Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119737
Title (Primary) Phase-specific stable isotope fractionation effects during combined gas-liquid phase exchange and biodegradation
Author Khan, A.M.; Gharasoo, M.; Wick, L.Y.; Thullner, M.
Source Titel Environmental Pollution
Year 2022
Department UMB
Volume 309
Page From art. 119737
Language englisch
Topic T7 Bioeconomy
Keywords VOC; Toluene phase exchange; Stable isotope fractionation; Bioavailability; Biodegradation; CSIA
Abstract Stable isotope fractionation of toluene under dynamic phase exchange was studied aiming at ascertaining the effects of gas-liquid partitioning and biodegradation of toluene stable isotope composition in liquid-air phase exchange reactors (Laper). The liquid phase consisted of a mixture of aqueous minimal media, a known amount of a mixture of deuterated (toluene-d) and non-deuterated toluene (toluene-h), and bacteria of toluene degrading strain Pseudomonas putida KT2442. During biodegradation experiments, the liquid and air-phase concentrations of both toluene isotopologues were monitored to determine the observable stable isotope fractionation in each phase. The results show a strong fractionation in both phases with apparent enrichment factors beyond −800‰. An offset was observed between enrichment factors in the liquid and the gas phase with gas-phase values showing a stronger fractionation in the gas than in the liquid phase. Numerical simulation and parameter fitting routine was used to challenge hypotheses to explain the unexpected experimental data. The numerical results showed that either a very strong, yet unlikely, fractionation of the phase exchange process or a – so far unreported – direct consumption of gas phase compounds by aqueous phase microorganisms could explain the observed fractionation effects. The observed effect can be of relevance for the analysis of volatile contaminant biodegradation using stable isotope analysis in unsaturated subsurface compartments or other environmental compartment containing a gas and a liquid phase.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=26379
Khan, A.M., Gharasoo, M., Wick, L.Y., Thullner, M. (2022):
Phase-specific stable isotope fractionation effects during combined gas-liquid phase exchange and biodegradation
Environ. Pollut. 309 , art. 119737 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119737