direct application of biomineralization to life support systems, habitat water wall system, carbon

40 Pages·2014·0.91 MB·English

DIRECT APPLICATION OF BIOMINERALIZATION TO LIFE
SUPPORT SYSTEMS, HABITAT WATER WALL SYSTEM, CARBON
SEQUESTRATION, BIOREMEDIATION AND SOLVING OTHER
VITAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS

_________________

A Project
Presented
to the Faculty of
California State University, Chico

_________________

In Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the Degree
Master of Science
in
Environmental Science
Professional Science Master Option

__________________

By
©Adane Metaferia 2014
Spring 2014
DIRECT APPLICATION OF BIOMINERALIZATION TO LIFE
SUPPORT SYSTEMS, HABITAT WATER WALL SYSTEM, CARBON
SEQUESTRATION, BIOREMEDIATION AND SOLVING OTHER
VITAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS

A Project
By
Adane Metaferia
Spring 2014

APPROVED BY THE DEAN OF GRADUATE STUDIES
AND VICE PROVOST FOR RESEARCH:

_____________________________
Eun K. Park, Ph.D.

APPROVED BY THE GRADUATE ADVISORY COMMITTEE:

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Randy Senock, Ph.D., Chair

____________________________
Larry Hanne, Ph.D.
PUBLICATION RIGHTS

No portion of the Project may be reprinted or reproduced in any manner
unacceptable to the usual copyright restrictions without the written permission of the
author.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I am very grateful for Michael Flynn (NASA Ames Research Center) for allowing
me to work with him and his teams on this very important and interesting Project. I am
very thankful to staff of the Space Biosciences Division, Bioengineering Branch, NASA
Ames Education, and entire NASA Ames Research Center for their valuable support.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
Publication Rights …………………………………………………………………….. iii
Acknowledgements …………………………………………………………………… iv
List of Tables …………………………………………………………………………. vi
List of Figures ………………………………………………………………………… vii
List of Abbreviations …………………………………………………………………. viii
Abstract ………………………………………………………………………………….. ix

CHAPTER

I. Background Literature Reviews …………………………………….. 1

Bioremediations and Biomineralizations ………………………. ……… 1
The Chemistry of Biogenic Calcium Carbonates …………………........ 6
Cyanobacteria ………………………………………………................... 9

II. Significance of the Project …………………………….…………………. 12

Membrane Based Habitat Water Walls Architectures 12
for Life Support Systems …………………………………...…………...
Life Support Systems and the Water Wall Membrane…………….…….. 16
Strategic Objective Goals………………………………….………… …. 17

III. Methodology ……………………………………………………………. 18

Cyanobacteria Cultures and CO Fixation …………………………..… 18
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Physiochemical and Mechanistic Studies ……………………………… 19

IV. Results ……………………………………………………………. ……. 21

The Anabaena Culture ………………………………………………… 22
The Synechococcus Culture …………………………………............... 22

V. Conclusions and Future Works …………………………………………. 24

References …….……………………………………………………………………..… 27

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LIST OF TABLES

TABLE PAGE
1. Names and Chemical Composition of Biogenic Minerals ……………….. 2
2. Summary of the Primary Functions of the Components of the Water
Walls System …………………………………………………………….. 13
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LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE PAGE
1. Biologically Controlled Mineralization ………………………………. 4
2. Biologically Induced Mineralization ………………………………….. 5
3. Model of Carbon Concentrating Mechanism (CCM) …………………. 7
4. Forward Osmosis Treatment Bag, X-Pack TM ……………………….. 14
5. Water Walls Functional Flow of Life Support System Architecture ….. 15
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

AES: Advanced Exploration System
CCM: Carbon Concentrating Mechanism
CSS: Caron Capture Storage
CTB: Cargo Transfer Bag
FO: Forward Osmosis
FOB: Forward Osmosis Bag
FO-CTB: Forward Osmosis-Cargo Transfer Bag
GCDP: Game Changing Development Program
HTI: Hydration Technology Innovations
LLC: Limited Liability Company
NASA: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NIAC: Innovative Advanced Concepts
STS: Space Transportation System
WW: Water Wall
XANES: X-Ray Absorption Near Edge Structure

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ABSTRACT
DIRECT APPLICATION OF BIOMINERALIZATION TO LIFE SUPPORT
SYSTEMS, HABITAT WATER WALL SYSTEM, CARBON SEQUESTRATION,
BIOREMEDIATION AND SOLVING OTHER VITAL ENVIRONMENTAL
PROBLEMS

By
Adane Metaferia 2014
Master of Science in Environmental Science:
Professional Science Master Option
California State University, Chico
Spring 2014

The main objectives of this research project, is to investigate the efficiency of
various microorganisms in CO sequestrations and other waste products during space
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missions. The report also examines current scientific literature in biomineralization and

CO sequestration for the purpose of managing space mission waste products and air
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revitalization of spacecraft cabin atmospheres. The management of air pollutants, proper
disposal or recycling of waste materials and toxic chemicals are factors in the planning,
designing and implementing of space missions. The design and architecture of life
support systems in space missions are principally geared towards the removal of toxic
substances and revitalization of the habitat with life sustaining materials. Current
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mechanical and physical technologies of life supporting systems are not only complex
and expensive, but are also error prone especially for extended duration missions. Such
crucial and massive life support systems need to be augmented or wholly supported by
simpler, efficient and reliable advanced technologies. The next generation life support
technologies could be developed by the integration of multidisciplinary efforts of wide
ranging fields such as Chemistry, Engineering, and Biotechnology.
In recent years, waste recycling and pollution remediation technologies that are
integrated with biological systems have become tremendously attractive and a subject of
various applied research programs. Biologically mediated recycling of waste materials
could be best suited for space missions due to their efficiency, simplicity and most
importantly could be reliable and self-sustaining. Hence, the overarching goals of this
project are to integrate microalgal organisms with NASA’s life support system and
evaluate its usefulness as a sustainable technology. This life support system here after
called the Water Wall (WW) system can sequester spacecraft pollutants and convert them
into value added products. The WW architecture requires microorganisms that could
facilitate the biodegradation of pollutants and revitalize the spaceship habitat. Hence,
initial candidates of suitable microorganisms were selected and optimal growth
conditions, critical limiting factors and efficiencies of air revitalization were investigated.
Among the model microorganisms, Myxococcus Xanthus, Brevundimonas Diminuta,
Anabaena (PCC 7120), Synechococcus (BG04351), Chlorella, Spirulina species and etc.,
have been studied to establish optimum growth conditions. In the preliminary
optimization stage of the project variables such as growth media, levels of carbon
dioxide, hydrogen ion concentration etc. have been evaluated and optimized.
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