Self Selecting BioReactors (SSBR's)
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This document presents an overview of self-selecting bioreactors (SSBRs), focusing on their ecological significance and components that facilitate biological processes for pollutant remediation. It explains the role of biofilms in enhancing reaction rates and stability in bioreactors, emphasizing the importance of factors like metabolic pathways and energy sources in performance efficiency. It concludes with insights on manipulating conditions within SSBRs to optimize pollutant conversion and overall effectiveness in various applications.
Self Selecting BioReactors (SSBR's)
- 1. Self Selecting BioReactors (SSBR’s) Colin A Lennox, CEO, EcoIslands LLC Presented to Dr Jim Julian’s senior seminar ecology class Penn State Altoona, Fall 2017
- 2. Bioreactors 101: What is a bioreactor? Simply put, a place where biologically catalyzed reactions occur producing useful, or at least non toxic, products. Unintentional: Nature (and specifically microbial ecology), in an open system, is self selecting but deterministic towards reproduction and the generation of environments that increase survival and reproduction. Intentional: A bioreactor is an embodiment that grows life for the generation of environments and products that increase human and ecological survival. These systems host one or many (homogeneous/heterogeneous) microbial species in their biofilm form. So, a bioreactor is an ecological unit that does predictable and reproducible work.
- 3. Examples of bioreactors, specific and by-proxy MRUs/PermaCyclers, methane digesters, composting toilets reclamation ponds, fish tanks, gardens, space stations, waste treatment plants, people, plants, my dog River...
- 4. What is biofilm? ● A generally heterogeneous mix of microbes adapted to a particular niche so that the biofilm remains generally stable in its biomass and biodiversity. ● As opposed to planktonic cells, which are free floating and not producing EPS ○ Extra-poly-saccharidal matrix (the film). ● This film provides an enormous amount of protection to the biofilm bound cells over their planktonic form. ○ Up to 1000x greater resistance to abiotic factors like antibiotics. ○ Also provide chemical signaling, structural support, refuge, desiccation protection, limited UV protection, catalyze a host of redox reactions.
- 5. What is a bioreactor? ● A place where biological catalyzation of inputs results in outputs which are in part derived/determined by growth and reproduction of the working/growing biofilm, ■ Don’t forget conservation of mass and energy! Stoichiometry and Enthalpy ■ This change in products and energy is “work” and is measurable and well understood. ■ A good microbial biofilm class, mixed with limnology, strikes the closest to this discipline at the undergrad level. (constant state of flux by predictable and stabilized biofilm).
- 6. Parts of a bioreactor: 4 major components 1) A generally constrained space for work to happen within. a. Cell membrane, nuclear membrane, organelle membranes b. Or, the form of a plastic box and internal structures. c. Abiotic for a self selecting bioreactor 2. The biology / living factors/ biotics within. a. The biofilm is the primary catalyst of reactions which wouldn’t otherwise occur at rates useful or practical for work. 3. Growth matrix. The surface area upon/within which the biofilm grows. Generally, the more surface area the better, to a point. a. Coir, hemp, leaves, limestone b. Biotic and abiotic 4. The influent products to be remediated, living and non-living a. The “pollutant”, abiotic and biotic
- 7. Feedback loops and steady state 1. Positive Feedback Loop: ○ a “disturbance in the force” that impacts a niche’s biological steady state to the point where biodiversity shifts to a new steady state. Antibiotics, sedimentation, lack of O2/C source... 2. Negative Feedback Loop: ○ an “attenuation factor” that allows for a disturbed ecosystem to return to the existing biological steady state, therefore not undergoing a permanent shift. ○ Homeostasis is a good example of an ecology (human) preserving a steady state. White blood cells and disease fighting are examples of negative feedback loops preserving the steady state.
- 8. So what about geo-chem-electric…? The geology, chemistry, electric, ORP, solute diversity and concentrations all affect and are affected by the biology, which modify its environment to better survive. Without the biology, the other factors combined are not capable of useful work at the existing conditions. The biofilm is the catalyst to get the work done, so the emphasis on Bio reactor
- 9. Metabolic Pathways: Bill and “TED’s” Herbal “TEA” ● Terminal Electron Acceptors: from most energetic to least energetic,: ○ O2, Nitrate, MnOx, Fe3 oxides and oxyhydroxides, Sulfate, Methane... ● Some are lost to volitization, but others, like MnOx are redissolved as a solute and can be lost downstream. ● Terminal Electron Donors: the carbon and/or energy source, ○ Lots of these: glucose, Fe2, methane, sunlight (technically)... ● The source of TED’s TEA determines the kind of metabolic pathways that can exist in a bioreactor.
- 10. Diversity of Metabolic Pathways Many pathways can exist within very tight confines, sometimes separated by no more than a cell wall. Chemo - autotroph/heterotroph Photo - auto/hetero Litho - auto/hetero I’m missing some, but you get the idea...
- 11. Open Environments, the only constant is change ● An open environment is constantly changing, and products of one metabolic pathway are biological necessities for another. ● This flux (succession) of material, energy, and living organisms provides the ability, and stability, of a self selecting biofilm reactor (or wetland) to not only remediate a large number of products, but can sequester or volatilize them in stable niches that can then be collected for use. ● Think of it as biological heterogeneous distillation of many products. ○ though not like alcohol, with is another example of a homogeneous bioreactor favoring one species for one product. ○ Or, like a (bio) schenk line
- 12. Primary Indicators and Manipulations Simple parameters to monitor and manipulate for increased performance. RedOx with and ORP probe / sealed lid, change flow , increase BOD/COD Flow, use a bucket and stopwatch / ball valve to slow or increase flow pH, litmus strips or an inexpensive field probe / alkalinity amendments Temp: simple thermometer, good to take aid temp too / lids, insulation, solar thermal heating Total dissolved solids: inexpensive field probe / combos of the above manipulations
- 13. Biological Engine Since the bioreactor is doing work, its efficiency can be measured by its rate of pollutant/product conversion. The steady state Prime Manipulations will indicate the stability of a specific environment, its incoming load, and the products on the basis of amount removed/converted per cubic meter per day, or the work efficiency. Ex. An engine must be fine tuned to get the best performance. 55 mph is the best rate over distance traveled to acheive the best gas efficiency for most vehicles. A bioreactor has a best rate too and are determined by the load and prime manipulations.
- 14. The MRU/PermaCycler In order to take full advantage of successional bioredox reclamation, a bioreactor must be used that can run fast, be cleaned out with hand tools, and be easily manipulated to intentionally select for different TEDs TEA . The MRU is a scaleable and modular bioreactor and can be adapted to infinite flows and concentrations by changing the arrangement of the MRUs to provide enough surface area and retention to remediate the entire load. Load = concentration x volume (or rate)
- 15. Run ‘em faster. Gets you more bang for your buck. Biological Engine Efficiency = Work Depending on the TEA and its energetic potential, the biodiversity in an open, self selecting environment will select the best energy providing couplet of TED’s TEA until one or the other of the couplet is depleted and succession selects for the next most energetic couplet. For example. Obligate Aerobes will thrive in moving water with lots of DO and fully oxidized acceptors and donors. When Dissolved Oxygen is consumed by BOD and COD, the next best TEA (nitrate) will be utilized, till its gone, then MnOx…. Down the ladder
- 16. Manipulations and Reclamation The energetic availability from each stoichiometrically balanced redox couplet is predictable by its energy availability and can be manipulated to remove different products at different times, intelligently using self selection to remove all TEDs and TEAs to low concentration or background levels, considered safe or clean. Ill add more to this presentation as questions and new research come up. Thanks! Colin