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Effect of Ethanol on Microbial Community Structure and Function During Natural Attenuation of Benzene, Toluene, and o-Xylene in a Sulfate-reducing Aquifer
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, Krassimira Hristova‡ and Kate Scow‡ Boise State University.
, ‡University of California, Davis.
, §Stanford University.
, Geomatrix Consultants.
Abstract
Ethanol (EtOH) is a commonly used fuel oxygenate in reformulated gasoline and is an alternative fuel and fuel supplement. Effects of EtOH release on aquifer microbial ecology and geochemistry have not been well characterized in situ. We performed a controlled field release of petroleum constituents (benzene (B), toluene (T), o-xylene (o-X) at 
1–3 mg/L each) with and without EtOH (500 mg/L). Mixed linear modeling (MLM) assessed effects on the microbial ecology of a naturally sulfidic aquifer and how the microbial community affected B, T, and o-X plume lengths and aquifer geochemistry. Changes in microbial community structure were determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) targeting Bacteria, Archaea, and sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB); SRB were enumerated using a novel qPCR method targeting the adenosine-5′-phosphosulfate reductase gene. Bacterial and SRB densities increased with and without EtOH-amendment (1−8 orders of magnitude). Significant increases in Archaeal species richness; Archaeal cell densities (3–6 orders of magnitude); B, T, and o-X plume lengths; depletion of sulfate; and induction of methanogenic conditions were only observed with EtOH-amendment. MLM supported the conclusion that EtOH-amendment altered microbial community structure and function, which in turn lowered the aquifer redox state and led to a reduction in bioattenuation rates of B, T, and o-X.
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This article has been cited by 3 ACS Journal articles (3 most recent appear below).
BTEX Plume Dynamics Following an Ethanol Blend Release: Geochemical Footprint and Thermodynamic Constraints on Natural Attenuation
Henry X. Corseuil, Amy L. Monier, Marilda Fernandes, Marcio R. Schneider, Cristina C. Nunes, Mario do Rosario, and Pedro J. J. AlvarezEnvironmental Science & Technology2011 45 (8), 3422-3429BTEX Plume Dynamics Following an Ethanol Blend Release: Geochemical Footprint and Thermodynamic Constraints on Natural Attenuation
Henry X. Corseuil, Amy L. Monier, Marilda Fernandes, Marcio R. Schneider, Cristina C. Nunes, Mario do Rosario, and Pedro J. J. AlvarezEnvironmental Science & Technology2011 45 (8), 3422-3429In this 10 year study, Brazilian gasoline (100 L, containing 24% ethanol by volume) was released to a sandy aquifer to evaluate the natural attenuation of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and total xylenes (BTEX) in the presence of ethanol. Groundwater ...
Effects of Ethanol-Based Fuel Contamination: Microbial Community Changes, Production of Regulated Compounds, and Methane Generation
Denice K. Nelson, Timothy M. LaPara and Paige J. NovakEnvironmental Science & Technology2010 44 (12), 4525-4530Effects of Ethanol-Based Fuel Contamination: Microbial Community Changes, Production of Regulated Compounds, and Methane Generation
Denice K. Nelson, Timothy M. LaPara and Paige J. NovakEnvironmental Science & Technology2010 44 (12), 4525-4530Ethanol-based fuels are becoming more heavily used, increasing the likelihood of ethanol-based fuel spills during transportation and storage. Although ethanol is well-known to be readily biodegradable, very little is known about the effects that such a ...
Comparative Assessments of Benzene, Toluene, and Xylene Natural Attenuation by Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis of a Catabolic Gene, Signature Metabolites, and Compound-Specific Isotope Analysis
Harry R. Beller, Staci R. Kane, Tina C. Legler, Jennifer R. McKelvie, Barbara Sherwood Lollar, Francesca Pearson, Lianna Balser and Douglas M. MackayEnvironmental Science & Technology2008 42 (16), 6065-6072Comparative Assessments of Benzene, Toluene, and Xylene Natural Attenuation by Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis of a Catabolic Gene, Signature Metabolites, and Compound-Specific Isotope Analysis
Harry R. Beller, Staci R. Kane, Tina C. Legler, Jennifer R. McKelvie, Barbara Sherwood Lollar, Francesca Pearson, Lianna Balser and Douglas M. MackayEnvironmental Science & Technology2008 42 (16), 6065-6072Three of the most advanced and specific techniques for monitoring in situ biodegradation are compared in a study assessing the effects of ethanol on benzene, toluene, and xylene degradation.
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History
- Published In Issue April 01, 2008
- Article ASAPMarch 04, 2008
- Received: October 21, 2007
Revised: January 11, 2008
Accepted: January 14, 2008
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