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Temperature impacts on anaerobic biotransformation of LNAPL and concurrent shifts in microbial community structure

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Abstract

Thermally-enhanced bioremediation is a promising treatment approach for petroleum contamination; however, studies examining temperature effects on anaerobic biodegradation in zones containing light non-aqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs) are lacking. Herein, laboratory microcosm studies were conducted for a former refinery to evaluate LNAPL transformation, sulfate reduction, and methane generation over a one-year period for temperatures ranging from 4 to 40 °C, and microbial community shifts were characterized. Temperatures of 22 and 30 °C significantly increased total biogas generation compared to lower (4 and 9 °C) and higher temperatures (35 and 40 °C; p < 0.1). Additionally, at 22 and 30 °C methane generation commenced ~6 months earlier than for 35 and 40 °C. Statistically significant biodegradation of benzene, toluene and xylenes was observed at elevated temperatures but not at lower temperatures (p < 0.1). Additionally, a novel differential chromatogram approach was developed to overcome challenges associated with resolving losses in complex mixtures of hydrocarbons, and application of this method revealed greater losses of hydrocarbons at 22 and 30 °C as compared to lower and higher temperatures. Finally, molecular biology assays revealed that the composition and activity of microbial communities shifted in a temperature-dependent manner. Collectively, results demonstrated that anaerobic biodegradation processes can be enhanced by increasing the temperature of LNAPL-containing soils, but biodegradation does not simply increase as temperature increases likely due to a lack of microorganisms that thrive at temperatures well above the historical high temperatures for a site. Rather, optimal degradation is achieved by holding soils at the high end of, or slightly higher than, their natural range.

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Abbreviations

ATP:

Adenosine triphosphate

BTEX:

Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and the xylenes

DRO:

Diesel range organics

GRO:

Gasoline range organics

LNAPL:

Light non-aqueous phase liquid

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by Chevron and the University Consortium for Field-Focused Groundwater Contamination Research. Additionally, support during field sampling activities was provided by Trihydro Corporation. The authors would like to thank Julio Zimbron for providing assistance with analytical methods, Emilie Lefèvre for providing assistance with microbial methods, Gary Dick for support with experimental design and set up, and Phillip Chapman for guidance with statistical analysis and for running ANOVA tests.

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  1. Natalie R. Zeman

    Present address: MWH Global, 2121 N California Blvd Suite 600, Walnut Creek, CA, 94596, USA

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  1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, 1301 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA

    Natalie R. Zeman, Maria Irianni Renno, Mitchell R. Olson, L. Paige Wilson, Thomas C. Sale & Susan K. De Long

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  1. Natalie R. Zeman
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  2. Maria Irianni Renno
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Correspondence to Susan K. De Long.

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Zeman, N.R., Irianni Renno, M., Olson, M.R. et al. Temperature impacts on anaerobic biotransformation of LNAPL and concurrent shifts in microbial community structure. Biodegradation 25, 569–585 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10532-014-9682-5

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