Methane-based denitrification kinetics and syntrophy in a membrane biofilm reactor at low methane pressure

Lee, Jangho; Alrashed, Wael; Engel, Katja; Yoo, Keunje; Neufeld, Josh D.; Lee, Hyung-Sool

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.133818

Cited by 20 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…This is the first study to use RNA‐SIP in combination with high‐throughput sequencing to determine the bacteria actively involved in aerobic methane oxidation within a denitrifying biofilm community. Previous studies investigating methane oxidation coupled to denitrification have used high‐throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing (Alrashed et al, 2018; Cao et al, 2019; Lee et al, 2019; Siniscalchi et al, 2017; Sun et al, 2013) and DNA‐SIP (Zhang et al, 2020) to determine the communities present when this process is occurring in both aerobic and anaerobic environments. In comparison to using 16S rRNA gene sequencing techniques alone or with DNA‐SIP, 13 CH 4 RNA‐SIP enables the active members, directly involved in the metabolism of methane or methane oxidation metabolites to be identified.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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RNA stable isotope probing and high‐throughput sequencing to identify active microbial community members in a methane‐driven denitrifying biofilm

Wigley

Egbadon

Carere

et al. 2021

J of Applied Microbiology

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Aims: Aerobic methane oxidation coupled to denitrification (AME-D) is a promising process for removing nitrate from groundwater and yet its microbial mechanism and ecological implications are not fully understood. This study used RNA stable isotope probing (RNA-SIP) and high-throughput sequencing to identify the micro-organisms that are actively involved in aerobic methane oxidation within a denitrifying biofilm. Methods and Results: Two RNA-SIP experiments were conducted to investigate labelling of RNA and methane monooxygenase (pmoA) transcripts when exposed to 13 Clabelled methane over a 96-hour time period and to determine active bacteria involved in methane oxidation in a denitrifying biofilm. A third experiment was performed to ascertain the extent of 13 C labelling of RNA using isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). All experiments used biofilm from an established packed bed reactor. IRMS confirmed 13 C enrichment of the RNA. The RNA-SIP experiments confirmed selective enrichment by the shift of pmoA transcripts into heavier fractions over time. Finally, high-throughput sequencing identified the active micro-organisms enriched with 13 C. Conclusions: Methanotrophs (Methylovulum spp. and Methylocystis spp.), methylotrophs (Methylotenera spp.) and denitrifiers (Hyphomicrobium spp.) were actively involved in AME-D. Significance and Impact of the Study: This is the first study to use RNA-SIP and high-throughput sequencing to determine the bacteria active within an AME-D community.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…and were observed along with Methylocystis spp. in Beck et al (2013), López et al (2018) and Lee et al (2019). Steroidobacter spp.…”

Section: Identifying Active Members In the Biofilm Communitymentioning

confidence: 99%

RNA stable isotope probing and high‐throughput sequencing to identify active microbial community members in a methane‐driven denitrifying biofilm

Wigley

Egbadon

Carere

et al. 2021

J of Applied Microbiology

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“…MBRs overcome diffusional limitations by promoting high masstransfer rates of sparingly soluble gaseous substrates to the biomass. MBRs have been reported for denitrification (Lee et al, 2019) and removal of perchlorate (Wu et al, 2019), chromate (Luo et al, 2019), vanadate (Wang et al, 2019), selenate (Shi et al, 2020), etc. from contaminated wastewater and groundwater using methanotrophs.…”

Section: Mass Transfer and Solubility Limitations In Methanotroph Basmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biotransformation of Methane and Carbon Dioxide Into High-Value Products by Methanotrophs: Current State of Art and Future Prospects

2021

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Conventional chemical methods to transform methane and carbon dioxide into useful chemicals are plagued by the requirement for extreme operating conditions and expensive catalysts. Exploitation of microorganisms as biocatalysts is an attractive alternative to sequester these C1 compounds and convert them into value-added chemicals through their inherent metabolic pathways. Microbial biocatalysts are advantageous over chemical processes as they require mild-operating conditions and do not release any toxic by-products. Methanotrophs are potential cell-factories for synthesizing a wide range of high-value products via utilizing methane as the sole source of carbon and energy, and hence, serve as excellent candidate for methane sequestration. Besides, methanotrophs are capable of capturing carbon dioxide and enzymatically hydrogenating it into methanol, and hence qualify to be suitable candidates for carbon dioxide sequestration. However, large-scale production of value-added products from methanotrophs still presents an overwhelming challenge, due to gas-liquid mass transfer limitations, low solubility of gases in liquid medium and low titer of products. This requires design and engineering of efficient reactors for scale-up of the process. The present review offers an overview of the metabolic architecture of methanotrophs and the range of product portfolio they can offer. Special emphasis is given on methanol biosynthesis as a potential biofuel molecule, through utilization of methane and alternate pathway of carbon dioxide sequestration. In view of the gas-liquid mass transfer and low solubility of gases, the key rate-limiting step in gas fermentation, emphasis is given toward reactor design consideration essential to achieve better process performance.

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“…For instance, high dissolved methane concentration in bulk liquid is essential for improving methane-utilizing denitrification rate in a CSTR-type bioreactor, but higher dissolved methane concentration indicates more methane loss in bioreactor effluent later. Hence, membrane biofilm reactors using gas-permeable membranes are ideal for minimizing methane loss during denitrification because gaseous methane can be almost consumed in membrane biofilms before reaching to bulk liquid (Alrashed et al, 2018;Lee et al, 2018Lee et al, , 2019Tang et al, 2019). Recent works on methane-based denitrification in membrane biofilm reactors were conducted in laboratory scale, which means large-scale experiments are required to accelerate the application of this new denitrification technology in field for assessment of operating parameters (methane pressure, nitrate flux), reactor design (membrane packing density) environmental factors (low temperature), and cost analysis.…”

Section: Research Needs and Opportunitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…ANME archaea (e.g., Candidatus Methanoperedens nitroreducens) anaerobically reduce nitrate to nitrite by oxidizing methane (Haroon et al, 2013), which requires syntrophic interactions with nitrite and nitrate reducers (like, NC10 bacteria, anammox bacteria or unidentified denitrifiers) to complete nitrate reduction to N 2 . Methane‐based denitrification using aerobic methanotrophic bacteria is not well understand, although it has been engineered for denitrification (Alrashed et al, 2018; Lee et al, 2019; Modin et al, 2010). Methane‐based denitrification can be applied as pre‐ or post‐denitrification, as shown in Figure 1.…”

Section: Nitrogen Controlmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anaerobic membrane bioreactors for wastewater treatment: Challenges and opportunities

Lee

Liao

2020

Water Environment Research

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Anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs) have become a new mature technology and entered into the wastewater market, but there are several challenges to be addressed for wide applications. In this review, we discuss challenges and potentials of AnMBRs focusing on wastewater treatment. Nitrogen and dissolved methane control, membrane fouling and its control, and membrane associated cost including energy consumption are main bottlenecks to facilitating AnMBR application in wastewater treatment. Accumulation of dissolved methane in AnMBR permeate decreases the benefit of methane energy and contributes to methane gas emissions to atmosphere. Separate control units for nitrogen and dissolved methane add system complexity and increase capital and operating and maintenance (O & M) costs in AnMBR-centered wastewater treatment. Alternatively, methane-based denitrification can be an ideal nitrogen control process due to simultaneous removal of nitrogen and dissolved methane. Membrane fouling and energy associated with membrane fouling control are major limitations, in addition to membrane cost. More efforts are required to decrease capital and O & M costs associated with the control of dissolved methane nitrogen and membrane fouling to facilitate AnMBRs for wastewater treatment. © 2020 Water Environment Federation • Practitioner points • AnMBRs can accelerate anaerobic wastewater treatment including dilute wastewater. • Nitrogen and dissolved methane control is detrimental for AnMBR application to wastewater treatment. • Membrane biofilm reactors using gas-permeable membranes are suitable for simultaneous nitrogen and dissolved methane control. • High capital and O & M costs from membranes are a major bottleneck to wide application of AnMBRs. • Dynamic membranes could be an option to reduce capital and O & M costs for AnMBRs.

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Methane-based denitrification kinetics and syntrophy in a membrane biofilm reactor at low methane pressure

Cited by 20 publications

References 52 publications

RNA stable isotope probing and high‐throughput sequencing to identify active microbial community members in a methane‐driven denitrifying biofilm

RNA stable isotope probing and high‐throughput sequencing to identify active microbial community members in a methane‐driven denitrifying biofilm

Biotransformation of Methane and Carbon Dioxide Into High-Value Products by Methanotrophs: Current State of Art and Future Prospects

Anaerobic membrane bioreactors for wastewater treatment: Challenges and opportunities

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