Microbes that listen: Sono-bio technology for persistent organic pollutants
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Surrey
Department Name: Chemical Engineering
Abstract
VISION: Our vision is to demonstrate a novel hybrid technology combining high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) (sono) and microorganisms (bio) for the treatment of persistent organic pollutants. A new synergy is proposed from simultaneous microbial and HFUS action, created through complementary degradation methods and enhanced microbial metabolism in HFUS fields.
BACKGROUND: The sono-bio process will be demonstrated on per-and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS don't fully degrade naturally so they persist in the environment and can be toxic to animals and humans. Biological mineralisation i.e. breakdown PFAS to fluoride ions, carbon dioxide and water has not been realised. Rather, microbial degradation tends to be efficient for a subset of PFAS, known as poly-FAS and result in production of per-FAS. Sonolysis, via HFUS, (100-1000 kHz) is one of few technologies able to fully mineralise PFAS. However, sonolysis is most effective for per-FAS rather than poly-FAS. We hypothesise that a combination of ultrasonic and microbial treatments working in synergy, will deliver sustainable and efficient treatment for complete PFAS remediation.
INTERDISCIPLINARY AIMS: At the University of Surrey (UoS) we will research HFUS parameters and the composition and function of microbial communities to identify a system that will work synergistically to simultaneously i) enhance microbial breakdown poly-FAS to per-FAS, and ii) mineralise per-FAS via HFUS. Resource and energy recovery will be achieved by combination of the sono-bio process with a bioelectrochemical cell. New analytical tools will be used to provide mechanistic understanding and novel insight into HFUS in solutions that contain microbes and microbial metabolism in HFUS. Concurrent elucidation of mechanisms is required to fully capitalise on potential synergy from combining treatments from two different disciplines. Objectives (O) include:
O1: Research interaction of HFUS, microbial growth and PFAS degradation.
O2: Research the sono-bio process in real waste samples using microbial communities.
O3: Engineer a platform combining sono-bio-(electro) processing for resource/energy recovery.
O4: Apply new analytical tools to research PFAS degradation and microbial mechanisms.
POTENTIAL APPLICATION AND BENEFITS: The sono-bio-(electro) process has potential IP generation and subsequent translation for wider remediation (e.g. persistent pollutants, soil regeneration) and bioprocessing (e.g. fermentation, biosynthesis). New mass spectrometry (MS) tools resulting from the interdisciplinary approach, will be researched. These new analytical tools will translate to other complex PFAS mixtures, environmental contaminations, and single-cell analysis for bacteria.
BACKGROUND: The sono-bio process will be demonstrated on per-and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS don't fully degrade naturally so they persist in the environment and can be toxic to animals and humans. Biological mineralisation i.e. breakdown PFAS to fluoride ions, carbon dioxide and water has not been realised. Rather, microbial degradation tends to be efficient for a subset of PFAS, known as poly-FAS and result in production of per-FAS. Sonolysis, via HFUS, (100-1000 kHz) is one of few technologies able to fully mineralise PFAS. However, sonolysis is most effective for per-FAS rather than poly-FAS. We hypothesise that a combination of ultrasonic and microbial treatments working in synergy, will deliver sustainable and efficient treatment for complete PFAS remediation.
INTERDISCIPLINARY AIMS: At the University of Surrey (UoS) we will research HFUS parameters and the composition and function of microbial communities to identify a system that will work synergistically to simultaneously i) enhance microbial breakdown poly-FAS to per-FAS, and ii) mineralise per-FAS via HFUS. Resource and energy recovery will be achieved by combination of the sono-bio process with a bioelectrochemical cell. New analytical tools will be used to provide mechanistic understanding and novel insight into HFUS in solutions that contain microbes and microbial metabolism in HFUS. Concurrent elucidation of mechanisms is required to fully capitalise on potential synergy from combining treatments from two different disciplines. Objectives (O) include:
O1: Research interaction of HFUS, microbial growth and PFAS degradation.
O2: Research the sono-bio process in real waste samples using microbial communities.
O3: Engineer a platform combining sono-bio-(electro) processing for resource/energy recovery.
O4: Apply new analytical tools to research PFAS degradation and microbial mechanisms.
POTENTIAL APPLICATION AND BENEFITS: The sono-bio-(electro) process has potential IP generation and subsequent translation for wider remediation (e.g. persistent pollutants, soil regeneration) and bioprocessing (e.g. fermentation, biosynthesis). New mass spectrometry (MS) tools resulting from the interdisciplinary approach, will be researched. These new analytical tools will translate to other complex PFAS mixtures, environmental contaminations, and single-cell analysis for bacteria.
