This document summarizes research on characterizing the fate and transport of bioactive chemicals of emerging concern (CECs) from animal manure during waste-to-energy processes. The researchers tested various treatment processes including biological treatment with mixed algal-bacterial bioreactors and conventional activated sludge, as well as hydrothermal liquefaction and gasification. They found that over 98% of CECs like hormones could be removed by the biological treatment, and over 99.9% removal is possible with the integrated multi-step system. Hydrothermal processes broke down antibiotics sufficiently to eliminate antibiotic resistance development. The integrated treatment approach effectively cleans up manure for improved water quality and potential reuse.
This document summarizes research on the biological and abiotic transformation of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in anaerobic soils. The research has three main objectives: 1) study the biodegradation of the anticonvulsant drug carbamazepine (CBZ) in soils, 2) examine abiotic factors influencing CEC degradation, and 3) investigate mineral-catalyzed degradation of organophosphate flame retardants. For CBZ, results show removal only under aerobic conditions in one soil, and enrichment of phylotypes like Sphingomonadaceae linked to degradation. Screening of CEC reactivity with abiotic soil components found reactions with reduced sulfur, iron, and
This study evaluates the transformation dynamics of trenbolone acetate (TBA), an anabolic steroid used in beef cattle production that is a potent endocrine disruptor in aquatic life. Previous research discovered that TBA metabolites can reversibly transform between forms, depending on environmental conditions like temperature and pH. This reversible transformation has implications for the unexpected persistence and transport of TBA and suggests current occurrence data may underestimate bioactive steroid levels. The objectives of this study are to develop analytical methods to detect novel TBA photo-products, evaluate how reversible transformations impact transport risk, detect uncharacterized products in the field, and use modeling to predict impacts on agroecosystems. Key outcomes include optimized analytical methods and findings that reversible transformations
1) Investigators developed analytical methods to detect trienone agricultural pharmaceuticals and their photoproducts at low concentrations in the environment.
2) Photolysis experiments showed these compounds transform into more polar and biologically active photoproducts that can revert back to the parent compound.
3) Column experiments demonstrated these photoproducts may have an increased risk of transport compared to the less polar parent compounds.
This document summarizes a study evaluating the use of algae to convert manure nutrients into animal feed. The goals were to optimize algal growth, nutritional value, pathogen inactivation, and toxin control. Algae were grown in ponds fed with dairy lagoon effluent. Nutrient uptake, biomass composition, and dominant algal species were monitored over time. Several algal strains were isolated and characterized. The results support using algae to beneficially reuse manure while producing safe, nutritious animal feed. Future work will refine techniques for safety testing and pathogen identification.
Kate Scow and colleagues assessed phosphorus cycling in agricultural soils using oxygen isotope analysis of phosphate. They took soil cores from organic and conventional crop rotation plots at Russell Ranch that received either organic or mineral fertilizer. Phosphate was extracted from soils using different methods and the oxygen isotopic composition was measured. Results showed higher phosphorus concentrations in the organic treatment soils. Isotopic signatures suggested more recycled phosphorus in the mineral treatment compared to the organic treatment. This study demonstrated the utility of oxygen isotopes of phosphate in distinguishing phosphorus sources and cycling pathways in agricultural soils under different management practices.
This document summarizes a research project on climate change mitigation and adaptation in dairy production systems in the Great Lakes region. It involves researchers from 13 institutions studying ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt dairy farming to climate change through changes to cow feeding, manure management, and crop production. They are evaluating these practices using models and field trials to identify the most effective strategies to lower emissions and increase farm profitability. A key outcome is education of students through the transformation of a Milwaukee high school into one focused on agricultural sciences.
This document summarizes research on how microbial activities control phosphorus mobility in agroecosystems under changing redox conditions. Studies examined stream biofilms and soils. Bench tests showed stream biofilms released phosphorus under anaerobic conditions due to polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs), and took it up aerobically. PAOs comprised 13-38% of biofilm cells. Soil columns will uncouple contributions of dissimilatory iron-reducing bacteria and PAOs to phosphorus trends under variable saturation. Ongoing work analyzes soils across saturation frequencies and metagenomes of microbial communities.
This document summarizes a research project with 4 main tasks: [1] generate experimental data from algae bioreactors and calibrate optimization models, [2] maximize the nutritional value of algae for animal feed, [3] optimize pathogen inactivation methods, and [4] quantify and control toxic cyanobacteria. For task 1, the researchers collected seasonal data from outdoor bioreactors to develop productivity models. They identified dominant algae species and established laboratory protocols. For task 2, they isolated algae strains to optimize growth and nutritional composition. Tasks 3 and 4 will use these results to optimize pathogen inactivation and detect/control cyanotoxins.
This document summarizes research on the biological and abiotic transformation of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in anaerobic soils. The research has three main objectives: 1) study the biodegradation of the anticonvulsant drug carbamazepine (CBZ) in soils, 2) examine abiotic factors influencing CEC degradation, and 3) investigate mineral-catalyzed degradation of organophosphate flame retardants. For CBZ, results show removal only under aerobic conditions in one soil, and enrichment of phylotypes like Sphingomonadaceae linked to degradation. Screening of CEC reactivity with abiotic soil components found reactions with reduced sulfur, iron, and
This study evaluates the transformation dynamics of trenbolone acetate (TBA), an anabolic steroid used in beef cattle production that is a potent endocrine disruptor in aquatic life. Previous research discovered that TBA metabolites can reversibly transform between forms, depending on environmental conditions like temperature and pH. This reversible transformation has implications for the unexpected persistence and transport of TBA and suggests current occurrence data may underestimate bioactive steroid levels. The objectives of this study are to develop analytical methods to detect novel TBA photo-products, evaluate how reversible transformations impact transport risk, detect uncharacterized products in the field, and use modeling to predict impacts on agroecosystems. Key outcomes include optimized analytical methods and findings that reversible transformations
1) Investigators developed analytical methods to detect trienone agricultural pharmaceuticals and their photoproducts at low concentrations in the environment.
2) Photolysis experiments showed these compounds transform into more polar and biologically active photoproducts that can revert back to the parent compound.
3) Column experiments demonstrated these photoproducts may have an increased risk of transport compared to the less polar parent compounds.
This document summarizes a study evaluating the use of algae to convert manure nutrients into animal feed. The goals were to optimize algal growth, nutritional value, pathogen inactivation, and toxin control. Algae were grown in ponds fed with dairy lagoon effluent. Nutrient uptake, biomass composition, and dominant algal species were monitored over time. Several algal strains were isolated and characterized. The results support using algae to beneficially reuse manure while producing safe, nutritious animal feed. Future work will refine techniques for safety testing and pathogen identification.
Kate Scow and colleagues assessed phosphorus cycling in agricultural soils using oxygen isotope analysis of phosphate. They took soil cores from organic and conventional crop rotation plots at Russell Ranch that received either organic or mineral fertilizer. Phosphate was extracted from soils using different methods and the oxygen isotopic composition was measured. Results showed higher phosphorus concentrations in the organic treatment soils. Isotopic signatures suggested more recycled phosphorus in the mineral treatment compared to the organic treatment. This study demonstrated the utility of oxygen isotopes of phosphate in distinguishing phosphorus sources and cycling pathways in agricultural soils under different management practices.
This document summarizes a research project on climate change mitigation and adaptation in dairy production systems in the Great Lakes region. It involves researchers from 13 institutions studying ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt dairy farming to climate change through changes to cow feeding, manure management, and crop production. They are evaluating these practices using models and field trials to identify the most effective strategies to lower emissions and increase farm profitability. A key outcome is education of students through the transformation of a Milwaukee high school into one focused on agricultural sciences.
This document summarizes research on how microbial activities control phosphorus mobility in agroecosystems under changing redox conditions. Studies examined stream biofilms and soils. Bench tests showed stream biofilms released phosphorus under anaerobic conditions due to polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs), and took it up aerobically. PAOs comprised 13-38% of biofilm cells. Soil columns will uncouple contributions of dissimilatory iron-reducing bacteria and PAOs to phosphorus trends under variable saturation. Ongoing work analyzes soils across saturation frequencies and metagenomes of microbial communities.
This document summarizes a research project with 4 main tasks: [1] generate experimental data from algae bioreactors and calibrate optimization models, [2] maximize the nutritional value of algae for animal feed, [3] optimize pathogen inactivation methods, and [4] quantify and control toxic cyanobacteria. For task 1, the researchers collected seasonal data from outdoor bioreactors to develop productivity models. They identified dominant algae species and established laboratory protocols. For task 2, they isolated algae strains to optimize growth and nutritional composition. Tasks 3 and 4 will use these results to optimize pathogen inactivation and detect/control cyanotoxins.
This document summarizes a study on the uptake of pharmaceuticals by vegetable crops during irrigation with recycled water. Key findings include:
- Crops were found to uptake selected pharmaceuticals (atenolol, ofloxacin, diclofenac) from soil into edible parts at low ng/g levels.
- Uptake depended on soil moisture levels, with higher uptake at field capacity. Ofloxacin showed the highest uptake levels.
- Higher input concentrations of pharmaceuticals in irrigation water led to higher residues in plant tissues.
- Experiments were conducted in Hawaii and Arizona on various crops like basil, lettuce, peppers under different soil moisture and pharmaceutical concentration conditions.
- Further work is needed
This document summarizes research on applying phosphate isotopes to trace sources and cycling of phosphorus in East Creek, a watershed in the Chesapeake Bay region. It discusses:
1) Phosphorus and high phytate levels in East Creek. Phytate is a major storage form of phosphorus found in plant materials.
2) Measuring oxygen isotopes in phosphate to track the original source of phytate as it is degraded by enzymes. Different enzymes fractionate isotopes in unique ways, allowing identification of active enzymes.
3) Phytate promotes the proliferation of microorganisms that can degrade it. Understanding phytate cycling provides insights into managing phosphorus pollution in
his study investigated the microbial community in a full scale anaerobic baffled reactor and sequencing batch reactor system for oil-produced water treatment in summer and winter. The community structures of fungi and bacteria were analyzed through polymerase chain reaction–denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and Illumina high-throughput sequencing, respectively. Chemical oxygen demand effluent concentration achieved lower than 50 mg/L level after the system in both summer and winter, however, chemical oxygen demand removal rates after anaerobic baffled reactor treatment system were significant higher in summer than that in winter, which conformed to the microbial community diversity. Saccharomycotina, Fusarium, and Aspergillus were detected in both anaerobic baffled reactor and sequencing batch reactor during summer and winter. The fungal communities in anaerobic baffled reactor and sequencing batch reactor were shaped by seasons and treatment units, while there was no correlation between abundance of fungi and chemical oxygen demand removal rates. Compared to summer, the total amount of the dominant hydrocarbon degrading bacteria decreased by 10.2% in anaerobic baffled reactor, resulting in only around 23% of chemical oxygen demand was removed in winter. Although microbial community significantly varied in the three parallel sulfide reducing bacteria, the performance of these bioreactors had no significant difference between summer and winter.
JBEI Research Highlights - February 2017Irina Silva
This document summarizes a study investigating the enzymatic degradation of lignin model compounds by versatile peroxidase (VP). The key findings are:
1) VP can catalyze both the polymerization and depolymerization of lignin, with the reaction pathway depending on factors like pH, H2O2 concentration, and the functional groups on the lignin compounds.
2) Degradation of phenolic β-O-4 lignin dimers by VP proceeds through oxidation, followed by competing polymerization or depolymerization reactions depending on conditions.
3) The functional group at the 5 position of guaiacyl units influences whether polymerization or depolymerization occurs.
JBEI Research Highlights - February 2017 Irina Silva
This study analyzed how versatile peroxidase (VP) from B. adusta catalyzes the degradation of lignin β-ether compounds under different reaction conditions. The researchers found that:
1) VP first produces a neutral radical in phenolic lignin dimers via oxidation, followed by polymerization or depolymerization depending on conditions.
2) The functional group at position 5 of the guaiacyl group determined whether polymerization or depolymerization occurred.
3) The degradation pathway for phenolic β-O-4 lignin was Cα-aryl cleavage rather than Cα-Cβ cleavage.
Biochar impact on physiological and biochemical attributes of spinachGJESM Publication
Disastrous effect of nickel on spinach was discussed by number of authors but the effect of amendments like biochar with nickel on Spinacea oleraceaL. is not still discussed by any author of the world because biochar was used as soil amendments which play a vital role in reducing mobilization and uptake of nickel by spinach plants. As nickel contaminated plants are very harmful for the consumption by living organisms. Nickel can be gathered in agronomic soils by anthropogenic actions such as Ni-Cd batteries. In this study, the growth, physiological, photosynthetic and biochemical responses of Spinacia oleracea grown in Ni-spiked soil (0, 25, 50 and 100 mg Ni/Kg soil) at three levels of cotton-sticks-derived biochar “CSB” (0, 3 and 5 %) were evaluated. The results exposed significant decrease in growth, photosynthetic, physiological, and biochemical traits of S. oleracea when grown in Ni-polluted soil. However, this decrease was less pronounced in CSB amended soil. A steady rise in the MDA (0.66 µg/g to 2.08 µg g-1), ascorbic acid (1.24 mg/g to 1.57 mg/g)and sugar concentrations (1.73 mg/g to 2.16 mg/g)was observed with increased concentration of Ni. The increasing percentages of CSB from 3 % to 5 % decreased Ni concentrations in root and shoot of experimental plant. Higher production of chlorophyll, amino acids and protein with CSB amendment looked like alleviation in Ni toxicity. Therefore, it is concluded that, Ni toxicity and availability to the plants can be reduced by CSB amendments.
Effects of buffering and urea on the quantity and quality of biogas from bana...Alexander Decker
This document summarizes a study that investigated how buffering solutions and urea affect the quantity and quality of biogas produced from banana leaves through anaerobic digestion. Specifically, it examined the effects of:
1) Different molar concentrations and pH levels of buffer solutions on biogas yield and composition.
2) Adding varying amounts of urea.
3) Combining an optimal buffer solution and urea amounts.
The results showed that buffer solutions within certain ranges, as well as moderate urea additions, enhanced biogas production. The biogas produced also had good fuel value and low environmental hazards. Thus, buffering and nutrient supplementation can improve the efficiency and sustainability of generating renewable energy from biom
Characterization of organic compounds from biosolids of Buenos Aires City, Silvana Torri
This study characterized the organic compounds in biosolids from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Different solvents were evaluated for ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and a hexane:acetone mixture provided the highest extractability. The organic compounds identified included fatty acids, n-alkanes, and steroids. Persistent organic pollutants were below detection limits. The recalcitrant organic fraction reported previously is mainly due to stable sterols in the biosolids.
Radiological Analysis of Selected Organic Fertilizers in Zaria Local Governme...IOSR Journals
The activity concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides (40 K, 226 Ra 232 Th) in nine organic fertilizers were measured using NaI (Tl) gamma ray spectrometry. The results show that 40K mean activity concentration was 305.33±0.196Bqkg-1 ranging from 120Bq/kg to 907 Bqkg-1, 232Th mean concentration was 45.04Bqkg-1 ranging from 14.66 Bq/kg to 60.20Bqkg-1. While 226Ra mean concentration was 24.87±0.02Bqkg-1 with a range of 12.83 to 65.69Bqkg-1. Radiological hazard indices were calculated and the mean air absorbed dose rate was 51.59nGyh-1 it ranged from 30.33 to 101.23nGyh-1. The annual effective dose rate averaged 61.33μSvy-1(0.061) which is lower than the world average (0.07μSvy-1) it ranged from 33.39 to 124.51μSvy-1. The Raeq was 112.90Bqkg-1 which is far below the 370Bqkg-1maximum.The Hex and Hin averaged 0.31 and 0.37respectively. From Radiological point, organic fertilizers do not impart significant radiological risk, because the radiological hazard indices are lower than Bench marks.
The study identified and characterized a BAHD family acyltransferase in poplar, PtrPHBMT1, that transfers p-hydoxybenzoate from its thio-ester donor to the sinapyl alcohol monolignol. This results in the conjugate being incorporated into nascent lignin polymers, leading to ester-linked p-hydoxybenzoate pendant groups and altering lignin properties. Genetically manipulating this enzyme controlling lignin p-hydroxybenzoylation could allow accumulating this high-value chemical, p-hydoxybenzoate, in lignocellulosic biomass and improve biofuel production and timber dur
- Researchers studied the roles of three major prolyl-4-hydroxylase (P4H) isoforms expressed in Arabidopsis roots.
- P4H5 was found to have an essential function different from P4H2 and P4H13, which are partly redundant.
- Protein-protein interaction studies revealed the P4H proteins form homodimers and heterodimers, and P4H5 is necessary for the targeting of P4H2 to the Golgi.
- Understanding the complex regulation and interactions of P4H isoforms impacts root hair expansion and cell wall formation.
JBEI Research Highlights - September 2017 Irina Silva
- Researchers discovered an enzyme in Pseudoalteromonas rubra that catalyzes the oxidative cyclization of prodigiosin to form cycloprodigiosin. This membrane-bound enzyme is closely related to an important human enzyme and will enable further study.
- Three ionic liquids were found to depolymerize lignin to varying degrees, with one yielding the maximum decrease in molecular weight and another the maximum decrease in beta-aryl ether bonds.
- Analysis of anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria suggests that the 3-hydroxypropionate bicycle metabolic pathway and photosynthesis evolved more recently in the Chloroflexi phylum than previously thought, near the end of the Proterozoic era.
This document summarizes the key outcomes, background, significance, and approach of a study that investigated the effects of glycerol thermal processing (GTP) on lignin structure through NMR analysis. The main outcomes were that GTP effectively breaks bonds within lignin, generating smaller molecular weight lignin fragments that are thermally stable up to temperatures over 290°C. The background discusses utilizing lignin for specialty products. The significance is that GTP generates lignin suitable for use as a thermoplastic co-product. The approach involved comparing the properties of GTP lignin to lignin from other processes through structural analysis.
Engineered Thiobacillus denitrificans produced up to 52 times more fatty acids than the wild-type strain when a modified thioesterase gene from E. coli was integrated into its chromosome under control of two native promoters. Fatty acid production was tested during growth of the engineered strains on thiosulfate, nitrate and carbon dioxide. This proof-of-principle study suggests engineering sulfur-oxidizing bacteria to overproduce fatty acid-derived products could simultaneously produce renewable fuels and remediate sulfide-contaminated wastewater.
The document describes a study that engineered the chemolithoautotrophic bacterium Thiobacillus denitrificans to enhance fatty acid production. A thioesterase gene from E. coli was integrated into the T. denitrificans chromosome under control of different promoters. This led to up to 52-fold higher fatty acid titers compared to the wild-type strain when the bacteria were grown anaerobically using reduced sulfur compounds, nitrate, and carbon dioxide. The results demonstrate the potential to engineer sulfur-oxidizing bacteria to produce renewable fuels from sulfide-containing waste streams.
This document summarizes key outcomes and challenges in using synthetic and systems biology approaches for the microbial production of commodity chemicals. Some of the main challenges discussed include balancing economic potential and biological feasibility when selecting target molecules, optimizing protein expression levels for maximum production, preventing toxicity from metabolic intermediates and proteins, and successfully scaling up laboratory processes to commercial volumes. Integrated approaches that combine pathway engineering with host engineering and process modeling are presented as promising ways to address these challenges. The review outlines the multi-step process from initial target selection to commercial scale-up and highlights ongoing needs in dynamic pathway regulation and scale-up capabilities.
This document summarizes research on the occurrence and fate of emerging contaminants from septic systems. Key findings include:
- Emerging contaminants were frequently detected in septic tank effluent and drainfield leachate, though concentrations decreased as effluent percolated through soil.
- Mass balance analysis found more than 84% of applied emerging contaminants remained in drainfield soil or were degraded, while less than 14% were recovered in leachate.
- Emerging contaminants persisted in shallow groundwater below drainfields, though at lower concentrations than in effluent.
- Traces of pharmaceuticals and other contaminants were detected in sediments from a watershed with septic
This study identified 2514 unique proteins from the endomembrane fraction of switchgrass coleoptiles using LC-MS/MS proteomics. 1750 proteins were identified in both biological replicates, comprising 70% of total identified proteins. This is the first published proteomics dataset for switchgrass and demonstrates the maturity of genomics resources for the bioenergy crop. Key proteins were assigned gene ontology terms to characterize biological processes in the endomembrane.
- Researchers sequenced the genomes of 1504 mutant rice lines to identify over 91,000 genetic mutations. They established an open access database of this mutant collection called KitBase to facilitate biofuel research.
- Whole genome sequencing was performed on the mutant lines and bioinformatics tools were used to identify genetic mutations in each line. This mutant collection will significantly help research in cell wall biosynthesis pathways in grasses.
This document summarizes research that evaluated the impact of varying concentrations of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), commonly used as sanitizers, on the structure and activity of microbial communities in thermophilic anaerobic digesters. The study found that QAC concentrations over 50 mg/L reduced methane production rates and altered the archaeal communities significantly, while bacterial communities were not significantly impacted. The results provide insight into specific QAC-sensitive archaea and how competition within archaeal communities changes at high QAC levels, decreasing digester performance.
Evaluation of a Continuously-Mixed Farm-Based Anaerobic Co-Digestion SystemLPE Learning Center
This document summarizes the results of a two-year study monitoring a continuously-mixed farm-based anaerobic co-digestion system in New York. On average, the system processed over 80,000 gallons of manure daily from nearly 1,900 dairy cows and achieved organic matter and volatile fatty acid reductions of 42% and 75%. Biogas production averaged 495 cubic feet per day for every 1,000 pounds of influent. The biogas fueled a 1.4 MW generator that produced an average of 23 MWh of electricity daily. Overall, the anaerobic digestion system provided an average monthly income of $56,710 from energy and renewable energy credit sales.
This document outlines the process for laboratory generation of monoclonal antibodies. It discusses strategies such as fed-batch culture in bioreactors and downstream purification techniques including protein A affinity chromatography, ion exchange chromatography, diafiltration, and gel filtration. It also provides an economic assessment of the process and discusses various scenarios and optimizations that could improve yield and reduce costs, such as using membrane chromatography or exploring mixed mode resins for purification.
This document summarizes a study on the uptake of pharmaceuticals by vegetable crops during irrigation with recycled water. Key findings include:
- Crops were found to uptake selected pharmaceuticals (atenolol, ofloxacin, diclofenac) from soil into edible parts at low ng/g levels.
- Uptake depended on soil moisture levels, with higher uptake at field capacity. Ofloxacin showed the highest uptake levels.
- Higher input concentrations of pharmaceuticals in irrigation water led to higher residues in plant tissues.
- Experiments were conducted in Hawaii and Arizona on various crops like basil, lettuce, peppers under different soil moisture and pharmaceutical concentration conditions.
- Further work is needed
This document summarizes research on applying phosphate isotopes to trace sources and cycling of phosphorus in East Creek, a watershed in the Chesapeake Bay region. It discusses:
1) Phosphorus and high phytate levels in East Creek. Phytate is a major storage form of phosphorus found in plant materials.
2) Measuring oxygen isotopes in phosphate to track the original source of phytate as it is degraded by enzymes. Different enzymes fractionate isotopes in unique ways, allowing identification of active enzymes.
3) Phytate promotes the proliferation of microorganisms that can degrade it. Understanding phytate cycling provides insights into managing phosphorus pollution in
his study investigated the microbial community in a full scale anaerobic baffled reactor and sequencing batch reactor system for oil-produced water treatment in summer and winter. The community structures of fungi and bacteria were analyzed through polymerase chain reaction–denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and Illumina high-throughput sequencing, respectively. Chemical oxygen demand effluent concentration achieved lower than 50 mg/L level after the system in both summer and winter, however, chemical oxygen demand removal rates after anaerobic baffled reactor treatment system were significant higher in summer than that in winter, which conformed to the microbial community diversity. Saccharomycotina, Fusarium, and Aspergillus were detected in both anaerobic baffled reactor and sequencing batch reactor during summer and winter. The fungal communities in anaerobic baffled reactor and sequencing batch reactor were shaped by seasons and treatment units, while there was no correlation between abundance of fungi and chemical oxygen demand removal rates. Compared to summer, the total amount of the dominant hydrocarbon degrading bacteria decreased by 10.2% in anaerobic baffled reactor, resulting in only around 23% of chemical oxygen demand was removed in winter. Although microbial community significantly varied in the three parallel sulfide reducing bacteria, the performance of these bioreactors had no significant difference between summer and winter.
JBEI Research Highlights - February 2017Irina Silva
This document summarizes a study investigating the enzymatic degradation of lignin model compounds by versatile peroxidase (VP). The key findings are:
1) VP can catalyze both the polymerization and depolymerization of lignin, with the reaction pathway depending on factors like pH, H2O2 concentration, and the functional groups on the lignin compounds.
2) Degradation of phenolic β-O-4 lignin dimers by VP proceeds through oxidation, followed by competing polymerization or depolymerization reactions depending on conditions.
3) The functional group at the 5 position of guaiacyl units influences whether polymerization or depolymerization occurs.
JBEI Research Highlights - February 2017 Irina Silva
This study analyzed how versatile peroxidase (VP) from B. adusta catalyzes the degradation of lignin β-ether compounds under different reaction conditions. The researchers found that:
1) VP first produces a neutral radical in phenolic lignin dimers via oxidation, followed by polymerization or depolymerization depending on conditions.
2) The functional group at position 5 of the guaiacyl group determined whether polymerization or depolymerization occurred.
3) The degradation pathway for phenolic β-O-4 lignin was Cα-aryl cleavage rather than Cα-Cβ cleavage.
Biochar impact on physiological and biochemical attributes of spinachGJESM Publication
Disastrous effect of nickel on spinach was discussed by number of authors but the effect of amendments like biochar with nickel on Spinacea oleraceaL. is not still discussed by any author of the world because biochar was used as soil amendments which play a vital role in reducing mobilization and uptake of nickel by spinach plants. As nickel contaminated plants are very harmful for the consumption by living organisms. Nickel can be gathered in agronomic soils by anthropogenic actions such as Ni-Cd batteries. In this study, the growth, physiological, photosynthetic and biochemical responses of Spinacia oleracea grown in Ni-spiked soil (0, 25, 50 and 100 mg Ni/Kg soil) at three levels of cotton-sticks-derived biochar “CSB” (0, 3 and 5 %) were evaluated. The results exposed significant decrease in growth, photosynthetic, physiological, and biochemical traits of S. oleracea when grown in Ni-polluted soil. However, this decrease was less pronounced in CSB amended soil. A steady rise in the MDA (0.66 µg/g to 2.08 µg g-1), ascorbic acid (1.24 mg/g to 1.57 mg/g)and sugar concentrations (1.73 mg/g to 2.16 mg/g)was observed with increased concentration of Ni. The increasing percentages of CSB from 3 % to 5 % decreased Ni concentrations in root and shoot of experimental plant. Higher production of chlorophyll, amino acids and protein with CSB amendment looked like alleviation in Ni toxicity. Therefore, it is concluded that, Ni toxicity and availability to the plants can be reduced by CSB amendments.
Effects of buffering and urea on the quantity and quality of biogas from bana...Alexander Decker
This document summarizes a study that investigated how buffering solutions and urea affect the quantity and quality of biogas produced from banana leaves through anaerobic digestion. Specifically, it examined the effects of:
1) Different molar concentrations and pH levels of buffer solutions on biogas yield and composition.
2) Adding varying amounts of urea.
3) Combining an optimal buffer solution and urea amounts.
The results showed that buffer solutions within certain ranges, as well as moderate urea additions, enhanced biogas production. The biogas produced also had good fuel value and low environmental hazards. Thus, buffering and nutrient supplementation can improve the efficiency and sustainability of generating renewable energy from biom
Characterization of organic compounds from biosolids of Buenos Aires City, Silvana Torri
This study characterized the organic compounds in biosolids from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Different solvents were evaluated for ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and a hexane:acetone mixture provided the highest extractability. The organic compounds identified included fatty acids, n-alkanes, and steroids. Persistent organic pollutants were below detection limits. The recalcitrant organic fraction reported previously is mainly due to stable sterols in the biosolids.
Radiological Analysis of Selected Organic Fertilizers in Zaria Local Governme...IOSR Journals
The activity concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides (40 K, 226 Ra 232 Th) in nine organic fertilizers were measured using NaI (Tl) gamma ray spectrometry. The results show that 40K mean activity concentration was 305.33±0.196Bqkg-1 ranging from 120Bq/kg to 907 Bqkg-1, 232Th mean concentration was 45.04Bqkg-1 ranging from 14.66 Bq/kg to 60.20Bqkg-1. While 226Ra mean concentration was 24.87±0.02Bqkg-1 with a range of 12.83 to 65.69Bqkg-1. Radiological hazard indices were calculated and the mean air absorbed dose rate was 51.59nGyh-1 it ranged from 30.33 to 101.23nGyh-1. The annual effective dose rate averaged 61.33μSvy-1(0.061) which is lower than the world average (0.07μSvy-1) it ranged from 33.39 to 124.51μSvy-1. The Raeq was 112.90Bqkg-1 which is far below the 370Bqkg-1maximum.The Hex and Hin averaged 0.31 and 0.37respectively. From Radiological point, organic fertilizers do not impart significant radiological risk, because the radiological hazard indices are lower than Bench marks.
The study identified and characterized a BAHD family acyltransferase in poplar, PtrPHBMT1, that transfers p-hydoxybenzoate from its thio-ester donor to the sinapyl alcohol monolignol. This results in the conjugate being incorporated into nascent lignin polymers, leading to ester-linked p-hydoxybenzoate pendant groups and altering lignin properties. Genetically manipulating this enzyme controlling lignin p-hydroxybenzoylation could allow accumulating this high-value chemical, p-hydoxybenzoate, in lignocellulosic biomass and improve biofuel production and timber dur
- Researchers studied the roles of three major prolyl-4-hydroxylase (P4H) isoforms expressed in Arabidopsis roots.
- P4H5 was found to have an essential function different from P4H2 and P4H13, which are partly redundant.
- Protein-protein interaction studies revealed the P4H proteins form homodimers and heterodimers, and P4H5 is necessary for the targeting of P4H2 to the Golgi.
- Understanding the complex regulation and interactions of P4H isoforms impacts root hair expansion and cell wall formation.
JBEI Research Highlights - September 2017 Irina Silva
- Researchers discovered an enzyme in Pseudoalteromonas rubra that catalyzes the oxidative cyclization of prodigiosin to form cycloprodigiosin. This membrane-bound enzyme is closely related to an important human enzyme and will enable further study.
- Three ionic liquids were found to depolymerize lignin to varying degrees, with one yielding the maximum decrease in molecular weight and another the maximum decrease in beta-aryl ether bonds.
- Analysis of anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria suggests that the 3-hydroxypropionate bicycle metabolic pathway and photosynthesis evolved more recently in the Chloroflexi phylum than previously thought, near the end of the Proterozoic era.
This document summarizes the key outcomes, background, significance, and approach of a study that investigated the effects of glycerol thermal processing (GTP) on lignin structure through NMR analysis. The main outcomes were that GTP effectively breaks bonds within lignin, generating smaller molecular weight lignin fragments that are thermally stable up to temperatures over 290°C. The background discusses utilizing lignin for specialty products. The significance is that GTP generates lignin suitable for use as a thermoplastic co-product. The approach involved comparing the properties of GTP lignin to lignin from other processes through structural analysis.
Engineered Thiobacillus denitrificans produced up to 52 times more fatty acids than the wild-type strain when a modified thioesterase gene from E. coli was integrated into its chromosome under control of two native promoters. Fatty acid production was tested during growth of the engineered strains on thiosulfate, nitrate and carbon dioxide. This proof-of-principle study suggests engineering sulfur-oxidizing bacteria to overproduce fatty acid-derived products could simultaneously produce renewable fuels and remediate sulfide-contaminated wastewater.
The document describes a study that engineered the chemolithoautotrophic bacterium Thiobacillus denitrificans to enhance fatty acid production. A thioesterase gene from E. coli was integrated into the T. denitrificans chromosome under control of different promoters. This led to up to 52-fold higher fatty acid titers compared to the wild-type strain when the bacteria were grown anaerobically using reduced sulfur compounds, nitrate, and carbon dioxide. The results demonstrate the potential to engineer sulfur-oxidizing bacteria to produce renewable fuels from sulfide-containing waste streams.
This document summarizes key outcomes and challenges in using synthetic and systems biology approaches for the microbial production of commodity chemicals. Some of the main challenges discussed include balancing economic potential and biological feasibility when selecting target molecules, optimizing protein expression levels for maximum production, preventing toxicity from metabolic intermediates and proteins, and successfully scaling up laboratory processes to commercial volumes. Integrated approaches that combine pathway engineering with host engineering and process modeling are presented as promising ways to address these challenges. The review outlines the multi-step process from initial target selection to commercial scale-up and highlights ongoing needs in dynamic pathway regulation and scale-up capabilities.
This document summarizes research on the occurrence and fate of emerging contaminants from septic systems. Key findings include:
- Emerging contaminants were frequently detected in septic tank effluent and drainfield leachate, though concentrations decreased as effluent percolated through soil.
- Mass balance analysis found more than 84% of applied emerging contaminants remained in drainfield soil or were degraded, while less than 14% were recovered in leachate.
- Emerging contaminants persisted in shallow groundwater below drainfields, though at lower concentrations than in effluent.
- Traces of pharmaceuticals and other contaminants were detected in sediments from a watershed with septic
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Characterizing The Fate And Transport Of Chemicals Of Emerging Concern (CEC’s) From Animal Manures During Waste To Energy Processes
1. Dr. Lance Schideman, Dr. Yuanhui Zhang, Dr. Micheal Plewa, John Scott
Young-Hwan Shin, Peng Zhang, Justin Pals
University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign
1
Characterizing the fate and transport of bioactive
chemicals of emerging concern (CECs) from animal
manure during waste-to-energy processes
2. Problem/Opportunity Statement
2
Manure can be viewed as a problem…
Excess nutrient runoff and spills can lead to eutrophication and hypoxia
Hormones can lead to endocrine disruption (e.g., fish feminization)
Antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance (80% for livestock)
Manure can be viewed as an opportunity…
Big supply- 50 to 150 million dry tons/yr
Manure organics have a large energy content (1-2 Quadrillion BTU)
Non-potable water reuse potential
Liquid portion of animal manure (LPAM) ~1 Billion tons/yr
Nutrients can be used to grow additional bioenergy feedstocks
Manure nutrients reduce cost & CO2 emissions for synthetic fertilizers
Antibacterial Drug Use
(FDA, 2009)
3. Livestock animals Feeding with antibiotics
Storage of livestock
manure (Pit or Lagoon)
Manure spreading in the field
River or Lake water Fish feminization
Antibiotic resistant
infection
Runoff/Drainage/flooding
from soil to surface water
Antibiotics, Antibiotic resistant bacteria, and
hormones
o Integrated manure management and bio-energy recovery system can interrupt transport
of CECs and thus reduce negative effects on the health of humans & ecosystems
INTRODUCTION
How CECs in the livestock manure can affect health of humans & ecosystems?
Interrupt transport of
CECs with Waste-to-
energy system
4. Overall process diagram for integrated waste to energy system
4
a) swine manure storage, b) LPAM production, c) biomass production, and d) hydrothermal biomass conversion processes.
a)
b)
c)
d)
5. RESEARCH TOPICS & OBJECTIVES
5
Characterize CECs in the liquid portion of animal manure (LPAM)
Fate of CECs in biological & adsorptive water treatment processes
Mixed algal/bacterial bioreactor (MABB)
Conventional activated sludge (CAS)
With and without granular activated carbon (GAC) incorporated
Fate of CECs in hydrothermal biofuel conversion processes
Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) biomass to bio-crude oil
Catalytic hydrothermal gasification (CHG) biomass to syn-gas
HTL of biomass & CHG of HTL-wastewater
Dynamic process modeling describing the fate of bioactive CECs
7. 7
Estrogens were well captured in
both bioreactors
84.3% - 99.9% removal
MABB had slightly higher average
removal than CAS
+ 5.1 % removal
Reactors with GAC had slightly
higher average removal
+ 4.2 % removal
% Removal very similar during high
and low spiking events
Used for STELLA modeling
RESULTS & DISCUSSION- Capture of bioactive CECs
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
E2%removal(Ce/C0)
Low spiking
HI spiking
8. Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) directly
converts wet biomass into crude oil
8
Gas Product
Post-HTL
WW
Oil
Product
Solid Residue
Demonstrated
HTL Feedstocks
Reactor
High T:200 – 350 oC
High Pressure : 80 – 120 atm
Municipal sludge
Manure
Algae
Crop residues
Woody materials
Eout : Ein > 3:1 at lab-scale (% solids =20%)
Eout : Ein > 10:1 w/ heat exchangers in
commercial applications
9. HTL successfully converted captured LPAM
organics to bio-crude oil
• Biomass % solids = 20%,
• HHV of biomass (dry) =
14,140 kJ/kg
• Optimal operating condition
was 300 oC & 60 min
reaction time
• Oil HHV = 31,426 kJ/kg
• Energy recovery = 80%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
200 60 250 30 250 60 300 30 300 60 350 30 350 60
Bio-crude oil and solid residue
yield of LPAM biomass via HTL
oil solid residue
10. RESULTS & DISCUSSION- HTL destruction of bioactive CECs
10
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
%Removal
E2 removal E1 removal
Most HTL operating conditions provide high % removal of hormones
300 ˚C / 60min showed more removal of hormones than 300 ˚C / 30min
Removal was more sensitive to Reaction time than temperature
% Removal of E1 and E2 under various Hydrothermal Liquefaction conditions
11. RESULTS & DISCUSSION- CHG destruction of bioactive CECs
11
All CHG conditions provided high % removal of E1 & E2 ( > 99% removal)
Higher than 450 ˚C, more than 99.87% of E1 and E2 removed
CHG Removal of CECs was more sensitive to temperature than retention time
% Removal of E1 and E2 during the CHG processes for different operating conditions
97.5
98.0
98.5
99.0
99.5
100.0
100.5
%Removal
E1 removal E2 removal
12. RESULTS & DISCUSSION- Destruction of Florfenicol by HTL
12
Detection limit of Florfenicol (FF) was 0.05 mg/L in high resolution GC/MS
99.9% of FF in DI water and LPAM were removed with HTL at 300 ˚C and 30 min
Removal of Florfenicol in the HTL process with DI water and LPAM
Florfenicol in LPAM (Post-HTL)
Florfenicol in DI water (Pre-HTL)
Florfenicol in LPAM (Pre-HTL)
Florfenicol in DI water (Post-HTL)
13. RESULTS & DISCUSSION- Florfenicol (FF) breakdown products
13
4-MSB was the predominant FF breakdown product in the Post–HTL wastewater (5-30%)
4-MSAP and MPS were also detected at higher temperature
14. RESULTS & DISCUSSION- Antibiotic resistance effects
14
Sensitive Antibiotic
Resistance Assay was
developed
Antibiotic Resistance
occurred when the
positive and negative
control varied
LPAM contributed to
antibiotic resistance
HTL & CHG processes
eliminated the capacity
of LPAM to induce
antibiotic resistance
Antibiotic Resistance fluctuation assay before & after HTL or CHG
LB Negative control
LB Positive control
MABB effluent Negative control
MABB effluent Positive control
PHWW
(MABB Biomass)
PCWW
(PHWW
w/ MABB Biomass)
PCWW
(MABB Biomass)
PHWW
(CAS Biomass)
PCWW
(PHWW
w/ CAS Biomass)
PCWW
(CAS Biomass)
MeanNumberAntibioticResistanceE.coliWells
(ResistantJackpotWells/96-WellMicroplate)
0
10
20
30
40
50
15. Comparison of different bio-energy processes
• HTL-CHG process was most
favorable in terms of net
energy yield, assuming heat
exchange at 80% efficiency,
• Additional CHG(600C) after
HTL can recovery the energy
in PHWW at about 7% of
total biomass
• Biomass not fully converted
to energy products (oil and
gas) in direct CHG process
• Significant decrease in oil
yield (40% for HTL, 15% for
direct CHG) and thus overall
energy yield
HTL HTL-CHG
Direct
CHG
Reaction
condition
300C
60min
HTL: 300C
60min
HTL: 300C
60min 400C 60
minCHG: 400C
60min
CHG: 600C
60min
Oil energy
yield, kJ/g
wet BM
2.45 2.45 2.45 0.98
Gas energy
yield, kJ/g
wet BM
n.a. 0.22 0.59 0.34
Net total
energy
yield, kJ/g
wet BM
2.26 2.24 2.46 1.00
Final Aq
Product
COD, mg/L
96,000 20,000 3,000 52,000
Net Energy
recovery
80% 79% 87% 35%
16. 16
Dynamic System Modeling with STELLA
A process
Internal Flows
External Input
Output
E2-Energy process model construction simulating CECs flow
Waste
Pretreatment
Excretion
Bioenergy Conversion
(HTL)
Adsorption and
Biological Treatment
CHG CHG
conversion
Biomass
Harvest
HTL destruction/ transformation
Biological degradation/uptake
Physical/chemical adsorption
Discharged in
treated WW
17. > 99.9% of hormones can be removed in the integrated treatment system
RESULTS & DISCUSSION- Modeled System CEC removal
Bottom
slurry
Screened slurry
Bag filtraion
LPAM
(MF)
MABB eff
MABB eff_recycle 1
MABB eff_recycle 2
MABB eff_recycle 3
MABB eff_recycle 4
%RemovalofE2
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
E2concentration(ng/L)
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
14000
16000
18000
% removal
% removal of each step
E2 concentration (ng/L)
18. Conclusions
LPAM: Liquid Portion of Animal Manure containing nutrients and dissolved
organics (including bioactive CECs) can become a valuable resource
>98% of CECs in LPAM can be captured w/ an adsorptive-biological reactor
Using algae and GAC enhance the uptake of organics
>99.9% CEC removal possible with optimized multi-step system
> 85% of the energy content of LPAM can be harvested by hydrothermal
biofuel conversion processes
Antibiotics are broken down sufficiently by hydrothermal processes to
eliminate the development of antibiotic resistance
Effluent LPAM is cleaned up significantly for improved surface water quality
or potential water reuse applications
2
21. Range of E2 & E1 in swine manure slurry (UIUC) was lower than previous studies (Fine et al., 2003;
Hanselman et al., 2003; Irwin et al., 2001; Raman et al., 2004; Shappell et al., 2007; Sim et al., 2011; Singh et al., 2013).
Spiked concentrations of E1 & E2 were in the range of practical concentration of hormones.
E1 & E2: 1.3 µg/L (low spiking) < real LPAM << 396 µg/L (High spiking) << 3214 µg/kg
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
concentration(μg/kg)
E2 in slurry E1 in slurry
E2: 27.26 ±0.58
E1: 25.95 ±0.59
RESULTS & DISCUSSIONS Occurrence of hormones
23. Conventional Pig production cycle
INTRODUCTION
<Source: http://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ag101/porkglossary.html>
Pork glossary
a) Breeding: producing offspring
b) Gestation: period when sow is pregnant
c) Farrowing: period from birth to weaning
d) Weaning: removal of piglets from their mother
e) Piglet: young pig
f) Finishing: growing piglets to market weight
g) Heat: estrous period of sow
h) Slaughter: killing pigs
i) Boar: Castrated male pigs
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)(g)
- Fresh solid, urine, slurry, & LPAM
Finishing
Reproduction cycle of sows Life cycle of growing pigs
Breeding
* Sampling points
23
Gestation
- Manure slurry from Top & sludge
layer at finishing pit
(d)
(h)
24. MATERIALS & METHODS
24
Analytical methods
24
Swine manure samples Centrifugation Extraction
Evaporation & concentrationELISA or GC/MS analysis
at ng/L level
Figure. 2 Flow diagram of the samples preparation and analytical methods of estrogenic hormones
26. Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell assay (Hsie AW, 1975; Wagner et al., 1998)
used to investigate cytotoxicity of LPAM
Organics in LPAM has a cytotoxicity index of 2.38 which is less toxic than raw
municipal wastewater (8.8), primary effluent (3.8) and secondary wastewater effluent
(2.64)
RESULTS & DISCUSSIONS
8.8
3.8
3.3
2.64
2.38
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
UCSD
Centrate
UCSD
influent
Primary
effluent
Secondary
Eflluent
LPAM
CytotoxicityIndex(LC50)-1(10)3
Figure. 5 Comparison of Cytotoxicity index for LPAM & municipal
wastewater
Figure. 4 Cytotoxicity of LPAM organics via CHO cell assay
27. Sorption onto biomass (E2 >90%) is dominant
Desorption of E2 from the biomass is insignificant (Andaluri et al., 2012)
Biotransformation could be occurred in the bioreactors by microorganisms
INTRODUCTION
Removal of estrogenic hormones during biological processes
Proposed transformation pathway of estrogenic hormones
(Lee & Liu 2002; Hutchins et al., 2007)
28. 28
MABB shows similar sCOD & higher TP removal than CAS with lower aeration
Aeration rate: CAS (11 LPM) & MABB (7 LPM)
60 ~ 65% of sCOD was removed within 3 hours of operation in each reactor
TP removal ratio of each reactor was MABB ( 16.9%) & CAS (4.47%) in 3 hours
0
50
100
150
200
250
0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210
sCOD(mg/L)
Time (min)
CAS MABB
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
0 30 60 90 120 150 180
TP(mg/L)
Time (min)
MABB CAS
RESULTS & DISCUSSIONS
Profile of sCOD & TP removal in one cycle of MABB & CAS
29. 29
RESULTS & DISCUSSIONS
Profile of hormones removal in one cycle of MABB operation
Within 11 hours, 88 ~ 96 % of total hormones were removed in both of reactors
GAC addition accelerate & increase the removal of hormones in the MABB
% removal of total hormones in 1 cycle was 98.2 ~ 99.4%
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
concentration(μg/L)
Time (min)
E2 E1 E3 Total EE2
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
concentration(μg/L)
Time (min)
E2 E1 E3 Total EE2
Figure. 7 Removal of estrogenic hormones in mixed algal-bacterial
bioreactor without Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)
Figure. 6 Removal of estrogenic hormones in mixed algal-bacterial
bioreactor with Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)
30. sCOD removal from LPAM ranged from 58.4% to 80.9% with increasing organic
loading from 42.3 to 152 mg/L/day
High Shock loading w/ GAC shows fast recovery (450 mg/L << 2370 mg/L)
≈≈
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210
COD(mg/L)
Time (d)
COD inf
COD eff
Phase I-A Phase I-B Phase II Phase III
Shock loading
450 &
2370 mg/L
Low LPAM loading
Avg OLR: 42.3 mg/l/d
Mid LPAM loading
Avg OLR: 152 mg/l/d
Low LPAM loading
Avg OLR: 46.5 mg/l/d
68%
removal
58.4%
removal
80.9%
removal
Reactor broken
RESULTS & DISCUSSIONS
Long – term operation of Mixed algal-bacterial bioreactor
31. Phase I-B Phase II
% removal
NH4
+-N: 98.4
% removal
TN: 41.1
NH4
+- N: 94.8
% removal
TN: 43.9
NH4
+-N: 85.8
Total Nitrogen (415 ~ 833mg/L) of LPAM feedstock was removed up to 44% in
the effluent of MABB
NH4
+-N (113.5 mg/L ) of LPAM feedstock were removed up to 98.4% in the
effluent of MABB
Long – term operation of Mixed algal-bacterial bioreactor
RESULTS & DISCUSSIONS
32. 32
Low & high spiking in bioreactors were tested for STELLA modeling
Similar % removal of hormones except E1 in MABB w/o GAC
% removal of E1 in algal pre-treatment and HTL ranged from 43.63 to 76.20% (Pham et al., 2012)
RESULTS & DISCUSSIONS
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
E1%removal(Ce/C0)
Low spiking
HI spiking
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
E2%removal(Ce/C0)
Low spiking
HI spiking
33. RESULTS & DISCUSSIONS
33
Cytotoxicity was decreased in the effluent of MABB
After the spiking of CAS, cytotoxicity was increased in the effluent of reactors
Antibiotics in the spiked feedstock could kill most of the nitrifying bacteria in CAS
Cytotoxicity was increased after the addition of GAC to each reactor
250 300 350
Wastewater Treatment Groups
CHOCellMeanCytotoxicityIndexValue
(LC50
-1
)(10
3
)±SE
<----LessToxic------MoreToxic---->
0.1
1
10
100
1000
Sam
ple
4Sam
ple
5Sam
ple
12Sam
ple
13Sam
ple
14
Sam
ple
15
Sam
ple
16Sam
ple
24
Sam
ple
25
Sam
ple
26Sam
ple
27
LPAM
from
top manure pit
MABB effluent w/o GAC (top)
LPAM
from
bottom
manure pit
MABB effluent w/o GAC (bottom)
MABB effluent w/ GAC
CAS effluent w/o GAC
CAS effluent w/ GAC
Lagoon wastewater
Spiked LPAM
from
bottom
pit
MABB effluent w/ GAC (Spiked)
CAS effluent w/ GAC (Spiked)
YData
0
10
20
30
40
50
34. 1. Algal-bacterial bioreactor captured >65% of LPAM organics in one cycle and MABB is more
energy effective process than CAS with lower aeration & free light energy
2. Algal-bacterial bioreactor captured > 98.4% of NH4
+-N and > 44% of TN from LPAM in one
cycle, and the removal increased with the addition of GAC
3. Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) can protect and stabilize the reactor from shock loading
4. Algal-bacterial bioreactor removed > 98.2% of estrogenic hormones from LPAM
5. GAC can accelerate & increase the removal of hormones in MABB & CAS
6. Activation of conjugated hormones might increase hormone concentrations in CAS without
GAC
7. Low & high CECs spiking in bioreactors were tested for STELLA modeling, and GAC
contribute to increase the removal of E1 & E2 in each MABB & CAS reactor
CONCLUSIONS
35. 35
INTRODUCTION
Properties 17β-estradiol 17α-estradiol Estrone Estriol Florfenicol
Used abbreviation E2 EE2 E1 E3 FF
Class Steroid Steroid Steroid Steroid Antimicrobial
Cas registry number 50-28-2 57-63-6 53-16-7 50-27-1 73231-34-2
Molecular weight (g/mol) 272.3 296.4 270.4 288.4 358.21
Vapor pressure (Pa) 3 x 10-8
6 x 10-9
3 x 10-8
9 x 10-13
Negligible
Water solubility
(20°C, ppm)
3.9 - 13.3 4.8 0.8 - 12.4 3.2 - 13.3
over 400mg/L at pH >
5.5
pKa 10.5 - 10.7 10.21 10.3 - 10.8 10.4 9.03
log Kow 3.1 - 4.0 3.67, 4.15 3.1 - 4.0 2.6 - 2.8 2.36
Molecular formula C18H24O2 C20H24O2 C18H22O2 C18H22O3 C12H14Cl2FNO4S
Structure
Characteristics of emerging contaminants
Transformation pathways of estrogenic hormones
• Transformation and breakdown of hormones
under hydrothermal processes
• To understand removal of hormones in
hydrothermal processes, we need to know the
change of each concentration of hormones
Proposed transformation pathway of estrogenic hormones (Lee & Liu 2002; Hutchins et al., 2007)
36. 36
Small batch reactor
• Optimization of Hydrothermal processes for CECs removal & Energy
• HTL/CHG/Combined HTL & CHG
• Efficiency of CECs removal & Energy recovery
• TotalVolume (ml): 40
• WorkingVolume (ml): 20
• Organic content (%): 25 ~ 30
Connector
Body: reactor
Gas inlet
Gas control valve
MATERIALS & METHODS
37. MATERIALS & METHODS
37
Analytical methods
37
PHWW/PCWW samples Centrifugation Extraction
Evaporation & concentrationGC/MS analysis
ng/L level at ISTC
Figure. 2 Flow diagram of the samples preparation and analytical methods of estrognic hormones
38. RESULTS & DISCUSSIONS
38
Cytotoxicity: 250 ˚C and 300 ˚C < 350˚C
Toxicity in PHWW is proportional to temperature
Higher energy yield shows less cytotoxicity
Modification of HTL conditions may affect the cytotoxicity of PHWW
Figure 2. CHO cell cytotoxicity index values for each PHWW sample
250 300 350
250 ˚C 300 ˚C 350 ˚C
More toxic
39. 39
CONCLUSIONS
1. Highest Bio-crude oil yields of HTL at 300˚C /60 min
2. Hormones removal is more sensitive to Reaction time than temperature
3. 300 ˚C /60 min is effective operating condition for HTL to provide simultaneous
bioenergy production and removal of hormones, COD and cytotoxicity
4. Chrome, Arsenic, Zinc, Cadmium, and Lead were removed up to 99.6% removal
after HTL
HTL
CHG
1. Highest Bio-crude oil yields of HTL at 300˚C /60 min
2. Removal of CECs is sensitive to temperature in CHG
3. Ra-Ni was the most effective catalyst to remove estrogenic hormones
4. Amount of catalyst doesn’t affect the removal of hormones
5. Ru & Ru/NaOH shows the highest COD removal
40. Acknowledgement
Project team
• Dr. Lance Schideman, Ph.D., P.E.
• Dr. Yuanhui Zhang, Ph.D.
• Dr. Michael Plewa
• Peng Zhang
Illinois Sustainable Technology Center
Agricultural & Biological Engineering
Crop Science
Agricultural & Biological Engineering
• Funding: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)/NIFA/Grant 11332987
42. 42
Antibiotics
(FDA, 2009; Mellon M, 2001)
Antibiotics resistant bacteria develop from exposure to low-levels of antibiotics
& life threatening infections (Wise et al., 1998: Schuh et al., 2011)
30 ~ 90% drugs are excreted in urine & feces (Sarmah et al., 2006, Berge et al., 2006)
Spending for antibiotics infections was increased 10 times from 1998 to 2009
(Infectious Disease Society of America)
80%
Antibiotics usage for livestock
1834 tons
14,266 tons
INTRODUCTION
43. 43
Estrogenic compounds
Major source: farm animals & humans (Shore et al., 1993; Raman et al., 2004)
Annual excretion from farm animal: 41 tons in the USA (Lange et al., 2002)
Commonly detected compounds: estrone (E1) & 17b-estradiol (E2) (Nichols et al., 1997)
Adverse effects to reproductive system with E2 (10~ ng/L) (Routledge et al., 1998; Schuh et al., 2011)
Reduced reproductive abilities & Feminization of aquatic species
o Male fish feminizationo Antibiotics in the drinking water
INTRODUCTION
44. MATERIALS & METHODS
44
Detailed Analytical methods: Sample prep
Flow diagram of the sample preparation method for the analysis of estrogenic hormones by ELISA and GC/MS
44
Editor's Notes
More energy than solar and geothermal, similar to Wind
This is the pathways of CECS transport from manure that can affect humans health & ecosystems in the conventional livestock manure management system. (Add Lagoon as manure storage & treatment). Land application of livestock wastes may result in the loading of hormones and their metabolites to agricultural fields, which may subsequently enter the aquatic environment by leaching and/or runoff. So, to disconnect the transport of CECs to ecosystems, we are going to suggest the integrated manure management system with algal bioreactor & hydrothermal bioenergy production system.
As you see in the overall process diagram, the manure management system were made up of LPAM characterization, biological organics & nutrients extraction from the LPAM, and hydrothermal wastes to energy process.
Light amount : 21 ~ 34.4 micromoles photons/s
Energy for CAS was 22 Watt (aeration) and MABB was 11 (light)+14 (aeration) = 25
But, if we use the free solar energy, MABB can be more energy effective than CAS (14 MABB > 22 CAS)
Light amount : 21 ~ 34.4 micromoles photons/s
Energy for CAS was 22 Watt (aeration) and MABB was 11 (light)+14 (aeration) = 25
But, if we use the free solar energy, MABB can be more energy effective than CAS (14 MABB > 22 CAS)
How can we resolves this bottleneck to realize full potential of algae for due purpose of biofuel production and wastewater treatment? Here, we are proposing an innovative system: Environment Enhancing Energy,
One of the key point is hydrothermal liquefaction, or HTL here. It is basically a pressure cooker that can converts various of biomass in to biocrude oil. It is actually how the petroeoum formed in the mother nature. Natroleum is dead biomass buried under ground expeirience high temprature, high pressure for thousands thousands of years and boom, we have petrolem. HTL is just mimicking the process, but just in a accelerated speed, 30 minutes. And the good thing about the process is that it is not sensitive to feedstock, and it has been proved to be able to convert various of low lipid biomass into usable fuel. In addition, it can process wet biomass. This lead to a possitive energy balance,the result in our lab showed that when we are processing algae slurry with a solid content of 20%, the energy conent in the biocrude oil over the enrgy for heating is about 3 to 1. Our industrial partery achieved 10:1 in large scale production when heat exchange is utilzed.
By using this technique, we can just grow what ever algae that can grow fast in wasteater and convert them into fuel, and minimize the energy input for drying biomass.
In addition, we are also proposing nutrient recycling. So excpet oil product, there are also other by-product, including aqueous product, we call it post-HTL waseater. This is a wastestream with superconcentrated nutreint, and it can be send back to the algae cultivation system to support multiple cycles of algae growth.
Mother nature
Add energy recovery.
The E2 concentration of fresh urine, feces, and slurry were investigated. As you see in the graph, the E2 concentration in the urine is 10000ng/L, in the feces 15000 ng/L and in the slurry 11,300 ng/L that is little bit lower than the litreraure review data. I think that E2 in the feces is lower than I expected based on the assumption of most of E2 stick to solids. The estimation for low data is old & dried feces samples.
I’m going to double check this data by sending samples to ISTC for GC/MS analysis.
The E2 concentration of fresh urine, feces, and slurry were investigated. As you see in the graph, the E2 concentration in the urine is 10000ng/L, in the feces 15000 ng/L and in the slurry 11,300 ng/L that is little bit lower than the litreraure review data. I think that E2 in the feces is lower than I expected based on the assumption of most of E2 stick to solids. The estimation for low data is old & dried feces samples.
I’m going to double check this data by sending samples to ISTC for GC/MS analysis.
The E2 concentration of fresh urine, feces, and slurry were investigated. As you see in the graph, the E2 concentration in the urine is 10000ng/L, in the feces 15000 ng/L and in the slurry 11,300 ng/L that is little bit lower than the litreraure review data. I think that E2 in the feces is lower than I expected based on the assumption of most of E2 stick to solids. The estimation for low data is old & dried feces samples.
I’m going to double check this data by sending samples to ISTC for GC/MS analysis.
The E2 concentration of fresh urine, feces, and slurry were investigated. As you see in the graph, the E2 concentration in the urine is 10000ng/L, in the feces 15000 ng/L and in the slurry 11,300 ng/L that is little bit lower than the litreraure review data. I think that E2 in the feces is lower than I expected based on the assumption of most of E2 stick to solids. The estimation for low data is old & dried feces samples.
I’m going to double check this data by sending samples to ISTC for GC/MS analysis.
The E2 concentration of fresh urine, feces, and slurry were investigated. As you see in the graph, the E2 concentration in the urine is 10000ng/L, in the feces 15000 ng/L and in the slurry 11,300 ng/L that is little bit lower than the litreraure review data. I think that E2 in the feces is lower than I expected based on the assumption of most of E2 stick to solids. The estimation for low data is old & dried feces samples.
I’m going to double check this data by sending samples to ISTC for GC/MS analysis.
Still keep the denominator as per g wet BM, as it’s only specific to this moisture content. If the moisture content is different, then organics’ concentration and the energy in the PHWW is different.
First of all,
Up to 70% (11,200 tons) of antibiotics in USA used to food animals (FDA, 2009; Mellon M, 2001)
Why E1 & E2 : commonly detected compounds and hardly removable
Antibiotics: widely used antibiotics and swine farm & commonly detectable
Why LPAM?
We had previous study about the impact of solid manure on CECs
LPAM can be used as a potential source for water reuse
The E2 concentration of fresh urine, feces, and slurry were investigated. As you see in the graph, the E2 concentration in the urine is 10000ng/L, in the feces 15000 ng/L and in the slurry 11,300 ng/L that is little bit lower than the litreraure review data. I think that E2 in the feces is lower than I expected based on the assumption of most of E2 stick to solids. The estimation for low data is old & dried feces samples.
I’m going to double check this data by sending samples to ISTC for GC/MS analysis.
Before starting to talk about characterization, we need to know what is the main producer of natural steroid hormones in the farming system. This is a conventional swine farming system, and SRC also has similar system. The swine manure samples were taken from the farrowing barn and finishing barn because we can expect high production of estrogenic hormones from these swine barn that has pregnant sows and young female pigs.
This is about a list & description of samples for E2 characterization and isotherm test between biomass and E2.
Graphitized carbon black: graphitized carbon black column that has exterme affinity for organic polar and non-polar column from both polar and non-polar matrices
Florisil column: magnesium silicate base material to minimize the matrix effects by cleaning up the matrices
Understand chemically & mechanically
Seasonal reason: When the season start to change from winter to summer, temperature is going to be increased. This can boost the anaerobic digestion in the manure pit and solids can be degraded into soluble organics and nutrients.
The E2 concentration of fresh urine, feces, and slurry were investigated. As you see in the graph, the E2 concentration in the urine is 10000ng/L, in the feces 15000 ng/L and in the slurry 11,300 ng/L that is little bit lower than the litreraure review data. I think that E2 in the feces is lower than I expected based on the assumption of most of E2 stick to solids. The estimation for low data is old & dried feces samples.
I’m going to double check this data by sending samples to ISTC for GC/MS analysis.
Compare the removal efficiency of E2 between MABB and CAS
According to the graph, the E2 concentration was decreased to 1400 ng/L after 1min operation without GAC. But, after adding GAC into the reactor, E2 was decreased to 700 ng/L in 1 min and GAC was contributed to increase the E2 removal up to 68% (76 to 24 ng/L)
GAC addition make E2 removal faster and more than without GAC addition into the reactor
E2 conc w/o GAC after 1 min (ng/L): 1370.5
E2 conc w/o GAC after 1 cycle (11hr) (ng/L): 76.1
% removal of E2 in 1 cycle (%): 98.15
E2 conc w/ GAC after 1 min (ng/L): 689
E2 conc w/ GAC after 1 cycle (11hr) (ng/L): 24.2
% removal of E2 in 1 cycle (%): 99.41
Within 15 min, 88 ~ 96 % of the E2 was removed
60 ~ 65% sCOD removal for both
Final concentration of TP were (17 mg/L MABB) & (23 mg/L in CAS)
According to the graph, the E2 concentration was decreased to 1400 ng/L after 1min operation without GAC. But, after adding GAC into the reactor, E2 was decreased to 700 ng/L in 1 min and GAC was contributed to increase the E2 removal up to 68% (76 to 24 ng/L)
GAC addition make E2 removal faster and more than without GAC addition into the reactor
E2 conc w/o GAC after 1 min (ng/L): 1370.5
E2 conc w/o GAC after 1 cycle (11hr) (ng/L): 76.1
% removal of E2 in 1 cycle (%): 98.15
E2 conc w/ GAC after 1 min (ng/L): 689
E2 conc w/ GAC after 1 cycle (11hr) (ng/L): 24.2
% removal of E2 in 1 cycle (%): 99.41
Within 15 min, 88 ~ 96 % of the E2 was removed
Light amount : 21 ~ 34.4 micromoles photons/s
Energy for CAS was 22 Watt (aeration) and MABB was 11 (light)+14 (aeration) = 25
But, if we use the free solar energy, MABB can be more energy effective than CAS (14 MABB > 22 CAS)
The E2 concentration of fresh urine, feces, and slurry were investigated. As you see in the graph, the E2 concentration in the urine is 10000ng/L, in the feces 15000 ng/L and in the slurry 11,300 ng/L that is little bit lower than the litreraure review data. I think that E2 in the feces is lower than I expected based on the assumption of most of E2 stick to solids. The estimation for low data is old & dried feces samples.
I’m going to double check this data by sending samples to ISTC for GC/MS analysis.
Chemical kinetics of hormones breakdown in the hydrothermal processes – Use blank
96% COD removal ratio & Effluent COD is 200 mg/L => will increase the feeding rate
This is about a list & description of samples for E2 characterization and isotherm test between biomass and E2.
Graphitized carbon black: graphitized carbon black column that has exterme affinity for organic polar and non-polar column from both polar and non-polar matrices
Florisil column: magnesium silicate base material to minimize the matrix effects by cleaning up the matrices
The E2 concentration of fresh urine, feces, and slurry were investigated. As you see in the graph, the E2 concentration in the urine is 10000ng/L, in the feces 15000 ng/L and in the slurry 11,300 ng/L that is little bit lower than the litreraure review data. I think that E2 in the feces is lower than I expected based on the assumption of most of E2 stick to solids. The estimation for low data is old & dried feces samples.
I’m going to double check this data by sending samples to ISTC for GC/MS analysis.
Light amount : 21 ~ 34.4 micromoles photons/s
Energy for CAS was 22 Watt (aeration) and MABB was 11 (light)+14 (aeration) = 25
But, if we use the free solar energy, MABB can be more energy effective than CAS (14 MABB > 22 CAS)
This is about a list & description of samples for E2 characterization and isotherm test between biomass and E2.
Graphitized carbon black: graphitized carbon black column that has exterme affinity for organic polar and non-polar column from both polar and non-polar matrices
Florisil column: magnesium silicate base material to minimize the matrix effects by cleaning up the matrices