Organohalide-respiring bacteria have been linked to the cycling and possible respiration of chlorinated natural organic matter (Cl-NOM) in uncontaminated soils and sediments. The importance of non-respiratory hydrolytic/oxidative dechlorination processes in the cycling of Cl-NOM in terrestrial soil and sediment, however, is still not understood. This research analyzes the dechlorination potential of terrestrial systems through analysis of the metagenomes of urban lake sediments and cultures enriched with Cl-NOM. Even with the variability in sample type and enrichment conditions, the potential to dechlorinate was universal, with reductive dehalogenase genes and hydrolytic or oxidative dehalogenase genes found in all samples analyzed. The reductive dehalogenase genes detected grouped taxonomically with those from organohalide-respiring bacteria with broad metabolic capabilities, as opposed to those that obligately respire organohalides. Furthermore, reductive dehalogenase genes and two haloacid dehalogenase genes increased in abundance when sediment was enriched with high concentrations of Cl-NOM. Our data suggests that both respiratory and non-respiratory dechlorination processes are important for Cl-NOM cycling, and that non-obligate organohalide-respiring bacteria are most likely involved in these processes.

This work determines the components of aqueous film forming foam responsible for disrupting microbial community functions.

Understanding the parameters that drive E1 degradation is necessary to improve existing wastewater treatment systems and evaluate potential treatment options. Organic matter quality could be an important parameter. Microbial communities grown from activated sludge seeds using different dissolved organic matter sources were tested for E1 degradation rates. Synthetic wastewater was aged, filter-sterilized, and used as a carbon and energy source to determine if recalcitrant organic carbon enhances E1 degradation. Higher E1 degradation was observed by biomass grown on 8 d old synthetic wastewater compared to biomass grown on fresh synthetic wastewater (P = 0.033) despite much lower concentrations of bacteria. Minimal or no E1 degradation was observed in biomass grown on 2 d old synthetic wastewater. Organic carbon analyses suggest that products of cell lysis or microbial products released under starvation stress stimulate E1 degradation. Additional water sources were also tested: lake water, river water, and effluents from a municipal wastewater treatement plant and a treatment wetland. E1 degradation was only observed in biomass grown in treatment effluent. Nitrogen, dissolved organic carbon, and trace element concentrations were not causative factors for E1 degradation. In both experiments, spectrophotometric analyses reveal degradation of E1 is associated with microbially derived organic carbon but not general recalcitrance.