Publications by authors named "Maria Letizia Di Franca"
Marine sediments act as a sink for the accumulation of various organic contaminants such as polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs). These contaminants affect the composition and activity of microbial communities, particularly favoring those capable of thriving from their biodegradation and biotransformation under favorable conditions. Hence, contaminated environments represent a valuable biological resource for the exploration and cultivation of microorganisms with bioremediation potential.
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- Bioremediation of groundwater contaminated with both toluene (an aromatic hydrocarbon) and trichloroethene (TCE, a chlorinated solvent) is complex due to the need for different environmental conditions for their degradation.
- A new method using a tubular bioelectrochemical reactor, called a "bioelectric well," shows promise in simultaneously treating these contaminants by utilizing a microbial bioanode for toluene degradation and generating hydrogen to help dechlorinate TCE.
- Analysis of the reactor's microbiome revealed the presence of microorganisms capable of both anaerobic toluene oxidation and TCE reduction, although the overall process efficiency is limited by how quickly these contaminants can be transported to the microbes.