72803 - Biotechnology for the Sustainable Reclamation of Contaminated Lands and Waters

Learning outcomes

To provide the students with the basics for understanding the roles of microbial populations in natural and contaminated habitats and with the main microbial and technological aspects related the conduction and optimization of the prominent environmental biotechnological processes currently applied in the remediation of industrial wastewaters, sediments and sites contaminated by xenobiotic compounds.

Course contents

Chemical compounds released into the environment: their classification, source and fate as well as their environmental impact.

Main features, cellular organization and physiology of bacteria, fungi, algae and protozoa occurring in environments and/or applied in the environmental remediation processes.

Biotransformation of biogenic compounds occurring/released in the environment. Catabolism of biogenic organic matter in aerobic and anaerobic habitats and processes. Aerobic respiration: the glycolysis, the Krebs cycle and the oxidative phosphorylation. Anaerobic metabolism of organic matter: nitrate-reduction, Fe(III)-reduction, sulphate-reduction, HCO3- reduction (methanogenesis and acetogenesis) and main features of microorganisms using such anaerobic respiration routes. Fermentation of organic matter in the environment and features of the main microorganisms responsible for it. Anaerobic digestion of organic matter and biowaste.

Metabolism of inorganic compounds in aerobic habitats or treatment processes, such as nitrification, S° or S= -oxidation, Fe(II) oxidation and industrial microbial leaching and main features of microorganisms responsible for them. Introduction on the CO2 autotrophic fixation.

Sources and fate of main organic and inorganic xenobiotic compounds in contaminated soils, sediments and waters. Microorganisms mainly involved in their biotransformation and detoxification and biochemical-molecular mechanisms responsible for their adaptation to the pollutants. Biodegradation pathways for aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated and not, in aerobic and anaerobic polluted environments. Basis of biotransformation on heavy metals in polluted sites.

Contaminated sites: hydrogeology structure and fundamentals on contaminants transport and fate at the site (soil and groundwater). Approaches to the management of contaminated sites: containment and remediation. Main factors affecting the biodegradation of pollutants in contaminated sites and strategies to control them.

Main techniques for the in-situ and ex-situ bioremediation of contaminated soils and aquifers: microbiological and technological aspects of bioventing, pump&treat, biobariers and reactive permeable barriers, landfarming, biopiles and treatment in bioreactors.

Basics of myco-, phyto- and rhizo-remediation. Basics on the main strategies for the (bio)remediation of contaminated sediments.

Readings/Bibliography

Madigan M.T. Martinko J.M., Stahl D.A. andClark D.P. (2012) Brock: Biology of Microorganisms. 13th Edition, Prentice Hall International, Inc . New Jersey, USA

Rittmann B.E., McCarty P.L. (2001) Environmental Biotechnology: principles and applications. McGraw-Hill Higher education, New York, USA

Teaching methods

Class lectures

Assessment methods

The exam consists in an oral interview in order to assess the methodological and critical skills acquired by the student. The student will be invited to discuss the topics covered during the lessons. The achievement of an organic vision of the issues addressed during the classes and their critical use, which demonstrates ownership of a mastery of expression and specific language, will be assessed with marks of excellence. Mechanical and / or mnemonic knowledge of matter, synthesis and analysis of non-articulating and / or correct language but not always appropriate will lead to discrete assessments; training gaps and / or inappropriate language - although in a context of minimal knowledge of the material - will lead to votes that will not exceed the sufficiency. Training gaps, inappropriate language, lack of guidance within the reference materials offered during the course will lead to failed assessments.

Teaching tools

Slides of the course

Office hours

See the website of Giulio Zanaroli