Biodegradation of Biodegradation of Emerging Contaminants by Emerging Contaminants by Pseudomonas butanorovaPseudomonas butanorova

Shervada Hall Shervada Hall

Houston Independent School DistrictHouston Independent School District

Empowerment College Preparatory High SchoolEmpowerment College Preparatory High School

Mentor: Bella Kung Hui Chu/Civil Engineering Mentor: Bella Kung Hui Chu/Civil Engineering

Ph.D University of California at Ph.D University of California at Berkeley, 1998Berkeley, 1998

Assistant Professor Environmental Assistant Professor Environmental EngineeringEngineering

Had work printed in over 13 publications Had work printed in over 13 publications such as “Environmental Science and such as “Environmental Science and Technology”, and “Environmental Technology”, and “Environmental Engineering Science”Engineering Science”

Environmental EstrogensEnvironmental Estrogens Found in sediments, rivers, lakes, drinking water, treated Found in sediments, rivers, lakes, drinking water, treated

wastewater, and groundwater.wastewater, and groundwater. Hormones and many other pharmaceuticals were detected in 108 Hormones and many other pharmaceuticals were detected in 108

(80% of 139) US rivers surveyed by USGS in 1999-2000. (80% of 139) US rivers surveyed by USGS in 1999-2000. (Kolpin et al. (Kolpin et al. 2002. ES &T)2002. ES &T)

Frequently detected Frequently detected compoundscompounds

- Caffeine- Caffeine

- Insect repellents- Insect repellents

- Hormones- Hormones

- Fire retardants- Fire retardants

- Plastizers- Plastizers

Endocrine-Disrupting Endocrine-Disrupting CompoundsCompounds

Endocrine system regulates important biological functionsEndocrine system regulates important biological functions

• Growth • Development • Reproduction eating/sleeping fetus, puberty reproductive system

• Chemicals (synthetic or natural) mimic or act like hormones

• One of top six research priorities identified by EPA’s Office of Research and Development in 1996.

Pharmaceuticals and Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care ProductsPersonal Care Products

PPCPs• More than 80 different classes

(Daughton and Ternes, 1999. Environ. Health Perspect. 107:907-938)

Prozac, antidepressant

17-estradiol

C

OH

CH

HO

17-ethynyl estradiol

Diltiziam

OH

HO

Verapamil

TricoslanTricoslan

A synthetic chlorinated aromatic compound with functional A synthetic chlorinated aromatic compound with functional groups of ethers and phenols. groups of ethers and phenols.

Widely used as an antimicrobial agent in personal care, Widely used as an antimicrobial agent in personal care, commercial, and medical products.commercial, and medical products.

Potentially promotesPotentially promotes cross-resistance to antibiotics, toxic cross-resistance to antibiotics, toxic effects on ecological health, and formation of chlorodioxins effects on ecological health, and formation of chlorodioxins from triclosan itself and its metabolites.from triclosan itself and its metabolites.

Incomplete removal by wastewater treatment plants Incomplete removal by wastewater treatment plants − 79% biodegraded; 15% absorbed to biosolids; 6% released into 79% biodegraded; 15% absorbed to biosolids; 6% released into

receiving water.receiving water.

Plastic, epoxy resins, flame retardants, and other Plastic, epoxy resins, flame retardants, and other specialty products. Also used specialty products. Also used in the manufacture of in the manufacture of products like eyeglass lenses, digital media, reusable food products like eyeglass lenses, digital media, reusable food and drink containers and dental sealants.and drink containers and dental sealants.

A weak endocrine disrupting compound detected in the A weak endocrine disrupting compound detected in the environment, including wastewater. environment, including wastewater.

Toxic to aquatic organisms at concentrations of 1-10 µg/L. Toxic to aquatic organisms at concentrations of 1-10 µg/L. BPA was found to stimulate the growth of rodent uterus.BPA was found to stimulate the growth of rodent uterus.

What can we do??!!!What can we do??!!!

Pseudomonas Pseudomonas butanovorabutanovora

An aerobic G- bacteria isolated from activated sludge (Sayavedra-Soto et al., 2001)

Believed to use these contaminants as a food source!

Experimental DesignExperimental DesignGrow P. Butanovera

with Acetate to increase cell density

Induce propane monoxygenase 1-butanol (24 hr)

)

Add BPA or Triclosan

Dry with N2 gas Reconstruct w/

acetone

Start Reaction

Collect Sample

Sample Standard

Analytical Method

Extraction W/ Ether

Derivitizing Agent

Gas Chromatography/

Mass Spectrometer

ResultsResults

Results Results

ConclusionConclusion

Bisphenol –A and TriclosanBisphenol –A and Triclosan

No signifigant change was observed. The No signifigant change was observed. The bacteria bacteria

appeared to have very little degredation effects appeared to have very little degredation effects on on

the compounds.the compounds.

From the Lab to the From the Lab to the Classroom!Classroom!

TEKS TEKS 2B)  2B)   Collect data and make measurements with precisionCollect data and make measurements with precision

2D)  2D)   Organize, analyze, evaluate, make inferences, and predict trends Organize, analyze, evaluate, make inferences, and predict trends from from

datadata

2E)  2E)   Communicate valid conclusionsCommunicate valid conclusions

3C)  3C)   Evaluate the impact of research on scientific thought, society, and Evaluate the impact of research on scientific thought, society, and the the

environmentenvironment

3D)  3D)   Describe the connection between chemistry and future careersDescribe the connection between chemistry and future careers

12C)  Evaluate the significance of water in living organisms and in 12C)  Evaluate the significance of water in living organisms and in

the environmentthe environment

It’s In the Water!It’s In the Water!

Lab OutlineLab Outline

Dakota, Texas is a small farming community Dakota, Texas is a small farming community

located 75 miles outside of Dallas, Texas with a located 75 miles outside of Dallas, Texas with a

population of 760 individuals. The town’s population of 760 individuals. The town’s

economic viability relies on its cattle and swine economic viability relies on its cattle and swine

industry. However, a large number of the industry. However, a large number of the

animals have been getting sick and have not animals have been getting sick and have not

been able to be sold. They have noticed the been able to be sold. They have noticed the

animals become sick shortly after drinking from animals become sick shortly after drinking from

the man-made pond. They have hired you as an the man-made pond. They have hired you as an

environmental engineer to figure out what is environmental engineer to figure out what is

making their livestock sick AND determine making their livestock sick AND determine

how to correct their problem. If you can how to correct their problem. If you can

effectively do this, you will be paid the sum of effectively do this, you will be paid the sum of

$10,000.$10,000.

Parameters to Be CheckedParameters to Be Checked

Compound

Tested

Maximum Contaminant Levels

Actual Amount

Allowable Range (Y or N)

Nitrate 10 ppm

Nitrite 8 ppm

Bacteria 0

pH 6.5-8.5

Chlorine 250 mg/L

Iron .3 mg/L

ProjectProject

Field TripField Trip Question Results?Question Results? Process CreationProcess Creation Applicable to Daily LifeApplicable to Daily Life

How it RelatesHow it Relates

Shows how basic concepts of science Shows how basic concepts of science are used to help our daily lives. In are used to help our daily lives. In the laboratory, we tested water for the laboratory, we tested water for estrogen levels. In the classroom we estrogen levels. In the classroom we are using those same concepts to are using those same concepts to test for other contaminants.test for other contaminants.

E3 Summer Research ProgramE3 Summer Research Program Dr. Bella ChuDr. Bella Chu Myunghee KimMyunghee Kim Hyun Keun RohHyun Keun Roh Dr. Robin AutenriethDr. Robin Autenrieth