Liliana Rivera
and Sustainable Engineering, Civil, Environmental
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ, United States
Graduation date: Spring 2027
Additional details: First-generation college student
FURI | Spring 2026
Growth Kinetics and Oxygen Tolerance of Trichlorobacter lovleyi During Chlorinated Solvent Reduction
Chlorinated solvents such as tetrachloroethene (PCE) persist in soil and groundwater and pose environmental risks. T. lovleyi, an anaerobic bacterium used in bioremediation, may experience reduced performance in environments with oxygen intrusion. This research investigates how low oxygen concentrations affect its growth kinetics and contaminant reduction capabilities. Experimental conditions compare anaerobic and oxygen-exposed systems while measuring growth, PCE degradation, and cellular responses. Understanding oxygen tolerance in this organism will help improve the reliability and efficiency of bioremediation strategies in subsurface environments with fluctuating redox conditions.
Mentor: Anca Delgado