Abstract
Zero-valent magnesium (ZVMg), glacial acetic acid (GAA), and vitamin B12 were used to degrade trichloroethylene (TCE) in either pure anhydrous ethanol (EtOH) or 10% anhydrous EtOH in canola oil. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was used to monitor the decrease in TCE concentration within each system over time. In pure anhydrous EtOH, a vitamin B12 concentration of 49.2 mg/L achieved the highest decrease in TCE concentration by 96 ± 0.4% (with lower vitamin B12 concentration, degradation was lower). Vitamin B12 and ZVMg also performed synergistically, increasing TCE degradation by approximately 78% relative to either ZVMg or vitamin B12 alone. In pure anhydrous EtOH, with ZVMg and vitamin B12, TCE was below detection after 2 h. Degradation products were likely volatile, as they were not detected in all liquid samples. Spectrophotometric analyses indicated the formation of the super reducing species of vitamin B12 (i.e., Co(I)) after 30 min in the presence of ZVMg, explaining the significant increase in TCE degradation. TCE degradation was also tested in 10% anhydrous EtOH in canola oil, with the purpose of developing a formulation for the in situ remediation of TCE-polluted aquifers. Canola oil would promote ZVMg contact with TCE, while mitigating its oxidation due to contact with groundwater. In 10% anhydrous EtOH in canola oil, the concentration of TCE decreased by approximately 40% within 30 min, with ZVMg alone. Our study provides the first proof of concept of an efficient in situ remediation method using environmentally friendly reagents, such as vitamin B12 and canola oil, for the degradation of TCE in polluted aquifers.
Graphical abstract
Similar content being viewed by others
Data Availability
The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
References
Agarwal, S., Al-Abed, S. R., & Dionysiou, D. D. (2007). Enhanced corrosion-based Pd/Mg bimetallic systems for dechlorination of PCBs. Environmental Science and Technology, 41, 3722–3727. https://doi.org/10.1021/es062886y
Amir, A., & Lee, W. (2011). Enhanced reductive dechlorination of tetrachloroethene by nano-sized zero valent iron with vitamin B12. Chemical Engineering Journal, 170, 492–497. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2011.01.048
Bekele, D. N., Du, J., de Freitas, L. G., Mallavarapu, M., Chadalavada, S., & Naidu, R. (2019). Actively facilitated permeable reactive barrier for remediation of TCE from a low permeability aquifer: Field application. Journal of Hydrology, 572, 592–602. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2019.03.059
Bokare, V., Jung, J.-l, Chang, Y. Y., & Chang, Y. S. (2013). Reductive dechlorination of octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin by nanosized zero-valent zinc: Modeling of rate kinetics and congener profile. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 250–251, 397–402. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2013.02.020
Burris, D. R., Delcomyn, C. A., Smith, M. H., & Lynn, R. A. (1996). Reductive dechlorination of tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene catalyzed by vitamin B12 in homogeneous and heterogeneous systems. Environmental Science and Technology, 30, 3047–3052. https://doi.org/10.1021/es960116o
Chang, S. T., Wang, C. H., Du, H. Y., Hsu, H. C., Kang, C. M., Chen, C. C., et al. (2012). Vitalizing fuel cells with vitamins: Pyrolyzed vitamin B12 as a non-precious catalyst for enhanced oxygen reduction reaction of polymer electrolyte fuel cells. Energy & Environmental Science, 5, 5305–5314. https://doi.org/10.1039/c1ee01962g
Chen, M., Chen, S., Du, M., Tang, S., Chen, M., Wang, W., et al. (2015). Toxic effect of palladium on embryonic development of zebrafish. Aquatic Toxicology, 159, 208–216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquatox.2014.12.015
Cheng, S. F., & Wu, S. C. (2000). The enhancement methods for the degradation of TCE by zero-valent metals. Chemosphere, 41, 1263–1270. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0045-6535(99)00530-5
Cichocki, J. A., Guyton, K. Z., Guha, N., Chiu, W. A., Rusyn, I., & Lash, L. H. (2016). Target organ metabolism, toxicity, and mechanisms of trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene: Key similarities, differences, and data gaps. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 359, 110–123. https://doi.org/10.1124/jpet.116.232629
Doherty, R. E. (2000). A history of the production and use of carbon tetrachloride, tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene and 1,1,1-trichloroethane in the United States: Part 2 - Trichloroethylene and 1,1,1-trichloroethane. Environmental Forensics, 1, 83–93. https://doi.org/10.1006/enfo.2000.0011
Elie, M. R., Clausen, C. A., & Yestrebsky, C. L. (2013). Reductive degradation of oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using an activated magnesium/co-solvent system. Chemosphere, 91, 1273–1280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.02.031
Fu, F., Dionysiou, D. D., & Liu, H. (2014). The use of zero-valent iron for groundwater remediation and wastewater treatment: A review. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 267, 194–205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2013.12.062
Garbou, A. M., Clausen, C. A., & Yestrebsky, C. L. (2017). Comparative study for the removal and destruction of pentachlorophenol using activated magnesium treatment systems. Chemosphere, 166, 267–274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.09.139
Garbou, A. M., Liu, M., Zou, S., & Yestrebsky, C. L. (2019). Degradation kinetics of hexachlorobenzene over zero-valent magnesium/graphite in protic solvent system and modeling of degradation pathways using density functional theory. Chemosphere, 222, 195–204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.01.134
Guan, X., Sun, Y., Qin, H., Li, J., Lo, I. M. C., He, D., et al. (2015). The limitations of applying zero-valent iron technology in contaminants sequestration and the corresponding countermeasures: The development in zero-valent iron technology in the last two decades (1994–2014). Water Research, 75, 224–248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2015.02.034
Canadian Soil Quality Guidelines, Trichloroethylene: Environmental and Human Health Effects. 2007.
Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality: Guideline technical document — Chromium. Ottawa: 2016. H144–36/2017E-PDF.
Harkness, M., & Fisher, A. (2013). Use of emulsified vegetable oil to support bioremediation of TCE DNAPL in soil columns. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 151, 16–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconhyd.2013.04.002
Hood, E. D., Major, D. W., Quinn, J. W., Yoon, W. S., Gavaskar, A., & Edwards, E. A. (2008). Demonstration of enhanced bioremediation in a TCE source area at Launch Complex 34, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Groundwater Monitoring & Remediation, 28, 98–107. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6592.2008.00197.x
Huang, C. C., Lo, S. L., & Lien, H. L. (2013). Synergistic effect of zero-valent copper nanoparticles on dichloromethane degradation by vitamin B12 under reducing condition. Chemical Engineering Journal, 219, 311–318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2013.01.016
Huang, C. C., Lo, S. L., & Lien, H. L. (2015). Vitamin B12-mediated hydrodechlorination of dichloromethane by bimetallic Cu/Al particles. Chemical Engineering Journal, 273, 413–420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2015.03.064
Kim, H., Hong, H. J., Jung, J., Kim, S. H., & Yang, J. W. (2010). Degradation of trichloroethylene (TCE) by nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) immobilized in alginate bead. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 176, 1038–1043. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.11.145
Krol, M. M., Oleniuk, A. J., Kocur, C. M., Sleep, B. E., Bennett, P., Xiong, Z., et al. (2013). A field-validated model for in situ transport of polymer-stabilized nZVI and implications for subsurface injection. Environmental Science and Technology, 47, 7332–7340
Kumar, M., & Chakraborty, S. (2006). Chemical denitrification of water by zero-valent magnesium powder. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 135, 112–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2005.11.031
Lee, G., Park, J., & Harvey, O. R. (2013). Reduction of Chromium(VI) mediated by zero-valent magnesium under neutral pH conditions. Water Research, 47, 1136–1146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2012.11.028
Li, Z., Luo, S., Yang, Y., & Chen, J. (2019). Highly efficient degradation of trichloroethylene in groundwater based on peroxymonosulfate activation by bentonite supported Fe/Ni bimetallic nanoparticle. Chemosphere, 216, 499–506. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.10.133
Lin, K. S., Mdlovu, N. V., Chen, C. Y., Chiang, C. L., & Dehvari, K. (2018). Degradation of TCE, PCE, and 1,2–DCE DNAPLs in contaminated groundwater using polyethylenimine-modified zero-valent iron nanoparticles. Journal of Cleaner Production, 175, 456–466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.12.074
Long, T., & Ramsburg, C. A. (2011). Encapsulation of nZVI particles using a Gum Arabic stabilized oil-in-water emulsion. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 189, 801–808. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2011.02.084
Maloney, P., DeVor, R., Novaes-Card, S., Saitta, E., Quinn, J., Clausen, C. A., et al. (2011). Dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls using magnesium and acidified alcohols. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 187, 235–240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2011.01.006
Mirabi, M., Ghaderi, E., & Rasouli, S. H. (2017). Nitrate reduction using hybrid system consisting of zero valent magnesium powder/activated carbon (Mg0/AC) from water. Process Safety and Environment Protection, 111, 627–634. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2017.08.035
Mitoma, Y., Uda, T., Egashira, N., Simion, C., Tashiro, H., Tashiro, M., et al. (2004). Approach to highly efficient dechlorination of PCDDs, PCDFs, and coplanar PCBs using metallic calcium in ethanol under atmospheric pressure at room temperature. Environmental Science and Technology, 38, 1216–1220. https://doi.org/10.1021/es034379b
Mogharbel, A. T., & Yestrebsky, C. L. (2019). Dechlorination comparison of octachlorodibenzofuran over ball-milled zero-valent magnesium with and without activated carbon in different solvent systems. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 7, 102950. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2019.102950
Pant, P., & Pant, S. (2010). A review: Advances in microbial remediation of trichloroethylene (TCE). Journal of Environmental Sciences, 22, 116–126. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1001-0742(09)60082-6
Patel, R., & Suresh, S. (2006). Decolourization of azo dyes using magnesium-palladium system. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 137, 1729–1741. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2006.05.019
Patel, U. D., & Suresh, S. (2007). Dechlorination of chlorophenols using magnesium-palladium bimetallic system. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 147, 431–438. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2007.01.029
Pavelková, A., Cencerová, V., Zeman, J., Antos, V., & Nosek, J. (2021). Reduction of chlorinated hydrocarbons using nano zero-valent iron supported with an electric field. Characterization of electrochemical processes and thermodynamic stability. Chemosphere, 265, 128764
Pensini, E., Yip, C. M., O’Carroll, D. M., & Sleep, B. E. (2012). Effect of water chemistry and aging on iron-mica interaction forces: Implications for iron particle transport. Langmuir, 28, 10453–10463. https://doi.org/10.1021/la301539q
Pfeiffer, P., Bielefeldt, A. R., Illangasekare, T., & Henry, B. (2005). Partitioning of dissolved chlorinated ethenes into vegetable oil. Water Research, 39, 4521–4527. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2005.09.016
Prommer, H., Aziz, L. H., Bolaño, N., Taubald, H., & Schüth, C. (2008). Modelling of geochemical and isotopic changes in a column experiment for degradation of TCE by zero-valent iron. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 97, 13–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconhyd.2007.11.003
Rabbi, M. F., Clark, B., Gale, R. J., Ozsu-Acar, E., Pardue, J., & Jackson, A. (2000). In situ TCE bioremediation study using electrokinetic cometabolite injection. Waste Management, 20, 279–286. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0956-053X(99)00329-3
Ren, T., Yang, S., Jiang, Y., Sun, X., & Zhang, Y. (2018). Enhancing surface corrosion of zero-valent aluminum (ZVAl) and electron transfer process for the degradation of trichloroethylene with the presence of persulfate. Chemical Engineering Journal, 348, 350–360. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2018.04.216
Services USD of H and. Current Intelligence Bulletin 2: trichloroethylene (TCE) 1975:Publication No. 78–1727.
Siciliano, A., Curcio, G. M., & Limonti, C. (2021). Hexavalent chromium reduction by zero-valent magnesium particles in column systems. Journal of Environmental Management, 293, 112905. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112905
Stroo, H. F., Unger, M., Herb Ward, C., Kavanaugh, M. C., Vogel, C., Leeson, A., et al. (2003). Peer reviewed: Remediating chlorinated solvent source zones. Environmental Science and Technology, 224A–230A
Stutte, G. W., Eraso, I., Anderson, S., & Hickey, R. D. (2006). Bioactivity of volatile alcohols on the germination and growth of radish seedlings. HortScience, 41, 108–12. https://doi.org/10.21273/hortsci.41.1.108
Su, Y.-f, Hsu, C. Y., & Shih, Y.-h. (2012). Effects of various ions on the dechlorination kinetics of hexachlorobenzene by nanoscale zero-valent iron. Chemosphere, 88, 1346–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2012.05.036
Suresh, S., & Thangadurai, P. (2019). Coupling of zero-valent magnesium or magnesium–palladium-mediated reductive transformation to bacterial oxidation for elimination of endosulfan. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 16, 1421–1432. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-018-1748-1
Suttinun, O., Luepromchai, E., & Müller, R. (2013). Cometabolism of trichloroethylene: Concepts, limitations and available strategies for sustained biodegradation. Reviews in Environmental Science & Biotechnology, 12, 99–114. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11157-012-9291-x
Wanasundara, U. N., & Shahidi, F. (1994a). Stabilization of canola oil with flavonoids. Food Chemistry, 50, 393–396
Wanasundara, U. N., & Shahidi, F. (1994b). Canola extract as an alternative natural antioxidant for canola oil. Journal of the American Oil Chemists Society, 71, 817–822
Wang, Y., Zhou, D., Wang, Y., Zhu, X., & Jin, S. (2011). Humic acid and metal ions accelerating the dechlorination of 4-chlorobiphenyl by nanoscale zero-valent iron. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 23, 1286–1292. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1001-0742(10)60543-8
Wang, B., Dong, H., Li, L., Wang, Y., Ning, Q., Tang, L., et al. (2020). Influence of different co-contaminants on trichloroethylene removal by sulfide-modified nanoscale zero-valent iron. Chemical Engineering Journal, 381, 122773. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2019.122773
Wilkin, R. T., Acree, S. D., Ross, R. R., Puls, R. W., Lee, T. R., & Woods, L. L. (2014). Fifteen-year assessment of a permeable reactive barrier for treatment of chromate and trichloroethylene in groundwater. Science of the Total Environment, 468–469, 186–194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.08.056
Yang, B., Deng, J., Wei, L., Han, Y., Yu, G., Deng, S., et al. (2018). Synergistic effect of ball-milled Al micro-scale particles with vitamin B12 on the degradation of 2,2″,4,4″-tetrabromodiphenyl ether in liquid system. Chemical Engineering Journal, 333, 613–620. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2017.09.183
Yuan, S., Liao, P., & Alshawabkeh, A. N. (2014). Electrolytic manipulation of persulfate reactivity by iron electrodes for trichloroethylene degradation in groundwater. Environmental Science and Technology, 48, 656–663. https://doi.org/10.1021/es501323n
Zullo, F. M., Liu, M., Zou, S., & Yestrebsky, C. L. (2017). Mechanistic and computational studies of PCB 151 dechlorination by zero valent magnesium for field remediation optimization. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 337, 55–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2017.04.057
Funding
The authors received the support of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (provided through an NSERC Discovery grant, awarded to Dr. Erica Pensini, RGPIN-2018–04636).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Supplementary Information
Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Marshall, T., Pensini, E. Vitamin B12 and Magnesium: a Healthy Combo for the Degradation of Trichloroethylene. Water Air Soil Pollut 232, 336 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-021-05295-w
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-021-05295-w