CAREER: Dynamic Structure and Function of Biofilms for Wastewater Treatment

在美国，水和废水系统目前消耗所有电能生产的3%至4%，升级废水处理（WWT）工厂以实现脱氮可能会使其能源需求增加一倍。除氮还可能大幅增加一氧化二氮（N2O）的排放，这是一种强效温室气体。生物膜系统在脱氮升级中越来越受欢迎。一种新的生物膜方法是混合膜生物膜工艺（HMBP），其中空气填充的膜支撑的生物膜（MBfs）的盒集成到活性污泥池中。 这消除了鼓泡曝气，可能节省超过50%的废水处理所需的电能，同时实现脱氮并可能最大限度地减少N2O排放。 生物膜是动态系统，其中物理动力学（例如，分离）和化学动力学（例如，改变底物浓度）可对生物膜结构、功能和总体性能具有重要影响。本研究旨在探讨污水处理厂生物膜的动态结构与功能。PI将开发一种新的实验方法，允许使用微传感器，标记有新型厌氧荧光蛋白的细菌和共聚焦激光扫描显微镜（CLSM）研究生物膜系统的物理和化学动力学。这使得近实时分析的影响，在基板上的结构和功能的生物膜的浓度的分离和变化。该技术将用于研究不同分离模式（物理动力学）的影响，以及这如何影响生物膜的结构和功能，特别是当它们与HMBP过程相关时。 PI还将研究生物膜中的N2O排放（化学动力学），以及它们如何受到氧浓度循环的影响。 将开发多维、基于粒子的模型来捕捉动态效果。本研究为生物膜的研究开辟了一条新的途径。结果将提供一个基本的理解的结构，功能和整体性能的生物膜上的分离的效果。 这是第一个系统的研究N2O形成的生物膜，和动态结构和功能的生物膜。它使用了一种新型的细菌标记与厌氧荧光蛋白，CLSM和微传感器的组合。 最后，它还开发了一种新的，基于粒子的，多维的模型，适合捕捉这些动态的生物膜的影响。该研究将直接影响与WWT相关的生物膜系统中的分离和N2O形成的理解，包括基于MBF的应用。拟议的研究平台可用于研究临床，工业和环境相关性的生物膜，例如暴露于消毒剂，抗生素或重金属后的生物膜活力。 PI将专注于西班牙裔学生的培训和教育，鼓励他们追求科学和工程事业。 高中教师将接受使用简单分子工具的培训，并在高中学生的帮助下开发教学模块。 将启动与智利的试点本科生研究交流，作为向本科生和研究生提供国际研究经验的手段。 研究生也将参与国际研究合作。 REU的学生将从波多黎各和西班牙裔人口众多的当地大学招募

0954918NerenbergWater and wastewater systems currently consume 3% to 4% of all electrical energy production in the United States, and upgrading wastewater treatment (WWT) plants to achieve nitrogen removal may double their energy demands. Nitrogen removal also may substantially increase emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas. Biofilm systems are increasingly popular for upgrades to nitrogen removal. A novel biofilm approach is the Hybrid Membrane-Biofilm Process (HMBP), where cassettes of air-filled membrane-supported biofilms (MBfs) are integrated into an activated sludge tank. This eliminates bubbled aeration, potentially saving over 50% of the electrical energy requirements for WWT, while achieving nitrogen removal and potentially minimizing N2O emissions. Biofilms are dynamic systems, where physical dynamics (e.g., detachment) and chemical dynamics (e.g., varying substrate concentrations) can have important effects on biofilm structure, function, and overall performance. The goal of this research is to investigate the dynamic structure and function of biofilms for WWT. The PI will develop a novel experimental approach that allows the study of physical and chemical dynamics of biofilm system using microsensors, bacteria tagged with a novel anaerobic fluorescent protein, and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). This allows near real-time analysis of the effects of detachment and shifts in substrate concentrations on the structure and function of biofilms. This technique will be used to study the effect of different modes of detachment (physical dynamic), and how this affects the structure and function of biofilms, especially as they relate to the HMBP process. The PI also will study N2O emissions in biofilms (chemical dynamic), and how they are affected by cycling of oxygen concentrations. Multi-dimensional, particle-based models will be developed to capture the dynamic effects. This research develops a novel approach to biofilm research. The results will provide a fundamental understanding of the effect of detachment on the structure, function, and overall performance of biofilms. It is the first systematic study of N2O formation in biofilms, and of the dynamic structure and function of biofilms. It uses a novel combination of bacteria tagged with anaerobic fluorescent proteins, CLSM, and microsensors. Finally, it also develops a novel, particle-based, multidimensional model suitable for capturing these dynamic effects on biofilms. The research will directly impact the understanding of detachment and N2O formation in biofilm systems relevant to WWT, including MBf-based applications. The proposed research platform can be used to study biofilms of clinical, industrial, and environmental relevance, such as biofilm viability after exposure to disinfectants, antibiotics, or heavy metals. The PI will focus on the training and education of Hispanic students to encourage them to pursue careers in science and engineering. High school teachers will be trained to use simple molecular tools and to develop teaching modules with assistance from high school students. A pilot undergraduate research exchange with Chile will be initiated as a means to provide an international research experience to undergraduate and graduate students. Graduate students also will be involved in international research collaborations. REU students will be recruited from Puerto Rico and local universities with large Hispanic populations