Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The oxidation, fate and effects of iron during on-site bioremediation of groundwater contaminated by a mixture of polychlorophenols

  • Published:
Biodegradation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Kinetics of simultaneous iron and polychlorophenol (CP) oxidation by groundwater enriched cultures were studied in laboratory and during actual remediation in orderto reveal the fate and effects of iron on aerobic on-site bioremediation of boreal groundwater. 2,4,6-tri- (TCP), 2,3,4,6-tetra- (TeCP) and pentachlorophenol (PCP)were degraded in fluidized-bed bioreactor (FBR) by over 99%, over 99%, and over96%, respectively. The oxygen consumption rate for CP-biodegradation was 1.31μmol DO L-1 min-1 and 0.29 μmol DO L-1 min-1 for iron oxidation, i.e. approximately 12% of the oxygen was consumed by iron oxidation during normal FBR operation. Mineralization of CPs was confirmed by DOC removal and chloride release of 158% and 78%, respectively. Excess DOC removal was due to partial degradation of the natural organic matter (NOM) (1.1 mg L-1 or 24% DOC removal) in the groundwater. Removal of NOM consumed 0.91 μmol DO L-1min-1. Iron oxidation in the FBR was over 94% of which chemical Fe(II) oxidation accounted for up to 10%. Fe(III) partially accumulated (58 to 69%) in the system. The TCP- and CP-biodegradation consumed DO at two times higher rates than the Fe(II)-oxidation in both, laboratory and full-scale, respectively. The batch assays atvarious TCP and Fe(II) ratios and DO concentrations showed simultaneous oxygenconsumption by TCP and Fe-oxidizers and that increased Fe concentrations do notoutcompete the bioremediation of CP's for available oxygen.

Abbreviations: DAPI: 4',6'-Diamidino-phenylindole; DO:Dissolved oxygen; DOC: Dissolved organic carbon; FBR: Fluidized-bed bioreactor;HRT: Hydraulic retention time; NOM: Natural organic matter; PCP: Pentachlorophenol; SEM: Scanning-electron microscopy, TeCP: 2,3,4,6-Tetrachlorophenol; TCP: 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • APHA (1992) Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. American Public Health Association (APHA), American Water Works Association and Water Environment Federation, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Appelo CAJ & Postma D (1996) Geochemistry, groundwater and pollution. (pp 311-312). Balkema, Rotterdam

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapelle FH (2001) Ground-water microbiology and geochemistry. 2nd edn, (pp 292-320). John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Coleman AW (1980) Enhanced detection of bacteria in natural environments by fluorochrome staining of DNA. Limnol. Oceanogr. 25: 948-951

    Google Scholar 

  • Czekalla C (1997) Biological oxidation of iron and manganese-Process engineering and operational aspects. bbr 48: 22-27 (in German)

    Google Scholar 

  • Czekalla C & Kotulla H (1990) Change of the water works Westerbeck of the Stadtwerke Wolfsburg AG to aerobic biological iron removal. gwf Wasser Abwasser 131: 126-132 (in German)

    Google Scholar 

  • Czekalla C & Wichmann K (1994) Biodegradation of organic hazardous chemicals in iron removal facilities. gwf Wasser Abwasser 135: 207-212 (in German)

    Google Scholar 

  • Czekalla C, Mevius W & Hanert H (1985) Quantitative removal of iron and manganese by microorganisms in rapid sand filters (in situ investigations). Wat. Supply 3: 111-123

    Google Scholar 

  • Eble W, Saggau D & Beitz H (1999) Combination of In-situ and Onsite processes for groundwater remediation. TerraTech 45-49 (in German)

  • Emerson D & Revsbech NP (1994) Investigation of an Iron-Oxidizing microbial Mat Community Located near Aarhus, Denmark: Laboratory Studies. Appl. Environ. Microbial. 60: 4032-4038

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghiorse WC (1984) Biology of iron-and manganese-depositing bacteria. Ann. Rev. Microbiol. 38: 515-550

    Google Scholar 

  • Hallbeck L & Pedersen K (1990) Culture parameters regulating stalk formation and growth rate of Gallionella ferrugenia. J. Gen. Microbiol. 136: 1675-1680

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanert H (1981) The Genus Gallionella. In: Balows A, Trüper HG, Dworkin M, Harder W & Schleifer K-H (Eds), The Prokaryotes, 2nd edn (pp. 4082-4088). Spinger-Verlag, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Hatva T (1989) Iron and manganese in groundwater in Finland: Occurrence in glacifluvial aquifers and removal by biofiltration. Publication No. 4, National Board of Waters and the Environment, Helsinki, Finland

    Google Scholar 

  • Hässelbarth U & Lüdemann D (1971) Biological iron and manganese removal. Vom Wasser 38: 223-253 (in German)

    Google Scholar 

  • Järvinen K (2001) Bioreactor treatment of chlorophenol contaminated groundwater in Kärkölä. Series: The Finnish Environment 506. Uusimaa Regional Environment Centre, Helsinki (in Finnish)

  • Järvinen KT & Puhakka JA (2002) Full-scale on site bioremediation of polychlorophenol contaminated groundwater at low temperature. (submitted)

  • Kästner M & Hofrichter M (2001) Biodegradation of Humic Substances. In: Steinbüchel A (Ed) Biopolymers Biology, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Applications (pp 249-378). Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, Germany

    Google Scholar 

  • Kujala-Räty K, Hiisvirta L, Kaukonen M, Liponkoski M & Sipilä A (1998) Household water quality in Finland in the year 1996. The Finnish Environment 181, Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of the Environment, Finnish Environment Institute, Helsinki, (in Finnish)

  • Langwaldt JH, Männistö MK, Wichmann R & Puhakka JA (1998) Simulation of in situ subsurface biodegradation of polychlorophenols in air-lift percolators. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 49: 663-668

    Google Scholar 

  • Langwaldt JH & Puhakka JA (1999) Simulation of in situ chlorophenol-bioremediation from groundwater in pilot scale. In: Alleman BC & Leeson A (Eds) Bioremediation of Nitroaromatic and Haloaromatic Compounds Vol. 5(7) (pp 113-117). Battelle Press, Columbus, OH

    Google Scholar 

  • Langwaldt JH & Puhakka JA (2002) Competition for oxygen by iron and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol oxidizing bacteria in boreal groundwater. Wat. Res. (in press)

  • Lüllmann H & Schattney S (1993) Combined technologies in use. TerraTech 41-43 (in German)

  • Lütters-Czekalla S (1990) Lithoautotrophic growth of the iron bacterium Gallionella ferruginea with thiosulfate and sulphide as energy source. Arch. Microbiol. 154: 417-421

    Google Scholar 

  • Mäkinen PM, Theno TJ, Ferguson JF, Ongerth JE & Puhakka JA (1993) Chlorophenol toxicity removal and monitoring in aerobic treatment: Recovery from process upsets. Environ. Sci. Technol. 27: 1434-1439

    Google Scholar 

  • Männistö MK & Puhakka JA (2002) Psychrophilic and microaerophilic bacteria in boreal groundwater. FEMSMicrobiol. Ecol. 41: 9-16

    Google Scholar 

  • Männistö MK, Tiirola MA, Salkinoja-Salonen MS, Kulomaa MS & Puhakka JA (1999) Diversity of chlorophenol-degrading bacteria isolated from contaminated boreal groundwater. Arch. Microbiol. 171: 189-197

    Google Scholar 

  • Männistö MK, Tiirola MA & Puhakka JA (2001a) Degradation of 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol at low temperature and low dioxygen concentrations by phylogenetically different groundwater and bioreactor bacteria. Biodegradation 12: 291-301

    Google Scholar 

  • Männistö MK, Salkinoja-Salonen MS & Puhakka JA (2001b) In situ polychlorophenol bioremediation potential of the indigenous bacterial community of boreal groundwater. Wat. Res. 35: 2496-2504

    Google Scholar 

  • Melin ES, Järvinen K & Puhakka JA (1998) Effect of temperature on chlorophenol degradation kinetics in fluidized-bed reactors using different carrier materials. Wat. Res. 32: 81-90

    Google Scholar 

  • Morita RY (1997) Bacteria in Oligothrophic Environments, Starvation-Survival Lifestyle. Chapman & Hall, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Mouchet P (1992) From conventional to biological removal of iron and manganese in France. J. Am. Water Works Assoc. 84: 158-167

    Google Scholar 

  • Nystén T (1994) Mathematical Modelling of Groundwater Pollution in a Small Heterogeneous Aquifer in Kärkölä, Southern Finland. Publications of the Water and Environment Research Institute 15, National Board of Waters and the Environment, Helsinki, Finland

    Google Scholar 

  • Omura T, Umita T, Nenov V, Aizawa J and Onuma M (1991) Biological oxidation of ferrous iron in high acid mine drainage by fluidized bed reactor. Wat. Sci. Tech. 23: 1447-1456

    Google Scholar 

  • Petermann-Herman A, Kasche V & Mahro B (1992) Comparison of different process for introduction and extraction of bacteria to and from soil. In: Behrens D & Wiesner J (Eds) Mikrobiologische Reinigung von Böden (pp 369-376). DECHEMA, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (in German)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramsay AJ (1984) Extraction of bacteria from soil: Efficiency of shaking or ultrasonication as indicated by direct counts and autoradiography. Soil Biol. Biochem. 16: 475-481

    Google Scholar 

  • Ranville JF & Macalay DL (1997) Natural organic matter in catchments. In: Saether OM & de Caritat P (Eds), Geochemical processes, weathering and groundwater recharge in catchments (pp 263-303). Balkema, Rotterdam

  • SFS (1976) Finnish Standards Association, SFS 3028: Determination of Iron in Water. Photometric Method. Helsinki, Finland.

  • Sjölund M (1999) The effect of humic substances on biological remediation of chlorophenol contaminated aquifer. MSc thesis. Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland (in Finnish)

    Google Scholar 

  • Søgaard EG, Medenwaldt R & Abraham-Peskir JV (2000) Conditions and rates of biotic and abiotic iron precipitation in selected Danish freshwater plants and microscopic analysis of precipitate morphology. Wat. Res. 34: 2675-2682

    Google Scholar 

  • Søgaard EG, Aruna R, Abraham-Peskir J & Koch CB (2001) Conditions for biological precipitation of iron by Gallionella ferruginea in a slightly polluted ground water. Appl. Geochem. 16: 1129-1137

    Google Scholar 

  • Stumm W & Lee GF (1961) Oxygenation of Ferrous Iron. Ind. Eng. Chem. 53: 143-146

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiirola MA, Männistö MK, Puhakka JA & Kulomaa MS (2002). Isolation and Characterization of Novosphingobium sp. Strain MT1, a Dominant Polychlorophenol-Degrading Strain in a Groundwater Bioremediation System. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 68: 173-180

    Google Scholar 

  • Zettler B (1996) In situ remediation of an aquifer contaminated with chlorinated aromatics. Microbiological and toxicological studies and mass balance of the contaminant fluxes. Hygiene Berlin, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany (in German)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology, Tampere University of Technology, P.O. Box 541, 33101, Tampere, Finland

    Jörg H. Langwaldt & Jaakko A. Puhakka

Authors
  1. Jörg H. Langwaldt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jaakko A. Puhakka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Langwaldt, J.H., Puhakka, J.A. The oxidation, fate and effects of iron during on-site bioremediation of groundwater contaminated by a mixture of polychlorophenols. Biodegradation 13, 317–328 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022323622818

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022323622818

Search

Navigation