Effects of multiple electron acceptors on microbial interactions in a hydrogen-based biofilm

Environ Sci Technol. 2013 Jul 2;47(13):7396-403. doi: 10.1021/es401310j. Epub 2013 Jun 11.

Abstract

To investigate interactions among multiple electron acceptors in a H2-fed biofilm, we operated a membrane biofilm reactor with H2-delivery capacity sufficient to reduce all acceptors. ClO4(-) and O2 were input electron acceptors in all stages at surface loadings of 0.08 ± 0.006 g/m(2)-d (1.0 ± 0.7 e(-) meq/m(2)-d) for ClO4(-) and 0.51 g/m(2)-d (76 e(-) meq/m(2)-d) for O2. SO4(2-) was added in Stage 2 at 3.77 ± 0.39 g/m(2)-d (331 ± 34 e(-) meq/m(2)-d), and NO3(-) was further added in Stage 3 at 0.72 ± 0.03 g N/m(2)-d (312 ± 13 e(-) meq/m(2)-d). At steady state for each stage, ClO4(-), O2, and NO3(-) (when present in the influent) were completely reduced; measured SO4(2-) reduction decreased from 78 ± 4% in Stage 2 to 59 ± 4% in Stage 3, when NO3(-) was present. While perchlorate-reducing bacteria (PRB), assayed by qPCR targeting the pcrA gene, remained stable throughout, sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), assayed by the dsrA gene, increased almost 3 orders of magnitude when significant SO4(2-) reduction occurred in stage 2. The abundance of denitrifying bacteria (DB), assayed by the nirK and nirS genes, increased in Stage 3, while SRB remained at high numbers, but did not increase. Based on pyrosequencing analyses, β-Proteobacteria dominated in Stage 1, but ε-Proteobacteria became more important in Stages 2 and 3, when the input of multiple electron acceptors favored genera with broader electron-accepting capabilities. Sulfuricurvum (a sulfur oxidizer and NO3(-) reducer) and Desulfovibrio (a SO4(2-) reducer) become dominant in Stage 3, suggesting redox cycling of sulfur in the biofilm.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Physiological Phenomena*
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Biofilms*
  • Bioreactors*
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • Hydrogen / chemistry*
  • Nitrates / chemistry
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Oxygen / chemistry*
  • Perchlorates / chemistry
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
  • Sulfates / chemistry

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • Nitrates
  • Perchlorates
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
  • Sulfates
  • Hydrogen
  • Oxygen
  • perchlorate