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from the round-of-applause-for-the-bugs dept.
Successful Biological Decontamination of an Aquifer:
Researchers at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), alongside LITOCLEAN and the University of Barcelona (UB), have achieved the biological decontamination of an aquifer containing a high concentration of the organochlorine compound perchloroethylene.
Organochlorine compounds, which are mainly toxic, are used as solvents and degreasers, and according to the Waste Agency of Catalonia (ARC), they represent almost 9 percent of the pollutants found in contaminated soils in Catalonia.
The decontamination was conducted through the biostimulation of organohalide-respiring bacteria found in the aquifer using lactate. These bacteria are capable of "breathing" the organochlorine compounds and transforming them into the non-toxic compound ethene.
[...] In the study published, researchers first applied this methodology in laboratory and observed that adding a nutrient such as lactate increased the "cleaning" activity of autochthonous bacteria, providing more energy and more optimal conditions for their growth. Researchers then conducted a successful pilot test in one of the aquifer's wells, in which two hundred days after the biostimulation most of the compound was transformed to non-toxic ethene. Later on, researchers proceeded to implement the treatment in all of the contaminated area. After one year, the monitoring analyses revealed the transformation of perchloroethylene into ethene in the majority of the aquifer's wells, and currently fulfil the parameters set down by the Catalan Water Agency.
[...] "One of the most positive parts of this project is that it has allowed us to work in real conditions and apply our laboratory conclusions to a case existing in the field," Ph.D. student Natàlia Blázquez Pallí says.
More information:
Natàlia Blázquez-Pallí et al. Integrative isotopic and molecular approach for the diagnosis and implementation of an efficient in-situ enhanced biological reductive dechlorination of chlorinated ethenes, Water Research (2019). DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.115106
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday October 24 2019, @08:26PM (6 children)
That is truly a feat to convert a toxic chlorinated compound into a safe non-chlorinated compound, but where does the chlorine go?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday October 24 2019, @08:56PM
Probably back into the water to make drinking water.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday October 24 2019, @08:57PM
A salt, utilizing sodium, potassium, magnesium, or calcium ions in the aquifier.
(Score: 2) by ikanreed on Thursday October 24 2019, @09:05PM
Knowing only the most basic things about biological processes, probably salt.
(Score: 2) by c0lo on Thursday October 24 2019, @10:05PM (2 children)
Hydrogen chloride (hydrochloric acid) as the first step [wikipedia.org] (see the Environmental contamination, idiotic mobile site and browser combination)
Depending on the petrography, most probably some salts (calcium or sodium are very likely). If not, it will stay as hydrochloric acid in concentrations lower than in your stomach.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 1) by fustakrakich on Friday October 25 2019, @01:45AM
If not, it will stay as hydrochloric acid in concentrations lower than in your stomach.
Yeah, but the path to your stomach is a bit more sensitive. At least it will clean out the calcium deposits in the pipes.
La politica e i criminali sono la stessa cosa..
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday October 26 2019, @04:14AM
You can easily just add a base or buffering solution to neutralize the HCl