FURI | Spring 2023

Composition and Dynamics of Microbiomes Involved in Chain Elongation Driven Reductive Dehalogenation

Coupling reductive dehalogenation with microbial chain elongation (MCE) has the potential to drive in-situ bioremediation of chlorinated ethene contamination. MCE substrates, namely ethanol and acetate, can promote complete dehalogenation in soil and groundwater. However, the microbiomes involved in this coupled process are less understood. In this study, microbial community analysis was conducted on groundwater microcosms under various substrate combinations. Classification of 16S rRNA sequences and alpha and beta diversity analysis was performed using the bioinformatics platform QIIME 2. Results from this study inform the design of pilot-scale MCE bioremediation systems.