Improving conditions for nutrient-transforming microbial communities in multi-zoned biofilters to help prevent eutrophication of downstream reservoirs
Start Date
23-5-2022 5:45 PM
End Date
23-5-2022 7:00 PM
Abstract
Sequential sedimentation-biofiltration systems (SSBSs) are nature-based solutions that aid in the removal of pollutants carried by urban stormwater runoff. They are multi-zoned biofilters constructed within the structure of urban rivers, providing water treatment, and preventing anthropogenic eutrophication with the appearance of CyanoHABs in downstream waterbodies. Microbial communities play an important role in the cycling of nutrients in natural environments. Therefore, we investigated the dynamics of microbial metabolic activity, the abundance of nitrifying (gene amoA), and denitrifying bacteria (nosZ) in SSBSs. Furthermore, bacterial populations were characterized in zones containing biofilm (16S rRNA), and bacteria were isolated from sediments and tested for their metabolic properties. Results indicated that microbial metabolic activity was higher in summer. The geochemical zone -containing limestone- showed the highest abundance of nitrifiers in spring. The denitrifying zone -with brown coal- presented the highest abundance of denitrifiers in summer. Two isolated strains -Citrobacter freundii Bzr02 and Pseudomonas mandelii Str21- showed biotechnological potential in removal of nitrogen compounds during laboratory assays. These results suggested future modifications in the construction of SSBSs that could enhance the abundance and activity of microbial communities, to improve their efficiency in nutrient removal and mitigate CyanoHABs.
Funds: National Centre for Research and Development TANGO2/339929/NCBR/2017 “AZOSTOP”
Improving conditions for nutrient-transforming microbial communities in multi-zoned biofilters to help prevent eutrophication of downstream reservoirs
Sequential sedimentation-biofiltration systems (SSBSs) are nature-based solutions that aid in the removal of pollutants carried by urban stormwater runoff. They are multi-zoned biofilters constructed within the structure of urban rivers, providing water treatment, and preventing anthropogenic eutrophication with the appearance of CyanoHABs in downstream waterbodies. Microbial communities play an important role in the cycling of nutrients in natural environments. Therefore, we investigated the dynamics of microbial metabolic activity, the abundance of nitrifying (gene amoA), and denitrifying bacteria (nosZ) in SSBSs. Furthermore, bacterial populations were characterized in zones containing biofilm (16S rRNA), and bacteria were isolated from sediments and tested for their metabolic properties. Results indicated that microbial metabolic activity was higher in summer. The geochemical zone -containing limestone- showed the highest abundance of nitrifiers in spring. The denitrifying zone -with brown coal- presented the highest abundance of denitrifiers in summer. Two isolated strains -Citrobacter freundii Bzr02 and Pseudomonas mandelii Str21- showed biotechnological potential in removal of nitrogen compounds during laboratory assays. These results suggested future modifications in the construction of SSBSs that could enhance the abundance and activity of microbial communities, to improve their efficiency in nutrient removal and mitigate CyanoHABs.
Funds: National Centre for Research and Development TANGO2/339929/NCBR/2017 “AZOSTOP”