Multiple pathways of vanadate reduction and denitrification mediated by denitrifying bacterium Acidovorax sp. strain BoFeN1

Contamination of aquifers by a combination of vanadate [V(V)] and nitrate (NO₃⁻) is widespread nowadays. Although bioremediation of V(V)- and nitrate-contaminated environments is possible, only a limited number of functional species have been identified to date. The present study demonstrates the effectiveness of V(V) reduction and denitrification by a denitrifying bacterium Acidovorax sp. strain BoFeN1. The V(V) removal efficiency was 76.5 ± 5.41 % during 120 h incubation, with complete removal of NO₃⁻ within 48 h. Inhibitor experiments confirmed the involvement of electron transport substances and denitrifying enzymes in the bioreduction of V(V) and NO₃⁻. Cyt c and riboflavin were important for extracellular V(V) reduction, with quinone and EPS more significant for NO₃⁻ removal. Intracellular reductive compounds including glutathione and NADH directly reduce V(V) and NO₃⁻. Reverse transcription quantitative PCR confirmed the important roles of nirK and napA genes in regulating V(V) reduction and denitrification. Bioaugmentation by strain BoFeN1 increased V(V) and NO₃⁻ removal efficiency by 55.3 % ± 2.78 % and 42.1 % ± 1.04 % for samples from a contaminated aquifer. This study proposes new microbial resources for the bioremediation of V(V) and NO₃⁻contaminated aquifers, and contributes to our understanding of coupled vanadium, nitrogen, and carbon biogeochemical processes.