Organohalide Geomicrobiology

Research Themes

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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

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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

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