-Chlor®.
Abiotic Degradation: Abiotic transformations with iron containing minerals may play a significant role in the natural attenuation of carbon tetrachloride. Abiotic degradation of carbon tetrachloride by magnetite has been documented and Magnetic Susceptibility provides an inexpensive estimate of the quantity of magnetite in environmental samples. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) can provide relative abundance of iron bearing minerals that can help degrade carbon tetrachloride.
Anaerobic Biodegradation: Under anaerobic conditions, Chlorinated Methanes are susceptible to biodegradation. MI recommends either CENSUS® qPCR for chloroform transformation (CFR, DCM), methanogens (MGN) and sulfate reducers (APS) or the more comprehensive QuantArray-Chlor®.
Aerobic Biodegradation: Under aerobic conditions, chloroform and dichloromethane are susceptible to cometablism. MI recommends the use of CENSUS® qPCR for DCMA, which targets the gene responsible for the biodegradation of dichloromethane, and sMMO, which is capable of co-oxidation of chloroform and dichloromethane. If your site has Chlorinated Methanes in addition to other Chlorinated Solvent co-contaminants, consider using the more comprehensive QuantArray-Chlor®.
For more information on specifics, please Contact Project Success at [email protected] or see our Chlorinated Methanes page.
For more information call a service expert at 865-573-8188 or email us at [email protected].
Sources
Chlorinated Benzenes are commonly used in chemical manufacturing, industrial solvents, waste incineration and pesticide production.
Risks
Chlorinated Benzenes that have been released into the environment can contaminate groundwater and soil, leading to cancer and damage to the reproductive and nervous systems in humans and animals.
Tools
MI has a wide range of tools to help with your site, regardless of the nature of your contamination or your preferred remediation strategy.
Biodegradation: Biodegradation Tools answer the key questions impacting the feasibility and performance of bioremediation as a treatment strategy: (1) What are the concentrations of contaminant degrading microorganisms and (2) Has contaminant degradation occurred? To help you answer these questions, MI the comprehensive QuantArray-Chlor® or for a definitive answer, Stable Isotope Probing (SIP)
Anaerobic Biodegradation: Under anaerobic conditions, reductive dechlorination of higher chlorinated benzenes including hexachlorobenzene (HCB), pentachlorobenzene (PeCB), tetrachlorobenzene (TeCB) isomers, and trichlorobenzene (TCB) isomers by halorespiring bacteria has been well documented. In addition, recent evidence has demonstrated reductive dechlorination of DCBs to CB and CB to benzene can occur along with an increase in Dehalobacter concentrations. MI recommends QuantArray-Chlor® for a comprehensive review. Alternatively, CENSUS® qPCR can be performed for a targeted subset, based on site needs. Dehalococcoides (DHC) has strains which reductively dechlorinate HCB, PeCB and all three TeCB isomers. Dehalobacter (DHBt) may provide reductive dechlorination of DCBs and CB. While Dehalobium has been shown to be capable of reductive dechlorination of HCB, PeCB and 1,2,3,5-TeCB.
Aerobic Biodegradation: Under aerobic conditions, the lower chlorinated benzenes chlorobenzene (CB), dichlorobenzenes (DCB), and some trichlorobenzene (TCB) compounds are susceptible to aerobic biodegradation. MI recommends QuantArray-Chlor® for a comprehensive review. Alternatively, CENSUS® qPCR can be performed for a targeted subset, based on site needs. The increase of Phenol Hydroxylase (PHE) genes correspond to increases in the biodegradation of DCB isomers. Ring Hydroxylating Toluene Monooxygenase (RMO) behaves in a similar fashion with BTEX and CB. Meanwhile, Trichlorobenzene Dioxygenase (TCBO) initiates aerobic biodegradation of chlorobenzene, 1,2-dichlorobenzene, 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene, and 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene.
For more information on specifics, please Contact Project Success at [email protected] or see our Chlorinated Benzenes page.
For more information call a service expert at 865-573-8188 or email us at [email protected].
Sources
Chlorinated Phenols are commonly used in wood preservation, herbicides and pesticides and in paper and pulp mills.
Risks
Chlorinated Phenols that have been released into the environment can contaminate groundwater and soil, leading to cancer and has reproductive toxicity and neurotoxicity in humans and can lead to endocrine disruption.
Tools
MI has a wide range of tools to help with your site, regardless of the nature of your contamination or your preferred remediation strategy.
Anaerobic Biodegradation: Under anaerobic conditions, pentachlorophenol (PCP) can serve as an electron acceptor for some Desulfitobacterium and Dehalococcoides species. In each case however, complete reductive dechlorination of PCP to phenol was not observed. Instead, PCP dechlorination by Dehalococcoides resulted in the production of a mixture of dichloro- and monochlorophenols. Likewise, Desulfitobacterium strain PCP-1 dechlorinates PCP to 3-chlorophenol but other Desulfitobacterium species are only capable of ortho-dechlorination. Thus the net production of lesser chlorinated phenol must be considered when evaluating reductive dechlorination as a mechanism for PCP biodegradation.
MI recommends QuantArray®-Chlor for comprehensive quantification of both aerobic and anaerobic pathways. Alternatively, CENSUS® qPCR can be performed to quantify a select subset such as Dehalococcoides and Desulfitobacterium.
Aerobic Biodegradation: Under aerobic conditions, PCP can be utilized as a sole source of carbon and energy by some bacteria. PCP biodegradation is initiated by PCP 4-monooxygenase (PcpB) followed by two successive dehalogenation reactions (PcpC). The intermediate produced is then cleaved by a dioxygenase (PcpA) and further metabolized.
MI recommends the use of CENSUS® qPCR to quantify pentachlorophenol monooxygenases.
For more information on specifics, please Contact Project Success at [email protected] or see our Chlorinated Phenols page.
For more information call a service expert at 865-573-8188 or email us at [email protected].
Sources
Chlorinated Biphenyls are commonly used in electrical equipment, hydraulic fluids, heat transfer fluids and plasticizers.
Risks
Chlorinated Biphenyls that have been released into the environment can contaminate groundwater and soil, leading to cancer, reproductive issues, immune system impairment, neurological effects and endocrine disruption in humans.
Tools
MI has a wide range of tools to help with your site, regardless of the nature of your contamination or your preferred remediation strategy.
Anaerobic Biodegradation: In general, highly chlorinated polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are subject to reductive dechlorination, while less highly chlorinated congeners can be co-metabolized aerobically. Thus, PCBs can potentially be mineralized through a sequence of anaerobic-aerobic biodegradation. MI recommends CENSUS® qPCR for DHC, DECO, PCBR and MBR.
Aerobic Biodegradation: There are many examples of aerobic bacteria capable of cometabolic degradation of PCBs during growth on biphenyl. Most isolates have been capable of degrading PCBs with only one or two chlorines, but there are exceptions. Burkholderia xenovorans LB400, for example, is capable of co-metabolism of some PCB congeners containing three, four, and five chlorines. MI recommends CENSUS® qPCR for Biphenyl Dioxygenase (BPH). This is a gene encoding the enzyme responsible for initiating aerobic co-metablism of PCBs.
For more information on specifics, please Contact Project Success at [email protected] or see our Chlorinated Biphenyls page.
For more information call a service expert at 865-573-8188 or email us at [email protected].
Sources
Chlorinated Propanes are commonly used in metal degreasing, aerosol propellants, chemical intermediates and pesticides.
Risks
Chlorinated Propanes that have been released into the environment can contaminate groundwater and soil, leading to impacts on the central nervous system, liver and kideny damage, reproductive toxicity and cancer.
Tools
MI has a wide range of tools to help with your site, regardless of the nature of your contamination or your preferred remediation strategy.
Anaerobic Biodegradation: Under anaerobic conditions, Dehalogenimonas spp.(DHG) and some Dehalococcoides (DHC)strains are capable of using chlorinated propanes for growth. MI recommends CENSUS® qPCR for DHC, DHG and 1,2-DCP. Reductive Dechlorination through DHG of 1,2,3-trichloropropane (TCP) produces an unstable intermediate which can be hydrolyzed to form allyl alcohol or under further reactions to form allyl sulfides, while 1,2-dichloropropane (DCP) undergoes dichloroelimination through DHG and DHC mediated by 1,2-DCP to form propene.
Aerobic Biodegradation: Chlorinated Propanes can be susceptible to aerobic cometabolism. Methanotrophs expressing certain genes are capable of co-oxiciding 1,2-DCP, 1,3-DCP and 1,2,3-TCP and cometabolism of 1,2,3-TCP has been also demonstrated for propane oxidizing bacteria. MI recommends CENSUS® qPCR for Soluble Methane Monooxygenase (sMMO) and Propane Monooxygenase (PPO) to quantify the required gene or bacteria.
For more information on specifics, please Contact Project Success at [email protected] or see our Chlorinated Propanes page.
Petroleum Hydrocarbons – Remediation
For more information call a service expert at 865-573-8188 or email us at [email protected].
Sources
Common Gasoline releases are related to storage tanks, pipelines, tanker trucks, service stations and industrial facilities.
Risks
Gasoline that has been released into the environment can contaminate groundwater and soil, leading to damage to the nervous system, liver and kidneys.
Tools
MI has a wide range of tools to help with your site, regardless of the nature of your contamination or your preferred remediation strategy.
Biodegradation: Biodegradation Tools answer the key questions impacting the feasibility and performance of bioremediation as a treatment strategy: (1) What are the concentrations of contaminant degrading microorganisms and (2) Has contaminant degradation occurred? For BTEX, MI recommends QuantArray-Petro® and Stable Isotope Probing (SIP) to track degraders and prove degradation. Additionally, you can add Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to better understand the microbial communities at your site and their relative abundance. If your site is impacted by MTBE, MI recommends CENSUS® qPCR for PM1, TBA, and ETH with Stable Isotope Probing (SIP) or upgrade to the more comprehensive QuantArray-Petro® plus ETH and Stable Isotope Probing (SIP)
Aerobic Biodegradation :Aerobic biodegradation of BTEX has been intensively studied and multiple catabolic pathways have been well characterized. The substrate specificity of each pathway is largely determined by the initial oxygenase enzyme. Due to this, MI recommends QuantArray-Petro® ,targeting many pathways.
Anaerobic Biodegradation: While not as well characterized as aerobic biodegradation, each of the BTEX compounds (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes) is susceptible to anaerobic biodegradation and several pathways have been identified. MI recommends either the more comprehensive QuantArray-Petro® ,targeting both the upper and lower pathways involved, or CENSUS® qPCR for some subset of BSS, ABC, GMET, BCR, EBAC and APS, each playing a role in degradation.
For more information on specifics, please Contact Project Success at [email protected] or see our BTEX or our MTBE depending on your site.
For more information call a service expert at 865-573-8188 or email us at [email protected].
Sources
Common diesel, jet fuel and oil releases are related to storage tanks, pipelines, tanker trucks, service stations and industrial facilities.
Risks
Diesel, jet fuel and oil that has been released into the environment can contaminate ground water and soil, leading to damage to the nervous system, liver and kidneys.
Tools
MI has a wide range of tools to help with your site, regardless of the nature of your contamination or your preferred remediation strategy.
Biodegradation: Biodegradation Tools answer the key questions impacting the feasibility and performance of bioremediation as a treatment strategy: (1) What are the concentrations of contaminant degrading microorganisms and (2) Has contaminant degradation occurred? To answer these questions, MI recommends CENSUS® qPCR for NAH, NIDA, PHE, MNSSA, and ANC with Stable Isotope Probing (SIP) or upgrade to the more comprehensive QuantArray-Petro® and Stable Isotope Probing (SIP)to track degraders and prove degradation.
Aerobic Biodegradation: Aerobic biodegradation of naphthalene has been intensively studied and multiple catabolic pathways have been well characterized. MI recommends either CENSUS® qPCR for aromatic functional genes (NAH, NIDA, PHN, and PHE) or the more comprehensive QuantArray-Petro®.
Anaerobic Biodegradation: While not as well characterized as aerobic biodegradation, naphthalene and 2-methylnaphthalene are susceptible to anaerobic biodegradation. MI recommends either CENSUS® qPCR for MNSSA and ANC or the more comprehensive QuantArray-Petro® to investigate both Aerobic and Anaerobic pathways simultaneously.
For more information on specifics, please Contact Project Success at [email protected] or see our Diesel, Jet Fuel and Oil page.
For more information call a service expert at 865-573-8188 or email us at [email protected].
Sources
Common TPH releases are related to storage tanks, pipelines, tanker trucks, service stations and industrial facilities.
Risks
TPH that has been released into the environment can contaminate groundwater and soil, leading to damage to the nervous system, liver and kidneys.
Tools
MI has a wide range of tools to help with your site, regardless of the nature of your contamination or your preferred remediation strategy.
Biodegradation: Biodegradation Tools answer the key questions impacting the feasibility and performance of bioremediation as a treatment strategy: (1) What are the concentrations of contaminant degrading microorganisms and (2) Has contaminant degradation occurred? To answer these questions, MI recommends CENSUS® qPCR for aerobic funcational genes (alkB, almA and CAR with Stable Isotope Probing (SIP) to track degraders and prove degradation.
Anaerobic Biodegradation: At sites impacted by petroleum products or crude, the aromatic hydrocarbons benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes (BTEX) as well as naphthalene and other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are often the contaminants of greatest concern. However, alkanes are typically among the most abundant fractions in crude and petroleum products like gasoline and therefore significant contributors to total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) at impacted sites. MI recommends CENSUS® qPCR for anaerobic alkyl succinate synthase (assA), which initiates anaerobic biodegradation of alkanes with chain lengths from C6 to C18.
Aerobic Biodegradation: Aerobic biodegradation of alkanes has been intensively studied and multiple alkane monooxygenase genes have been identified. MI recommends CENSUS® qPCR for aerobic genes (alkB, almaA and CAR).
For more information on specifics, please Contact Project Success at [email protected] or see our TPH page.
For more information call a service expert at 865-573-8188 or email us at [email protected].
Sources
1,4 Dioxane is commonly used in the ethoxylation process, as an industrial solvent and has seen widespread use in consumer products.
Risks
1,4 Dioxane that have been released into the environment can contaminate groundwater and soil, leading to cancer, organ damage and reproductive effects.
Tools
MI has a wide range of tools to help with your site, regardless of the nature of your contamination or your preferred remediation strategy.
Biodegradation: Biodegradation Tools answer the key questions impacting the feasibility and performance of bioremediation as a treatment strategy: (1) What are the concentrations of contaminant degrading microorganisms and (2) Has contaminant degradation occurred? To help you answer these questions, MI recommends either CENSUS® qPCR for aerobic genes (DXMO/THFMO, ALDH, PPO, RMO, and RDEG) with Stable Isotope Probing (SIP).
Aerobic Biodegradation: An increasing number of microorganisms have been isolated that utilize dioxane as a growth supporting substrate under aerobic conditions suggesting biodegradation is a viable attenuation mechanism. MI recommends either CENSUS® qPCR for DXMO/THFMO and ALDH to evaluate the potential for dioxane/tetrahydrofuran (co)metabolism in environmental samples.
Cometabolism: Under aerobic conditions, dioxane is also amenable to cometabolism by several groups of organisms expressing monooxygenase genes for the metabolism of a variety of primary substrates including propane and other n-alkanes, tetrahydrofuran, and toluene. Engineered propane injection to stimulate dioxane cometabolism has been demonstrated at pilot scale in the field. MI recommends either CENSUS® qPCR for PPO, RMO, RDEG and SCAM to evaluate the potential for dioxane (co)metabolism.
For more information on specifics, please Contact Project Success at [email protected] or see our 1,4 Dioxane page.
For more information call a service expert at 865-573-8188 or email us at [email protected].
Sources
Perchlorate is commonly used in the military and aerospace industry, industrial processes and fertilizers.
Risks
Perchlorate that have been released into the environment can contaminate ground water and soil, leading to thyroid disruption and impacts on fetal and infant health.
Tools
MI has tools to help with your site.
Anaerobic Biodegradation: Perchlorate binds weakly to soil, is extremely water soluble, and therefore is highly mobile when released into the environment. Fortunately, some bacteria are capable of using perchlorate as a growth supporting electron acceptor producing chloride ion as an end product. Biodegradation of perchlorate is dependent upon three main factors: availability of an electron donor (carbon and energy source), in situ redox conditions/competing electron acceptors, and the presence of organisms capable of perchlorate reduction. MI recommends either CENSUS® qPCR for pcrA, pcrAS, and DNF.
For more information on specifics, please Contact Project Success at [email protected] or see our Perchlorate page.
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Conditions
Contaminants-Aerobic
For more information call a service expert at 865-573-8188 or email us at [email protected].
Sources
Chlorinated Solvents are found in a wide range of industries and products, from dry cleaning to metal degreasing to commercial products.
Risks
Chlorinated Solvents that have been released into the environment can contaminate ground water and soil, leading to damage to the productive capabilities of the land and a host of human and animal health impacts.
Tools
MI has a wide range of tools to help with your site, regardless of the nature of your contamination or your preferred remediation strategy.
Ethenes: Under aerobic conditions, several different types of bacteria can cometabolize or co-oxidize TCE, DCE and vinyl chloride. In general, this is mediated by monoxygenase enzymes and requires a primary, growth supporting substrate. Due to the more complicated interplay, MI recommends the use of QuantArray-Chlor®.
Ethanes: While less widely studied than cometabolism of TCE and other chlorinated ethenes, some chlorinated ethanes including 1,1,1-TCA and 1,2-DCA are also susceptible to cometabolism/co-oxidation. In general, this is mediated by monoxygenase enzymes and requires a primary, growth supporting substrate. MI recommends the use of CENSUS® qPCR for sMMO, PPO and BMO. If your site is impacted by both chlorinated ethenes and chlorinated ethanes, consider using QuantArray-Chlor® to cover both with a single analysis.
Methanes: Under aerobic conditions, chloroform and dichloromethane are susceptible to cometablism. MI recommends the use of CENSUS® qPCR for DCMA, which targets the gene responsible for the biodegradation of dichloromethane, and sMMO, which is capable of co-oxidation of chloroform and dichloromethane. If your site has chlorinated methanes in addition to other Chlorinated Solvent co-contaminants, consider using the more comprehensive QuantArray-Chlor®.
Benzens: Under aerobic conditions, the lower chlorinated benzenes chlorobenzene (CB), dichlorobenzenes (DCB), and some trichlorobenzene (TCB) compounds are susceptible to aerobic biodegradation. MI recommends QuantArray-Chlor® for a comprehensive review.
Phenols: Under aerobic conditions, several different types of bacteria can cometabolize or co-oxidize TCE, DCE and vinyl chloride. In general, this is mediated by monoxygenase enzymes and requires a primary, growth supporting substrate. Due to the more complicated interplay, MI recommends the use of QuantArray-Chlor®.
Biphenyls: There are many examples of aerobic bacteria capable of cometabolic degradation of PCBs during growth on biphenyl. Most isolates have been capable of degrading PCBs with only one or two chlorines, but there are exceptions. Burkholderia xenovorans LB400, for example, is capable of cometabolism of some PCB congeners containing three, four, and five chlorines. MI recommends CENSUS® qPCR for Biphenyl Dioxygenase (BPH). This is a gene encoding the enzyme responsible for initiating aerobic cometabolism of PCBs.
Propanes: Chlorinated propanes can be susceptible to aerobic cometabolism. Methanotrophs expressing certain genes are capable of co-oxidizing 1,2-DCP, 1,3-DCP and 1,2,3-TCP and cometabolism of 1,2,3-TCP has been also demonstrated for propane oxidizing bacteria. MI recommends CENSUS® qPCR for Soluble Methane Monooxygenase (sMMO) and Propane Monooxygenase (PPO) to quantify the required gene or bacteria.
For more information call a service expert at 865-573-8188 or email us at [email protected].
Sources
Petroleum Hydrocarbons releases are typically related to storage tanks, pipelines, tanker trucks, service stations and industrial facilities.
Risks
Petroleum Hydrocarbons that have been released into the environment can contaminate groundwater and soil, leading to damage to the productive capabilities of the land and a host of human and animal health impacts.
Tools
MI has a wide range of tools to help with your site, regardless of the nature of your contamination or your preferred remediation strategy.
Gasoline:Aerobic biodegradation of BTEX has been intensively studied and multiple catabolic pathways have been well characterized. The substrate specificity of each pathway is largely determined by the initial oxygenase enzyme. Due to this, MI recommends QuantArray-Petro® ,targeting many pathways.
Diesel, Jet Fuel and Oil: Aerobic biodegradation of naphthalene has been intensively studied and multiple catabolic pathways have been well characterized. MI recommends either CENSUS® qPCR for NAH, NIDA, PHN, and PHE or the more comprehensive QuantArray-Petro®.
TPH: Aerobic biodegradation of alkanes has been intensively studied and multiple alkane monooxygenase genes have been identified. MI recommends CENSUS® qPCR for alkB, almaA and CAR.
For more information call a service expert at 865-573-8188 or email us at [email protected].
Sources
1,4 Dioxane is commonly used in the Ethoxylation Process, as an Industrial Solvent and has seen widespread use in consumer products.
Risks
1,4 Dioxane that have been released into the environment can contaminate ground water and soil, leading to Cancer, organ damage and reproductive effects.
Tools
MI has a wide range of tools to help with your site, regardless of the nature of your contamination or your preferred remediation strategy.
Aerobic Biodegradation: Under aerobic conditions, dioxane is also amenable to cometabolism by several groups of organisms expressing monooxygenase genes for the metabolism of a variety of primary substrates including propane and other n-alkanes, tetrahydrofuran, and toluene. Engineered propane injection to stimulate dioxane cometabolism has been demonstrated at pilot scale in the field. MI recommends either CENSUS® qPCR for PPO, RMO, RDEG and SCAM to evaluate the potential for dioxane (co)metabolism.
For more information on specifics, please Contact Project Success at [email protected] or see our 1,4 Dioxane page.
Contaminants-Anaerobic
For more information call a service expert at 865-573-8188 or email us at [email protected].
Sources
Chlorinated Solvents are found in a wide range of industries and products, from dry cleaning to metal degreasing to commercial products.
Risks
Chlorinated Solvents that have been released into the environment can contaminate groundwater and soil, leading to damage to the productive capabilities of the land and a host of human and animal health impacts
Tools
MI has a wide range of tools to help with your site, regardless of the nature of your contamination or your preferred remediation strategy.
Ethenes: Under anaerobic conditions, PCE can be reductively dechlorinated all the way through to Ethene. Because Ethene is a non-toxic byproduct, anaerobic bioremediation is a common treatment strategy at Chlorinated Ethene sites. MI recommends either CENSUS® qPCR for Dehalococcoides, Functional Genes (BVC, TCE and VCR) or the more comprehensive QuantArray-Chlor®.
Ethanes: Under anaerobic conditions, chlorinated ethanes are susceptible to reductive dechlorination by several organisms and a variety of functional genes. MI recommends either CENSUS® qPCR for Dehalobacter and Dehalogenimonas or the more comprehensive QuantArray-Chlor®.
Methanes: Under anaerobic conditions, Chlorinated Methanes are susceptible to biodegradation. MI recommends either CENSUS® qPCR for CFR, DCM, MGN and APS or the more comprehensive QuantArray-Chlor®.
Benzenes: Under anaerobic conditions, reductive dechlorination of higher chlorinated benzenes including hexachlorobenzene (HCB), pentachlorobenzene (PeCB), tetrachlorobenzene (TeCB) isomers, and trichlorobenzene (TCB) isomers by halorespiring bacteria has been well documented. In addition, recent evidence has demonstrated reductive dechlorination of DCBs to CB and CB to benzene can occur along with an increase in Dehalobacter concentrations. MI recommends QuantArray-Chlor® for a comprehensive review. Alternatively, CENSUS® qPCR can be performed for a targeted subset, based on site needs. Dehalococcoides (DHC) has strains which reductively dechlorinate HCB, PeCB and all three TeCB isomers. Dehalobacter (DHBt) may provide reductive dechlorination of DCBs and CB. While Dehalobium has been shown to be capable of reductive dechlorination of HCB, PeCB and 1,2,3,5-TeCB.
Phenols: Under anaerobic conditions, PCE can be reductively dechlorinated all the way through to Ethene. Because Ethene is a non-toxic byproduct, anaerobic bioremediation is a common treatment strategy at Chlorinated Ethene sites. MI recommends either CENSUS® qPCR for Dehalococcoides, Functional Genes or the more comprehensive QuantArray-Chlor®.
Biphenyls: In general, highly chlorinated polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are subject to reductive dechlorination, while less highly chlorinated congeners can be co-metabolized aerobically. Thus, PCBs can potentially be mineralized through a sequence of anaerobic-aerobic biodegradation. MI recommends CENSUS® qPCR for DHC, DECO, PCBR and MBR.
Propanes: Under anaerobic conditions, Dehalogenimonas spp.(DHG) and some Dehalococcoides (DHC)strains are capable of using chlorinated propanes for growth. MI recommends CENSUS® qPCR for DHC, DHG and 1,2-DCP. Reductive Dechlorination through DHG of 1,2,3-trichloropropane (TCP) produces an unstable intermediate which can be hydrolyzed to form allyl alcohol or under further reactions to form allyl sulfides, while 1,2-dichloropropane (DCP) undergoes dichloroelimination through DHG and DHC mediated by 1,2-DCP to form propene.
For more information call a service expert at 865-573-8188 or email us at [email protected].
Sources
Petroleum Hydrocarbons releases are typically related to storage tanks, pipelines, tanker trucks, service stations and industrial facilities
Risks
Petroleum Hydrocarbons that have been released into the environment can contaminate groundwater and soil, leading to damage to the productive capabilities of the land and a host of human and animal health impacts.
Tools
MI has a wide range of tools to help with your site, regardless of the nature of your contamination or your preferred remediation strategy.
Gasoline: While not as well characterized as aerobic biodegradation, each of the BTEX compounds (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes) is susceptible to anaerobic biodegradation and several pathways have been identified. MI recommends either the more comprehensive QuantArray-Petro® ,targeting both the upper and lower pathways involved, or CENSUS® qPCR for some subset of BSS, ABC, GMET, BCR, EBAC and APS, each playing a role in degradation.
Diesel, Jet Fuel and Oil: While not as well characterized as aerobic biodegradation, naphthalene and 2-methylnaphthalene are susceptible to anaerobic biodegradation. MI recommends either CENSUS® qPCR for MNSSA and ANC or the more comprehensive QuantArray-Petro® to investigate both Aerobic and Anaerobic pathways simultaneously.
TPH: At sites impacted by petroleum products or crude, the aromatic hydrocarbons benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes (BTEX) as well as naphthalene and other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are often the contaminants of greatest concern. However, alkanes are typically among the most abundant fractions in crude and petroleum products like gasoline and therefore significant contributors to total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) at impacted sites. MI recommends CENSUS® qPCR for assA, which initiates anaerobic biodegradation of alkanes with chain lengths from C6 to C18.
For more information call a service expert at 865-573-8188 or email us at [email protected].
Sources
Perchlorate is commonly used in the military and aerospace industry, industrial processes and fertilizers.
Risks
Perchlorate that has been released into the environment can contaminate groundwater and soil, leading to thyroid disruption and impacts on fetal and infant health.
Tools
MI has tools to help with your site.
Anaerobic Biodegradation: Perchlorate binds weakly to soil, is extremely water soluble, and therefore is highly mobile when released into the environment. Fortunately, some bacteria are capable of using perchlorate as a growth supporting electron acceptor producing chloride ion as an end product. Biodegradation of perchlorate is dependent upon three main factors: availability of an electron donor (carbon and energy source), in situ redox conditions/competing electron acceptors, and the presence of organisms capable of perchlorate reduction. MI recommends either CENSUS® qPCR for pcrA, pcrAS, and DNF.
For more information on specifics, please Contact Project Success at [email protected] or see our Perchlorate page.