The Clean Up Adventures of Pseuda & Mona

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https://www.storyjumper.com/book/index/53425205

Follow along with Pseuda & Mona as they try to clean up a heating fuel spill in Pseuda’s yard. Pseuda and Mona try several techniques to clean up the mess, but with each technique they learn more about heating fuel, bioremediation techniques, and that there is nothing “simple” about cleaning up an oil spill.

Table of Contents:
pg 2: Meet Pseuda
pg 4: B.TEX
pg 8: Mona to the rescue!
pg 8-10: Soil Excavation – Aasne
pg 12-15: Land farming – Ankur
pg 16-19: Ground water remediation – Tonya
pg 20-21: Phytoremediation – Kim
pg 22-23: Clean & green

Phenol Biodegradation by Halophilic archaea

Posted by On Filed under Contaminant biodegradation (round 2) papers No Comments

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0964830515301384

Acikgoz, Eda, and Birgul Ozcan. “Phenol Biodegradation by Halophilic Archaea.’  Internation Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, vol. 107, Feb. 2016, pp. 140 146., doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2015.11.016.

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ABSTRACT
Phenol is a toxic aromatic compound produced as a by-product of industrial activities. Biological treatment of highly saline wastewaters containing phenol can be performed through halophilic  microorganisms. In this study, the ability of halophilic archaeal isolates to degrade phenol was investigated. Among 103 tested isolates, the strain designated A235 was identified as having the highest phenol degradation capacity on solid and liquid media containing 20% (w/v) NaCl and phenol as the sole carbon and energy source. The strain was adapted sequentially to increasing phenol concentrations. The removal of phenol via cross-toluene adaptation was increased by 14% in the medium. The growth kinetics of strain A235 during growth on phenol was found to fit the Monod model. The values of μmax and Ks were calculated to be 0.015  h−1  and 71.4  g  l−1, respectively. For an initial phenol concentration of 100  ppm, the biodegradation by A235 was found to be optimal at pH 7.5, 37   °C and 200  rpm when the culture contained 20% (w/v) NaCl, 0.025% yeast extract and the inoculum size was set at 10%. A preliminary enzyme screening indicated that the degradation of phenol was achieved through a  meta-cleavage pathway involving a catechol 2,3-dioxygenase. Catechol 2,3-dioxygenase displayed its highest catalytic activity at 42   °C, 2  M KCl, and pH 8. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing the ability an extremely halophilic archaeon to metabolize phenol at higher salt concentrations.

Justification:
Continuing with the wastewater treatment section, and about different energy sources/donors for microbes, this article is about how halophilic archaea can help biodegrade pollutants in extra salty wastewater by adapting to high levels of phenol, and using that as the energy source. I like how this article kind of combines many different subjects that we have talked about this semester, and it includes biodegradation (I also think archaea are super cool).

Phenol biodegradation by halophilic archaea

Posted by On Filed under Assignments, Biodegradation and bioremediation papers No Comments

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0964830515301384

Acikgoz, Eda, and Birgul Ozcan. “Phenol Biodegradation by Halophilic Archaea.’  Internation Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, vol. 107, Feb. 2016, pp. 140 146., doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2015.11.016.

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ABSTRACT
Phenol is a toxic aromatic compound produced as a by-product of industrial activities. Biological treatment of highly saline wastewaters containing phenol can be performed through halophilic  microorganisms. In this study, the ability of halophilic archaeal isolates to degrade phenol was investigated. Among 103 tested isolates, the strain designated A235 was identified as having the highest phenol degradation capacity on solid and liquid media containing 20% (w/v) NaCl and phenol as the sole carbon and energy source. The strain was adapted sequentially to increasing phenol concentrations. The removal of phenol via cross-toluene adaptation was increased by 14% in the medium. The growth kinetics of strain A235 during growth on phenol was found to fit the Monod model. The values of μmax and Ks were calculated to be 0.015  h−1  and 71.4  g  l−1, respectively. For an initial phenol concentration of 100  ppm, the biodegradation by A235 was found to be optimal at pH 7.5, 37   °C and 200  rpm when the culture contained 20% (w/v) NaCl, 0.025% yeast extract and the inoculum size was set at 10%. A preliminary enzyme screening indicated that the degradation of phenol was achieved through a  meta-cleavage pathway involving a catechol 2,3-dioxygenase. Catechol 2,3-dioxygenase displayed its highest catalytic activity at 42   °C, 2  M KCl, and pH 8. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing the ability an extremely halophilic archaeon to metabolize phenol at higher salt concentrations.

Justification:
Continuing with the wastewater treatment section, and about different energy sources/donors for microbes, this article is about how halophilic archaea can help biodegrade pollutants in extra salty wastewater by adapting to high levels of phenol, and using that as the energy source. I like how this article kind of combines many different subjects that we have talked about this semester, and it includes biodegradation (I also think archaea are super cool).

Decentralized approaches to wastewater treatment and management: Applicability in developing countries

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https://www-sciencedirect-com.proxy.library.uaf.edu/science/article/pii/S0301479708001618

Massoud, May A, et al. “Decentralized Approaches to Wastewater Treatment and Management: Applicability in Developing Countries.” Journal of Environmental Management, vol. 90, no. 1, Jan. 2009, pp. 652-659., doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2008.07.001.

Abstract
Providing reliable and affordable wastewater treatment in rural areas is a challenge in many parts of the world, particularly in developing countries. The problems and limitations of the centralized approaches for wastewater treatment are progressively surfacing. Centralized wastewater collection and treatment systems are costly to build and operate, especially in areas with low population densities and dispersed households. Developing countries lack both the funding to construct centralized facilities and the technical expertise to manage and operate them. Alternatively, the decentralized approach for wastewater treatment which employs a combination of onsite and/or cluster systems is gaining more attention. Such an approach allows for flexibility in management, and simple as well as complex technologies are available. The decentralized system is not only a long-term solution for small communities but is more reliable and cost effective. This paper presents a review of the various decentralized approaches to wastewater treatment and management. A discussion as to their applicability in developing countries, primarily in rural areas, and challenges faced is emphasized all through the paper. While there are many impediments and challenges towards wastewater management in developing countries, these can be overcome by suitable planning and policy implementation. Understanding the receiving environment is crucial for technology selection and should be accomplished by conducting a comprehensive site evaluation process. Centralized management of the decentralized wastewater treatment systems is essential to ensure they are inspected and maintained regularly. Management strategies should be site specific accounting for social, cultural, environmental and economic conditions in the target area.

 

After seeing the wastewater treament plan today I started thinking about how other cities/communities/states/countries may clean their wastwater, or what troubles they may face if they can not properly treat their wastewater. This article focuses on the pro’s and con’s of different types of wastewater treatment mechanisms in rural areas. They propose more efficient treatment methods for rural areas that may be lacking the infrastructure and resources for the type of treatment plant that we saw today.

What’s cookin in the kitchen? Microbes.

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With this thinglink we evaluate the microbial communities found in different locations of the kitchen. If you are brave, explore each post in the thinglink to learn more about the bacteria that you may be interacting with everyday in your own kitchen.

By: Aasne Hoveid, Kimberly Fitzgerald, Ankur Sachan, Tanya Lloyd

This image was taken from google, but can be found at www.decorunits.com

Microbial communities article summaries

Posted by On Filed under Microbial Community Thinglink individual posts, Student Projects No Comments

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168160504000820#FIG6

Prevalence of Microbial biofilms on selected fresh produce and household surfaces

Non-technical:

Do you wash your vegetables after purchasing them from the store? Do you wipe down your counter, sink, and cutting boards after every use? If not, you may want to start. A group of scientists went to the grocery store and bought carrots (bulk and bagged), tomatoes, lettuce, and mushrooms to test if there is any bacteria living on these veggies. They discovered that there was a presence of a biofilm on every vegetable they purchased. A biofilm is a thin layer on the surface of objects that is created by bacteria. The scientists also decided to test whether there were bacterial communities living on sponges, wooden cutting boards, wet and dry towels, as well as wet and dry socks. They came up with the same results; bacterial biofilms were growing on every surface. Unfortunately the scientists also concluded that not much can be done to completely sanitize your vegetables or towels. Typical detergents and soaps are not able to break through that biofilm layer and properly disinfect your veggies or linens. But there is good news; if you rinse your food with chlorine, or acidic detergents you can inhibit further growth on those surfaces.

Technical:

This paper gives the results from testing multiple surfaces in a domestic environment for the presence of biofilms and other microbial communities. They tested tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, and mushrooms from the grocery store, as well as cutting boards, sponges, wet and dry towels, and wet and dry socks. They used Cryostage scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy to detect microbes, and Alcian blue staining to expose a biofilm layer. The results revealed that there was an exopolymeric associated biofilm layer on every vegetable surface and household item, plus the results indicated a presence of fungal growth on sponges, socks, and towels. Unfortunately typical detergents and sanitizers are unable to break through that biofilm layer and kill the bacteria inside. The scientists reference literature where not even multiple chlorine rinses were able to completely sanitize these items. Rinsing with chlorine, acidic, or alkaline detergents can only decrease the viability of the organisms creating the biofilm, but not completely rid the layer. Because the biofilm on these surfaces is hard to remove, there is an increased possibility of those surfaces carrying pathogenic bacteria. The end result is that there are microbes living on most surfaces that you may encounter in everyday life.

 

Joanna Rayner, Richard Veeh, Janine Flood, Prevalence of microbial biofilms on selected fresh produce and household surfaces, International Journal of Food Microbiology, Volume 95, Issue 1, 2004, Pages 29-39, ISSN 0168-1605, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2004.01.019 (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168160504000820)

Coupling biogeochemical cycles in urban environments: ecosystem services, green solutions, and misconceptions

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https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.proxy.library.uaf.edu/doi/10.1890/090220/full

Coupling biogeochemical cycles in urban environments: ecosystem services, green solutions, and misconceptions

Abstract

“Urban green space is purported to offset greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions, remove air and water pollutants, cool local climate, and improve public health. To use these services, municipalities have focused efforts on designing and implementing ecosystem-services-based “green infrastructure’ in urban environments. In some cases the environmental benefits of this infrastructure have been well documented, but they are often unclear, unquantified, and/or outweighed by potential costs. Quantifying biogeochemical processes in urban green infrastructure can improve our understanding of urban ecosystem services and disservices (negative or unintended consequences) resulting from designed urban green spaces. Here we propose a framework to integrate biogeochemical processes into designing, implementing, and evaluating the net effectiveness of green infrastructure, and provide examples for GHG mitigation, stormwater runoff mitigation, and improvements in air quality and health.”

This article discuses how ‘green infrastructure’ can be both psychologically and environmentally beneficial, and can be utilized as a food source.  The article focuses on the water cycling and nutrient cycling that a green infrastructure needs to be sustainable, and any organic matter that can help mitigate effects of greenhouse gases.

Citation:
Pataki, D. E., Carreiro, M. M., Cherrier, J., Grulke, N. E., Jennings, V., Pincetl, S., Pouyat, R. V., Whitlow, T. H. and Zipperer, W. C. (2011), Coupling biogeochemical cycles in urban environments: ecosystem services, green solutions, and misconceptions. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 9: 27—36. doi:10.1890/090220

 

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A1 Introduction

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Hi! I am Kim Fitzgerald. I am a biology major with a concentration in physiology, and I enjoy learning about how our actions and presence affect our surroundings. My favorite activities include running/skiing/walking, watching the movie Moana,  and I love living in Fairbanks.

Microbes all around
some are visible, some not
we are surrounded

This is a picture of me at Excelsior Geyser Crater in Yellowstone.