MoreA microbiological and analytical services company announces the availability of a bacteria that can withstand and thrive in low pH conditions.
Bioremediation Consulting Inc (BCI) of Watertown, MA announced on March 1, 2011 that it has completed development of a culture of low-pH tolerant Dehalococcoides (Dhc) bacteria to treat groundwater that has been contaminated with chlorinated solvents such as perchloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE), converting them to the harmless end product, ethylene (ethene) at pH values as low as 5.7.
The new cultures de-chlorinate PCE and TCE in more acidic groundwater conditions than can be tolerated by other commercial cultures of Dhc. This breakthrough addresses one of the more pervasive and persistent problems in applying bioremediation to cleaning groundwater contaminated with chlorinated solvents. That problem is acidification of the groundwater during treatment and is usually caused by addition of excessive amounts of an electron donor. Using an acid-tolerant bacterial culture can be a cost-effective alternative compared to applying buffering compounds in order to adjust the pH of entire aquifers.
This project was funded by the National Science Foundation through a Small Business Innovation Research grant awarded to BCI in 2010. The company has been conducting research in the field of bioremediation for more than 20 years and continues to advance the frontiers of this technology.
This new culture has been added to the company’s catalog of Designer Bacteria used to treat range of chlorinated benzenes, ethenes, ethanes or PCBs. The bacteria are grown in the client’s groundwater prior to field inoculation in order to address specific site requirements, and to insure success of in situ bioremediation.
The new low-pH tolerant culture is now available for commercial clients. Contact Sam Fogel for more information at sfogel@bcilabs.com or visit www.bcilabs.com.
Bioremediation Consulting Inc (BCI) of Watertown, MA announced on March 1, 2011 that it has completed development of a culture of low-pH tolerant Dehalococcoides (Dhc) bacteria to treat groundwater that has been contaminated with chlorinated solvents such as perchloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE), converting them to the harmless end product, ethylene (ethene) at pH values as low as 5.7.
The new cultures de-chlorinate PCE and TCE in more acidic groundwater conditions than can be tolerated by other commercial cultures of Dhc. This breakthrough addresses one of the more pervasive and persistent problems in applying bioremediation to cleaning groundwater contaminated with chlorinated solvents. That problem is acidification of the groundwater during treatment and is usually caused by addition of excessive amounts of an electron donor. Using an acid-tolerant bacterial culture can be a cost-effective alternative compared to applying buffering compounds in order to adjust the pH of entire aquifers.
This project was funded by the National Science Foundation through a Small Business Innovation Research grant awarded to BCI in 2010. The company has been conducting research in the field of bioremediation for more than 20 years and continues to advance the frontiers of this technology.
This new culture has been added to the company’s catalog of Designer Bacteria used to treat range of chlorinated benzenes, ethenes, ethanes or PCBs. The bacteria are grown in the client’s groundwater prior to field inoculation in order to address specific site requirements, and to insure success of in situ bioremediation.
The new low-pH tolerant culture is now available for commercial clients. Contact Sam Fogel for more information at sfogel@bcilabs.com or visit www.bcilabs.com.
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