Organic carbon amendments for enhanced biological attenuation of trace organic contaminants in biochar-amended stormwater biofilters

Ulrich, B. A., Vignola, M. , Edgehouse, K., Werner, D. and Higgins, C. P. (2017) Organic carbon amendments for enhanced biological attenuation of trace organic contaminants in biochar-amended stormwater biofilters. Environmental Science and Technology, 51(16), pp. 9184-9193. (doi: 10.1021/acs.est.7b01164) (PMID:28628297)

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Abstract

This study sought to evaluate how dissolved organic carbon (DOC) affects attenuation of trace organic contaminants (TOrCs) in biochar-amended stormwater biofilters. It was hypothesized that (1) DOC-augmented runoff would demonstrate enhanced TOrC biodegradation and (2) biochar-amended sand bearing DOC-cultivated biofilms would achieve enhanced TOrC attenuation due to sorptive retention and biodegradation. Microcosm and column experiments were conducted utilizing actual runoff, DOC from straw and compost, and a suite of TOrCs. Biodegradation of TOrCs in runoff was more enhanced by compost DOC than straw DOC (particularly for atrazine, prometon, benzotriazole, and fipronil). 16S rRNA gene quantification and sequencing revealed that growth-induced microbial community changes were, among replicates, most consistent for compost-augmented microcosms and least consistent for raw runoff microcosms. Compost DOC most robustly enhanced utilization of TOrCs as carbon substrates, possibly due to higher residual nutrient levels upon TOrC exposure. Sand columns containing just 0.5 wt % biochar maintained sorptive TOrC retention in the presence of compost-DOC-cultivated biofilms, and TOrC removal was further enhanced by biological activity. Overall, these results suggest that coamendment with biochar and compost may robustly enhance TOrC attenuation in stormwater biofilters, a finding of significance for efforts to mitigate the impacts of runoff on water quality.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship under Grant DGE-1057607 and the National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center Program under Cooperative Agreements EEC-1028968 (ReNUWIt) and EEC-1262655. Collaboration with Newcastle University on 16S rRNA gene quantification and sequencing was facilitated by EPSRC grant EP/K021737/1 and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Initial Training Network (MERMAID) grant 607492.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Vignola, Dr Marta
Authors: Ulrich, B. A., Vignola, M., Edgehouse, K., Werner, D., and Higgins, C. P.
Subjects:Q Science > QD Chemistry
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Infrastructure and Environment
Journal Name:Environmental Science and Technology
Publisher:American Chemical Society
ISSN:0013-936X
ISSN (Online):1520-5851
Published Online:19 June 2017
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2018 The American Chemical Society
First Published:First published in Environmental Science and Technology 51(16):9184-9193
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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