Biology of moderately halophilic aerobic bacteria

The moderately halophilic heterotrophic aerobic bacteria form a diverse group of microorganisms. The property of halophilism is widespread within the bacterial domain. Bacterial halophiles are abundant in environments such as salt lakes, saline soils, and salted food products. Most species keep their intracellular ionic concentrations at low levels while synthesizing or accumulating organic solutes to provide osmotic equilibrium of the cytoplasm with the surrounding medium. Complex mechanisms of adjustment of the intracellular environments and the properties of the cytoplasmic membrane enable rapid adaptation to changes in the salt concentration of the environment. Approaches to the study of genetic processes have recently been developed for several moderate halophiles, opening the way toward an understanding of haloadaptation at the molecular level. The new information obtained is also expected to contribute to the development of novel biotechnological uses for these organisms

Use of gas flux measurements to infer well capture effectiveness

extended abstract and posterHigh variability in gas flux were measured at a crudely covered landfill in New Zealand conditions with measurements varying from <0.005 to 1.5 g CH₄/m²-min. Although too few conditions were sampled to accurately estimate the areally averaged flux, it appears to be around 0.02 g CH₄/m²-min. without pumping. At a distance of 38 m from a gas well, the pumping of the gas well led to an average 65% reduction in emissions over three controlled test. The use of surface emissions tests via flux chambers shows potential to assess the effectiveness of gas pumping systems