The Power of Stable Isotopes – from CSIA to SIP to provide evidence of in situ degradation

Abstract

Decisions to implement bioremediation techniques for the clean-up of contaminated field sites require a comprehensive characterization of the site-specific biodegradation processes by a combination of innovative monitoring methods including Compound-specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA) and molecular genetic testing. CSIA is an advanced monitoring tool for evaluating remediation of organic compounds at contaminated field sites. The composition of the microbial populations as well as the abundance of functional genes, encoding specific enzymes for contaminant degradation quantified by qPCR analysis (Gene-Trac), highlights characteristic areas of in situ contaminant biodegradation potentials. To demonstrate the intrinsic mineralization of more difficult to degrade compounds like PAHs, in situ microcosms in combination with amino acid-stable isotope probing (BACTRAP) is a powerful and highly sensitive tool. This presentation will provide more information on the relevant methods and demonstrate their significance using selected case studies.

The Presenters

Kevin Kuntze, Ph.D.CEO, Isodetect Gmbh
Kevin Kuntze is CEO of Isodetect GmbH, Germany. He received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Leipzig (Germany) in the research field of anaerobic biodegradation of groundwater contaminants. Before his engagement at Isodetect, Kevin worked as a coordinator of a joint German-Israel Research Project and as an executive assistant at the Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research in Leipzig, Germany. In the past 16 years he developed many innovative tools in the area of molecular biology and compound-specific isotope analysis for the assessment of in situ degradation of organic contaminants. As the innovation expert at Isodetect he is responsible for the development and implementation of new and highly efficient analytical tools within the business areas of pollutant degradation and monitoring of gas & geothermal energy processing.
Kela Ashworth, B.Sc.Scientist, SiREM
Kela Ashworth, B.Sc. is an Environmental Scientist for SiREM focusing on analytical testing and treatability study management. Over the past 13 years Kela has managed numerous bench-scale studies evaluating remediation technologies for contaminants including chlorinated solvents, petroleum hydrocarbons, metals and other recalcitrant compounds in soil, sediment, and groundwater. She has also been involved in developing protocols for evaluating new technologies in the laboratory (i.e., new analytical techniques, electrokinetics, combined chemical oxidation chemistries).

Isodetect

Isodetect is a SME and offers isotope analytical services and scientific expertise to stakeholders in the market of groundwater remediation, oil and gas industry as well as environmental monitoring worldwide. It holds key knowledge and intellectual property related to the monitoring of natural attenuation, source identification and in situ remediation at contaminated sites (e.g. BTEX, chlorinated ethenes, HCHs, MTBE, PAH, TPH, micropollutants, pesticides, explosives) by Compound-specific Stable Isotope Analysis (CSIA), Stable Isotope Probing (SIP), in situ microcosms (BACTRAPs®), laboratory microcosm studies, metabolite analysis, molecular genetic techniques (qPCR) and GC-MS screening. With on-going technological developments in isotope monitoring, Isodetect supplies adequate tools to provide evidence, characterize and quantify the natural and stimulated biological/chemical transformation of new classes of pollutants as an integral part of remediation and monitoring technologies. Isodetect’s business model includes the market introduction of innovative know-how, which is generated in close cooperation with partners from science and technology. Our goal is to translate new insights into practice through effective technology transfer.