Formatted Title
Assessing the Genetic Potential for Long-Term Bioremediation in East Palestine, Ohio
Background/Objectives
In February of 2023, the derailment of a freight train in the village of East Palestine, Ohio resulted in the release of over 100,000 gallons of vinyl chloride (VC), along with other hazardous chemicals such as butyl acrylate. The decision by authorities to vent and burn these materials resulted in contaminated water systems, a pitch-black plume of smoke containing dangerous combustion products, and above all, an unclear future for every East Palestine resident overnight. Using Rapid Response Research (RAPID) funding from the National Science Foundation, our team sampled drinking water (groundwater), surface water, and surface water sediment from 20 different locations in East Palestine in June, 2023 and again in November 2023. Through the use of Molecular Biological Tools (MBTs), the samples were analyzed for microorganisms capable of degrading the contaminants that were known to have been released. Sediment samples were used to initiate benchtop microcosms to study biodegradation potential and biodegradation rates of multiple compounds under different conditions. This study offers crucial actionable data for the long-term remediation of East Palestine and provides key answers to the local community.
Approach/Activities
QuantArray® is a hybrid technology that combines the highly parallel detection of DNA microarrays with the accurate and precise quantification of qPCR into a single platform. QuantArray®-Chlor is used to quantify over 20 different taxonomic and functional gene targets related to chlorinated solvent degradation. Additionally, 16S rRNA sequencing was employed to comprehensively assess the microbial community within each sample, calculating the relative abundance of each organism down to the genus level. Together, these MBTs provide insights into the overall potential for biodegradation based on the quantification of key species and functional capabilities, as well as the impacts these contaminants had on the localized microbiomes. Baseline MBT analyses were performed on every sample, and each sediment sample was homogenized and divided into the following microcosm studies per sampling location: 1) anaerobic VC degradation, 2) aerobic VC degradation, 3) anaerobic butyl acrylate degradation, 4) aerobic butyl acrylate degradation.
Results/Lessons Learned
The microcosm studies confirmed that indigenous microbial communities readily degraded butyl acrylate in every sediment sample. The QuantArray®-Chlor data illustrated the potential for VC destruction in 19 of the surface water and sediment samples based on the abundance of Dehalococcoides along with additional halorespiring organisms. This was further supported by microcosm studies, wherein VC biodegradation was observed to occur efficiently in many of the sediment samples under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions. Additionally, the study has provided strong evidence of direct interactions between the surface water and the groundwater, including the detection of Dehalococcoides in 100% of the drinking water wells and in nearby impacted surface waters. Despite a lack of hydrogeological surveys of East Palestine groundwater, MBTs have begun to provide information about the interactions with surface water. Thanks to the National Science Foundation’s RAPID funding system, our team has begun answering some of the bigger questions revolving around the past potential impacts, and future well-being, of the people of East Palestine.