Name: a whole cell bioreporter approach to assess transport and bioavailability of organic contaminants in water unsaturated systems
Uploaded: 2014-12-24T15:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Whole Cell Bioreporter Approach to Assess Transport and Bioavailability of Organic Contaminants in Water Unsaturated Systems at JoVE.com

Funding by the German Environmental Foundation (DBU) is acknowledged. The authors thank Ute Kuhlicke for technical help with CLSM analysis and Birgit W&#252;rz, Rita Remer, and Jana Reichenbach for skilled experimental help. The authors would particularly like to thank Prof. Jan Roelof van der Meer and Dr. Robin Tecon for fruitful discussion and providing the bioreporter strain. It contributes to the &#8216;Chemicals in the Environment&#8217; (CITE) research program of the Helmholtz Association.

1. Preparation of Dishes, Slides and Incubation Chambers
<ol>
	<li>Prepare the following material for each microcosm: one big plastic Petri dish bottom (d&#160;=&#160;10&#160;cm), one modified (see step 1.2) small plastic Petri dish bottom (d&#160;=&#160;5&#160;cm) with lids and one counting chamber slide with three cavities.</li>
	<li>Take the desired number of Petri dish bottom parts (d&#160;=&#160;5&#160;cm). Remove part of the brim with a saw to exactly fit a slide (26&#160;mm edge length). To sterilize the system,...

<ol>
	<li>Holden, P. A., Fierer, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Microbial+processes+in+the+vadose+zone.">Microbial processes in the vadose zone.</a> Vadose Zone Journal. 4, 1-21 (2005).</li><li>Whitman, W. B., Coleman, D. C., Wiebe, W. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Prokaryotes:+The+unseen+majority.">Prokaryotes: The unseen majority.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 95, 6578-6583 (1998).</li><li>Kieft, T. L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Microbial+abundance+and+activities+in+relation+to+water+potential+in+the+vadose+zones+of+arid+and+semiarid+sites.">Microbial abundance and activities in relation to water potential in the vadose zones of arid and semiarid sites.</a> Microbial ecology. 26, 59-78 (1993).</li><li>Wang, G., Or, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Aqueous+films+limit+bacterial+cell+motility+and+colony+expansion+on+partially+saturated+rough+surfaces.">Aqueous films limit bacterial cell motility and colony expansion on partially saturated rough surfaces.</a> Environ. Microbiol. 12, 1363-1373 (2010).</li><li>Griffin, D. M., Parr, J. F., Gardner, W. R., Elliott, L. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Water Potential Relations in Soil Microbiology SSSA Special Publication. , 141-151 (1981).</li><li>Papendick, R. I., Camprell, G. S., Parr, J. F., Gardner, W. R., Elliott, L. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Water Potential Relations in Soil Microbiology SSSA Special Publication. , 1-22 (1981).</li><li>Boswell, G. P., Jacobs, H., Davidson, F. A., Gadd, G. M., Ritz, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Functional+consequences+of+nutrient+translocation+in+mycelial+fungi.">Functional consequences of nutrient translocation in mycelial fungi.</a> J. Theor. Biol. 217, 459-477 (2002).</li><li>Jennings, D. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Translocation+of+solutes+in+fungi.">Translocation of solutes in fungi.</a> Biol. Rev. Camb. Philos. Soc. 62, 215-243 (1987).</li><li>Bais, H. P., Weir, T. L., Perry, L. G., Gilroy, S., Vivanco, J. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+role+of+root+exudates+in+rhizosphere+interactions+with+plants+and+other+organisms.">The role of root exudates in rhizosphere interactions with plants and other organisms.</a> Annu. Rev. Plant Biol. 57, 233-266 (2006).</li><li>Furuno, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mycelia+promote+active+transport+and+spatial+dispersion+of+polycyclic+aromatic+hydrocarbons.">Mycelia promote active transport and spatial dispersion of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.</a> Environ. Sci. Technol. 46, 5463-5470 (2012).</li><li>Gao, Y., Cheng, Z., Ling, W., Huang, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Arbuscular+mycorrhizal+fungal+hyphae+contribute+to+the+uptake+of+polycyclic+aromatic+hydrocarbons+by+plant+roots.">Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal hyphae contribute to the uptake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by plant roots.</a> Bioresour. Technol. 101, 6895-6901 (2010).</li><li>Semple, K. T., Morriss, A. W. J., Paton, G. I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Bioavailability+of+hydrophobic+organic+contaminants+in+soils:+fundamental+concepts+and+techniques+for+analysis.">Bioavailability of hydrophobic organic contaminants in soils: fundamental concepts and techniques for analysis.</a> Eur. J. Soil. Sci. 54, 809-818 (2003).</li><li>Tecon, R., Binggeli, O., vander Meer, J. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Double-tagged+fluorescent+bacterial+bioreporter+for+the+study+of+polycyclic+aromatic+hydrocarbon+diffusion+and+bioavailability.">Double-tagged fluorescent bacterial bioreporter for the study of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon diffusion and bioavailability.</a> Environ. Microbiol. 11, 2271-2283 (2009).</li><li>Tecon, R., Wells, M., vander Meer, J. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+new+green+fluorescent+protein-based+bacterial+biosensor+for+analysing+phenanthrene+fluxes.">A new green fluorescent protein-based bacterial biosensor for analysing phenanthrene fluxes.</a> Environ. Microbiol. 8, 697-708 (2006).</li><li>Schamfuss, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Impact+of+mycelia+on+the+accessibility+of+fluorene+to+PAH-degrading+bacteria.">Impact of mycelia on the accessibility of fluorene to PAH-degrading bacteria.</a> Environ. Sci. Technol. 47, 6908-6915 (2013).</li><li>Smibert, R. M., Krieg, R. M., Gerhardt, P., Murray, R. G. E., Costilow, R. N., Nester, E. W., Wood, W. A., Krieg, N. R., Phillips, G. B., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Manual of methods for general bacteriology. 19, 409-443 (1981).</li><li>Wu, C. H., Warren, H. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Natural+autofluorescence+in+fungi+and+its+correlation+with+viability.">Natural autofluorescence in fungi and its correlation with viability.</a> Mycologia. 76, 1049-1058 (1984).</li><li>Schneider, C. A., Rasband, W. S., Eliceiri, K. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=NIH+Image+to+ImageJ:+25+years+of+image+analysis.">NIH Image to ImageJ: 25 years of image analysis.</a> Nat. Methods. 9, 671-675 (2012).</li><li>Pedersen, C., Sylvia, D., Mukerji, K. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ch.+8+Concepts+in+Mycorrhizal+Research.">Ch. 8 Concepts in Mycorrhizal Research.</a> Handbook of Vegetation Science. Vol. 19, 195-222 (1996).</li><li>Furuno, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fungal+mycelia+allow+chemotactic+dispersal+of+polycyclic+aromatic+hydrocarbon-degrading+bacteria+in+water-unsaturated+systems.">Fungal mycelia allow chemotactic dispersal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria in water-unsaturated systems.</a> Environ. Microbiol. 12, 1391-1398 (2010).</li></ol>

The presented microcosm setup proved suitable to study bioavailability of spatially separated chemicals to degrading organisms after uptake and transport by mycelia. Potential gas-phase transport of partially volatile compounds is prevented and bacterial bioreporter cells can be visualized without elaborate sample preparation and thus with minimal disturbance of the sensitive system. At the same time, chemical analysis of the sample can be easily conducted allowing for a good control of the gained results and for quantif...

Soil is densely populated by a wide range of microorganisms1,2 such as bacteria. However, conditions in this habitat are challenging, especially in terms of water availability3. Bacteria permanently need to search for optimal conditions in heterogeneous environments4, but the absence of continuous water films is resulting in restricted mobility5 hindering them to spread freely. Also, diffusion rates of solutes (e.g., nutrients) are lowered under unsaturated conditions6. Thus, bacteria and nutrients are often physically separated and nutrient accessibility is limited3. As a consequence, a transport vector for chemical compounds which does not require a continuous water-phase could help to overcome these limitations. In fact, many microorganisms such as fungi and oomycetes have developed a filamentous growth form enabling them to grow through air-filled pore spaces thereby reaching and mobilizing also physical separated nutrients7 and carbonaceous8 substances over long distances. They may even act as biological transport vectors which deliver sugars and other energy sources to bacteria9. Uptake and transport in mycelial organisms has also been shown for hydrophobic organic pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in Pythium ultimum10 or in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi11. Since PAH are ubiquitous and poorly water soluble contaminants12 in soil, mycelia-mediated transport might help to increase contaminant bioavailability for potential bacterial degraders. Whereas the total amount of contaminant transport can be quantified directly by chemical means10, bioavailability of contaminants transported by mycelia to degrading bacteria and other organisms cannot be assessed easily.
The following protocol presents a method to evaluate the impact of mycelia on contaminant bioavailability to bacterial degraders in a direct manner; it allows gathering information about the spatiotemporal impact of contaminants on microbial ecosystems. We describe how to set up an elaborate unsaturated microcosm system mimicking air-water interfaces in soil by linking a physically separated PAH point source with PAH-degrading bioreporter bacteria via mycelial transport vectors. Because airborne transport is excluded, the effect of mycelial-based transport on PAH bioavailability for bacteria can be studied in an isolated way. In more detail, three-ring PAH fluorene, the mycelial organism Pythium ultimum and the bioreporter bacterium Burkholderia sartisoli RP037-mChe13 were applied in the described microcosm setups. The bacterium B. sartisoli RP037-mChe was originally constructed to study phenanthrene fluxes to the cell14 and expresses enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) as a result of the PAH flux to the cell, whereas the red fluorescing mCherry is expressed constitutively. Detailed information on the reporter construction is given by Tecon et al.13 In preliminary tests, the bacterium revealed no swimming and only very slow swarming ability. It was able to migrate slowly on hyphae of Pythium ultimum when applied as a dense suspension on top of the hyphae. Since bacteria were embedded in agarose in the following protocol, migration on hyphae did not occur.
Using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), the bioreporter bacteria can be visualized directly in the microcosms and expression of eGFP can be quantified in relation to the amount of cells (proportional to the mCherry signal) with the help of the software ImageJ. This allows comparing bioavailability qualitatively in different scenarios (i.e., higher or lower). FLU was found to be bioavailable after mycelial transport by P. ultimum (i.e., it was higher than in a negative control). Furthermore, the protocol describes how to quantify the total amount of mycelia-mediated transport via chemical means and to verify contaminant bioavailability using silicon-coated glass fibers (SPME fibers) in identical microcosms. Results using this microcosm setup have been published and discussed for the combination of P. ultimum, fluorene and B. sartisoli RP037-mChe15. Here, the focus lies on a detailed method description and the identification of potential pitfalls of the protocol to provide this knowledge for potential further applications. Further applications may involve various fungal, bacterial species (e.g., from contaminated sites), and other contaminants (e.g., pesticides) or contaminant-supply (e.g., aged soils).

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="1158">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:313px;">Name of Reagent/ Equipment</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Company</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">Catalog Number</td>
			<td style="width:523px;">Comments/Description</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:313px;">Confocal Microscope</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Leica</td>
			<td style="width:128px;"></td>
			<td>TCS SP5X, LAS AF - Version 2.6.1; or equivalent CLSM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:313px;">GC HP 7890 Series GC and Agilent 5975C MSD</td>
			<td>Agilent</td>
			<td style="width:128px;"></td>
			<td>an equivalent GC/MS may be used</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:313px;">GC capillary column J&#38;W 121-5522&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</td>
			<td>Agilent</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:313px;">Cork borer</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td align="right">12863952</td>
			<td>or any other</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:313px;">Cover slips</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Marienfeld</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">107222</td>
			<td>High performance, No.1.5H</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:313px;">GC/MS insterts</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">WICOM</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">WIC 47080</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:313px;">GC/MS vials 2 ml</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">WICOM</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">WIC 41150</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:313px;">Lids / septa for screw cap vials</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">DIONEX</td>
			<td>49463 / 049464&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:313px;">Lids for GC/MS vials</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">WICOM</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">WIC 43948/B</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:313px;">Objective Slides</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Menzel</td>
			<td style="width:128px;"></td>
			<td>ordinary</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:313px;">PDMS coated glass fibers</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Polymicro Technologies, Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:128px;"></td>
			<td>V (PDMS) = 13.55 &#177; 0.02 &#181;L m-1</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:313px;">Petri Dishes small / big</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Greiner</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">633-102 / 628-102</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:313px;">Screw cap vials 40 ml</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">DIONEX</td>
			<td>48783</td>
			<td>other glass vials may be used</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:313px;">Screw cap vials 60 ml</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">DIONEX</td>
			<td>48784</td>
			<td>other glass vials may be used</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="25">
			<td height="25" style="height:25px;width:313px;">Acenaphthylene d08</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Dr. Ehrenstorfer</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">C 20510100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:313px;">Acetone</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Carl Roth</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">9372.2</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:313px;">Activated carbon</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">242276-1kg</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:313px;">Agarose</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Carl Roth</td>
			<td align="right">2267.4</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:313px;">Fluorene</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Fluka</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">46880</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="24">
			<td height="24" style="height:24px;width:313px;">Kanamycin sulfate</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Carl Roth</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">T832.2</td>
			<td>50 mg L-1</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:313px;">Methanol</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Carl Roth</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">P7171</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:313px;">Minimal Medium:</td>
			<td style="width:195px;"></td>
			<td style="width:128px;"></td>
			<td>100 mL solution 1 + 25 mL solution 2 + 5 mL solution 3 ad. 1000 mL aqua dest</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:313px;">&#160; Solution 1</td>
			<td style="width:195px;"></td>
			<td style="width:128px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="24">
			<td height="24" style="height:24px;width:313px;">&#160;&#160;&#160; Ammonium sulfate&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Carl Roth</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">3746.1</td>
			<td>5 g L-1&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:26px;width:313px;">&#160;&#160;&#160; Magnesium chloride x 6 H2O</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Carl Roth</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">2189.1</td>
			<td>1 g L-1</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:26px;width:313px;">&#160;&#160;&#160; Calcium nitrate x 4 H2O</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Carl Roth</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">P740.1</td>
			<td>0.5 g L-1</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:313px;">&#160; Solution 2</td>
			<td style="width:195px;"></td>
			<td style="width:128px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="24">
			<td height="24" style="height:24px;width:313px;">&#160;&#160;&#160; Disodium phosphate</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Carl Roth</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">P030.1</td>
			<td>55.83 g L-1</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="24">
			<td height="24" style="height:24px;width:313px;">&#160;&#160;&#160; Monopotassium phosphate</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Carl Roth</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">3904.1</td>
			<td>20 g L-1</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:313px;">&#160; Solution 3</td>
			<td style="width:195px;"></td>
			<td style="width:128px;"></td>
			<td>pH 6.0</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="24">
			<td height="24" style="height:24px;">&#160;&#160;&#160; Disodium EDTA</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">MERCK</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">1084180250</td>
			<td>0.8 g L-1</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:26px;">&#160;&#160;&#160; Iron(II) chloride x 4 H2O</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">MERCK</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">1038610250</td>
			<td>0.3 g L-1</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:26px;">&#160;&#160;&#160; Cobalt(II) chloride x 6 H2O</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Carl Roth</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">T889.3</td>
			<td>4 mg L-1</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:26px;">&#160;&#160;&#160; Manganese(II) chloride x 1 H2O&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Carl Roth</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">&#160; 4320.2</td>
			<td>10 mg L-1</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="24">
			<td height="24" style="height:24px;">&#160;&#160;&#160; Copper(II) sulfate</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Carl Roth</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">&#160;P023.1</td>
			<td>1 mg L-1</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="25">
			<td height="25" style="height:25px;">&#160;&#160;&#160; Sodium molybdate x 2 H2O</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Carl Roth</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">&#160;0274.1</td>
			<td>3 mg L-1</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:26px;">&#160;&#160;&#160; Zinc chloride</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">MERCK</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">1088160250</td>
			<td>2 mg L-1</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:26px;">&#160;&#160;&#160; Lithium chloride</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Carl Roth</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">P007.1</td>
			<td>0.5 mg L-1</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:26px;">&#160;&#160;&#160; Tin(II) chloride x 2 H2O</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Carl Roth</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">4473.1</td>
			<td>0.5 mg L-1</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:26px;">&#160;&#160;&#160; Boric acid</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Riedel-de-Haen&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">11606</td>
			<td>1 mg L-1</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="24">
			<td height="24" style="height:24px;">&#160;&#160;&#160; Potassium bromide</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Carl Roth</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">A137.1</td>
			<td>2 mg L-1</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="24">
			<td height="24" style="height:24px;">&#160;&#160;&#160; Potassium iodide</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Carl Roth</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">6750.1</td>
			<td>2 mg L-1</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:26px;">&#160;&#160;&#160; Barium chloride</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Carl Roth</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">4453.1</td>
			<td>0.5 mg L-1</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:313px;">MMA</td>
			<td style="width:195px;"></td>
			<td style="width:128px;"></td>
			<td>Minimal medium + agarose 0.2 %</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="25">
			<td height="25" style="height:25px;width:313px;">Phenanthrene d10</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Dr. Ehrenstorfer</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">C 20920100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="24">
			<td height="24" style="height:24px;width:313px;">Potato Dextrose Agar:</td>
			<td style="width:195px;"></td>
			<td style="width:128px;"></td>
			<td>24 g L-1 broth + bacto-agar 1.5 %; pH 6.8</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:313px;">&#160;&#160;&#160; Potato Dextrose broth</td>
			<td>Difco/ Beckton Dickinson</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">254920</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:313px;">&#160;&#160;&#160; Bacto-agar</td>
			<td>Difco/ Beckton Dickinson</td>
			<td align="right">214040</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:313px;">Sodium acetate x 3 hydr.</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Carl Roth</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">6779.1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:313px;">Sodium sulfate</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">MERCK</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">&#160;1066495000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:313px;">Toluene</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">MERCK</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">1083252500</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="24">
			<td height="24" style="height:24px;width:313px;">mTY medium:</td>
			<td style="width:195px;"></td>
			<td style="width:128px;"></td>
			<td>3 g L-1 yeast extract, 5 g L-1 bacto tryptone and 50 mM NaCl</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:313px;">&#160;&#160;&#160; Yeast extract</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Merck</td>
			<td>1037530500</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:313px;">&#160;&#160;&#160; Tryptone</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Serva</td>
			<td>4864702</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:313px;">&#160;&#160;&#160; Sodium chloride</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Carl Roth</td>
			<td>3957.1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:313px;">imageJ with logi tool plugin</td>
			<td style="width:195px;"></td>
			<td style="width:128px;"></td>
			<td style="width:523px;">http://rsb.info.nih.gov/ij/download.html and http://downloads.openmicroscopy.org/bio-formats/4.4.10</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:313px;">Pythium ultimum strain 67-1</td>
			<td style="width:195px;"></td>
			<td style="width:128px;"></td>
			<td style="width:523px;">Obtained from the lab of Dr. Christoph Keel; Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Switzerland</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:313px;">Burkholderia sartisoli RP037-mChe</td>
			<td style="width:195px;"></td>
			<td style="width:128px;"></td>
			<td style="width:523px;">Obtained from the lab of Prof. Jan Roelof van der Meer; Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Switzerland</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

a whole cell bioreporter approach to assess transport and bioavailability of organic contaminants in water unsaturated systems

Bioavailability of contaminants is a prerequisite for their effective biodegradation in soil. The average bulk concentration of a contaminant, however, is not an appropriate measure for its availability; bioavailability rather depends on the dynamic interplay of potential mass transfer (flux) of a compound to a microbial cell and the capacity of the latter to degrade the compound. In water-unsaturated parts of the soil, mycelia have been shown to overcome bioavailability limitations by actively transporting and mobilizing organic compounds over the range of centimeters. Whereas the extent of mycelia-based transport can be quantified easily by chemical means, verification of the contaminant-bioavailability to bacterial cells requires a biological method. Addressing this constraint, we chose the PAH fluorene (FLU) as a model compound and developed a water unsaturated model microcosm linking a spatially separated FLU point source and the FLU degrading bioreporter bacterium Burkholderia sartisoli RP037-mChe by a mycelial network of Pythium ultimum. Since the bioreporter expresses eGFP in response of the PAH flux to the cell, bacterial FLU exposure and degradation could be monitored directly in the microcosms via confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). CLSM and image analyses revealed a significant increase of the eGFP expression in the presence of P. ultimum compared to controls without mycelia or FLU thus indicating FLU bioavailability to bacteria after mycelia-mediated transport. CLSM results were supported by chemical analyses in identical microcosms. The developed microcosm proved suitable to investigate contaminant bioavailability and to concomitantly visualize the involved bacteria-mycelial interactions.

The results presented here have already been published earlier15. Please refer to the article for detailed mechanistic and environmental discussion.
After image recording via CLSM, a maximum intensity projection can be conducted using the respective microscope software or ImageJ to gain a first visual impression of the sample and the controls (Figure 2). Later, the data sets may be projected differently in order to show meaningful features by specific visualization ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Whole Cell Bioreporter Approach to Assess Transport and Bioavailability of Organic Contaminants in Water Unsaturated Systems at JoVE.com

A Whole Cell Bioreporter Approach to Assess Transport and Bioavailability of Organic Contaminants in Water Unsaturated Systems

A whole cell bioreporter assay with Burkholderia sartisoli RP037-mChe was developed to detect fractions of an organic contaminant (i.e., fluorene) available for bacterial degradation after active transport by mycelia bridging air-filled pores in a water unsaturated model system.

Bioavailability of contaminants is a prerequisite for their effective biodegradation in soil. The average bulk concentration of a contaminant, however, is ...

a-whole-cell-bioreporter-approach-to-assess-transport-bioavailability

Research

JoVE Journal

Environment

Laboratory-determined Phosphorus Flux from Lake Sediments as a Measure of Internal Phosphorus Loading

Eutrophication is a water quality issue in lakes worldwide, and there is a critical need to identify and control nutrient sources. Internal phosphorus (P) loading from lake sediments can account for a substantial portion of the total P load in eutrophic, and some mesotrophic, lakes. Laboratory determination of P release rates from sediment cores is one approach for determining the role of internal P loading and guiding management decisions. Two principal alternatives to experimental determination of sediment P release exist for estimating internal load: in situ measurements of changes in hypolimnetic P over time and P mass balance. The experimental approach using laboratory-based sediment incubations to quantify internal P load is a direct method, making it a valuable tool for lake management and restoration.
Laboratory incubations of sediment cores can help determine the relative importance of internal vs. external P loads, as well as be used to answer a variety of lake management and research questions. We illustrate the use of sediment core incubations to assess the effectiveness of an aluminum sulfate (alum) treatment for reducing sediment P release. Other research questions that can be investigated using this approach include the effects of sediment resuspension and bioturbation on P release.
The approach also has limitations. Assumptions must be made with respect to: extrapolating results from sediment cores to the entire lake; deciding over what time periods to measure nutrient release; and addressing possible core tube artifacts. A comprehensive dissolved oxygen monitoring strategy to assess temporal and spatial redox status in the lake provides greater confidence in annual P loads estimated from sediment core incubations.

Lake eutrophication is a water quality issue worldwide, making the need to identify and control nutrient sources critical. Laboratory determination of phosphorus release rates from sediment cores is a valuable approach for determining the role of internal phosphorus loading and guiding management decisions.

Eutrophication is a water quality issue in lakes worldwide, and there is a critical need to identify and control nutrient sources. Internal phosphorus (P) ...

EPA Method 1615. Measurement of Enterovirus and Norovirus Occurrence in Water by Culture and RT-qPCR. I. Collection of Virus Samples

EPA Method 1615 was developed with a goal of providing a standard method for measuring enteroviruses and noroviruses in environmental and drinking waters. The standardized sampling component of the method concentrates viruses that may be present in water by passage of a minimum specified volume of water through an electropositive cartridge filter. The minimum specified volumes for surface and finished/ground water are 300 L and 1,500 L, respectively. A major method limitation is the tendency for the filters to clog before meeting the sample volume requirement. Studies using two different, but equivalent, cartridge filter options showed that filter clogging was a problem with 10% of the samples with one of the filter types compared to 6% with the other filter type. Clogging tends to increase with turbidity, but cannot be predicted based on turbidity measurements only. From a cost standpoint one of the filter options is preferable over the other, but the water quality and experience with the water system to be sampled should be taken into consideration in making filter selections.

EPA Method 1615 uses an electropositive filter to concentrate enteroviruses and noroviruses in environmental and drinking waters. This manuscript describes the procedure for collecting samples for Method 1615 analyses.

EPA Method 1615 was developed with a goal of providing a standard method for measuring enteroviruses and noroviruses in environmental and drinking waters. ...

A Small Volume Bioassay to Assess Bacterial/Phytoplankton Co-culture Using WATER-Pulse-Amplitude-Modulated (WATER-PAM) Fluorometry

Conventional methods for experimental manipulation of microalgae have employed large volumes of culture (20 ml to 5 L), so that the culture can be subsampled throughout the experiment1&#8211;7. Subsampling of large volumes can be problematic for several reasons: 1) it causes variation in the total volume and the surface area:volume ratio of the culture during the experiment; 2) pseudo-replication (i.e., replicate samples from the same treatment flask8) is often employed rather than true replicates (i.e., sampling from replicate treatments); 3) the duration of the experiment is limited by the total volume; and 4) axenic cultures or the usual bacterial microbiota are difficult to maintain during long-term experiments as contamination commonly occurs during subsampling.
The use of microtiter plates enables 1 ml culture volumes to be used for each replicate, with up to 48 separate treatments within a 12.65 x 8.5 x 2.2 cm plate, thereby decreasing the experimental volume and allowing for extensive replication without subsampling any treatment. Additionally, this technique can be modified to fit a variety of experimental formats including: bacterial-algal co-cultures, algal physiology tests, and toxin screening9&#8211;11. Individual wells with an alga, bacterium and/or co-cultures can be sampled for numerous laboratory procedures including, but not limited to: WATER-Pulse-Amplitude-Modulated (WATER-PAM) fluorometry, microscopy, bacterial colony forming unit (cfu) counts and flow cytometry. The combination of the microtiter plate format and WATER-PAM fluorometry allows for multiple rapid measurements of photochemical yield and other photochemical parameters with low variability between samples, high reproducibility and avoids the many pitfalls of subsampling a carboy or conical flask over the course of an experiment.

A Small Volume Bioassay to Assess Bacterial/Phytoplankton Co-culture Using WATER-Pulse-Amplitude-Modulated WATER-PAM Fluorometry

The goal of this procedure is to demonstrate the reproducibility and adaptability of using a microtiter plate format for microalgal screening. This rapid screen combines WATER-Pulse-Amplitude-Modulated (WATER-PAM) fluorometry to measure photosynthetic yield as an indicator of Photosystem II (PSII) health with small volume bacterial-algal co-cultures.

Conventional methods for experimental manipulation of microalgae have employed large volumes of culture (20 ml to 5 L), so that the culture can be ...

EPA Method 1615. Measurement of Enterovirus and Norovirus Occurrence in Water by Culture and RT-qPCR. Part III. Virus Detection by RT-qPCR

EPA Method 1615 measures enteroviruses and noroviruses present in environmental and drinking waters. This method was developed with the goal of having a standardized method for use in multiple analytical laboratories during monitoring period 3 of the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. Herein we present the protocol for extraction of viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) from water sample concentrates and for quantitatively measuring enterovirus and norovirus concentrations using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Virus concentrations for the molecular assay are calculated in terms of genomic copies of viral RNA per liter based upon a standard curve. The method uses a number of quality controls to increase data quality and to reduce interlaboratory and intralaboratory variation. The method has been evaluated by examining virus recovery from ground and reagent grade waters seeded with poliovirus type 3 and murine norovirus as a surrogate for human noroviruses. Mean poliovirus recoveries were 20% in groundwaters and 44% in reagent grade water. Mean murine norovirus recoveries with the RT-qPCR assay were 30% in groundwaters and 4% in reagent grade water.

Here we present a procedure to quantify enterovirus and norovirus in environmental and drinking waters using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. Mean virus recovery from groundwater with this standardized procedure from EPA Method 1615 was 20% for poliovirus and 30% for murine norovirus.

EPA Method 1615 measures enteroviruses and noroviruses present in environmental and drinking waters. This method was developed with the goal of having a ...

Soil Lysimeter Excavation for Coupled Hydrological, Geochemical, and Microbiological Investigations

Studying co-evolution of hydrological and biogeochemical processes in the subsurface of natural landscapes can enhance the understanding of coupled Earth-system processes. Such knowledge is imperative in improving predictions of hydro-biogeochemical cycles, especially under climate change scenarios. We present an experimental method, designed to capture sub-surface heterogeneity of an initially homogeneous soil system. This method is based on destructive sampling of a soil lysimeter designed to simulate a small-scale hillslope. A weighing lysimeter of one cubic meter capacity was divided into sections (voxels) and was excavated layer-by-layer, with sub samples being collected from each voxel. The excavation procedure was aimed at detecting the incipient heterogeneity of the system by focusing on the spatial assessment of hydrological, geochemical, and microbiological properties of the soil. Representative results of a few physicochemical variables tested show the development of heterogeneity. Additional work to test interactions between hydrological, geochemical, and microbiological signatures is planned to interpret the observed patterns. Our study also demonstrates the possibility of carrying out similar excavations in order to observe and quantify different aspects of soil-development under varying environmental conditions and scale.

This study presents an excavation method for investigating subsurface hydrological, geochemical, and microbiological heterogeneity of a soil lysimeter. The lysimeter simulates an artificial hillslope which was initially under homogeneous condition and had been subjected to approximately 5,000 mm of water over eight cycles of irrigation in an 18-month period.

Studying co-evolution of hydrological and biogeochemical processes in the subsurface of natural landscapes can enhance the understanding of coupled ...

Implementation of Portable Emissions Measurement Systems (PEMS) for the Real-driving Emissions (RDE) Regulation in Europe

Vehicles are tested in controlled and relatively narrow laboratory conditions to determine their official emission values and reference fuel consumption. However, on the road, ambient and driving conditions can vary over a wide range, sometimes causing emissions to be higher than those measured in the laboratory. For this reason, the European Commission has developed a complementary Real-Driving Emissions (RDE) test procedure using the Portable Emissions Measurement Systems (PEMS) to verify gaseous pollutant and particle number emissions during a wide range of normal operating conditions on the road. This paper presents the newly-adopted RDE test procedure, differentiating six steps: 1) vehicle selection, 2) vehicle preparation, 3) trip design, 4) trip execution, 5) trip verification, and 6) calculation of emissions. Of these steps, vehicle preparation and trip execution are described in greater detail. Examples of trip verification and the calculations of emissions are given.

Implementation of Portable Emissions Measurement Systems PEMS for the Real-driving Emissions RDE Regulation in Europe

The European Commission has developed a Real-Driving Emissions (RDE) test procedure to verify pollutant emissions during real-world vehicle operation using the Portable Emissions Measurement Systems (PEMS). This paper presents the experimental procedures required by the newly-adopted RDE test.

Vehicles are tested in controlled and relatively narrow laboratory conditions to determine their official emission values and reference fuel consumption. ...

Vegetated Treatment Systems for Removing Contaminants Associated with Surface Water Toxicity in Agriculture and Urban Runoff

Urban stormwater and agriculture irrigation runoff contain a complex mixture of contaminants that are often toxic to adjacent receiving waters. Runoff may be treated with simple systems designed to promote sorption of contaminants to vegetation and soils and promote infiltration. Two example systems are described: a bioswale treatment system for urban stormwater treatment, and a vegetated drainage ditch for treating agriculture irrigation runoff. Both have similar attributes that reduce contaminant loading in runoff: vegetation that results in sorption of the contaminants to the soil and plant surfaces, and water infiltration. These systems may also include the integration of granulated activated carbon as a polishing step to remove residual contaminants. Implementation of these systems in agriculture and urban watersheds requires system monitoring to verify treatment efficacy. This includes chemical monitoring for specific contaminants responsible for toxicity. The current paper emphasizes monitoring of current use pesticides since these are responsible for surface water toxicity to aquatic invertebrates.

This article summarizes the design attributes and the effectiveness of treatment systems that treat urban stormwater and agriculture irrigation runoff to remove pesticides and other contaminants associated with aquatic toxicity.

Urban stormwater and agriculture irrigation runoff contain a complex mixture of contaminants that are often toxic to adjacent receiving waters. Runoff may ...

Controlled-release of Chlorine Dioxide in a Perforated Packaging System to Extend the Storage Life and Improve the Safety of Grape Tomatoes

A controlled-release chlorine dioxide (ClO2) pouch was developed by sealing a slurry form of ClO2 into semipermeable polymer film; the release properties of the pouch were monitored in containers with or without fruit. The pouch was affixed to the inside of a perforated clamshell containing grape tomatoes, and the effect on microbial population, firmness, and weight loss was evaluated during a 14 day storage period at 20 &#176;C. Within 3 days, the ClO2 concentration in the clamshells reached 3.5 ppm and remained constant until day 10. Thereafter, it decreased to 2 ppm by day 14. The ClO2 pouch exhibited strong antimicrobial activity, reducing Escherichia coli populations by 3.08 log CFU/g and Alternaria alternata populations by 2.85 log CFU/g after 14 days of storage. The ClO2 treatment also reduced softening and weight loss and extended the overall shelf life of the tomatoes. Our results suggest that ClO2 treatment is useful for extending the shelf life and improving the microbial safety of tomatoes during storage without impairing their quality.

Here, we describe a protocol for the application of a novel, slow-release ClO2 product that reduces spoilage and extends the shelf life of fresh fruit. The slow-release ClO2 product was added to standard commercial grape tomato packaging and tested against Escherichia coli and Alternaria alternata.

A controlled-release chlorine dioxide (ClO2) pouch was developed by sealing a slurry form of ClO2 into semipermeable polymer film; the release properties ...

Measuring and Mapping Patterns of Soil Erosion and Deposition Related to Soil Carbonate Concentrations Under Agricultural Management

Spatial patterns of soil erosion and deposition can be inferred from differences in ground elevation mapped at appropriate time increments. Such changes in elevation are related to changes in near-surface soil carbonate (CaCO3) profiles. The objective is to describe a simple conceptual model and detailed protocol for repeatable field and laboratory measurements of these quantities. Here, accurate elevation is measured using a ground-based differential global positioning system (GPS); other data acquisition methods could be applied to the same basic method. Soil samples are collected from prescribed depth intervals and analyzed in the lab using an efficient and precise modified pressure-calcimeter method for quantitative analysis of inorganic carbon concentration. Standard statistical methods are applied to point data, and representative results show significant correlations between changes in soil surface layer CaCO3 and changes in elevation consistent with the conceptual model; CaCO3 generally decreased in depositional areas and increased in erosional areas. Maps are derived from point measurements of elevation and soil CaCO3 to aid analyses. A map of erosional and depositional patterns at the study site, a rain-fed winter wheat field cropped in alternating wheat-fallow strips, shows the interacting effects of water and wind erosion affected by management and topography. Alternative sampling methods and depth intervals are discussed and recommended for future work relating soil erosion and deposition to soil CaCO3.

Spatial patterns of soil erosion and deposition can be inferred from differences in ground elevation mapped at appropriate time increments. Such changes in elevation are related to changes in near-surface soil carbonates. Repeatable methods for field and laboratory measurements of these quantities and data analysis methods are described here.

Spatial patterns of soil erosion and deposition can be inferred from differences in ground elevation mapped at appropriate time increments. Such changes ...

A Simple Planting Technique for Re-establishing Trees Where Frequent Inundation Occurs

Many of the Everglades tree islands have lost elevation over the past century and most of their trees have died such that they are now covered with herbaceous plants. This protocol describes a simple, cost-effective tree planting technique needed for restoring degraded Everglade tree islands. The design is patterned after a natural Everglades process that creates floating peat islands, which allows tree survival and growth in flooded conditions and often leads to the development of tree islands. Commercially available peat bags were used as the medium for the growth and establishment of potted native tree saplings. The pop-up configuration floated initially and provided additional elevation to minimize inundation, with a single native tree species sapling and a single tree fertilizer spike. During a 3 year study involving 105 pop-ups, most plants survived (80%) and many thrived. Determining whether this technique can establish trees on a degraded tree island will require longer studies and extensive field tests.

This protocol describes a simple, cost-effective tree planting technique for restoring degraded Everglades tree islands that experience inundation. The design creates an island (pop-up) which floats initially and adds elevation to promote tree survival and growth under flooded conditions.

Many of the Everglades tree islands have lost elevation over the past century and most of their trees have died such that they are now covered with ...