TY - JOUR

T1 - Establishing the relationship between molecular biomarkers and biotransformation rates

T2 - Extension of knowledge for dechlorination of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs)

AU - Waseem, H.

AU - Ali, J.

AU - Syed, J.H.

AU - Jones, K.C.

PY - 2020/8/1

Y1 - 2020/8/1

N2 - Anaerobic reductive treatment technologies offer cost-effective and large-scale treatment of chlorinated compounds, including polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs). The information about the degradation rates of these compounds in natural settings is critical but difficult to obtain because of slow degradation processes. Establishing a relationship between biotransformation rate and abundance of biomarkers is one of the most critical challenges faced by the bioremediation industry. When solved for a given contaminant, it may result in significant cost savings because of serving as a basis for action. In the current review, we have summarized the studies highlighting the use of biomarkers, particularly DNA and RNA, as a proxy for reductive dechlorination of chlorinated ethenes. As the use of biomarkers for predicting biotransformation rates has not yet been executed for PCDD/Fs, we propose the extension of the same knowledge for dioxins, where slow degradation rates further necessitate the need for developing the biomarker-rate relationship. For this, we have first retrieved and calculated the bioremediation rates of different PCDD/Fs and then highlighted the key sequences that can be used as potential biomarkers. We have also discussed the implications and hurdles in developing such a relationship. Improvements in current techniques and collaboration with some other fields, such as biokinetic modeling, can improve the predictive capability of the biomarkers so that they can be used for effectively predicting biotransformation rates of dioxins and related compounds. In the future, a valid and established relationship between biomarkers and biotransformation rates of dioxin may result in significant cost savings, whilst also serving as a basis for action.

AB - Anaerobic reductive treatment technologies offer cost-effective and large-scale treatment of chlorinated compounds, including polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs). The information about the degradation rates of these compounds in natural settings is critical but difficult to obtain because of slow degradation processes. Establishing a relationship between biotransformation rate and abundance of biomarkers is one of the most critical challenges faced by the bioremediation industry. When solved for a given contaminant, it may result in significant cost savings because of serving as a basis for action. In the current review, we have summarized the studies highlighting the use of biomarkers, particularly DNA and RNA, as a proxy for reductive dechlorination of chlorinated ethenes. As the use of biomarkers for predicting biotransformation rates has not yet been executed for PCDD/Fs, we propose the extension of the same knowledge for dioxins, where slow degradation rates further necessitate the need for developing the biomarker-rate relationship. For this, we have first retrieved and calculated the bioremediation rates of different PCDD/Fs and then highlighted the key sequences that can be used as potential biomarkers. We have also discussed the implications and hurdles in developing such a relationship. Improvements in current techniques and collaboration with some other fields, such as biokinetic modeling, can improve the predictive capability of the biomarkers so that they can be used for effectively predicting biotransformation rates of dioxins and related compounds. In the future, a valid and established relationship between biomarkers and biotransformation rates of dioxin may result in significant cost savings, whilst also serving as a basis for action.

KW - Biomarkers

KW - Bioremediation

KW - Dechlorination rate

KW - Dehalococcoides

KW - Dioxin

KW - Aromatic compounds

KW - Bioconversion

KW - Biotechnology

KW - Cost effectiveness

KW - Dechlorination

KW - Degradation

KW - Organic pollutants

KW - Chlorinated compounds

KW - Chlorinated ethenes

KW - Critical challenges

KW - Molecular biomarker

KW - Polychlorinated dibenzo- p - dioxins

KW - Predictive capabilities

KW - Reductive dechlorination

KW - Treatment technologies

KW - biomarker

KW - bioremediation

KW - biotransformation

KW - dechlorination

KW - degradation

KW - DNA

KW - ethylene

KW - PCDD

KW - PCDF

KW - RNA

U2 - 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114676

DO - 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114676

M3 - Journal article

VL - 263

JO - Environmental Pollution

JF - Environmental Pollution

SN - 0269-7491

IS - A

M1 - 114676

ER -