Changes in iso- and n-alkane distribution during biodegradation of crude oil under nitrate and sulphate reducing conditions

Hasinger, Marion; Scherr, Kerstin E.; Lundaa, Tserennyam; Bräuer, Leopold; Zach, Clemens; Loibner, Andreas P.

doi:10.1016/j.jbiotec.2011.09.027

Cited by 79 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…Analysis of extracted water, groundwater, and tar DNAPL samples using gas chromatography coupled to flame ionization detection (GC-FID) was perfomed in a modification of ISO DIN 16703 . Unidimensional gas chromatographic (GC-MS) and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GCxGC-MS) analysis was conducted as described earlier (Hasinger et al, 2012;Vasilieva et al, 2012a,b). GCxGC-MS analysis is efficiently applied for the qualitative analysis of complex hydrocarbon mixtures (Rowland et al, 2012;Wilde et al, 2015 …”

Section: Gas Chromatographic Analysis Of Phase and Dissolved Pahmentioning

confidence: 99%

Composition and Dissolution of a Migratory, Weathered Coal Tar Creosote DNAPL

Scherr

Vasilieva

Lantschbauer

et al. 2016

Front. Environ. Sci.

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Opaque, viscous tars derived from the carbonization of fossile carbon feedstocks, such coal tars and creosote, are long-term sources of groundwater contamination, predominantly with poly-and heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The dissolution, aging and migratory behavior of dense, non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) coal tar blobs and pools forming at the aquitard is not sufficiently understood to estimate the risk and adequately design groundwater treatment measures at a contaminated site. In this study, we investigate the composition and dissolution of a migrated, aged creosote DNAPL, and corresponding experimental and groundwater profiles using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC-MS). GC-FID unresolved compounds were attributed to methylated homocyclic species using GCxGC-MS in the Methylanthracene weight range. Equilibrium concentrations were estimated using Raoult's law, assuming non-ideal behavior. Low molecular weight compounds were found to be prevalent even after decades of weathering, with Naphthalene (8% by mass) representing the most abundant identified compound, contrary to the expected preferential depletion of hydrophilic compounds. Morevoer, dimethylnaphthalenes were relatively more abundant in the aqueous boundary layer than in the DNAPL. DNAPL migration over 400 m with the groundwater flow effected lower viscosity and specific gravity of the migrated phase body in a superposition of weathering, transport, and aquifer chromatography effects. Based on a decomposition of analyzed and estimated constituents using the group contribution approach, reference DNAPL values for activity coefficients γ i were used to model aqueous solubilities for selected compounds. Anthracene was close to its theoretical precipitation limit in the bulk DNAPL. While laboratory and modeled DNAPL dissolution behavior agree well, field data imply the presence of specific interfacial in situ processes significantly impacting dissolution processes. Based on aqueous GCxGC-MS profiles over the DNAPL, a hypothetical interfacial in situ film was calculated to be composed primarily of Phenanthrene, with minor contribution by Naphthalene, possibly forming a viscous barrier for the dissolution Scherr et al.Environmental Coal Tar DNAPL Weathering of lower molecular weight PAH. The main advances and gaps in electron donor DNAPL understanding are discussed regarding our conception of weathered, migrating hydrophobic DNAPL bodies in the aquifer of historic contaminated sites for the adequate treatment of contaminated water.

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Section: Gas Chromatographic Analysis Of Phase and Dissolved Pahmentioning

confidence: 99%

Composition and Dissolution of a Migratory, Weathered Coal Tar Creosote DNAPL

Scherr

Vasilieva

Lantschbauer

et al. 2016

Front. Environ. Sci.

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“…[65] Moreover, a slurry microcosm study showed that lower molecular weight n-alkanes (C 11 to C 13 ) were more recalcitrant than mid-to high-molecular weight n-alkanes under nitrate-reducing conditions, whereas under sulfate-reducing conditions degradation of long-chain (C 32 to C 39 ) n-alkanes was more extensive. [66] Thus, relative degradation rates of different n-alkanes are dependent on ecological and environmental conditions, including the structure of the microbial community present and electron acceptor availability.…”

Section: Degradation Of Hexadecane and Kerogen Under Arsenic-reducingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbially mediated reduction of FeIII and AsV in Cambodian sediments amended with 13C-labelled hexadecane and kerogen

et al. 2014

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Environmental context. The use of groundwater with elevated concentrations of arsenic for drinking, cooking or irrigation has resulted in the worst mass poisoning in human history. This study shows that organic compounds that can be found in arsenic rich subsurface sediments may be used by indigenous microorganisms, contributing to the release of arsenic from the sediments into the groundwater. This study increases our understanding of the range of organic substrates (and their sources) that can potentially stimulate arsenic mobilisation into groundwaters.Abstract. Microbial activity is generally accepted to play a critical role, with the aid of suitable organic carbon substrates, in the mobilisation of arsenic from sediments into shallow reducing groundwaters. The nature of the organic matter in natural aquifers driving the reduction of As V to As III is of particular importance but is poorly understood. In this study, sediments from an arsenic rich aquifer in Cambodia were amended with two 13 C-labelled organic substrates. 13C-hexadecane was used as a model for potentially bioavailable long chain n-alkanes and a 13 C-kerogen analogue as a proxy for non-extractable organic matter. During anaerobic incubation for 8 weeks, significant Fe III reduction and As III mobilisation were observed in the biotic microcosms only, suggesting that these processes were microbially driven. Microcosms amended with 13 C-hexadecane exhibited a similar extent of Fe III reduction to the non-amended microcosms, but marginally higher As III release. Moreover, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed that 65 % of the added 13 C-hexadecane was degraded during the 8-week incubation. The degradation of 13 C-hexadecane was microbially driven, as confirmed by DNA stable isotope probing (DNA-SIP). Amendment with 13 C-kerogen did not enhance Fe III reduction or As III mobilisation, and microbial degradation of kerogen could not be confirmed conclusively by DNA-SIP fractionation or 13 C incorporation in the phospholipid fatty acids. These data are, therefore, consistent with the utilisation of long chain n-alkanes (but not kerogen) as electron donors for anaerobic processes, potentially including Fe III and As V reduction in the subsurface.

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“…One approach is the addition of naturally occurring, well-soluble alternative terminal electron acceptors such as nitrate and sulphate (Hasinger & Scherr et al, 2012;Bregnard et al, 1998). Hydrocarbon oxidation coupled to nitrate reduction, however, yields approximately one tenth of the biochemical energy of aerobic degradation per mole hydrocarbon, and sulphate reduction about 1%.…”

Section: Soluble Alternative Teamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Both terminal electron accepting processes are associated with significantly lower degradation rates compared to aerobic degradation (Widdel and Rabus, 2001). The use of well soluble and less chemically reactive alternative electron acceptors, however, is connected to an increase in influence radii when introduced into the aquifer (Hasinger & Scherr et al, 2012).…”

Section: Soluble Alternative Teamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On a theoretical mass basis, around 5 g of nitrate and sulphate are needed for the anaerobic mineralisation of 1 g of n-hexadecane, a mid-weight petroleum hydrocarbon, although lower demands were observed in practice (Hasinger & Scherr et al, 2012), are required. In addition, possible by-products of alternative TEA consumption, including products from incomplete nitrate reduction and sulphide precipitation, can render the implementation of these strategies under field conditions an intricate task.…”

Section: Soluble Alternative Teamentioning

confidence: 99%

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