Download Water-Q-Hall

Biodegradation of Emerging
Contaminants by
Pseudomonas butanorova
Shervada Hall
Houston Independent School District
Empowerment College Preparatory High School
Mentor: Bella Kung Hui Chu/Civil Engineering
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Ph.D University of California at
Berkeley, 1998
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Assistant Professor Environmental Engineering
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Had work printed in over 13 publications such as
“Environmental Science and Technology”, and
“Environmental Engineering Science”
Environmental Estrogens
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Found in sediments, rivers, lakes, drinking water, treated wastewater, and
groundwater.
Hormones and many other pharmaceuticals were detected in 108 (80% of 139)
US rivers surveyed by USGS in 1999-2000. (Kolpin et al. 2002. ES &T)
Frequently detected compounds
- Caffeine
- Insect repellents
- Hormones
- Fire retardants
- Plastizers
Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds
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Endocrine system regulates important biological
functions
• Growth
eating/sleeping
• Development
fetus, puberty
• Reproduction
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 Personal Care
Products
PPCPs
• More than 80 different classes
(Daughton and Ternes, 1999. Environ. Health Perspect. 107:907-938)
Diltiziam
OH
C
CH
HO
17-ethynyl estradiol
Prozac, antidepressant
OH
HO
17-estradiol
Verapamil
Tricoslan
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A synthetic chlorinated aromatic compound with functional
groups of ethers and phenols.
Widely used as an antimicrobial agent in personal care,
commercial, and medical products.
Potentially promotes cross-resistance to antibiotics, toxic
effects on ecological health, and formation of chlorodioxins
from triclosan itself and its metabolites.
Incomplete removal by wastewater treatment plants
−
79% biodegraded; 15% absorbed to biosolids; 6% released into
receiving water.
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Plastic, epoxy resins, flame retardants, and other specialty products.
Also used in the manufacture of products like eyeglass lenses, digital
media, reusable food and drink containers and dental sealants.
A weak endocrine disrupting compound detected in the environment,
including wastewater.
Toxic to aquatic organisms at concentrations of 1-10 µg/L. BPA was
found to stimulate the growth of rodent uterus.
What can we do??!!!
Pseudomonas butanovora
An aerobic G- bacteria isolated from activated sludge
(Sayavedra-Soto et al., 2001)
Believed to use these contaminants as a food source!
Experimental Design
Grow P. Butanovera
with Acetate to
increase cell density
Induce propane monoxygenase
1-butanol (24 hr)
)
Add BPA or Triclosan
Start Reaction
Collect Sample
Analytical Method
Sample
Standard
Extraction
W/ Ether
Dry with N2 gas
Derivitizing Agent
Reconstruct w/
acetone
Gas Chromatography/
Mass Spectrometer
Results
Results
Conclusion

Bisphenol –A and Triclosan
No signifigant change was observed. The bacteria
appeared to have very little degredation effects on
the compounds.
From the Lab to the Classroom!
TEKS
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2B) Collect data and make measurements with precision
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2D) Organize, analyze, evaluate, make inferences, and predict trends from
data
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2E) Communicate valid conclusions
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3C) Evaluate the impact of research on scientific thought, society, and the
environment
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3D) Describe the connection between chemistry and future careers
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12C) Evaluate the significance of water in living organisms and in
the environment
It’s In the Water!
Lab Outline
Parameters to Be Checked
Dakota, Texas is a small farming community
located 75 miles outside of Dallas, Texas with a
population of 760 individuals. The town’s
economic viability relies on its cattle and swine
industry. However, a large number of the
animals have been getting sick and have not
been able to be sold. They have noticed the
animals become sick shortly after drinking from
the man-made pond. They have hired you as an
environmental engineer to figure out what is
making their livestock sick AND determine
how to correct their problem. If you can
effectively do this, you will be paid the sum of
$10,000.
Compound
Tested
Maximum
Contaminant
Levels
Nitrate
10 ppm
Nitrite
8 ppm
Bacteria
0
pH
6.5-8.5
Chlorine
250 mg/L
Iron
.3 mg/L
Actual
Amount
Allowable
Range
(Y or N)
Project
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Field Trip
Question Results?
Process Creation
Applicable to Daily Life
How it Relates
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Shows how basic concepts of science are used to
help our daily lives. In the laboratory, we tested
water for estrogen levels. In the classroom we
are using those same concepts to test for other
contaminants.
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E3 Summer Research Program
Dr. Bella Chu
Myunghee Kim
Hyun Keun Roh
Dr. Robin Autenrieth