PrOBiEM · Characterization of the anaerobic degradation of phenanthrene by a novel sulfate-reducing enrichment culture for the development of bioremediation methods
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2016-06-02 → 2018-06-01
- EU contribution
- €159,461
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF-EF-ST
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Characterization of the anaerobic degradation of phenanthrene by a novel sulfate-reducing enrichment culture for the development of bioremediation methods
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of contaminants mainly derived from natural gas and petroleum. Due to their stable ring structures, poor water solubility and chemical stability, these contaminants are difficult to degrade and persist for long time in the environment, where they pose a hazard to the environment and human health. The enormous concern about PAHs-contamination lies on the fact that high percent of human activities depend on petroleum, not only as fuels for transportation but also for the production of asphalt, plastics, synthetic fibers, lubricants, detergents and fertilizers. Petroleum extraction and refining activities result in PAHs discharge to the environment. Among PAHs-remediation methods is biodegradation of these compounds by the activity of microorganisms. Many bacteria are capable of using PAHs as a source of carbon and energy, as part of a metabolism that also relies in oxygen. However, saturated PAH-contaminated sites rapidly become anoxic, and microorganisms able to use these compounds as a carbon source in the absence of oxygen are crucial for their degradation. So far, information about the responsible organisms or the mechanisms for PAHs degradation in the absence of molecular oxygen are very scarce. The overall aim of the PrOBiEM project is to elucidate the mechanisms for the anaerobic degradation of phenanthrene by a bacterial enrichment culture (TRIP) obtained from a natural asphalt lake. Specifically, to identify enzymes involved in the degradation of this PAH, which is composed by three benzene rings. Phenanthrene is an EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) Priority Pollutant and is a major component of the total content of PAH compounds in the environment.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widely distributed contaminants that produce hazardous effects on human health. They are persistent in the environment and recalcitrant to degradation, rendering the development of efficient PAH-removal methods a worldwide concern. In PAH-contaminated aquifers or sediments, oxygen is depleted very rapidly, thus microorganisms able to use these compounds as a carbon source in the absence of molecular oxygen are crucial for their consumption. The aim of this project is to elucidate the enzymes and mechanisms for the anaerobic degradation of phenanthrene by a novel sulfate-reducing enrichment culture. The first objective is to identify the organisms responsible for phenanthrene degradation. A phylogenetic characterization will be performed by pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA genes amplified from the enrichment culture. The second objective is to discover the enzymes involved in the degradation process. To this end, a combined transcriptomic and proteomic evaluation of the enrichment culture will be performed. The functionality of the identified enzymes will be then evaluated in vitro. The chemical stability and complicated structure of phenanthrene promises the discovery of novel types of enzymatic reactions. Finally, the microorganisms responsible for phenanthrene degradation will be purified to homogeneity and characterized to evaluate the optimal environmental conditions for growth and phenanthrene degradation. Options to improve biodegradation at contaminated sites and to promote phenanthrene removal will be studied. The project proposes insights into the anaerobic biodegradation of three-ring PAHs as one of the most prominent classes of environmental contaminants.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- UNIVERSITAET DUISBURG-ESSEN · EssenCoordinatorGermany
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union