Abstract: Methods employed for the discovery, enrichment, and characterization of a marine consortium of fermentative and methanogenic microorganisms developed from the solid waste digestor of a fully contained, land-based, marine recirculating aquaculture system are described. The methanogenic microbial consortium discovered is capable of reducing over 90% of marine fish waste in an aquaculture system to biomethane and carbon dioxide at saline concentrations found in marine aquaculture. Systems and methods for the treatment of marine fish waste utilizing the methanogenic marine consortium are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods employed for the discovery, enrichment, and characterization of a marine consortium of fermentative and methanogenic microorganisms developed from the solid waste digestor of a fully contained, land-based, marine recirculating aquaculture system are described. The methanogenic microbial consortium discovered is capable of reducing over 90% of marine fish waste in an aquaculture system to biomethane and carbon dioxide at saline concentrations found in marine aquaculture. Systems and methods for the treatment of marine fish waste utilizing the methanogenic marine consortium are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for treatment of sludge made up of saline organic solids or organic waste produced in a saltwater or brackish aquaculture system is described. The process includes use of a modified reactor, operating under anaerobic conditions, which yields methane from the digestion of the saline organic solids. Modification of a traditional reactor to include a packing substrate provides for saline waste digestion not previously known. Additionally provided is a process for producing methane from the digestion of organic solids. Inclusion of and use of modified reactors in aquaculture systems is also provided.

Abstract: A system and methods for removal of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from an environment, where the system includes an inert and organic biofilm substrata as biofilm media for dual use: 1) inoculation of microorganisms to degrade POPs and 2) accumulation of POPs on the substrata, effective in maintaining bioavailable concentrations for sustaining microbial activity. Microorganisms capable of degrading or transforming POPs are actively associated with the substrata as a biofilm. Application of this delivery vehicle will enhance the microbial degradation of POPs, while simultaneously adsorbing hydrophobic POPs from the environment making them bioavailable for the microorganisms located in the formed biofilms and additionally lowering the aqueous concentration of POPs that have detrimental effects towards fish and mammals as they bioaccumulate through the food chain.

Abstract: A system and methods for removal of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from an environment, where the system includes an inert and organic biofilm substrata as biofilm media for dual use: 1) inoculation of microorganisms to degrade POPs and 2) accumulation of POPs on the substrata, effective in maintaining bioavailable concentrations for sustaining microbial activity. Microorganisms capable of degrading or transforming POPs are actively associated with the substrata as a biofilm. Application of this delivery vehicle will enhance the microbial degradation of POPs, while simultaneously adsorbing hydrophobic POPs from the environment making them bioavailable for the microorganisms located in the formed biofilms and additionally lowering the aqueous concentration of POPs that have detrimental effects towards fish and mammals as they bioaccumulate through the food chain.

Abstract: A system and method for removal of phosphates from a closed loop estuarine or marine recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), involving denitrification in the presence of a media substrate for: 1) anaerobic nitrate, nitrite and ammonia removal and 2) sequestering of excess phosphate in the RAS. Phosphate is precipitated in or on the denitrifying biofilm formed on the media substrate as phosphate salts. The phosphate salt-containing media substrate can be removed from the RAS, the phosphates can be removed, and both the substrate and the phosphates can be reused or recycled.

Abstract: A system and methods for removal of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from an environment, where the system includes an inert and organic biofilm substrata as biofilm media for dual use: 1) inoculation of microorganisms to degrade POPs and 2) accumulation of POPs on the substrata, effective in maintaining bioavailable concentrations for sustaining microbial activity. Microorganisms capable of degrading or transforming POPs are actively associated with the substrata as a biofilm. Application of this delivery vehicle will enhance the microbial degradation of POPs, while simultaneously adsorbing hydrophobic POPs from the environment making them bioavailable for the microorganisms located in the formed biofilms and additionally lowering the aqueous concentration of POPs that have detrimental effects towards fish and mammals as they bioaccumulate through the food chain.

Abstract: A system and method for removal of phosphates from a closed loop estuarine or marine recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), involving denitrification in the presence of a media substrate for: 1) anaerobic nitrate, nitrite and ammonia removal and 2) sequestering of excess phosphate in the RAS. Phosphate is precipitated in or on the denitrifying biofilm formed on the media substrate as phosphate salts. The phosphate salt-containing media substrate can be removed from the RAS, the phosphates can be removed, and both the substrate and the phosphates can be reused or recycled.

Abstract: A system and methods for removal of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from an environment, where the system includes an inert and organic biofilm substrata as biofilm media for dual use: 1) inoculation of microorganisms to degrade POPs and 2) accumulation of POPs on the substrata, effective in maintaining bioavailable concentrations for sustaining microbial activity. Microorganisms capable of degrading or transforming POPs are actively associated with the substrata as a biofilm. Application of this delivery vehicle will enhance the microbial degradation of POPs, while simultaneously adsorbing hydrophobic POPs from the environment making them bioavailable for the microorganisms located in the formed biofilms and additionally lowering the aqueous concentration of POPs that have detrimental effects towards fish and mammals as they bioaccumulate through the food chain.

Abstract: A system for the efficient conversion of plant biomass to methane is provided, where the conversion includes use of a thermophilic methanogenic consortium containing a cellulolytic thermophile, an acetate-oxidizing thermophile and a thermophilic methanogen, the combination of which hydrolyzes hexoses and pentoses, oxidizes acetate and provides a hydrogen sink, to convert plant biomass to the theoretical limit of bioenergy.

Abstract: A process for treatment of sludge made up of saline organic solids or organic waste produced in a saltwater or brackish aquaculture system is described. The process includes use of a modified reactor, operating under anaerobic conditions, which yields methane from the digestion of the saline organic solids. Modification of a traditional reactor to include a packing substrate provides for saline waste digestion not previously known. Additionally provided is a process for producing methane from the digestion of organic solids. Inclusion of and use of modified reactors in aquaculture systems is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the anaerobic microbial dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Polyhalogenated ethenes are used to stimulate the growth and dechlorinating activity of PCB dechlorinating bacteria in a contaminated soil or sediment. This method may be further coupled with aerobic microbial degradation of PCBs for the complete destruction of PCBs in soils and sediments. Polyhalogenated ethenes are also used in growth media for the culturing of PCB dechlorinating bacteria.

Abstract: Bioremediative microorganisms comprising a 16S ribosomal subunit nucleic acid sequence and useful in various methods for dechlorinating chlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), including anaerobic dechlorination of ortho- and double-flanked chloro substituents of PCBs. The methods of bioremediation may employ consortia of microbially effective species, e.g., aerobic as well as anaerobic species, to dechlorinate corresponding PCB mixtures containing widely varying and significant numbers of PCB congeners.

Abstract: Bioremediative microorganisms comprising a 16S ribosomal subunit nucleic acid sequence and useful in various methods for dechlorinating chlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), including anaerobic dechlorination of ortho- and double-flanked chloro substituents of PCBs. The methods of bioremediation may employ consortia of microbially effective species, e.g., aerobic as well as anaerobic species, to dechlorinate corresponding PCB mixtures containing widely varying and significant numbers of PCB congeners.