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- 4.1 Biologische Materialschädigung und Referenzorganismen (91) (entfernen)
Eingeladener Vortrag
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Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is a highly unpredictable process involving a complex group of microorganisms, including sulfate-reducing bacteria and methanogens. Standard laboratory MIC testing using static serum bottle enrichments is an easy but limited method, offering poor resolution on the biomineralization process of corrosion products. An example of this is the presumed corrosion product siderite by corrosive methanogens (Mi-MIC). Previous publications reported siderite was the sole corrosion product of M. maripaludis using metal coupons incubated under stationary conditions.
However, the formation of siderite is closely related to the surrounding environmental conditions, i.e. pH, CO2 concentration, flow and temperature. Thus, siderite as the sole corrosion product of Mi-MIC remain inconclusive and questionable. To study Mi-MIC effectively, a novel versatile multiport flow-column corrosion monitoring system (MFC) was developed. MFC allows sectional corrosion rate determination under flow conditions using different types of material, inoculum and packing material. MFC offers great flexibility, ease of operation and accurate corrosion measurements that can be combined with many other techniques. Using MFC, we studied multiple strains of methanogens and compared it with sulfate-reducing bacteria under neutral and low pH conditions. It was revealed by MFC that corrosive methanogens have equally high corrosion potential as sulfate-reducing bacteria. Additionally, siderite is not the dominant nor sole corrosion product of Mi-MIC. Thus, effective corrosion monitoring and establishing standard laboratory practices, i.e. incorporating MFC as part of regular testing process, will provide deeper understanding of MIC. This will allow further microbial electrophysiology understandings, contributing to effective mitigation strategy development.
Biocide mitigation strategies of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) in the oil and gas industry have been primarily used to eliminate the growths of sulfate-reducing microorganisms (SRM). However, methanogenic Archaea (MA) can also be highly corrosive by using iron as an electron source for methanogenesis. Because of the fundamental physiological differences between archaea and bacteria, responses of MA towards SRM-specific biocides cannot be deduced using SRM. Due to the lack of information available on the effect of biocides on corrosive MA, we selected THPS, glutaraldehyde, nitrate and perchlorate to compare against corrosive SRM.
Preliminary results showed that at low concentrations of THPS (0-10 ppm), growth of MA was not affected, methane production and corrosion rates (0.1 mm/yr) were comparable between the different THPS concentrations. On the contrary, the SRM strain showed decreased corrosion rates (0.18 mm/yr to 0.03 mm/yr) with increasing THPS concentrations. Further corrosion tests including electrochemical measurements of different biocides on the growth of MA and SRM will be conducted. Such knowledge not only provide important insights on the physiological response of MA to biocides but also contribute to more effective mitigation strategies that can be both economic and environmentally beneficial.
Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is an expensive but unpredictable problem for the industries. The most well-known culprit for MIC is the sulfate-reducing microorganisms (SRM), such as members from the genus Desulfovibrio. It has been widely accepted that SRM can contribute significantly to MIC through the production of hydrogen sulfide (HS-) or in some cases a direct electron uptake from the metal surface. However, in a real environmental system, SRM is not exclusive and often involved with other microorganisms that may also contribute to MIC, such as methanogens.
Methanogenic archaea can produce methane (CH4) using H2+CO2, formate, methylated amines or acetate. Methanogens are highly abundant in the environment and many are found in very extreme conditions, such as high temperature and high salinity. Previous researches have demonstrated that methanogens are capable of MIC, though the specific mechanisms are still under investigation. In the oil and gas industry, methanogens are not considered as the main contributor for MIC since the corrosion rates are often too low. However, the tests for methanogen-induced MIC are usually performed at static conditions, which cannot represent the system accurately. Here, we developed a novel anaerobic system to evaluate the corrosion potential of methanogens under flow conditions. We will use the Methanococcus maripaludis KA1 strain, which was isolated from a crude oil tank, as the organism of interest. A separate system for Desulfovibrio alaskensis will be established for corrosion rate comparisons. Furthermore, we will study the synergistic effects of M. maripaludis and D. alaskensis on MIC under flow.
The processing of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) represents a simple and robust way for the nanostructuring of solids that allows creating a wide range of surface functionalities featuring applications in optics, tribology, medicine, energy technologies, etc. While the currently available laser and scanner technology already allows surface processing rates at the m2/min level, industrial applications of LIPSS are sometimes hampered by the complex interplay between the nanoscale surface topography and the specific surface chemistry. This typically manifests in difficulties to control the processing of LIPSS and in limitations to ensure the long-term stability of the created surface functions. This presentation aims to identify some unsolved scientific problems related to LIPSS, discusses the pending technological limitations, and sketches the current state of theoretical modelling. Hereby, it is intended to stimulate further research and developments in the field of LIPSS for overcoming these limitations and for supporting the transfer of the LIPSS technology into industry.
Bakterielle Biofilme stellen in medizinischen und industriellen Bereichen ein ernsthaftes Problem dar. Eine der größten gesellschaftlichen Herausforderungen liegt in der zunehmenden Resistenz von Bakterien gegen Biozide, die bei antimikrobiellen Behandlungen eingesetzt werden, z.B. durch übermäßigen Einsatz in Medizin, Industrie und Landwirtschaft oder durch Reinigung und Desinfektion in Privathaushalten. Daher sind neue effiziente bakterienabweisende Strategien, die den Einsatz von Bioziden vermeiden, dringend erforderlich.
Ein vielversprechender Weg zur Erzielung bakterienabweisender Oberflächen liegt in der berührungslosen und aseptischen großflächigen Laserbearbeitung von technischen Oberflächen. Maßgeschneiderte Oberflächentexturen, ermöglicht durch verschiedene Laserbearbeitungsstrategien, die zu topographischen Skalen im Bereich von Nanometern bis Mikrometern führen, können eine Lösung für diese Herausforderung darstellen.
In dem Vortrag wird ein Überblick über den aktuellen Stand der Technik bei der subtraktiven Texturierung von Laseroberflächen zur Kontrolle der Biofilmbildung bei verschiedenen Bakterienstämmen und in unterschiedlichen Umgebungen gegeben. Auf der Grundlage spezifischer Eigenschaften von Bakterien und laserbearbeiteten Oberflächen werden die Herausforderungen antimikrobieller Oberflächendesigns erörtert und zukünftige Richtungen aufgezeigt.
Corrosion is a very expensive and serious problem in the different industry sectors, eg. Petroleum-, On- and off-shore, infrastructure. It is estimated that 20% of all corrosion damage is caused by microorganisms or microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). Several microorganisms are known to cause corrosion, including sulfate-reducing bacteria, nitrate-reducing bacteria, methanogens etc. For several years, methanogens were regarded as a mild corroder (~0.065 mm/yr), largely due to a lack of detailed investigation on the corrosion mechanism under real-environment simulated conditions. Resulting in the common belief that siderite, a non-conductive compound, is the sole corrosion product (CP) of methanogen-induced MIC (Mi-MIC).
To simulate natural environmental conditions, we developed and introduced the multiport flow column system (MFC), a multi-sectional corrosion flow-cell. Using the MFC, we obtained ten times higher corrosion rates than previously reported. With a combination of several analytical techniques, such as ToF-SIMS, SEM-EDS and FIB-SEM, we found strong indication that siderite is not the sole corrosion product of Mi-MIC. The corrosion layers contained phosphorus, oxygen, magnesium, calcium and iron. The differences in the CP between static and dynamic environments demonstrated the impact of testing procedures on the corrosive potential of methanogens. To further verify and deepen our understanding of Mi-MIC, we are currently studying the influence of additional environmental parameters (e.g. pH, salinity, flow rate) on Mi-MIC.
Overall, results of this study will expand the current understanding of MIC from both analytical and mechanistic points of view, thus aiding the development of different mitigation strategies for various industry sectors.
Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is a now well-known challenge and affects industry, society and infrastructure. For a long time, the impact of methanogen-induced MIC (Mi-MIC) was underestimated. This was mainly due to the rather low published corrosion rates and the presumed corrosion product siderite, which is not electrically conductive. In our laboratory, we were able to show that this trivialization or underestimation of Mi-MIC was due to the nature of the testing. The static systems used so far do not provide environmentally relevant information about the corrosion rate and the corrosion product, especially for methanogens
To further illustrate the importance of the environment on the MIC process, we established a multiport flow column (MFC), to simulate the natural environment. With this method, and in contrast to published results using the static conditions, we obtained ten times higher corrosion rates. We analyzed the corrosion products with a combination of techniques, like ToF-SIMS, SEM-EDS and FIB-SEM, and found strong evidence that siderite is not the sole corrosion product of Mi-MIC. The corrosion layers contain phosphorus, oxygen, magnesium, calcium and iron and lacked on carbon-related species. It is hypothesized that methanogens may have influenced the nucleation process of siderite, converting bicarbonate into carbon dioxide for methanogenesis. This results in increased localized corrosion and reduced siderite formation. To verify and deepen our understanding of Mi-MIC, we are currently studying the influence of additional environmental parameters (e.g. pH, salinity, flow rate etc.) on Mi-MIC and the subsequent impacts on corrosion rates and the corrosion products.
Overall, results of this study will expand the current understanding of MIC from both analytical and mechanistic points of view, thus aiding the development of different mitigation strategies for various industry sectors.
The role of methanogens in microbiologically influenced corrosion (Mi-MIC) is often neglected, due to 1) low reported corrosion rates and 2) the suspected corrosion product siderite, which is electrically non-conductive. Typically, MIC corrosion studies are carried out using batch cultures, which did not represent the dynamic conditions, i.e. pipeline and provide insufficient information on the overall corrosion potential.
We established a unique approach, a multiport flow column (MFC), to simulate pipeline conditions and obtained 10-times higher corrosion rates than previously published. Our result showed that testing procedures have a large impact on the corrosive potential of methanogens. We found strong indications with a combination of ToF-SIMS, SEM-EDS and FIB-SEM analyses that siderite is not the sole corrosion product. The corrosion layers contain phosphorus, oxygen, magnesium, calcium and iron. To verify and deepen our understanding of Mi-MIC, we are currently studying the influence of other environmental parameters (e.g. pH) on Mi-MIC.
With the latest ICP-MS technology - ICP-ToF (time of flight)-MS - it is possible to analyze the multi-element fingerprint of individual cells. The interface between material and environmental analysis thus receives special attention, e.g. when considering corrosion processes. Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is highly unpredictable due to the diversity of microbial communities involved. The development of the MIC-specific ICP-ToF-MS analytical method presented here at the single cell level, in combination with the investigation of steel-MIC interactions, contributes significantly to progress in instrumental MIC analysis and will enable clarification of the processes taking place.
The supplied document shows the basis of a four minutes lightning talk.
The latest ICP-MS technology - ICP-ToF (time of flight)-MS – enables the analysis of the multi-element fingerprint of individual cells. The interface between material and environmental analysis thus receives special attention, e.g., when considering corrosion processes. Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is a highly unpredictable phenomenon due to the influence of the environment, microbial communities involved and the respective electron source. However, the interaction pathway between cells and the metal surface remains unclear. The development of the MIC-specific ICP-ToF-MS analytical method presented here at the single cell level, in combination with the investigation of steel-MIC interactions, contributes significantly to progress in instrumental MIC analysis and will enable clarification of the processes taking place. For this, a MIC-specific staining procedure was developed. It allows the analysis of archaea at a single cell level and provides information about the interaction of the cells with the staining agent which is extremely scarce compared to other well characterized organisms. Additionally, the single cell ICP-ToF-MS is used for the analysis of archaea involved in MIC of steel. Hence, the possible uptake of individual elements from different steel samples is investigated - the information obtained will be used in the future to elucidate underlying mechanisms and develop possible material protection concepts, thus combining modern methods of analytical sciences with materials.
The first documentation of fuel biodeterioration dates back to the late 19th century. However, extensive studies concerning the microbial fuel contamination started in 1980’s. Polymeric fuel storage tanks containing diesel and biodiesel provide environmental conditions for microbial growth. Several studies demonstrated that bacteria, which were found in contaminated fuel systems, can use fuels as macronutrient; but such bacteria can also cause microbiologically influenced corrosion and fouling.
The aim of this study is to investigate the initial attachment behavior of bacteria, isolated from a diesel contamination, on neat and photooxidized high-density polyethylene (PE-HD). Two common PE-HD’s, less- and biodiesel-stabilized, were radiated to UV light representing a tank exposed to sunlight. The effect of photooxidiation on PE-HD’s surface were characterized chemically by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The attached bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis on the polymer surface were evaluated by fluorescence microscopy and colony-forming unit tests (CFU).
The overarching goal of this project is to develop a predictive model for efflux-mediated antimicrobial tolerance in bacterial multicellular assemblies. Our central hypostasis is that efflux pump activity causes emergent antibiotic tolerance of multicellular bacterial populations, through the interplay of efflux mediated spatial interactions and efflux-linked persistence. To test this hypothesis, we will use a combination of microscopy, microbial killing assays, computational modelling, and data analysis, integrating information from 3 types of multicellular assembly: colonies, cell-to-cell interactions in a monolayer microfluidic device, and 3D flow chamber biofilms. Building on our preliminary observations, we will experimentally characterize the link between colony structure and spatial patterns of efflux gene expression in strains that differ in their levels of efflux. We will develop a mathematical model to test whether local growth inhibition of neighbors due to effluxing cells, coupled with local environment-dependent regulation of efflux, can account qualitatively for these results. By including persister cell formation in our model we will predict, and measure, the emergent function of antimicrobial tolerance in our colonies. To fully understand how tolerance emerges from the interplay between efflux-mediated spatial interactions and efflux-linked persister cell formation, we need quantitative measurements at the single cell level. To this end, we will use a microfluidic setup with cells growing in a monolayer to qualify in detail the dependence of efflux expression and persister cell formation on nutrient conditions, the correlation between efflux and persister formation, and the spatial range of efflux-mediated neighbour growth inhibition. To predict and quantitatively understand the emergent multicellular function of tolerance, we will perform individual-based modelling of biofilm growth, using as input the parameters measured on the single-cell level with our microfluidics experiments. Our simulations will predict biofilm spatial structure development, patterns of efflux and persister formation and, ultimately, tolerance to antimicrobial challenge. These predictions will be directly tested in flow-cell biofilm experiments. We are currently generating acrAB-tolC knockout-strain, without efflux activity, and a strain with an inducible acrAB-tolC efflux pump. To distinguish the different strains under the microscope, they were labeled with genes encoding for different fluorescent proteins. All strains are currently characterized in terms of growth, minimum inhibitory concentration of different antimicrobial substances, colony morphology, and biofilm formation ability. On the theoretical side, we are currently working on modeling the system at various scales and degree of detail, ranging from coarse-grained continuum models to stochastic, individual-based models. Some exploratory work was doe to test existing software for individual-based modelling that may be adapted for our purpose. Furthermore, we are in the process of developing more coarse-grained models. This work involves some physiological modelling and literature search, focusing on working mechanisms of efflux pumps and kinetic models for import and export of antibiotics.
Consequences of tolerance to disinfectants on the evolution of antibiotic resistance in E. coli
(2023)
Biocides are used as disinfectants and preservatives; one important active substance in biocides is benzalkonium chloride (BAC). BAC-tolerant bacterial strains can survive short treatments with high concentrations of BAC. BAC tolerance and resistance have been linked to antibiotic resistance. Here, the selection dynamics between a BAC-tolerant Escherichia coli strain and a sensitive wild type were investigated under four conditions: in the absence of antibiotics and in the presence of three different sub-inhibitory concentrations of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin in liquid cultures. The wild type was selected over the BAC-tolerant strain in the absence of antibiotics, while the BAC-tolerant strain was selected over the wild type at all ciprofloxacin concentrations investigated, with a minimum selection concentration (MSC) of 1/10th of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the wild type. Furthermore, the evolvability of resistance of the two strains to inhibitory concentrations of ciprofloxacin was assessed by performing a serial dilution evolution experiment with gradually increasing ciprofloxacin concentrations. The wild type had a higher probability to develop resistance
to ciprofloxacin than the tolerant strain. By the end of the evolution experiment both strains evolved to grow at the highest ciprofloxacin concentration investigated, which was 2048 ×MIC of the wild type. The importance of these results is highlighted by the fact that concentrations of ciprofloxacin well above the calculated MSC can be found in environmental samples such as hospital wastewaters and livestock slurry. In turn, BAC is used as a disinfectant in the same settings. Thus, the selection of BAC-tolerant strains at sub-inhibitory concentrations of ciprofloxacin can contribute to the stabilization and spread of BAC-tolerance in natural populations. The prevalence of such strains can impair the effects of BAC disinfections.
Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion of Cast Iron Containers for High-Level Nuclear Waste Disposal
(2022)
Ductile and corrosion resistant cast iron is investigated as a potential container material to store high-level nuclear waste (HLW) in deep geological repositories (DGR) in claystone bedrock. The dynamic corrosion process is dependent on the conditions present in the DGR which are influenced and/or controlled by geochemical parameters (e.g., redox potential, pH, presence of and ionic concentration in (pore-)water), physical parameters (e.g., pressure), and the influence of metabolically active microorganisms. Cast iron corrosion will occur at the intersection of container and its decontaminable coating with the bentonite backfill material which contains natural microbial populations.
The conditions in a DGR are simulated in microcosm experiments to investigate the impact of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC); the microcosms contain: B27 bentonite, synthetic pore water, N2 or N2-CO2 atmosphere, cast iron coupons, as well as the bacterium Desulfosporosinus burensis (isolated from repository depth in Buré, France). Three coupon configurations will be used: untreated, coated with decontaminable coating, and coated with decontaminable coating which has been damaged to simulate possible damages. The microcosms will be examined for bio- and geochemical parameters, such as pH, redox potential, mineral phases, sulphate concentration, Fe(II):Fe(III), changes in microbial populations, and the corrosion process for formation of corrosion products, and potential microbial influence, after a 270-day incubation period at 25°C under anaerobic conditions. In subsequent experiments, the sorption behavior of lanthanides and actinides onto the membranes of viable cells and spores of D. burensis, as well as the surface of corroded cast iron coupons will be investigated.
The XPS information depth of approximately 10 nm is in the same size range as the outer membrane of the gram-negative bacteria, which makes XPS a suitable tool for determining the elemental composition of the bacterial surface and monitor changes caused by outer stress like dehydration or exposure to antimicrobials. However, bacteria are inherently in a hydrated state, and therefore only compatible to ultra-high vacuum after extensive sample preparation, which may degrade the sample constituents. This issue is addressed by the development of near-ambient pressure (NAP)-XPS, which enables bacteria and biofilms to be characterised in their native wet state. Artificial biofilms, bacteria and biofilms of Escherichia coli have been characterised with the laboratory NAP-XPS instrument EnviroESCA from SPECS GmbH, at pressures ranging from high vacuum to 12 mbar, and in both humid and dry environment. By studying biological samples in their native wet state, new insight about composition and transport of drugs through cell membranes and the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) of biofilms can be obtained. In this contribution, the latest progress on biofilm characterisation by NAP-XPS will be presented, and measurement capabilities and limitations will be discussed.
A presentation held for the seminar "Ausgewählte analytische Methoden der Physik" hosted by Prof. Birgit Kanngießer at TU Berlin. The first part focus on depth-dependent XPS-measurements (XPS, synchrotron HAXPES) to obtain a concentration profile of iodine in an artificial biofilm. In the second part, NAP-XPS measurements of various bacterial samples are presented.
Bacterial samples are typically freeze dried or cryo-prepared prior to XPS analysis to allow for measurements in ultra-high vacuum (UHV). The sample environment in the near-ambient pressure (NAP) XPS instrument EnviroESCA allows for measurements in up to 15 mbar water vapor, thus, sample preparation is no longer restricted to UHV-compatible techniques. For instance, biofilms grown in medium can be transferred directly from the medium to the measurements chamber, maintaining a humid environment throughout the measurements. Considering the complexity of bacterial samples, sample preparation must be carefully considered in order to obtain meaningful and reproducible results.
In this talk, various strategies for sample preparation of bacteria and biofilms for NAP-XPS measurements will be discussed. Model systems of planktonic bacteria, artificial biofilms resembling the exopolysaccharide matrix and biofilms have been characterised in various conditions. The stability and homogeneity of the samples was assessed by monitoring the C1s core level peak at different sample locations. The quality of the XPS-spectra is also influenced by the gas environment, which will be exemplified by core level spectra of P. Fluorescens acquired in air, water vapor and ultra-high vacuum.
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) provides elemental and chemical information from the outermost ~10 nm of the sample surface. This is in the same order of magnitude as the thickness of the outer bacterial membrane of gram-negative bacteria, as well as outer membrane molecules as exopolysaccharides and lipopolysaccharides, commonly attached to the cell surface. With the development of near-ambient pressure (NAP)-XPS, bacteria can be analysed with minimal sample preparation.
EnviroESCA is a laboratory based NAP-XPS instrument, equipped with a monochromated Al Kα radiation source and a differentially pumped energy analyser connected to an exchangeable sample environment. It allows for measurements in various gas-atmospheres, including water vapor, which makes it possible to characterise bacteria and other biological samples close to their natural, hydrated state. Artificial model-biofilms of exopolysaccharides, planktonic Pseudomonas Fluorescens and biofilms of Escherichia Coli have been characterised in hydrated and dried state.
High-resolution XPS-spectra from carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorous can be assigned to carbohydrates, lipids and proteins in general agreement with literature. Especially the carbon 1s peak is of interest. A series of measurements of an E. coli biofilm from 11 mbar in humid environment to 1 mbar air reveal changes in the C1s peak, which suggests that the bacterial surface undergo substantial Change.
In dieser Präsentation wurden dem Beirat Umwelt die High-Lights und der weitere Ausblick des Foresight Process MIC vorgestellt. Im Fokus stehen hierbei insbesondere die neu angelaufenen Projekte:
COST Action Euro-MIC
MIC im Endlager
Hydrogen: MIC & Wasserstoffversprödung
Biorezeptivität von Betonoberflächen
Mitigation schwarze Pilze
WIPANO ResTest
Der Fachbereich 7.6 untersucht seit einiger Zeit an Auslagerungsständen auf dem Testgelände in Horstwalde Korrosion im maritimen Bereich. Im Moment läuft das System mit künstlichem Meerwasser und simuliert die Bewitterung von Metallproben unter angenäherten klimatischen Bedingungen ähnlich zum natürlichem Habitat. Im Laufe der Zeit konnte nicht intendierter mikrobieller bewuchs beobachtet werden. Es stellte sich die Frage, welche Mikroorganismen vorlagen und ob diese einen Einfluss auf die Korrosionsuntersuchungen haben könnte. Aus diesem Grund wurden 16S-rRNA Untersuchungen durchgeführt welche alle drei Domänen des Lebens widerspiegeln Bakterien, Archaea und Eukaryoten. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass über 95% der vorliegenden Biomasse Grünalgen waren, die durch Licht Eintrag in den Container Photosynthese betrieben und dadurch an Biomasse zunahmen. Des weiteren konnten Bakterien detektiert werden, welche in der Regel halophilen und aeroben Habitaten zu finden sind. Allerdings wurden auch Sulfat reduzierende Bakterien (MIC) detektiert, wenn auch in einem geringen prozentualen Anteil. Es muss allerdings Berücksichtigt werden, dass die mikrobielle Zusammensetzung sich im Laufe der Zeit weiter ändern kann. Als Ursprung der Biomasse wird, das künstliche Sediment vermutet. Außerdem wäre es für zukünftige Experiment denkbar, das System mit echtem Sediment aus dem marinen Habitat anzuimpfen.
Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) is a phenomenon that is increasingly becoming a problem
for the society. MIC describes the negative effects a material can experience due to the presence of
microorganisms. In Europe, several research groups/ other industrial stakeholders are already dealing with
MIC. Unfortunately, the discussions are fragmented and the exchange of information is limited. A true
transdisciplinary approach is hardly ever experienced, although this would be logical for this
material/biology related challenge.
USA, Canada and Australia have strong networks, and develop methods, prevention measures and
standards, which Europe is forced to use, since nothing similar exists for a network and combined
knowledge to design them according to european standards. This makes Europe extremely dependent and,
in some cases, the potential measures or standards cannot been used because the suggested solutions
are prohibited by European laws (e.g. use of biocides).
Therefore, it is important to initiate a new European MIC-network. Europe needs to combine the efforts as
experts in different fields and develop prevention measures according to the European rules, in close
cooperation with industry and plant operators and owners of critical infrastructure. This COST Action will
provide the necessary interaction and communication, knowledge sharing, training of personnel and of
researchers of different disciplines. This will bring Europe to a leading role in this process, bringing ideas on
an equal level with other nations, considering the values which are important for Europe and attitudes (e.g.environmental protection) and representing greater protection for people, property and the environment.
The main aim and objective of the Action is to , in the context of MIC-research/control, encourage a
fluent/synergistic collaboration/communication, closing the gap between materials scientists, engineers,
microbiologists, chemists and integrity managers to encourage sufficient interaction between academia and
industry. This Action will create a common MIC-Network, including the important stakeholders.
Microbially influenced corrosion (MIC) of iron is usually attributed to sulfate-reducing microorganisms (SRM) which act upon the metal by the reactiveness of hydrogen sulfide, and by withdrawal of the available electrons in electrical contact with the metal. Methanogenic archaea can also cause MIC by directly withdrawing electrons from the iron surface for methanogenesis. However, the mechanistic details and kinetics of the overall process are poorly understood. Precipitation of siderite, a by-product of methanogenesis, (4Fe + 5HCO3 + 5H+ 4FeCO3 + CH4 + 3H2O) can lead to an insulating layer on the metal surface and lower the corrosion rate. Still, the extent of FeCO3 precipitation may be significantly influenced by environmental conditions such as pH and advective processes.
Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) of iron is usually attributed to sulfate-reducing microorganisms (SRM) in offshore industries, such as the oil and gas pipelines, due to the high concentrations of sulfate in the seawater. SRM act upon the metal by the reactiveness of hydrogen sulfide (HS-), and by withdrawal of the available electrons (Fe --> Fe2+ + 2e-; E° = -0.47 V) in electrical contact with the metal (EMIC). However, methanogenic archaea can also cause MIC. Because they do not produce HS-, withdrawal of electrons may be their main corrosive mechanism; however, mechanistic details and kinetics of the overall process are poorly understood.
To investigate the corrosion potential of methanogens, we studied the EMIC methanogenic strains isolated from marine sediments (Methanobacterium-affiliated strain IM1) and crude oil tanks (Methanococcus maripaludis Mic1c10), in an in-house developed flow-through cell to simulate a fluctuating environment. A co-culture of M. maripaludis and D. alaskensis was also established to study the effect of syntrophic growth on metal corrosion that may occur in industrial pipelines. Results indicate that the rates of iron corrosion due to coupled methanogenesis (up to 0.4 mm/yr) are higher to that caused by the marine SRM Desulfovibrio alaskensis (0.15 mm/yr). Surface analyses of the metal showed severe pitting with high methane production. Genomic analysis of the EMIC methanogen M. maripaludis Mic1c10 will provide an insight on the mechanisms of MIC. Such knowledge and deeper understanding also from an electrokinetic point of view may not only provide further models in microbial electrophysiology, but also contribute to mitigation strategies in MIC
Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) of iron is usually attributed to sulfate-reducing microorganisms (SRM) in offshore industries, such as the oil and gas pipelines, due to the high concentrations of sulfate in the seawater. SRM act upon the metal by the reactiveness of hydrogen sulfide (HS-), and by withdrawal of the available electrons (Fe --> Fe2+ + 2e-; E° = -0.47 V) in electrical contact with the metal (EMIC). However, methanogenic archaea can also cause MIC. Because they do not produce HS-, withdrawal of electrons may be their main corrosive mechanism; however, mechanistic details and kinetics of the overall process are poorly understood.
To investigate the corrosion potential of methanogens, we studied the EMIC methanogenic strains isolated from marine sediments (Methanobacterium-affiliated strain IM1) and crude oil tanks (Methanococcus maripaludis Mic1c10), in an in-house developed flow-through cell to simulate a fluctuating environment. A co-culture of M. maripaludis and D. alaskensis was also established to study the effect of syntrophic growth on metal corrosion that may occur in industrial pipelines. Results indicate that the rates of iron corrosion due to coupled methanogenesis (up to 0.4 mm/yr) are higher to that caused by the marine SRM Desulfovibrio alaskensis (0.15 mm/yr). Surface analyses of the metal showed severe pitting with high methane production. Genomic analysis of the EMIC methanogen M. maripaludis Mic1c10 will provide an insight on the mechanisms of MIC. Such knowledge and deeper understanding also from an electrokinetic point of view may not only provide further models in microbial electrophysiology, but also contribute to mitigation strategies in MIC
Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) of iron is usually attributed to sulfate-reducing microorganisms (SRM) in offshore industries, such as the oil and gas pipelines, due to the high concentrations of sulfate in the seawater. SRM act upon the metal by the reactiveness of hydrogen sulfide (HS-), and by withdrawal of the available electrons (Fe --> Fe2+ + 2e-; E° = -0.47 V) in electrical contact with the metal (EMIC). However, methanogenic archaea can also cause MIC. Because they do not produce HS-, withdrawal of electrons may be their main corrosive mechanism; however, mechanistic details and kinetics of the overall process are poorly understood.
To investigate the corrosion potential of methanogens, we studied the EMIC methanogenic strains isolated from marine sediments (Methanobacterium-affiliated strain IM1) and crude oil tanks (Methanococcus maripaludis Mic1c10), in an in-house developed flow-through cell to simulate a fluctuating environment. A co-culture of M. maripaludis and D. alaskensis was also established to study the effect of syntrophic growth on metal corrosion that may occur in industrial pipelines. Results indicate that the rates of iron corrosion due to coupled methanogenesis (up to 0.4 mm/yr) are higher to that caused by the marine SRM Desulfovibrio alaskensis (0.15 mm/yr). Surface analyses of the metal showed severe pitting with high methane production. Genomic analysis of the EMIC methanogen M. maripaludis Mic1c10 will provide an insight on the mechanisms of MIC. Such knowledge and deeper understanding also from an electrokinetic point of view may not only provide further models in microbial electrophysiology, but also contribute to mitigation strategies in MIC.
Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) of iron is usually attributed to sulfate-reducing microorganisms (SRM) in offshore industries, such as the oil and gas pipelines, due to the high concentrations of sulfate in the seawater. SRM act upon the metal by the reactiveness of hydrogen sulfide (HS-), and by withdrawal of the available electrons (Fe --> Fe2+ + 2e-; E° = -0.47 V) in electrical contact with the metal (EMIC). However, methanogenic archaea can also cause MIC. Because they do not produce HS-, withdrawal of electrons may be their main corrosive mechanism; however, mechanistic details and kinetics of the overall process are poorly understood.
To investigate the corrosion potential of methanogens, we studied the EMIC methanogenic strains isolated from marine sediments (Methanobacterium-affiliated strain IM1) and crude oil tanks (Methanococcus maripaludis Mic1c10), in an in-house developed flow-through cell to simulate a fluctuating environment. A co-culture of M. maripaludis and D. alaskensis was also established to study the effect of syntrophic growth on metal corrosion that may occur in industrial pipelines. Results indicate that the rates of iron corrosion due to coupled methanogenesis (up to 0.4 mm/yr) are higher to that caused by the marine SRM Desulfovibrio alaskensis (0.15 mm/yr). Surface analyses of the metal showed severe pitting with high methane production. Genomic analysis of the EMIC methanogen M. maripaludis Mic1c10 will provide an insight on the mechanisms of MIC. Such knowledge and deeper understanding also from an electrokinetic point of view may not only provide further models in microbial electrophysiology, but also contribute to mitigation strategies in MIC.zeige weniger
Bei dem Vortrag werden die potentiellen mikrobiologischen Einflüsse im Falle der Lagerung von Wasserstofflagerung in unterirdischen geologischen Formationen vorgestellt, die Zusammenarbeit mit internen und auch externen Partnern. Der Fokus liegt dabei auf UGF; anaerobe Umgebungen, Sulfate reduzierenden Bakterien, methanogenen Archaea, weiterleitenden Systeme und die Kombination der Untersuchung abiotisch/biotische
As more industrial interests focusing on using salt caverns and repurposed gas or petroleum reservoirs for alternative fuel storage, i.e. CO2/H2, the question raises whether microorganisms may impact the infrastructure, gas purity and storage condition over time.
Environments with high salinity (> 1.5 Meq of NaCl) are resided by halophiles (salt-loving microorganisms). To compensate for the intensive osmotic stress, they have resorted to two main adaptation strategies: 1) production of compatible solutes and 2) accumulation of intracellular KCl. Microbial community analysis of several high salinity environments revealed a number of recurring genera, including Halomonas and Halanaerobium. However, the impact of halophiles on the overall integrity and stability of the storage facilities remain largely unknown.
To evaluate the suitability and stability of saline storage facilities, several model halophilic microorganisms, such as members of Halomonas, will be selected as testing subjects. First, the impact of halophiles on the infrastructure will be determined using an integrative approach by combining a number of techniques, including electrochemistry, TOF-SIMS, SEM/FIB/EDS and FIB-TEM. Second, the abilities of halophiles to alter the fuel composition (i.e. increase/decrease the fractions of H2) will be monitored using gas chromatography by growing them under high pressure.
As a result of climate change and the accompanying mandatory shift to renewable energy resources, microorganisms will continue to play an important role in the energy sector, both to their benefit and detriment. Thus, it is important to achieve a certain level of understanding regarding the activities and mechanisms of halophiles prior to large-scaled excursions.
Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) of iron is usually attributed to sulfate-reducing microorganisms (SRM) in oil and gas facilities. SRM act upon the metal by the re-activeness of hydrogen sulfide (HS-), and by withdrawal of the available electrons in electrical contact with the metal (EMIC). Methanogenic archaea (MA) can also cause MIC (Mi-MIC). Several MAs were identified to be corrosive by using elemental iron as the sole electron donor for methanogenesis, including Methanobacterium-affliated IM1 and Methanococcus maripaludis Mic1c10. Currently, low corrosion rates were reported for MA, possibly due to the formation of siderite (4Fe + 5HCO3- + 5H+ ® 4FeCO3 + CH4 + 3H2O). Since MA do not produce HS-, withdrawal of electrons may be their main corrosive mechanism; however, mechanistic details and kinetics of the overall process are poorly understood.
To investigate the corrosion potential of MA, we studied the EMIC methanogenic strains (IM1 and Mic1c10) individually or part of a syntrophic co-culture with SRM. Corrosion studies were conducted using an in-house developed flow-through system to simulate fluctuating environmental conditions. Results indicate that the rates of iron corrosion by MA (up to 0.4 mm/yr) are higher to that caused by the marine SRM Desulfovibrio alaskensis (0.15 mm/yr) and the co-culture (0.1 mm/yr). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the metal incubated with MA showed severe pitting corrosion. Genomic analysis of the EMIC MA was conducted to provide an insight on the possible cellular mechanisms that could be involved. Furthermore, low concentrations of MA-targeting biocides will be applied to EMIC MA in static and flow conditions to gain insights for possible mitigation strategies. Such knowledge and deeper understanding also from an electrokinetic point of view may not only provide further models in microbial electrophysiology, but also contribute to mitigation strategies in MIC.
The compatible solute ectoine is a versatile protectant synthesized by many prokaryotes. It is used as an osmolyte helping microorganisms to maintain an osmotic equilibrium. In addition, ectoine acts as a stabilizer and protects proteins, membranes and whole cells against detrimental effects such as freezing and thawing, drying and high temperatures. Its protective effect is explained by the preferential exclusion model, which postulates that ectoine does not directly interact with biomolecules but is excluded from their surface. Interestingly, details on the interaction of ectoine with DNA are still unknown. Therefore, we studied the influence of ectoine on DNA and the mechanisms by which ectoine protects DNA against ionizing radiation. To emulate biological conditions, we used a sample holder comprising a silicon chip with a Si3N4 membrane, which allows for electron irradiation of DNA in aqueous solution. Analysis by atomic force microscopy revealed that without ectoine, DNA was damaged by irradiation with a dose of 1,7 +/-0,3 Gy. With ectoine, DNA remained undamaged, even after irradiation with 15 Gy. Simulations with dsDNA and ectoine in water revealed a preferential binding of the zwitterionic ectoine to the negatively charged DNA. According to the simulations, binding of ectoine will destabilize dsDNA. Destabilizing is probably caused by the transition of B-DNA to A-DNA and will reduce the DNA melting temperature, which was experimentally proven. The preferential binding provides a stable ectoine shell around DNA, which allows ectoine to reduce OH-radicals and electrons near the DNA and thereby mitigating the damaging effect of ionizing radiation.
Without precaution, insects may cause serious damage to Museum collections. Quarantine of potentially infested objects can be logistically challenging. Anoxia under controlled nitrogen atmosphere is a most compatible but also time-consuming method to eradicate insect pests in all kinds of different materials. Treatment results are usually effected by duration, temperature, humidity and residual oxygen content. During a two-year research project, 34 relevant pest insect species of all developmental stages were tested in several different materials (wood, paper, wool) to monitor treatment success and to determine optimum treatment parameters. Duration of Treatment ranged from one to three weeks at temperatures of 20 - 27 °C.
As expected, results showed significant differences in mortality among tested species. Highest tolerance of hypoxic conditions was found in older larvae of Hylotrupes bajulus. However, this species is an unlikely museum pest. Anobiids and other wood boring beetles are more often an issue related to cultural heritage. Tested imbedding materials in general had no mortality lowering influence. A combination of three weeks exposure time at up to 0.5 % residual oxygen and at 24 °C and 50 % RH is recommended for infested artefacts.
Social insects nesting in soil environments are in constant contact with entomopathogens and have evolved disease resistance mechanisms within a colony to prevent the occurrence and spread of infectious diseases. Among these mechanisms: mutual grooming reduces the cuticular load of pathogens, and burial of cadavers and cannibalism can prevent pathogens from replicating within the group. We explored how the rate and type of collective behavioural response is determined by stepwise infection dynamics operating at the level of the individual. Specifically, we infected the eastern subterranean termite Reticulitermes flavipes with different types of infectious particle and infection route of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae and recorded behavioural responses of nestmates to individuals at different times during the progression of infections. As expected, termites groomed conidia-exposed individuals significantly more than controls. Interestingly, grooming was significantly elevated after fungal germination than before, suggesting that pathogen growth cues act as strong stimulators of allogrooming. Conidia-exposed termites were cannibalized, but only after they became visibly ill. By contrast, termites did not groom blastospore-injected individuals more than controls at any time-point following infection. Instead, we found that blastospore-injected individuals were continually cannibalized at a low-level following injection with either viable or heat-killed blastospores, with a marked increase in cannibalism after termites injected with viable blastospores became visibly ill and were close to death. Together, these findings point to the importance of host condition as a cue for social hygienic behavior, and that the host itself appears to emit essential sickness cues that act as targets for its own sacrifice. This demonstrates that termites have independently evolved to both identify and destructively respond to sickness.
The termites are a derived eusocial lineage of otherwise non-social cockroaches. Understanding the proximal and ultimate drivers of this major evolutionary transition represents an important goal in biology. One outstanding question concerns the evolution of termite immunity, which is thought to have undergone broad-sweeping adaptations in order to enhance group-level immune protection. To understand the evolutionary origins of termite immunity, we conducted qualitative and quantitative transcriptome analyses along a gradient of sociality. Firstly, we aimed to identify large-scale genetic shifts in immune traits linked to eusociality by comparing immune gene repertoires in solitary and subsocial cockroaches and across a range of eusocial termite lineages. Secondly, we compared the responses of a solitary cockroach, a subsocial wood-roach and different castes of a lower termite species to a non-specific immune challenge, in order to understand how sociality may have influenced the evolution of immune gene regulation. Firstly, we found that termites have a broadly representative repertoire of canonical immune genes as compared to gregarious cockroaches and subsocial wood-roaches. Secondly, with respect to immune challenge, the solitary cockroach and the subsocial wood-roach displayed a similarly comprehensive induced response, while the termite response was considerably dampened by comparison and strongly influenced by caste; with reproductives displaying a generally higher constitutive level of immune-gene expression compared to sterile castes. In summary we did not find termite eusociality to be associated with significant changes in immune gene diversity, but rather to be linked with significant modifications to the regulation of immunity following the origin of division of labour.
Results suggest a reduction in immune gene repertoires in termites and possible complementary expression between termite castes. With comparative genomics we will investigate the evolution of gene families related to immunity, try to understand where reductions and expansions take place and relate these changes to shifts in sociality and ecology. The role of TEs in expansions and contractions of immune gene families will be investigated. For these analyses, we propose to generate high quality, highly contiguous genomes of species from different levels of sociality, covering all major termite families. With comparative transcriptomics we will investigate the expression of immune genes in different castes. Via network analyses we will identify pathways indicated in differential immunity between castes and between species of different sociality levels. We will investigate how these pathways have been rewired along the transitions to higher levels of sociality and how, intra-specifically, they change between castes.
A broad suite of immune adaptations have evolved in social insects which hold close parallels with the immune systems of multicellular individuals. However, comparatively little is known about the evolutionary origins of immunity in social insects. We tackle this by identifying immune genes from 18 cockroach and termite species, spanning a gradient of social lifestyles. Termites have undergone contractions of major immune gene families during the early origin of the group, particularly in antimicrobial effector and receptor proteins, followed by later re-expansions in some lineages. In a comparative gene expression analysis, we find that reproductive individuals of a termite invest more in innate immune regulation than other castes. When colonies encounter immune-challenged nestmates, gene expression responses are weak in reproductives but this pattern is reversed when colony members are immune-challenged individually, with reproductives eliciting a greater response to treatment than other castes. Finally, responses to immune challenge were more comprehensive in both subsocial and solitary cockroaches compared to termites, indicating a reduced overall ability to respond to infection in termites. Our study indicates that the emergence of termite sociality was associated with the evolution of a tapered yet caste-adapted immune system.
In recent years, the fabrication of laser-generated surface structures on metals such as titanium surfaces have gained remarkable interests, being technologically relevant for applications in optics, medicine, fluid transport, tribology, and wetting of surfaces.
The morphology of these structures, and so their chemistry, is influenced by the different laser processing parameters such as the laser fluence, wavelength, pulse repetition rate, laser light polarization type and direction, angle of incidence, and the effective number of laser pulses per beam spot area.
However, the characterization of the different surface structures can be difficult because of constraints regarding the analytical information from both depth and the topographic artifacts which may limit the lateral and depth resolution of elemental distributions as well as their proper quantification. A promising technique to investigate these structures even at the nano-scale is Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), a very surface sensitive technique that at the same time allows to perform depth-profiling, imaging and 3D-reconstruction of selected ion-sputter fragment distributions on the surface.
In this study we combine chemical analyses such as Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses with ToF-SIMS to fully characterize the evolution of various types of laser-generated micro- and nanostructures formed on Ti and Ti alloys at different laser fluence levels, effective number of pulses and at different pulse repetition rates (1 – 400 kHz), following irradiation by near-infrared ultrashort laser pulses (925 fs, 1030 nm) in air environment or under argon gas flow.
We show how this combined surface analytical approach allows to evaluate alteration in the surface chemistry of the laser-generated surface structures depending on the laser processing parameters and the ambient environment.
The exposure to antimicrobial substances drives the evolution of antimicrobial resistance. Biocides are antimicrobials used as disinfectants, antiseptics and preservatives. They find application on a large scale in the industrial and medical sector, but also in private households. In terms of mass, the worldwide use of biocides exceeds that of antibiotics. Thus, despite their important role in preventing the spread of pathogens, due to their ubiquity, biocides are suspected to be drivers of the antimicrobial resistance crisis. In our work at BAM we try to understand how biocides contribute to the emergence of AMR, what the underlying adaptation principles and mechanisms are and how they compare to those found for antibiotics. Within our group, I mainly focus on the following two questions: How does phenotypic heterogeneity in bacteria affect the ability to survive treatment with biocides? And what are the consequences of phenotypic heterogeneity for the evolution of resistance to biocides and antibiotics?
I will share published and unpublished results which demonstrate that phenotypic heterogeneity can enable the survival of biocide treatment and, through this, facilitate the evolution of AMR. On the other hand, we find that adaptation to a biocide can unexpectedly impair the ability to evolve resistance against an antibiotic.
Phenotypic heterogeneity in disinfection: sources and consequences for antimicrobial resistance
(2022)
A summary of projects here at BAM which investigate the influence of phenotypic heterogeneity on the outcome of disinfection and the influence on antimicrobial resistance. This presentation was given in the Theory Seminar of the Quantitative and Theoretical Biology group of Prof. Oliver Ebenhöh at HHU Düsseldorf
Glutaraldehyde is widely used as a disinfectant and preservative, but little is known about its effects on bacterial susceptibility to antibiotics and the selection of tolerant phenotypes. We found that short-term exposure to sub-inhibitory levels of glutaraldehyde makes E. coli resistant to high doses of bactericidal antibiotics from different classes. This tolerance is associated with delayed, heterogeneous regrowth dynamics and global transcriptome remodeling. We identified over 1200 differentially expressed genes, including those related to antibiotic efflux, metabolic processes, and the cell envelope. The cells entered a disrupted state likely due to the unspecific mode-of-action of glutaraldehyde. Despite this unregulated response, we identified several differentially expressed genes not previously associated with antibiotic tolerance or persistence that induce antibiotic tolerance when overexpressed alone. These findings highlight how the unspecific mode-of-action of disinfectants can make bacteria temporarily resistant to antibiotics. They have implications for settings where disinfectants and antibiotics are used in close proximity, such as hospitals and animal husbandry, and for the selection dynamics of tolerant pheno- and genotypes in fluctuating environments where microorganisms are exposed to these substances, such as sewage systems. A trade-off arises from overcoming the disrupted state as quickly as possible and maintaining antibiotic tolerance.
Glutaraldehyde is widely used as a disinfectant and preservative, but little is known about its effects on bacterial susceptibility to antibiotics and the selection of tolerant phenotypes. We found that short-term exposure to sub-inhibitory levels of glutaraldehyde makes E. coli resistant to high doses of bactericidal antibiotics from different classes. This tolerance is associated with delayed, heterogeneous regrowth dynamics and global transcriptome remodeling. We identified over 1200 differentially expressed genes, including those related to antibiotic efflux, metabolic processes, and the cell envelope. The cells entered a disrupted state likely due to the unspecific mode-of-action of glutaraldehyde. Despite this unregulated response, we identified several differentially expressed genes not previously associated with antibiotic tolerance or persistence that induce antibiotic tolerance when overexpressed alone. These findings highlight how the unspecific mode-of-action of disinfectants can make bacteria temporarily resistant to antibiotics. They have implications for settings where disinfectants and antibiotics are used in close proximity, such as hospitals and animal husbandry, and for the selection dynamics of tolerant pheno- and genotypes in fluctuating environments where microorganisms are exposed to these substances, such as sewage systems. A trade-off arises from overcoming the disrupted state as quickly as possible and maintaining antibiotic tolerance.
Glutaraldehyde (GTA) is commonly used to disinfect medical equipment, in animal husbandry and in hydraulic fracturing. Its wide use bears the risk that microorganisms in different environments are exposed to potentially non-lethal doses of glutaraldehyde. To date, little is known about the effects of glutaraldehyde on the susceptibility of bacteria to antibiotics and its role in the selection of tolerant phenotypes.
Objectives
• To determine the effect of glutaraldehyde exposure on the survival of E. coli, S. aureus and P. aeruginosa to antibiotics
• To find the mechanistic basis for antibiotic tolerance upon glutaraldehyde exposure
Materials & Methods
Four bacterial isolates were exposed to sub-inhibitory glutaraldehyde. Antibiotic tolerance was determined by time-kill assays. Regrowth dynamics (lag times) were determined with ScanLag. E. coli was further investigated, using RNAseq to identify genes and processes involved in antibiotic tolerance. Mutants of candidate genes were screened for their antibiotic tolerance and heterogeneous target gene expression under stressed and unstressed conditions.
Results
Short-term exposure to sub-inhibitory levels of glutaraldehyde induced tolerance to high doses of bactericidal antibiotics. Tolerance to antibiotics was associated with highly heterogeneous regrowth dynamics and global transcriptome remodeling. Differentially expressed genes represented diverse biological functions and cellular components, including antibiotic efflux, metabolic processes, and the cell envelope. The heterogeneous regrowth dynamics and the diversity of the differentially expressed genes are likely related to the unspecific mode-of-action of glutaraldehyde. Among the many differentially expressed genes, several genes were identified that were not previously associated with antibiotic tolerance or persistence, which, when overexpressed alone, increased antibiotic tolerance.
Conclusion
Our results highlight how the big advantage of a disinfectant, its unspecific mode-of-action, can induce transient tolerance to antibiotics in bacteria. These findings have implications for 1.) settings where disinfectants and antibiotics are used in proximity, such as hospitals and animal husbandry, and 2.) for the selection dynamics of tolerant bacteria in fluctuating environments because of the trade-off that arises from overcoming the lag phase as fast as possible and maintaining antibiotic tolerance.
Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is a highly unpredictable process dictated by the environment, microorganisms, and the respective electron source. Interaction pathways between cells and the metal surface remain unclear. The development of this novel single cell-inductively coupled plasma-time of flight-mass spectrometry analytical method and a MIC-specific staining procedure facilitate the investigation of steel-MIC interactions. With this it is possible to analyze the multi-elemental fingerprint of individual cells. The detection method revealed elemental selectivity for the corrosive methanogenic archaeal strain Methanobacterium-affiliated IM1. The interface between material and environmental analysis thus receives special attention, e.g., when considering MIC on solid steel. Hence, the possible uptake of individual elements from different steel samples is investigated. Results showed the cells responded at a single-cell level to the different types of supplemented elements and displayed the abilities to interact with chromium, vanadium, titanium, cobalt, and molybdenum from solid metal surfaces. The information obtained will be used in the future to elucidate underlying mechanisms and develop possible material protection concepts, thus combining modern methods of analytical sciences with materials research.
Environmental sustainability and –stability of Materials concerning the Migration of pollutants
(2018)
MaUS is an acronym for ”Material und Umweltsimulationen“. Plastics are in the focus of environmental politics due to their long-term behaviour and therefore to their persistence. Not only that they appear as visible contaminants in the sea and on the beach, but their unknown behaviour concerning their additives as well as the related transformation products are anxious. Therefore, we wish to establish a certified reference method to provide a method for testing plastics.
Aim of this project is the development of fast motion standard reference methods for testing plastics regarding to their environmental compatibility. To establish these testing methods, we use polystyrene (PS) and polypropylene (PP) with environmental relevant brominated flame retardants, known for their persistent bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) properties. In case of PS the material contains 1 wt% of 1,2,5,6,9,10-hexabromocyclododecan (HBCD) and in case of PP 0.1 wt% bromodiphenylether (BDE-209), which is known as a substance of very high concern (SVHC). Furthermore, we use polycarbonate (PC), which is still used as material in baby flasks and releases Bisphenol A (BPA), an estrogenic active substance.
As an additional material PTFE is used for its importance as a source for two ubiquitous environmental substances (PFOS and PFOA), whose toxicological effects are still incompletely known.
The focus in this current work is set on the transfer of potential pollutants out of applied materials mentioned above into environmental compartments like water or soil. Here an accelerated aging concept should be developed to shortened time consuming natural processes. For these resulting simulations we use a programmable weathering chamber with dry and wet periods and with high and low temperatures. These programmes run for several weeks and according to a defined sampling schedule we take water samples, run a clean-up procedure by SPE (Molecular imprinted polymers (MiPs) resp. polymer-based cartridges (Waters Oasis HLB)) and analyse them by HPLC-UV resp. LC-MS/MS. Of most interest in case of flame retardants are photocatalytic transformation products. Therefore, we conduct a non-target-screening resp. a suspected target-screening by LC-MS/MS and HRMS.
Gegenstand der vorzustellenden Arbeiten ist die Prüfung der Umwelt-beständigkeit und -verträglichkeit von Materialien und Produkten hinsichtlich der Emission von potenziellen Schadstoffen in die Umwelt. Hierzu werden chemisch-physikalische Einflüsse (Bewitterung) und mikrobielle Beanspruchungen an Modellmaterialien evaluiert. So werden die Freisetzungsraten von Schadstoffen in Abhängigkeit der Beanspruchung beschrieben. Als Modellmaterialien kommen die Polymere Polystyrol (PS) und Polypropylen (PP) zum Einsatz. Synergistische Effekte der Bewitterungsparameter und der mikrobiologischen Beanspruchung sollen dabei ebenso betrachtet werden, wie die gezielte Alterung. Auch findet eine Beschreibung des Verhaltens der ausgetragenen Schadstoffe (polybromierte Flammschutzmittel) in den Umweltkompartimenten Boden oder Wasser statt. Hier sind mit Hilfe der zu entwickelnden Screening- und non-Target-Analyseverfahren die Transformation und der Metabolismus durch Mikroorganismen zu beschreiben. Aus den Ergebnissen sollen Korrelationen zwischen den künstlichen Alterungsverfahren und realen Szenarien abgeleitet werden.