Microbial Perchlorate Reduction Research Articles

Oxygen and chlorine isotope fractionation during microbial perchlorate reduction in static and flow through systems

Perchlorate (ClO4−) is an oxyanion with both anthropogenic and natural sources that is widespread on earth and throughout the solar system. Stable isotope ratio measurements are a powerful tool to assess the origin and predict the fate of perchlorate in the environment. The aim of this study was to perform an experimental survey of parameters that influence microbial O and Cl isotope fractionation during microbial perchlorate reduction, covering microbiological (genetic background and community context) and environmental (temperature, salinity, electron donor type and limitation) factors. A new method for the purification of perchlorate for isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) was developed to allow for more efficient sample preparation and suitable for samples containing small amounts of perchlorate (0.4–2 mg). Although most experiments, regardless of treatment, yielded a consistent isotope enrichment factor ratio (Λ = ε18O/ε37Cl ∼ 2.5), a greater variability was observed of individual isotope enrichment factors (ε18O and ε37Cl). Although most experiments yielded isotope enrichment factors (epsilon) in the larger negative range of previously published values, smaller negative values of ε18O and ε37Cl were observed for a halophilic isolate, Haloarcula marismortui, (ε18O = −15 to −22‰ and ε37Cl = −5 to −7‰), and in sediment column experiments (ε18O = −4 to −15‰ and ε37Cl = −1 to −6‰). Given the complexity of isolating individual parameters from our proposed model, we view our dataset as a survey that points to future opportunities where a particular parameter could be isolated to better understand controls on O and Cl isotope fractionation during microbial perchlorate reduction.

Microbial Perchlorate Reduction Driven by Ethane and Propane.

Previous studies demonstrated that methane can be used as an electron donor to microbially remove various oxidized contaminants in groundwater. Natural gas, which is more widely available and less expensive than purified methane, is potentially an alternative source of methane. However, natural gas commonly contains a considerable amount of ethane (C2H6) and propane (C3H8), in addition to methane. It is important that these gaseous alkanes are also utilized along with methane to avoid emissions. Here, we demonstrate that perchlorate (ClO4-), a frequently reported contaminant in groundwater, can be microbially reduced to chloride (Cl-) driven by C2H6 or C3H8 under oxygen-limiting conditions. Two independent membrane biofilm reactors (MBfRs) supplied with C2H6 and C3H8, respectively, were operated in parallel to biologically reduce ClO4-. The continuous ClO4- removal during long-term MBfR operation combined with the concurrent C2H6/C3H8 consumption and ClO4- reduction in batch tests confirms that ClO4- reduction was associated with C2H6 or C3H8 oxidation. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) were synthesized in the presence of C2H6 or C3H8 and were subsequently utilized for supporting ClO4- bio-reduction in the absence of gaseous alkanes. Analysis by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) showed that transcript abundance of bmoX (encoding alpha hydroxylase subunit of C2H6/C3H8 monooxygenase) was positively correlated to the consumption rates of C2H6/C3H8, while pcrA (encoding a catalytic subunit of perchlorate reductase) was positively correlated to the consumption of ClO4-. High-throughput sequencing targeting 16S rRNA, bmoX, and pcrA indicated that Mycobacterium was the dominant microorganism oxidizing C2H6/C3H8, while Dechloromonas may be the major perchlorate-reducing bacterium in the biofilms. These findings shed light on microbial ClO4- reduction driven by C2H6 and C3H8, facilitating the development of cost-effective strategies for ex situ groundwater remediation.

Perchlorate bio-reduction in a methane-based membrane biofilm reactor in the presence and absence of oxygen

Perchlorate has been widely detected in various water environments and could cause serious health problems. Methane has been proposed as a promising electron donor to remove perchlorate from contaminated water, yet it is unclear whether and how microbial methane oxidation couples with perchlorate reduction, in particular under anoxic conditions. Here, the feasibility and performance of perchlorate reduction driven by methane in the presence and absence of oxygen were investigated and compared in a lab-scale methane-based membrane biofilm reactor. Long-term operational performance suggested that perchlorate was reduced to chloride, with 4 mg Cl/L/d of perchlorate removal rate under anoxic conditions. Differently, perchlorate removal rate increased to 16 mg Cl/L/d, and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) were produced from methane partial oxidation when a limited oxygen (10 mg/L/d) was externally supplied. Regardless of oxygen conditions, microbial perchlorate reduction driven by methane might be mediated through synergistic interactions by a microbial consortium, but with different key microbial members under both oxygen regimes. Under anoxic conditions, aerobic methanotrophs (likely Methylocystaceae and Methylococcaceae) might micro-aerobically oxidize methane by utilizing internal oxygen from microbial perchlorate reduction, which might be mediated by Rhodocyclaceae. In contrast, under oxygen-limiting conditions, methanogens (e.g., Methanosarcina) and fermenters (e.g., Veillonellaceae) likely jointly converted methane into VFAs, then dissimilatory perchlorate-reducing bacteria (e.g., Rhodocyclaceae) utilized the produced VFAs to reduce perchlorate to chloride. Our findings provide evidence to link methane oxidation with perchlorate reduction under both oxygen regimes, which could be facilitated to design a process to remove perchlorate from groundwater.

Biological reduction of perchlorate in domesticated activated sludge considering interaction effects of temperature, pH, electron donors and acceptors

This study investigated the direct microbial reduction of perchlorate using domesticated activated sludge and showed the interaction effect of water quality factors on perchlorate bio-reduction. The dominant perchlorate-reducing bacteria belong to Dechloromonas sp., which was successfully acclimated from regular activated sludge after 20 days domestication. Batch reduction experiments indicated that high bio-reduction efficiency of perchlorate could be achieved at 303–313 K and pH = 6.5–7.5. Perchlorate-reducing bacteria can more efficiently utilize acetate and butanedioic to reduce perchlorate compared with the other electron donors that significantly affect the microbial community structure and dominant bacteria of activated sludge. The three-level and three-variable Box-Behnken Design response surface method predicted a maximum perchlorate reduction efficiency of 100% under the following optimal conditions: pH = 7.5, 308 K, and 0.51 mg/L of acetate. Furthermore, the influence of two factors on perchlorate reduction was in this order: interaction between pH and acetate > interaction between pH and temperature > interaction between temperature and acetate.

The rapid adsorption-microbial reduction of perchlorate from aqueous solution by novel amine-crosslinked magnetic biopolymer resin

The aim of this work was to study the adsorption characters of resin, microbial reduction of perchlorate and combined process of perchlorate removal in aqueous solution. Study demonstrated the adsorption equilibrium was achieved in 120min, which based on ion exchange reaction. Dissolved perchlorate (100mg/L) can be completely removed by acclimated anaerobic sludge in 15h, and the concentrated perchlorate (∼200mg/g) on the surface of resin would be effectively microbial reduced after 3days. Neutral environment (pH=7.4), higher biomass and additional electron donor can apparently improve the biological reduction efficiency of concentrated perchlorate. Addition of many co-anions showed the competition adsorption towards perchlorate, especially in the presence of NO3−. This study provides an effective method for perchlorate reduction by the adsorption-microbial process.

Perchlorate reduction by hydrogen autotrophic bacteria and microbial community analysis using high-throughput sequencing.

Hydrogen autotrophic reduction of perchlorate have advantages of high removal efficiency and harmless to drinking water. But so far the reported information about the microbial community structure was comparatively limited, changes in the biodiversity and the dominant bacteria during acclimation process required detailed study. In this study, perchlorate-reducing hydrogen autotrophic bacteria were acclimated by hydrogen aeration from activated sludge. For the first time, high-throughput sequencing was applied to analyze changes in biodiversity and the dominant bacteria during acclimation process. The Michaelis-Menten model described the perchlorate reduction kinetics well. Model parameters q(max) and K(s) were 2.521-3.245 (mg ClO4(-)/gVSS h) and 5.44-8.23 (mg/l), respectively. Microbial perchlorate reduction occurred across at pH range 5.0-11.0; removal was highest at pH 9.0. The enriched mixed bacteria could use perchlorate, nitrate and sulfate as electron accepter, and the sequence of preference was: NO3(-) > ClO4(-) > SO4(2-). Compared to the feed culture, biodiversity decreased greatly during acclimation process, the microbial community structure gradually stabilized after 9 acclimation cycles. The Thauera genus related to Rhodocyclales was the dominated perchlorate reducing bacteria (PRB) in the mixed culture.

Perchlorate and chlorate reduction by the Crenarchaeon Aeropyrum pernix and two thermophilic Firmicutes

This study reports the ability of one hyperthermophilic and two thermophilic microorganisms to grow anaerobically by the reduction of chlorate and perchlorate. Physiological, genomic and proteome analyses suggest that the Crenarchaeon Aeropyrum pernix reduces perchlorate with a periplasmic enzyme related to nitrate reductases, but that it lacks a functional chlorite-disproportionating enzyme (Cld) to complete the pathway. Aeropyrum pernix, previously described as a strictly aerobic microorganism, seems to rely on the chemical reactivity of reduced sulfur compounds with chlorite, a mechanism previously reported for perchlorate-reducing Archaeoglobus fulgidus. The chemical oxidation of thiosulfate (in excessive amounts present in the medium) and the reduction of chlorite result in the release of sulfate and chloride, which are the products of a biotic-abiotic perchlorate reduction pathway in Ae. pernix. The apparent absence of Cld in two other perchlorate-reducing microorganisms, Carboxydothermus hydrogenoformans and Moorella glycerini strain NMP, and their dependence on sulfide for perchlorate reduction is consistent with the observations made on Ar. fulgidus. Our findings suggest that microbial perchlorate reduction at high temperature differs notably from the physiology of perchlorate- and chlorate-reducing mesophiles and that it is characterized by the lack of a chlorite dismutase and is enabled by a combination of biotic and abiotic reactions.

Autotrophic perchlorate reduction kinetics of a microbial consortium using elemental sulfur as an electron donor.

The perchlorate reduction kinetic parameters of a microbial consortium using elemental sulfur (S(0)) as an electron donor were investigated in batch experiments. Standard Monod substrate utilization and biomass accumulation models were employed to fit the experimental data for microbial perchlorate reduction. The maximum observed yield coefficient for the microbial consortium was 0.19 mg dry weight (DW) mg(-1) ClO4 (-), suggesting that the microbial consortium had a slow growth rate using S(0) as the electron donor. The maximum specific substrate utilization rate (q max) and half saturation constant (K s) for microbial perchlorate reduction were 0.14 mg ClO4 (-) mg(-1) DW day(-1) and 5.71 mg L(-1), respectively, which indicated that the microbial consortium could effectively utilize perchlorate as an electron acceptor. The variation of q max with pH was described well by using a Gaussian peak equation, and the maximal value of q max was obtained at pH 6.7. The presence of nitrate in perchlorate-contaminated water delayed the onset of sulfur autotrophic perchlorate reduction. The modified Gompertz equation could adequately describe the formation of Cl(-) and SO4(2-) during the process of sulfur autotrophic perchlorate reduction. The SO4(2-) production exceeded the theoretical SO4(2-) production due to S(0) disproportionation. The kinetic parameters for microbial perchlorate reduction are essential to design biological treatment systems, as well as to predict and evaluate their performance.

Study of microbial perchlorate reduction: Considering of multiple pH, electron acceptors and donors

Bioremediation of perchlorate-cotaminated water by a heterotrophic perchlorate reducing bacterium creates a multiple electron acceptor-donor system. We experimentally determined the perchlorate reduction by Azospira sp. KJ at multiple pH, electron acceptors and donors systems; this was the aim of this study. Perchlorate reduction was drastically inhibited at the pH 6.0, and the maximum reduction of perchlorate by Azospira sp. KJ was observed at pH value of 8.0. Perchlorate reduction was retarded in ClO4−–ClO3−, ClO4−–ClO3−–NO3−,and ClO4−–NO3− acceptor systems, while being completely inhibited by the additional O2 in the ClO4−–O2 acceptor system. The reduction proceeded as an order of ClO3−, ClO4−, and NO3− in the ClO4−–ClO3−–NO3− system. KS,vmax, and qmax obtained at different e− acceptor and donor conditions are calculated as 140.5–190.6mg/L, 8.7–13.2mg-perchlorate/L-h, and 0.094–0.16mg-perchlorate/mg-DW-h, respectively.

Electron donors and co-contaminants affect microbial community composition and activity in perchlorate degradation.

Although microbial reduction of perchlorate (ClO4(-)) is a promising and effective method, our knowledge on the changes in microbial communities during ClO4(-) degradation is limited, especially when different electron donors are supplied and/or other contaminants are present. Here, we examined the effects of acetate and hydrogen as electron donors and nitrate and ammonium as co-contaminants on ClO4(-) degradation by anaerobic microcosms using six treatments. The process of degradation was divided into the lag stage (SI) and the accelerated stage (SII). Quantitative PCR was used to quantify four genes: pcrA (encoding perchlorate reductase), cld (encoding chlorite dismutase), nirS (encoding copper and cytochrome cd1 nitrite reductase), and 16S rRNA. While the degradation of ClO4(-) with acetate, nitrate, and ammonia system (PNA) was the fastest with the highest abundance of the four genes, it was the slowest in the autotrophic system (HYP). The pcrA gene accumulated in SI and played a key role in initiating the accelerated degradation of ClO4(-) when its abundance reached a peak. Degradation in SII was primarily maintained by the cld gene. Acetate inhibited the growth of perchlorate-reducing bacteria (PRB), but its effect was weakened by nitrate (NO3(-)), which promoted the growth of PRB in SI, and therefore, accelerated the ClO4(-) degradation rate. In addition, ammonia (NH4(+)), as nitrogen sources, accelerated the growth of PRB. The bacterial communities' structure and diversity were significantly affected by electron donors and co-contaminants. Under heterotrophic conditions, both ammonia and nitrate promoted Azospira as the most dominant genera, a fact that might significantly influence the rate of ClO4(-) natural attenuation by degradation.

Competitive microbial reduction of perchlorate and nitrate with a cathode directly serving as the electron donor

Microbial reduction of perchlorate with an electrode as the electron donor represents an emerging technology for remediation of perchlorate contamination; it is important to know how perchlorate reduction behaves when nitrate, a co-contaminant of perchlorate is present. We reported that electrons derived from the electrode can be directly transferred to the bacteria with perchlorate or nitrate as the sole electron acceptor. The presence of nitrate, even at the 0.07mM level, can slow reduction of perchlorate (0.70mM) as a poised potential of -0.50V (vs. SCE) was applied to the inoculated cathode. Increasing the concentration of nitrate resulted in a noticeable inhibitory effect on perchlorate reduction. When the nitrate concentration was 2.10mM, reduction of 0.70mM perchlorate was totally inhibited. Bacterial community analyses based on 16S rDNA gene analysis with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) revealed that most of the bacteria newly enriched on the nitrate and/or perchlorate biocathodes were the known electrochemically active denitrifiers, which possibly prefer to reduce nitrate over perchlorate. These results show that nitrate is a more favorable electron acceptor than perchlorate in the bioelectrochemical system where the cathode directly serves as the electron donor.

Process control factors for continuous microbial perchlorate reduction in the presence of zero-valent iron

Process control parameters influencing microbial perchlorate reduction via a flow-through zero-valent iron (ZVI) column reactor were investigated in order to optimize perchlorate removal from water. Mixed perchlorate reducers were obtained from a wastewater treatment plant and inoculated into the reactor without further acclimation. Examined parameters included hydraulic residence time (HRT), pH, nutrients requirement, and perchlorate reduction kinetics. The minimum HRT for the system was concluded to be 8 hr. The removal efficiency of 10 mg·L−1 influent perchlorate concentration was reduced by 20%–80% without control to the neutral pH (HRT = 8 hr). Therefore pH was determined to be an important parameter for microbial perchlorate reduction. Furthermore, a viable alternative to pH buffer was discussed. The microbial perchlorate reduction followed the first order kinetics, with a rate constant (K) of 0.761 hr−1. The results from this study will contribute to the implementation of a safe, cost effective, and efficient system for perchlorate reduction to below regulated levels.

Microbial Perchlorate Reduction in Groundwater with Different Electron Donors

Effects of different electron donors (acetate and hydrogen), acetate and perchlorate concentrations on microbial perchlorate reduction in groundwater were studied. The results showed that acetate and hydrogen addition as an electron donor can significantly improve perchlorate removal efficiency while a longer period was observed for hydrogen (15 d) than for acetate (8 d). The optical ratio of electron donor (acetate)-to-electron acceptor (perchlorate) was approximately 1.65 mg COD mg perchlorate-1. The highest specific reduction rate of perchlorate was achieved at the acetate-to-perchlorate ratio of 3.80 mg COD mg perchlorate-1. The perchlorate reduction rates corresponded well to the theoretical values calculated by the Monod equation and the parameters of Ks and Vm were determined to be 15.6 mg L-1 and 0.26 d-1, respectively.

Quantification of genes and gene transcripts for microbial perchlorate reduction in fixed-bed bioreactors

Optimization of full-scale, biological perchlorate treatment processes for drinking water would benefit from knowledge of the location and quantity of perchlorate-reducing bacteria (PRB) and expression of perchlorate-related genes in bioreactors. The aim of this study was to quantify perchlorate removal and perchlorate-related genes (pcrA and cld) and their transcripts in bioreactors and to determine whether these genes or transcripts could serve as useful biomarkers for perchlorate treatment processes. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays targeting pcrA and cld were applied to two pilot-scale, fixed-bed bioreactors treating perchlorate-contaminated groundwater. pcrA and cld genes per microgram of DNA were two- to threefold higher and three- to fourfold higher, respectively, in the bioreactor showing superior perchlorate-removal performance. In a laboratory-scale bioreactor, quantities of pcrA and cld genes and transcripts were compared under two distinct performance conditions (c.60 and 20% perchlorate removal) for a 5-min empty bed contact time. cld genes per microgram of DNA were approximately threefold higher and cld transcripts per microgram of RNA were approximately sixfold higher under the higher perchlorate-removal condition. No differences in pcrA genes or transcripts per microgram of DNA or RNA, respectively, were detected between the c.60 and 20% perchlorate-removal conditions, possibly because these assays did not accurately quantify pcrA genes and transcripts in the mixed culture present. Quantities of cld genes and transcripts per microgram of DNA and RNA, respectively, were found to be higher when perchlorate removal was higher. However, quantities of pcrA and cld genes or transcripts were not found to directly correlate with perchlorate-removal rates. To our knowledge, this study represents the first application of qPCR assays to quantify perchlorate-related genes and transcripts in continuous-flow bioreactors. The results indicate that cld gene and transcript quantities can provide insights regarding the quantity, location and gene expression of PRB in bioreactors.

Detoxification of PAX-21 ammunitions wastewater by zero-valent iron for microbial reduction of perchlorate

US Army and the Department of Defense (DoD) facilities generate perchlorate (ClO 4 −) from munitions manufacturing and demilitarization processes. Ammonium perchlorate is one of the main constituents in Army's new main charge melt-pour energetic, PAX-21. In addition to ammonium perchlorate, hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) and 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN) are the major constituents of PAX-21. In order to evaluate microbial perchlorate reduction as a practical option for the treatment of perchlorate in PAX-21 wastewater, we conducted biodegradation experiments using glucose as the primary sources of electrons and carbon. Batch experiments showed that negligible perchlorate was removed in microbial reactors containing PAX-21 wastewater while control bottles containing seed bacteria and glucose rapidly and completely removed perchlorate. These results suggested that the constituents in PAX-21 wastewater may be toxic to perchlorate reducing bacteria. A series of batch toxicity test was conducted to identify the toxic constituents in PAX-21 and DNAN was identified as the primary toxicant responsible for inhibiting the activity of perchlorate reducing bacteria. It was hypothesized that pretreatment of PAX-21 by zero-valent iron granules will transform toxic constituents in PAX-21 wastewater to non-toxic products. We observed complete reduction of DNAN to 2,4-diaminoanisole (DAAN) and RDX to formaldehyde in abiotic iron reduction study. After a 3-day acclimation period, perchlorate in iron-treated PAX-21 wastewater was rapidly decreased to an undetectable level in 2 days. This result demonstrated that iron treatment not only removed energetic compounds but also eliminated the toxic constituents that inhibited the subsequent microbial process.

Microbial community analysis of perchlorate-reducing cultures growing on zero-valent iron

Anaerobic microbial mixed cultures demonstrated its ability to completely remove perchlorate in the presence of zero-valent iron. In order to understand the major microbial reaction in the iron-supported culture, community analysis comprising of microbial fatty acids and polymerase chain reaction–denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR–DGGE) techniques was performed for perchlorate reducing cultures. Analysis of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) and subsequent principal component analysis (PCA) showed clear distinctions not only between iron-supported perchlorate reducing culture and seed bacteria, but also among perchlorate-reducing cultures receiving different electron donors. The DGGE pattern targeting the chlorite dismutase ( cld) gene showed that iron-supported perchlorate reducing culture is similar to hydrogen-fed cultures as compared to acetate-fed culture. The phylogenetic tree suggested that the dominant microbial reaction may be a combination of the autotrophic and heterotrophic reduction of perchlorate. Both molecular and chemotaxonomic experimental results support further understanding in the function of zero-valent iron as an adequate electron source for enhancing the microbial perchlorate reduction in natural and engineered systems.

QPCR assays to quantify genes and gene expression associated with microbial perchlorate reduction

Quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays targeting cld (developed in this work) and pcrA (previously described) were used to quantify these perchlorate-related genes in a perchlorate-reducing enrichment culture. Transcript copies were quantified in perchlorate-reducing Rhodocyclaceae strain JDS4. Oxygen and nitrate inhibited expression of cld and pcrA.

Thermodynamic targeting of microbial perchlorate reduction by selective electron donors

Here we describe 2,6-anthrahydroquinone disulfonate (AH(2)DS) as a model thermodynamically 'targeting' electron donor capable of selectively stimulating respiratory processes relevant to the bioremediation of perchlorate. Pure cultures of Dechloromonas aromatica, Dechloromonas agitata and Azospira suillum, as well as uncharacterized microbial consortia, were capable of stoichiometrically reducing perchlorate to chloride upon oxidation of AH(2)DS to the corresponding quinone 2,6-anthraquinone disulfonate (AQDS). No degradation of the anthraquinone structure was observed, and no organism tested grew by this metabolism. Thermodynamic calculations suggest that AH(2)DS oxidation should support nitrate and perchlorate reduction, whereas sulfate reduction and methanogenesis are predicted to be unfavorable. Mixed community microcosms oxidizing AH(2)DS reduced nitrate and perchlorate, whereas sulfate reduction never occurred. In contrast, microcosms amended with acetate respired nitrate, perchlorate and sulfate, as would be predicted by thermodynamic calculation. Our results suggest that the thermodynamic properties of hydroquinones allow for targeted stimulation of only a subset of potential respiratory processes. This observation could help improve enhanced in situ bioremediation of perchlorate by negating many of the detrimental aspects of biofouling.

Microbial perchlorate reduction: A precise laboratory determination of the chlorine isotope fractionation and its possible biochemical basis

Perchlorate-reducing bacteria fractionate chlorine stable isotopes giving a powerful approach to monitor the extent of microbial consumption of perchlorate in contaminated sites undergoing remediation or natural perchlorate containing sites. This study reports the full experimental data and methodology used to re-evaluate the chlorine isotope fractionation of perchlorate reduction in duplicate culture experiments of Azospira suillum strain PS at 37 °C (Δ 37Cl Cl −–ClO 4 − ) previously reported, without a supporting data set by Coleman et al. [Coleman, M.L., Ader, M., Chaudhuri, S., Coates, J.D., 2003. Microbial Isotopic Fractionation of Perchlorate Chlorine. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 69, 4997–5000] in a reconnaissance study, with the goal of increasing the accuracy and precision of the isotopic fractionation determination. The method fully described here for the first time, allows the determination of a higher precision Δ 37Cl Cl −–ClO 4 − value, either from accumulated chloride content and isotopic composition or from the residual perchlorate content and isotopic composition. The result sets agree perfectly, within error, giving average Δ 37Cl Cl −–ClO 4 − = − 14.94 ± 0.15‰. Complementary use of chloride and perchlorate data allowed the identification and rejection of poor quality data by applying mass and isotopic balance checks. This precise Δ 37Cl Cl −–ClO 4 − value can serve as a reference point for comparison with future in situ or microcosm studies but we also note its similarity to the theoretical equilibrium isotopic fractionation between a hypothetical chlorine species of redox state + 6 and perchlorate at 37 °C and suggest that the first electron transfer during perchlorate reduction may occur at isotopic equilibrium between an enzyme-bound chlorine and perchlorate.

Microbial perchlorate reduction with elemental sulfur and other inorganic electron donors

ClO 4 - has recently been recognized as a widespread contaminant of surface and ground water. This research investigated chemolithotrophic perchlorate reduction by bacteria in soils and sludges utilizing inorganic electron-donating substrates such as hydrogen, elemental iron, and elemental sulfur. The bioassays were performed in anaerobic serum bottles with various inocula from anaerobic or aerobic environments. All the tested sludge inocula were capable of reducing perchlorate with H 2 as electron donor. Aerobic activated sludge was evaluated further and it supported perchlorate reduction with Fe 0 and S 0 additions under anaerobic conditions. Heat-killed sludge did not convert ClO 4 - , confirming the reactions were biologically catalyzed. ClO 4 - (3 mM) was almost completely removed by the first sampling time on d 8 with H 2 (⩾0.37 mM d −1), after 22 d with S 0 (0.18 mM d −1) and 84% removed after 37 d with Fe 0 additions (0.085 mM d −1). Perchlorate-reduction occurred at a much faster rate (1.12 mM d −1), when using an enrichment culture developed from the activated sludge with S 0 as an electron donor. The enrichment culture also utilized S 2− and S 2 O 3 2 - as electron-donating substrates to support ClO 4 - reduction. The mixed cultures also catalyzed the disproportionation of S 0 to S 2− and SO 4 2 - . Evidence is presented demonstrating that S 0 was directly utilized by microorganisms to support perchlorate-reduction. In all the experiments, ClO 4 - was stoichiometrically converted to chloride. The study demonstrates that microorganisms present in wastewater sludges can readily use a variety of inorganic compounds to support perchlorate reduction.