Microbiology and biodegradation of resin acids in pulp mill effluents: a minireview

1997 ◽  
Vol 43 (7) ◽  
pp. 599-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven N. Liss ◽  
Paul A. Bicho ◽  
John N. Saddler
Keyword(s):  
Biological Treatment ◽  
Resin Acid ◽  
Pulp Mill ◽  
Paper Mill ◽  
Transformation Products ◽  
Conclusive Evidence ◽  
Resin Acids ◽  
Original Material ◽  
Pulp And Paper Mill ◽  
Pulp Mill Effluents

Resin acids, a group of diterpenoid carboxylic acids present mainly in softwood species, are present in many pulp mill effluents and toxic to fish in recipient waters. They are considered to be readily biodegradable. However, their removal across biological treatment systems has been shown to vary. Recent studies indicate that natural resin acids and transformation products may accumulate in sediments and pose acute and chronic toxicity to fish. Several resin acid biotransformation compounds have also been shown to bioaccumulate and to be more resistant to biodegradation than the original material. Until recently, the microbiology of resin-acid degradation has received only scant attention. Although wood-inhabiting fungi have been shown to decrease the level of resin present in wood, there is no conclusive evidence that fungi can completely degrade these compounds. In contrast, a number of bacterial isolates have recently been described which are able to utilize dehydroabietic or isopimaric acids as their sole carbon source. There appears to be an unusually high degree of substrate specificity with respect to the utilization of abietane congeners and the presence of substituents. Pimaranes do not appear to be attacked to the same extent as the abietanes. This paper reviews the occurrence, chemistry, toxicity, and biodegradation of resin acids in relation to the biological treatment of pulp and paper mill effluents.Key words: resin acids, biodegradation, pulp mill effluents.

Resin acid degradation by bacterial strains grown on CTMP effluent

1997 ◽  
Vol 35 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 33-39
Author(s):  
Yi Zhang ◽  
P. A. Bicho ◽  
C. Breuil ◽  
J. N. Saddler ◽  
S. N. Liss
Keyword(s):  
Biological Treatment ◽  
Resin Acid ◽  
Pulp Mill ◽  
Dehydroabietic Acid ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Resin Acids ◽  
Organic Substrates ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Pulp Mill Effluents ◽  
Chemithermomechanical Pulping

All resin acids are diterpenoid carboxylic acids that are components of softwood extractives and they are known to contribute to much of the toxicity of pulp mill effluents. Although biological treatment systems can efficiently remove resin acids during normal operating conditions, resin acid breakthroughs occasionally occur. Recently we isolated five bacterial strains from bleach kraft effluents that degrade dehydroabietic acid (DHA), a resin acid commonly found in effluents. In this study we examined the ability of two bacterial strains (BKME 5 and BKME 9) to grow on chemithermomechanical pulping (CTMP) effluent and degrade DHA. Both of the strains could grow on CTMP effluents, but did not degrade DHA. COD measurement showed that both strains used other organic substrates in CTMP effluent. When nutrients (NH4⊕, PO43−, minerals and vitamins) were added to the effluent, both growth and DHA degradation increased significantly. The strains used DHA and other organic sources in the CTMP effluent simultaneously. The stimulated growth resulting from use of other organic material did not increase the rate of DHA degradation. It was found that ammonium played an important role in the DHA degradation of both strains. Without added ammonium, DHA degradation did not occur. Other nutrients also played important roles in DHA degradation by BKME 9.

Biochemistry and Ecology of Resin Acid Biodegradation in Pulp and Paper Mill Effluent Treatment Systems

1999 ◽  
Vol 40 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 273-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
William W. Mohn ◽  
Vincent J. J. Martin ◽  
Zhongtang Yu
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Pcr ◽  
Resin Acid ◽  
Pulp Mill ◽  
Paper Mill ◽  
Pulp And Paper ◽  
Resin Acids ◽  
Effluent Treatment ◽  
Biochemical Pathway ◽  
Pulp And Paper Mill ◽  
Paper Mill Effluents

A better understanding of the mechanisms and ecology of resin acid biodegradation will contribute to improved performance of existing treatment systems and development of new treatment systems for pulp and paper mill effluents. Using molecular genetic methods, we have partially elucidated the biochemical pathway for degradation of abietane resin acids by Pseudomonas abietaniphila BKME-9. We identified genes encoding putative membrane-associated proteins that are required for abietane metabolism. These proteins may function in cellular uptake of, or response to, resin acids. Genetic and physiological evidence suggests that a monooxygenase is involved in the biochemical pathway. A quantitative PCR assay was developed for ditA1, a gene from BKME-9 encoding resin acid degradation. In an aerated lagoon treating pulp mill effluent, a population carrying ditA1 was found, which was a small fraction (10−7) of the total microbial community. This population was evenly distributed throughout the system and was a stable member of the community over time. Quantitative PCR assays were used to monitor Pseudomonas abietaniphila BKME-9 and Zoogloea resiniphila DhA-35 when they were separately used to inoculate a complex microbial communities in laboratory sequencing batch reactors. Both inocula were stably maintained in the community for 24 days. These inocula stimulated resin acid removal by the community when it was stressed by high pH or by high resin acid loading.

Removal and Transformation of Resin Acids during Secondary Treatment at a New Zealand Bleached Kraft Pulp and Paper Mill

1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 105-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Zender ◽  
T. R. Stuthridge ◽  
A. G. Langdon ◽  
A. L. Wilkins ◽  
K. L. Mackie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kraft Pulp ◽  
Resin Acid ◽  
Paper Mill ◽  
Transformation Products ◽  
Pulp And Paper ◽  
Resin Acids ◽  
Treatment System ◽  
Effluent Treatment ◽  
Pulp And Paper Mill ◽  
Bleached Kraft Pulp

Investigations were undertaken on a full scale lagoon treatment system receiving effluents from a bleached kraft pulp and paper mill which processed softwoods. The system was examined over four phases, including lagoons, aerobic transport channels and the recipient discharge point to determine the removal efficiency of resin acids during effluent treatment. The total treatment system removed 96% of the influent resin acids. The major compounds remaining after treatment were abietic acid, dehydroabietic acid, and a variety of hydrogenated resin acid transformation products. Each section of the treatment system differed in its ability to remove the major classes of resin acids. For example, the average removal rates for resin acids within the first phase lagoons and of the channel leaving the lagoons were 1.2 and 17 g.kg-1 VSS.day-1, respectively. A pathway for the biodegradation and biotransformation of influent resin acids is proposed on the basis of the observed changes in effluent composition through the treatment system.

Kinleithic Acid: a New Hydroxylated Resin Acid From the Biological Treatment System of a New Zealand Kraft Pulp and Paper Mill

1989 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 983 ◽  
Author(s):  
AL Wilkins ◽  
AG Langdon ◽  
GN Mills ◽  
SS Panadam ◽  
TR Stuthridge
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Biological Treatment ◽  
Anaerobic Degradation ◽  
Kraft Pulp ◽  
Resin Acid ◽  
Paper Mill ◽  
Pulp And Paper ◽  
Pulp And Paper Mill ◽  
Treated Effluents ◽  
Biological Treatment System

A new hydroxylated resin acid from the biologically treated effluents of a New Zealand pulp and paper mill has been identified as 13 β-hydroxyabietan-18-oic acid. This hydroxy acid appears to be an anaerobic degradation product of abietic acid.

scholarly journals Effects of habitat and pulp and paper mill contamination on a population of brook stickleback (Culaea inconstans)

2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gillian Z. MacDonald ◽  
Natacha S. Hogan ◽  
Michael R. van den Heuvel
Keyword(s):  
Pulp Mill ◽  
Paper Mill ◽  
Gonadal Development ◽  
Resin Acids ◽  
Pulp And Paper Mill ◽  
Reference Sites ◽  
Culaea Inconstans ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic ◽  
Brook Stickleback ◽  
Cyp1a Induction

Abstract This study examined the responses of a population of brook stickleback (Culaea inconstans) exposed to pulp mill effluent at Jackfish Bay, Lake Superior, Canada, in May 2007 and May 2011. Brook stickleback were extirpated from the effluent-receiving site, presumably due to anoxia after this period. Females at the effluent-receiving site had significantly larger gonad sizes in 2007 and 2011. In 2011, effluent-exposed female gonadal development was significantly advanced when compared with reference sites; they were the second most mature when compared among three different reference sites. Analysis of 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity revealed that effluent-receiving site females had greater CYP1A induction in 2007 and significantly greater CYP1A induction in 2011. Effluent-receiving site males showed significantly reduced CYP1A induction in 2007 and significantly greater induction in 2011. Chemical evaluation of sediment from the receiving environment showed elevated levels of resin acids and the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, retene. Higher condition factors and more mature gonads were consistent with higher winter and spring temperatures modified by effluent or by lake vs. stream environments. Overall, effects on effluent-exposed brook stickleback were not consistent with reported effects in white sucker exposed to the same effluent in previous studies. This article has been made Open Access thanks to the kind support of CAWQ/ACQE (https://www.cawq.ca).

Characterization oftdtgenes for the degradation of tricyclic diterpenes byPseudomonas diterpeniphilaA19-6a

2002 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
C A Morgan ◽  
R C Wyndham
Keyword(s):  
Gene Knockout ◽  
Resin Acid ◽  
Pulp Mill ◽  
Ring Structure ◽  
Resin Acids ◽  
P450 Monooxygenase ◽  
Aquatic Life ◽  
Degrading Bacterium ◽  
Coa Ligase ◽  
Pulp Mill Effluents

Resin acids are tricyclic diterpenes that are toxic to aquatic life when released in high concentrations in pulp mill effluents. These naturally formed organic acids are readily degraded by bacteria and fungi; nevertheless, many of the mechanisms involved are still unknown. We report the localization, cloning, and sequencing of genes for abietane degradation (9.18 kb; designated tdt (tricyclic diterpene) LRSABCD) from the γ-Proteobacterium Pseudomonas diterpeniphila A19-6a. Using gene knockout mutants, we demonstrate that tdtL, encoding a putative CoA ligase, is required for growth on abietic and dehydroabietic acids. A second gene knockout in tdtD, encoding a putative cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, reduced the growth of strain A19-6a on abietic and dehydroabietic acids as sole sources of carbon and energy, but did not eliminate growth. The degree of homology between P450TdtDand P450TerpC, the closest known P450 homologue to TdtD, identifies TdtD as a new member of the P450 superfamily. Hybridization of six of the tdt genes to genomic DNA of a related resin acid degrading bacterium Pseudomonas abietaniphila BKME-9 identified tdt homologues in this strain that utilizes aromatic ring dioxygenase genes (dit) to open the ring structure of abietic and dehydroabietic acids. These results suggest the tdt and dit genes may function in concert to allow these Pseudomonas strains to degrade resin acids. Homologues of several of the tdt genes were detected in resin acid degrading Ralstonia and Comamonas species within the β- and γ-Proteobacteria.Key words: resin acid, tdt gene, biodegradation, Pseudomonas.

Evaluation of total phosphorus and total nitrogen methods in pulp mill effluents

2004 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 79-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.L. Cook ◽  
N.L. Frum
Keyword(s):  
Total Nitrogen ◽  
Total Phosphorus ◽  
Pulp Mill ◽  
Paper Mill ◽  
Pulp And Paper ◽  
Pulp And Paper Mill ◽  
Persulfate Oxidation ◽  
Pulp Mill Effluents ◽  
Epa Methods

Under the Clean Water Action Plan, the US Environmental Protection Agency is requiring states to establish numeric criteria for phosphorus and nitrogen. In preparation for the development of nutrient criteria NCASI undertook a research project to conduct a comparative study of methods for the determination of total phosphorus and total nitrogen in pulp and paper mill matrices. This paper presents results of a single laboratory method evaluation and comparative study of digestion techniques and analytical methods for the determination of total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) in pulp and paper mill secondary treated effluents. Analytical methods included EPA Methods 365.2 and 365.4 for TP. TN and total kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) methods included EPA Methods 351.2, 351.4, and 353.2. Examinations of sample preservation and storage stability were conducted. Substitution of mercuric sulfate with copper sulfate during block digestion resulted in higher blank levels and method detection limits. TP measurements using EPA Method 365.4 (autoanalyzer) were found to be accurate with a positive bias as determined using matrix spike experiments. Sample digestion by acidic persulfate oxidation or mercuric sulfate block digestion in conjunction with EPA Method 365.4 yielded low blank levels (averages of 0.01 and 0.02 mg/L, respectively), precision of 2.1 and 2.4% relative standard deviations, respectively, and accuracy expressed as an average recovery (%R) of 117% for both. EPA Method 351.2 (autoanalyzer) was more precise than EPA Method 351.4 (ammonia probe). Accuracy (%R) for EPA Method 351.2 ranged from 81 to 95%, depending on the digestion technique applied, and was 55% when EPA Method 351.4 was utilized. Investigation of a method utilizing basic to acidic persulfate oxidation for the simultaneous determination of TN and TP using only two analytical techniques was found to be effective at concentrations above 1 mg/L in pulp mill effluents.

Limitations for Biological Removal of Resin Acids from Pulp Mill Effluent

1999 ◽  
Vol 40 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 281-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. G. Werker ◽  
Eric R. Hall
Keyword(s):  
Biological Treatment ◽  
Biological Systems ◽  
Resin Acid ◽  
Pulp Mill ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Resin Acids ◽  
Continuous Treatment ◽  
Pulp Mills ◽  
Fundamental Study ◽  
Biological Removal

This paper highlights results from a fundamental study into the fate of resin acids during biological treatment. Pulp mills in Canada rely on biological treatment systems for the removal of resin acids that are released from wood during pulping and bleaching. These are priority contaminants for the pulping industry since they have been associated with events of toxicity breakthrough. Although tighter mill control has helped to minimise the frequency of these events, it would be useful to have an understanding of the basic limitations of biological systems as the last line of defence for limiting resin acid discharges. The dependence of physico-chemical and biological phenomena on pH will influence the chances for successful biological removal of resin acids. Changes in pH within the typical range used for biological treatment significantly alter the bioavailability of resin acids and the ecology of the microorganisms responsible for their degradation. Changes in resin acid loading during continuous treatment also affect the microbial ecology. Further, the capacity of a treatment system to degrade resin acids is a function of the contaminant loading. Time delays for microbial community acclimation in response to a shift-up in loading are significantly long and are also a function of pH. The capacity to remove resin acids is readily gained and lost in a biological system. Hence the bioreactor operating conditions in conjunction with the period and amplitude of loading fluctuations can impact on the extent of biological removal for resin acids. Consequently, biological systems can be severely compromised by influent transient loading when it comes to the removal of specific contaminants like resin acids.

Distribution of Dehydroabietic Acid in Sediments Adjacent to a Kraft Pulp and Paper Mill

1977 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 838-843 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Brownlee ◽  
M. E. Fox ◽  
W. M. J. Strachan ◽  
S. R. Joshi
Keyword(s):  
Water Column ◽  
Half Life ◽  
Kraft Pulp ◽  
Accumulation Rate ◽  
Resin Acid ◽  
Paper Mill ◽  
Dehydroabietic Acid ◽  
Pulp And Paper ◽  
Resin Acids ◽  
Pulp And Paper Mill

Sediments adjacent to a kraft pulp and paper mill on western Nipigon Bay, Lake Superior, were examined for resin acids. Dehydroabietic acid was the predominant resin acid with surficial concentrations of less than 5–100 μg/g.The areal distribution indicated the mill to be the primary source of this compound. Depth profiles of the acid and core dating by 210Pb methods enabled the calculation of a mean sediment accumulation rate of 0.11 cm∙yr−1 and a half-life for the disappearance of dehydroabietic acid in the sediments of approximately 21 yr. A half-life of 0.12 yr was estimated for this compound in the water column. It appears, therefore, that the primary removal mechanism of dehydroabietic acid is degradation in the water column.

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