Bacterial Solutions: Extremophiles Revolutionizing Sustainability

Author: Mariam Elmaghraby (STEM Sohag School, Egypt)

Abstract

This article focuses on leveraging Cupriavidus-type of extremophiles to transform harmful industrial waste, especially mineral residues from manufacturing processes, into valuable resources. We propose an approach involving three key stages. Firstly, utilizing Cupriavidus for reducing carbon footprint by synthesizing polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), an eco-friendly polymer that incorporates carbon into its structure, mitigating its return to the atmosphere as CO2. Secondly, utilizing Cupriavidus to reduce heavy metal toxicity in polluted settings, utilizing metallothionein to bind and diminish the toxicity of heavy metals within bacterial cells. Lastly, utilizing Cupriavidus for water purification by making biofilms, where the biofilm acts as a natural filter system. The aim is to reduce carbon footprints, synthesize eco-friendly polymers, reduce toxicity in the wastes of minerals factories, and purify contaminated water, fostering a sustainable and environmentally conscious future.

Keywords: Cupriavidus, PHA, biofilm , carbon footprint

Hypothesis

We predict significant sustainability gains by employing Cupriavidus in three stages for handling mineral factory waste. This includes reducing carbon footprints by PHA production, lowering toxicity in the polluted sites as the factory waste through metal detoxification by the bacteria, and enhancing water quality through biofilm-mediated purification.

Analysis 

Climate change is one of the most pressing issue that faces the whole world today. Talking about climate change will lead us to talk about two major topics related to climate change: carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere and average temperature anomaly. Figure 1 shows the global average land-sea temperature anomaly relative to the 1961-1990 average temperature.¹ Figure 2 shows the atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration, measured in parts per million (ppm).²

Figure 1

Figure 2

We propose to utilize the unique abilities of extremophiles, particularly Cupriavidus, to address sustainability challenges. The idea is to utilize Cupriavidus to convert harmful industrial waste into valuable resources through three stages:

1. Utilizing Cupriavidus for reducing carbon footprint: Cupriavidus can aid in reducing the carbon footprint through the production of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA).³ PHA is a biodegradable polymer synthesized by these bacteria⁴ using carbon sources as substrates. During PHA production, carbon is incorporated into the polymer, providing temporary carbon storage and potentially lowering net emissions depending on the feedstock, energy source, and end-of-life treatment (e.g., recycling or biodegradation).

   
   

2. Utilizing Cupriavidus for reducing toxicity in polluted settings: Metallothioneins are proteins that have a high affinity for binding metal ions. They are involved in metal detoxification⁵ by sequestering metal ions and may play a role in reducing the toxicity of heavy metals within bacterial cells.

   
   

3. Water purification by biofilm: Biofilms act as natural filters and treatment systems. Cupriavidus bacteria and other microbes in the biofilm employ various mechanisms to reduce the concentration and harmful effects of pollutants in the water. A biofilm is a complex and structured community of microorganisms that adhere to surfaces and are embedded within a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). EPS helps in collecting and precipitating contaminants.

Expected Results

Expected outcomes would be successful polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production by Cupriavidus, reducing carbon footprints by incorporating carbon into polymers. Additionally, Cupriavidus use with metallothioneins might diminish heavy metal toxicity in the polluted sites. Biofilm-mediated purification led by Cupriavidus is anticipated to efficiently reduce pollutants, enhancing water quality. These results aim for reduced footprints, successful PHA production, lower heavy metal toxicity, and improved water quality, fostering an eco-conscious, resource-efficient future. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, this proposal aims to address sustainability challenges by using extremophiles, especially Cupriavidus bacteria. The main focus is on converting harmful industrial waste, particularly factory mineral residues, into valuable resources across three stages: PHA production for carbon footprint reduction, metal detoxification employing metallothioneins and biofilm-based water purification.

Acknowledgements

I thank my teachers for their guidance and support. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to my friends and parents.

References

¹ NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory - Trends in Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide (2024); EPA based on various sources (2022) – with major processing by Our World in Data. “Long-run CO₂ concentration” [dataset]. NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory, “Trends in Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide”; United States Environmental Protection Agency, “Climate Change Indicators: Atmospheric Concentrations of Greenhouse Gases”

² Met Office Hadley Centre (2024) - processed by Our World in Data. Met Office Hadley Centre, “HadCRUT5 HadCRUT.5.0.2.0”

³ Nygaard, D., Yashchuk, O., & Hermida, É. B. (2021). PHA granule formation and degradation by cupriavidus necator under different nutritional conditions. Journal of Basic Microbiology, 61(9), 825–834. https://doi.org/10.1002/jobm.202100184 

⁴ Kiselev, E. G., Demidenko, A. V., Zhila, N. O., Shishatskaya, E. I., & Volova, T. G. (2022). Sugar beet molasses as a potential C-substrate for PHA production by Cupriavidus necator. Bioengineering, 9(4), 154. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9040154

⁵ von Rozycki, T., Nies, D.H. Cupriavidus metallidurans: Evolution of a metal-resistant bacterium. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 96, 115–139 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10482-008-9284-5