Chapter 34
Tool V: Microbiological Methods
for Monitoring nZVI Performance
in Groundwater Conditions
Alena Ševců, Iva Dolinová, Tomáš Cajthaml, Jana Steinová,
and Roman Špánek
Abstract Biodegradation is a cost-effective tool in the remediation of persistent
organic pollutants but can take place only when the concentrations of toxic substances are decreased to levels suitable for microbial growth, i.e., after nZVI
application. Assessment of the impact of nZVI on indigenous microbial communities is, therefore, an essential step in designing a successful remediation strategy.
Here, we summarize the most common microbiological methods for monitoring the
effect of nZVI on microorganisms such as the cultivation of bacteria, fluorescence in
situ hybridization (FISH), phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis, real-time PCR,
and sequencing.
Keywords Microbial monitoring · Cultivation · FISH · PLFA · Real-time PCR ·
Sequencing
34.1 Introduction
The high efficiency of nZVI in reducing persistent organic pollutants in aquifers is
well known. The application of this highly reactive material inevitably influences
indigenous microbial communities. These communities can adapt to harsh conditions in polluted environments and often utilize present pollutants for their metabolic
A. Ševců (*) · I. Dolinová · J. Steinová · R. Špánek
Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies and Innovation, Technical University of
Liberec, Liberec, Czech Republic
e-mail: alena.sevcu@tul.cz
T. Cajthaml
Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
Institute for Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech
Republic
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
J. Filip et al. (eds.), Advanced Nano-Bio Technologies for Water and Soil Treatment,
Applied Environmental Science and Engineering for a Sustainable Future,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-29840-1_34
645
Tool V: Microbiological Methods
for Monitoring nZVI Performance
in Groundwater Conditions
Alena Ševců, Iva Dolinová, Tomáš Cajthaml, Jana Steinová,
and Roman Špánek
Abstract Biodegradation is a cost-effective tool in the remediation of persistent
organic pollutants but can take place only when the concentrations of toxic substances are decreased to levels suitable for microbial growth, i.e., after nZVI
application. Assessment of the impact of nZVI on indigenous microbial communities is, therefore, an essential step in designing a successful remediation strategy.
Here, we summarize the most common microbiological methods for monitoring the
effect of nZVI on microorganisms such as the cultivation of bacteria, fluorescence in
situ hybridization (FISH), phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis, real-time PCR,
and sequencing.
Keywords Microbial monitoring · Cultivation · FISH · PLFA · Real-time PCR ·
Sequencing
34.1 Introduction
The high efficiency of nZVI in reducing persistent organic pollutants in aquifers is
well known. The application of this highly reactive material inevitably influences
indigenous microbial communities. These communities can adapt to harsh conditions in polluted environments and often utilize present pollutants for their metabolic
A. Ševců (*) · I. Dolinová · J. Steinová · R. Špánek
Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies and Innovation, Technical University of
Liberec, Liberec, Czech Republic
e-mail: alena.sevcu@tul.cz
T. Cajthaml
Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
Institute for Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech
Republic
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
J. Filip et al. (eds.), Advanced Nano-Bio Technologies for Water and Soil Treatment,
Applied Environmental Science and Engineering for a Sustainable Future,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-29840-1_34
645