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Advances in Bioremediation Strategies: Solving Current Application Limitations and Expanding Their Use to Emerging Organic Contaminants

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A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2020) | Viewed by 30288

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Dr. Laura Delgado-Moreno

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Guest Editor

1. Department of Environmental Protection, Estación Experimental del Zaidín (CSIC), 18008 Granada, Spain;
2. Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 28006 Madrid, Spain
Interests: fate of organic contaminant in the environment; chemical methods for measuring bioavailability and their application; sustainable and low-cost bioremediation strategies; biocarbons for purifying contaminated water
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Dear Colleagues,

Considering the global increment of soil and water pollution, efforts have been focused on the development of different techniques for soil and water restoration, bioremediation being preferred to other physicalchemical processes because it is more cost-effective and eco-friendlier.

Bioremediation strategies allow treating contaminated media using microorganisms, plants or microbial or plant enzymes to degrade, remove or immobilize contaminants. These technologies can be applied to soil and water systems, in situ or ex situ, to either reduce the numbers of contaminants to levels with no toxicological effect or even completely remove them. In the last 20 years, bioremediation has gained increasing scientific attention, and significant advances have been made. However, there are still some limitations, especially, in the use of bioremediation in field scale due to the fact that suitable environmental conditions for these biological processes are often lacking at specific contaminated sites, resulting in lower-than-expected bioremediation efficiencies. Selection of adapted microorganisms or plants, natural metabolic inhibition, non-availability of suitable nutrient levels, and environmental conditions are some of the issues that need further research in order to improve the performance of bioremediation strategies. Additionally, research in this area should aim at developing new bioremediation strategies that allow the effective removal of emerging organic contaminants and complex mixtures. Special attention should be given to the formation of intermediate products, even more toxic than their parent compounds.

This Special Issue of Applied Sciences is a forum for a discussion around the advances and new technology development in bioremediation. Papers dealing with the aforementioned limitations and challenges are invited. Also relevant are studies about bioavailability as a validation tool of bioremediation effectiveness. Research articles covering the field application of new and sustainable bioremediaton strategies will be primarily considered. Likewise, critical review articles which describe the current state of the art will be welcome, mainly those dealing with economic, regulatory, and social perception issues.

Dr. Laura Delgado-Moreno
Guest Editor

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Keywords

biostimulation
bioaugmention
phytoremediation
mycoremediation
bioavailability
organic and inorganic contaminantants

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 9547 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In Situ Bioremediation Techniques to Reduce Total Organic Matter Oversaturation of Fluvial Sediments: An Experimental Study

by Carlos Rochera, Antonio Picazo, Nayeli Murueta and Antonio Camacho

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(12), 4308; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10124308 - 23 Jun 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1936

Abstract

An in situ experiment was performed in sediments of River Magro (east Spain) in order to evaluate the usefulness of microbial bioremediation, both bioaugmentation and biostimulation, as a tool for reducing the excessive organic matter (OM) content in dammed river stretches due to historical wastewater spilling. The study had a prospective approach focused on the application of a biologically active commercial product (BAP), consisting of a mix of bacterial strains, ectoenzymes, and nutrients, where a range of concentrations and temporal dosages of the product were experimentally assayed in situ. They were further combined with the addition of potential organic enhancers, such as acetate, as well as of inhibitors of specific microbial guilds. On the other hand, inorganic electron acceptors for the anaerobic respiration of the organic matter were additionally amended. In additional assays, the BAP additions were combined with inorganic nutrients amendments, or even the latter were tested alone. These combinative treatments aimed at exploring the possible enhancement of synergistic or antagonistic interactions among the amended compounds, as well as the eventual effect of growth limiting factors. The single BAP additions of 50 g/m³ led to OM reductions of up to 17%, and significant removals of nitrogen or phosphorus were additionally observed by increasing or by fractioning the BAP dosage, respectively. However, a better response using the same amount of the BAP was obtained by supplementing it with sodium acetate. In this case, reductions of the OM content reached up to 35% of the accumulated OM, thus indicating that a complementary stimulus is still necessary to run out barriers towards the final steps of the anaerobic OM digestion. This treatment was also linked to the strongest significant drop in the TP content of the sediments. Neither the addition of inorganic electron acceptors nor inorganic nutrients improved the results, or they were even antagonistic of the degradative potential of the BAP product. Apparently, the occurrence of acetoclastic microorganisms, which was demonstrated by high throughput DNA-sequencing, was critical for the optimal OM reductions in the sediments. This exploratory study demonstrates that the applicability of BAPs can be extended to cover the remediation of fluvial ecosystems, and support the complementarity of different bioremediation strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Bioremediation Strategies: Solving Current Application Limitations and Expanding Their Use to Emerging Organic Contaminants)

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12 pages, 1903 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Vermiremediation of Biomixtures from Biobed Systems Contaminated with Pesticides

by Laura Delgado-Moreno, Rogelio Nogales and Esperanza Romero

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(9), 3173; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10093173 - 2 May 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2995

Abstract

Biobeds bioremediation systems are effectively used for minimizing pesticide point-source contamination. For keeping the biobed effectiveness, its biomixture needs to be replaced every so often. The exhausted biomixtures can contain pesticide residues and so they require a special treatment before being discharged into the environment. In this study, we explore the potential of vermiremediation for cleaning up biobed biomixtures contaminated with pesticides. Two biomixtures composed of soil:peat:straw (P) and soil:vermicompost of wet olive cake: olive tree pruning (O), contaminated with high loads of four pesticides, were used. Vermicomposting was carried out by Eisenia fetida earthworms for 12 weeks. Results showed that 50% and 70% of the earthworms colonized the contaminated P and O biomixtures, respectively, but the number of alive earthworms decreased with time just as their weight. The colonization of biomixtures did not significantly affect the dissipation of imidacloprid and tebuconazole, but increased 1.4 fold the dissipation of oxyfluorfen in both biomixtures and that of diuron in biomixture P. Although the presence of high loads of pesticides and the composition of the biomixtures limited the vermiremediation, satisfactory results were obtained for diuron and oxyfluorfen. Complementing vermiremediation with other remediation practices could improve the efficiency of this technology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Bioremediation Strategies: Solving Current Application Limitations and Expanding Their Use to Emerging Organic Contaminants)

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17 pages, 2415 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Bioaugmentation Treatment of a PAH-Polluted Soil in a Slurry Bioreactor

by Rubén Forján, Iván Lores, Carlos Sierra, Diego Baragaño, José Luis R. Gallego and Ana Isabel Peláez

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(8), 2837; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10082837 - 20 Apr 2020

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 4641

Abstract

A bioslurry reactor was designed and used to treat loamy clay soil polluted with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). To this end, biostimulation alone, or combined with bioaugmentation with two bacterial strains (Rhodocccus erythropolis and Pseudomonas stuzeri) previously isolated from the polluted site, was applied. The PAH concentrations decreased notably after 15 days in all of the treatments. The concentrations of the two- and three-ring compounds fell by >80%, and, remarkably, the four- to six-ring PAHs also showed a marked decrease (>70%). These results thus indicate the capacity of bioslurry treatments to improve, notably, the degradation yields obtained in a previous real-scale remediation carried out using biopiles. In this sense, the remarkable results for recalcitrant PAHs can be attributed to the increase pollutants’ bioavailability achieves in the slurry bioreactors. Regarding bioaugmentation, although treatment with R. erythropolis led to a somewhat greater reduction of lighter PAHs at 15 days, the most time-effective treatment was achieved using P. stutzeri, which led to an 84% depletion of total PAHs in only three days. The effects of microbial degradation of other organic compounds were also monitored by means of combined qualitative and quantitative gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS) tools, as was the evolution of microbial populations, which was analyzed by culture and molecular fingerprinting experiments. On the basis of our findings, bioslurry technology emerges as a rapid and operative option for the remediation of polluted sites, especially for fine soil fractions with a high load of recalcitrant pollutants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Bioremediation Strategies: Solving Current Application Limitations and Expanding Their Use to Emerging Organic Contaminants)

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16 pages, 1399 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Evaluating Earthworms’ Potential for Remediating Soils Contaminated with Olive Mill Waste Sediments

by Juan C. Sanchez-Hernandez, Jose A. Sáez, Alberto Vico, Joaquín Moreno and Raúl Moral

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(7), 2624; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10072624 - 10 Apr 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3274

Abstract

The olive-oil industry generates large amounts of residues that, in the past, were accumulated in evaporating ponds in many Mediterranean countries. Currently, these open-air ponds pose a serious environmental hazard because of toxic chemicals that concentrate in their sediments. Bioremediation of olive mill waste (OMW) sediments has emerged as a viable option for managing this environmentally problematic residue. Here, we postulate that inoculation of an OMW-soil mixture with earthworms may be a complementary bioremediation strategy to that using native microorganisms only. A laboratory study assessed the ecotoxicity of OMW-amended soils (10%, 20%, 40% and 80% w/w) combining earthworm biomarker responses and soil enzyme activities. The doses of 40% and 80% were toxic to earthworms, as evidenced by the high mortality rate, loss of body weight and signs of oxidative stress after 30 d of soil incubation. Conversely, doses ≤ 20% w/w were compatible with earthworm activity, as indicated by the significant increase of soil enzyme activities. Total concentrations of phenolic compounds decreased by more than 70% respect to initial concentrations in 10% and 20% OMW treatments. These results suggest that OMW sediments intentionally mixed with soils in an up to 20% proportion is a workable bioremediation strategy, where earthworms can be inoculated to facilitate the OMW degradation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Bioremediation Strategies: Solving Current Application Limitations and Expanding Their Use to Emerging Organic Contaminants)

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13 pages, 1962 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Metabolic Capability of Penicillium oxalicum to Transform High Concentrations of Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Drugs

by Darío Rafael Olicón-Hernández, Maite Ortúzar, Clementina Pozo, Jesús González-López and Elisabet Aranda

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(7), 2479; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10072479 - 4 Apr 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3140

Abstract

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and analgesics are two of the most employed drug groups around the world due to their use in the treatment of edema and pain. However, they also present an ecological challenge because they are considered as potential water pollutants. In this work, the biodegradation of four NSAIDs (diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen and ketoprofen) and one analgesic (acetaminophen) at 50 µM (initial concentration) by Penicillium oxalicum, at both flask and bioreactor bench scales, was evaluated. An important co-metabolic mechanism as part of the global bioremediation process for the elimination of these drugs was observed, as in some cases it was necessary to supplement glucose to achieve a 100% removal rate: both individually and as a complex mixture. Identical behavior in the implementation of a fluidized bench-scale batch bioreactor, inoculated with pellets of this fungus and the complex mix of the drugs, was observed. The role of the cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP) in the biodegradation of the drugs mix were evidenced by the observation of hydroxylated by-products. The results on the reduction of toxicity (micro and phyto) were not conclusive; however, a reduction in phytotoxicity was detected. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Bioremediation Strategies: Solving Current Application Limitations and Expanding Their Use to Emerging Organic Contaminants)

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12 pages, 1983 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Evolution of the Residual Pollution in Soils after Bioremediation Treatments

by Rocío Pastor-Jáuregui, Mario Paniagua-López, Javier Martínez-Garzón, Francisco Martín-Peinado and Manuel Sierra-Aragón

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(3), 1006; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10031006 - 3 Feb 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2764

Abstract

This study is focused on one of the most important spills that ever happened in Europe, the Aznalcóllar’s mine spill. The extensive application of phytostabilization in the area led to the implementation of the Guadiamar Green Corridor (GGC). Soil physicochemical properties were analyzed and the total concentration of Pb, As, Zn and Cu was measured by X-ray fluorescence (XRF); bioassay using Lactuca sativa L. was applied to assess potential toxicity. Two decades after the accident, some soils affected by residual contamination continue to appear in the area. According to regulatory levels, Pb and As concentrations are exceeded in around 13%and 70%, respectively, in the uppermost part of the soils (first 10 cm). The change in soil properties after bioremediation treatment positively promoted the reduction in the potential mobility of pollutants by the increase in pH, CaCO₃ content and organic carbon. Anyway, the bioassay with Lactuca sativa, indicated that around 25% of the soils showed toxicity by the reduction of the root elongation in relation to the control samples. Our results indicate that monitoring of the GGC is still needed, together with the application of soil recovery measures to reduce the potential toxicity in some sectors of the affected area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Bioremediation Strategies: Solving Current Application Limitations and Expanding Their Use to Emerging Organic Contaminants)

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Review

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45 pages, 3400 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

From Laboratory Tests to the Ecoremedial System: The Importance of Microorganisms in the Recovery of PPCPs-Disturbed Ecosystems

by María Carmen Molina, Luis Fernando Bautista, Myriam Catalá, María Rosa de las Heras, Pilar Martínez-Hidalgo, Jon San-Sebastián and Natalia González-Benítez

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(10), 3391; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10103391 - 14 May 2020

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 5549

Abstract

The presence of a wide variety of emerging pollutants in natural water resources is an important global water quality challenge. Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are known as emerging contaminants, widely used by modern society. This objective ensures availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, according to the 2030 Agenda. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) do not always mitigate the presence of these emerging contaminants in effluents discharged into the environment, although the removal efficiency of WWTP varies based on the techniques used. This main subject is framed within a broader environmental paradigm, such as the transition to a circular economy. The research and innovation within the WWTP will play a key role in improving the water resource management and its surrounding industrial and natural ecosystems. Even though bioremediation is a green technology, its integration into the bio-economy strategy, which improves the quality of the environment, is surprisingly rare if we compare to other corrective techniques (physical and chemical). This work carries out a bibliographic review, since the beginning of the 21st century, on the biological remediation of some PPCPs, focusing on organisms (or their by-products) used at the scale of laboratory or scale-up. PPCPs have been selected on the basics of their occurrence in water resources. The data reveal that, despite the advantages that are associated with bioremediation, it is not the first option in the case of the recovery of systems contaminated with PPCPs. The results also show that fungi and bacteria are the most frequently studied microorganisms, with the latter being more easily implanted in complex biotechnological systems (78% of bacterial manuscripts vs. 40% fungi). A total of 52 works has been published while using microalgae and only in 7% of them, these organisms were used on a large scale. Special emphasis is made on the advantages that are provided by biotechnological systems in series, as well as on the need for eco-toxicological control that is associated with any process of recovery of contaminated systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Bioremediation Strategies: Solving Current Application Limitations and Expanding Their Use to Emerging Organic Contaminants)

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18 pages, 1263 KiB

Open AccessReview

Role of Melatonin to Enhance Phytoremediation Capacity

by Marino B. Arnao and Josefa Hernández-Ruiz

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(24), 5293; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9245293 - 4 Dec 2019

Cited by 49 | Viewed by 5212

Abstract

Phytoremediation is a green technology that aims to take up pollutants from soil or water. Metals are one of the targets of these techniques due to their high toxicity in biological systems, including plants and animals. Their elimination or, at least, decrease will help keep them from being incorporated in the trophic chain and thus reaching animal and human food. The metal removal efficiency of plants is closely related to their growth rate, tolerance, and their adaptability to different environments. Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a ubiquitous molecule present in animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria. In plants, it plays an important role related to antioxidant activity, but also as an important redox network regulator. Thus, melatonin has been defined as a biostimulator of plant growth, especially under environmental stress conditions, whether abiotic (water deficit and waterlogging, extreme temperature, UV radiation, salinity, alkalinity, specific mineral deficit/excess, metals and other toxic compounds, etc.) or biotic (bacteria, fungi, and viruses). Exogenous melatonin treated plants have been seen to have a high tolerance to stressors, minimizing possible harmful effects through the control of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and activating antioxidative responses. Furthermore, important gene expression changes in stress specific transcription factors have been demonstrated. Melatonin is capable of mobilizing toxic metals, through phytochelatins, transporting this, while sequestration adds to the biostimulator effect of melatonin on plants, improving plant tolerance against toxic pollutants. Furthermore, melatonin improves the uptake of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) in stress situations, enhancing cell metabolism. In light of the above, the application of melatonin seems to be a useful option for clearing toxic pollutants from the environment by improving phytoremediation. Interestingly, a variety of stressors induce melatonin biosynthesis in plants, and the study of this endogenous response in hyperaccumulator plants may be even more interesting as a natural response of the phytoremediation of diverse plants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Bioremediation Strategies: Solving Current Application Limitations and Expanding Their Use to Emerging Organic Contaminants)

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