Pilot-scale Columns Equipped with Aqueous and Solid-phase Sampling Ports Enable Geochemical and Molecular Microbial Investigations of Anoxic Biological Processes

Abstract

Column studies can be employed to query systems that mimic environmentally relevant flow-through processes in natural and built environments. Sampling these systems spatially throughout operation, while maintaining the integrity of aqueous and solid-phase samples for geochemical and microbial analyses, can be challenging particularly when redox conditions within the column differ from ambient conditions. Here we present a pilot-scale column design and sampling protocol that is optimized for long-term spatial and temporal sampling. We utilized this experimental set-up over approximately 2 years to study a biologically active system designed to precipitate zinc-sulfides during sulfate reducing conditions; however, it can be adapted for the study of many flow-through systems where geochemical and/or molecular microbial analyses are desired. Importantly, these columns utilize retrievable solidphase bags in conjunction with anoxic microbial techniques to harvest substrate samples while minimally disrupting column operation.

Keywords

Environmental engineering; Geochemistry; Microbiology; Pilot-scale; Anaerobic respiration; Redox; Bioremediation; Bioreactor

Published in

Bio-protocol
2017, Volume: 7, number: 1, article number: e2083Publisher: BIO-PROTOCOL

SLU Authors

• Almstrand, Robert

  • Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Geochemistry
Microbiology


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21769/BioProtoc.2083

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/105575