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The invaluable information embedded in the genetic material of wastewater, specifically DNA and RNA, goes far beyond monitoring for diseases like COVID-19. In the vast microbial world residing in our sewage, researchers are uncovering a wealth of knowledge that can revolutionize the way we extract renewable energy from waste.
A doctoral student at the Université de Montréal, Marc-Antoine Vaudreuil, conducted a groundbreaking study under the guidance of environmental chemist Professor Sébastien Sauvé. Over five years, from 2017 to 2021, Vaudreuil collected surface water samples along a 700-kilometer stretch of the St. Lawrence River. The results highlighted troubling levels of pharmaceutical pollution, emphasizing the need for advanced wastewater treatment.
Microbes present in wastewater, particularly those found in human waste sludge, play a vital role in the anaerobic digestion process—a waste-to-energy technology that produces renewable biogas. However, the behavior of these microbes can be unpredictable, necessitating intensive monitoring and interventions. To optimize the process and make it more cost-effective, researchers are turning to DNA-based monitoring tools.
At the ARC Biosolids Training Center, researchers are working on developing routine DNA-based monitoring tools to predict and manage anaerobic digestion more effectively. DNA provides insights into the diverse microbial community in sludge, offering a window into an invisible world. By identifying the various microbes and understanding their roles, researchers aim to create risk scores for treatment facility operators, ensuring a healthy and productive system.
The microbial community in sludge is a complex ecosystem of ancient, diverse, and sometimes alien-like bacteria and archaea. Some of these microbes have existed for billions of years, showcasing their resilience and adaptability. Through DNA analysis, researchers can count and assess the diversity of microbes, determining the health and stability of the system.
The ultimate goal is to harness the information encoded in microbial DNA to listen to the microbial community, optimizing the anaerobic digestion process and extracting more value from waste. This research not only highlights the importance of microbes in sustainable wastewater treatment but also underscores the potential for DNA insights to drive advancements in renewable energy production and environmental stewardship.