Organohalide Geomicrobiology
Research Themes
Key activities:
We investigate the anaerobic biotransformation of halogenated organic contaminants in contaminated aquifers and at surface-groundwater interfaces with the following main sub-topics and approaches:
1. Geomicrobiology
- Investigation of microbial activity at geochemical gradient environments
- Enrichment and isolation of novel microorganisms capable of anaerobic biotransformation of halogenated contaminants
- Effect of biogeochemical processes on natural attenuation of halogenated organics and the microbial communities involved
2. Isotope Analytics
- Stable isotope analysis including compound specific isotope analysis (CSIA), isotope fingerprinting, and stable isotope probing for the evaluation of the in situ biodegradation of:
a) Common halogenated water contaminants (chlorinated and brominated ethanes, ethenes and aromatics)
b) Emerging contaminants (pesticides and pharmaceuticals)
3. Biochemistry
- Investigation of reactions, physiology and mechanisms of reductive dehalogenating and oxidation processes
Basic tools and methods:
- microcosms (oxic/anoxic), constructed wetlands, column systems, anaerobic cultivation methods
- GC-FID/-MS for concentration and metabolite analysis and GC-IRMS for stable isotope analysis
- molecular biology techniques including PCR, qPCR, T-RLFP, clone libraries, DNA sequencing, and DNA/RNA-stable isotope probing