Project description
The role of microbial metabolites in selenium transformation
As a naturally occurring trace element, selenium can become toxic in certain forms, posing environmental and health risks. Its transformation is influenced by microorganisms and their metabolites, particularly extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). However, the mechanisms by which EPS affects the redox cycling of selenium oxyanions in drinking water and wastewater remain poorly understood. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the BIOTAC project explores the role of EPS in the reduction of selenium oxyanions. The project will use in situ and in vitro microcosms combined with electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques to elucidate the key agents involved in Se redox transformation. Insights from this research will inform the development of biotechnologies for Se remediation and recovery.
Objective
Selenium (Se) is a naturally occurring trace element in the earth's crust. Microorganisms and their metabolites, such as extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) play a major role in the redox transformation of metalloids in the environment. However, how EPS affects Se oxyanions redox cycling in drinking water and wastewater, what the underlying mechanisms, especially electron transfer mechanisms between EPS and Se, and which components of EPS are involved in Se redox transformation are unclear. Especially concerning electron transfer mechanisms between EPS-Se oxyanions to form BioSeNPs and which redox-active components of EPS are involved in the redox cycling of Se oxyanions. How EPS-mediated reduction of Se affects the isotopic fractions of Se during the reduction process. To what extent do these pure cultures strain-derived EPS-Se oxyanions reduction mechanisms apply to the Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) and an Up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor system for water and wastewater treatment, respectively. In this research, we plan to set up in situ and in vitro microcosms combined with electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques to examine 1) the key agents and structural components of EPS involved in the reduction of Se(IV/VI), 2) the electron transfer mechanisms between EPS and Se oxyanions for the reduction of Se(IV/VI); 3) the significance of the Se reduction to the environmental fate and recovery of BioSeNPs in CSTR and UASB reactor. The roles of EPS-mediated reduction processes on the isotopic fractions of Se. The results from this project will be vital to clarifying the role of microbial EPS and their components in the BioSeNPs cycle and developing biotechnologies to remediate and recover environmental Se.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques.
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwater treatment processeswastewater treatment processes
- natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrymetalloids
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Programme(s)
- HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Main Programme
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European FellowshipsCoordinator
01328 Dresden
Germany