Olga Muter, Dr.Biol.Senior Researcher,Project manager olga.muter@inbox.lv	Andrejs Bērziņš, Mag.ing. Researcher andrejs54@inbox.lv
Baiba Līmane,PhD student  baibalimane@inbox.lv	Katrīna Potapova,    Research assistant  kgp19@inbox.lv	Kārlis Sams, karlis.sams@gmail.com
Māra Grūbe, Dr.biol. Senior Researcher grube@lanet.lv	Marita Gavare, Research assistant  mareite24@inbox.lv	FTIR spectroscopy research group Dr.M.Grūbe, Maģ.M.Gavare

 
 Tel: +37167034886; Fax: +371 67034885

The main topics of our research are: biodegradation of different kinds of toxic waste from military objects, in particular, nitroaromatic compounds and nitramines; biodegradation of different toxic wastes as the byproduct of furniture manufacture, i.e., wood waste containing formaldehyde; utilisation of organic waste from municipal waste by separation and composting. Air biofiltration, immobilization of microorganisms on different carriers. Application of FT-IR spectroscopy for evaluation of biodegradation processes.

Methods and equipment at our service: 

Traditional microbiological methods (cultivation and isolation of microorganisms using standard, modified, selective medium), biochemical identification of microorganisms, spectrophotometry, evaluation of soil (water) toxicity, using germination test, long-term vegetation experiments, microorganisms, and microbiotests (algae, daphnia etal), biochemical testing of soil (respiration, enzymatic activity), Furje Transformation Infrared Spectroscopy using VERTEX 70, HTS-XT, Hyperion 2000 (Bruker, Germany).

http://www.formatex.org/biomicroworld2007/Groups.pdf
p.20-21

Cooperation:

• Ministry of Defence, the Republic of Latvia
• Latvia Agriculture University
• Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia
• Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment „BIOR”, Latvia
• State Stende Cereals Breeding Institute, Latvia
• JSC Ekoosta, Latvia
• JSC BAO, Latvia
• JSC Biotehniskais Centrs, Latvia
• Competence Centre for Energetic Materials, Sweden
• Mälardalen University, Sweden
• Tartu University, Estonia
• Riga Technical University, Institute of Silicate Materials
• Latvia State Institute of Wood Chemistry

Projects: 

• “Novel biotechnological products and technologies based on ceramics”, sub-project of the National Research Programme of Latvia “NatRes” [programme No. 2010.10-4/VPP-5 “Sustainable Use of Local Resources (Mineral Deposits, Forests, Food and Transport) – New Products and Technologies”], 2010-2013. http://www.kki.lv/dokumenti/NatRes_2010.pdf  
• EU-funded COST Action TD1107 'Biochar as option for sustainable resource management', http://cost.european-biochar.org 
• “Changes of soil biological activity during cultivation of grain in different agricultural systems” funded by the Latvian Council of Latvia, 2009-2012.
• “Investigation of solid state and submerged fermentation processes” funded by the Latvian Council of Latvia, 2009-2012.
• “EUExNet – European Explosives Network for Explosives Education and Certification of Skills” Lifelong Learning Programme, Leonardo da Vinci, 2009-2011. http://www.euexnet.lu.lv/
• “Degradation of explosives by microorganisms” funded by the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia, 2005-2006, 2009-2010.
• “Characterization of soil contaminated by pesticides and analysis of its possible remediation” funded by “BAO” Ltd, 2009. 
• “Bioremediation of soils contaminated with oil” funded by JSC EKOOSTA, since 2009. 
• "Different organic wastes bioconversion in controlled solid state fermentation processes with an assessment of bacteriological risks”, funded by the Latvian Council of Latvia, 2004-2008.  

 Supervision of diploma thesis: 

• „Augsnes in-situ bioremediācijas optimizēšana izmantojot dažādas piedevas” („Optimization of soil in-situ bioremediation using various amendments”). Master’s degree. Baiba Līmane, 2007-2009.  
• “Nitroaromātisko savienojumu mikrobioloģiskā degradācija un to metabolītu toksicitāte” („Biodegradation of nitroaromatic compounds and toxicity of their metabolites”). Bachelor degree. Baiba Līmane, 2006-2007.
• “Amonija biodegradācijas efektivitāte atkarībā no PNNS asociācijas apstrādes veida” („Effect of pre-treatment of the PNNS association on the efficiency of ammonia biodegradation”). Master’s degree. Alīna Mihailova, 2007-2009.
• “Barības vielu loma augsnes mikroorganismu aktivitētē 2,4,6-trinitrotoluola biodegradācijas procesā” („The role of nutrients in the activity of microorganisms in the process of 2,4,6-trinitritoluene biodegradation”). Bachelor degree. Katrīna Potapova, 2008-2010.
• „Nitroaromātisko savienojumu biodegradācijas procesu pētīšana, izmantojot Furjē transformācijas infrasarkano spektroskopiju” (Study on the process of nitroaromatics biodegradation using Furje Transformation Infrared Spectroscopy”). Master’s degree. Marita Gavare, 2008-2010.
• “Nitroaromātisko savienojumu ekotoksikoloģiskais novērtējums” (Eco-toxicological assessment of nitroaromatic compounds”). Coursework. Elīna Buraka, 2010.
• Study on the process of bacteria consortium MDK.EKO-7 immobilization and its application in the environmental remediation of diesel hydrocarbons” Master’s degree. Katrina Potapova, 2011-2012.

Patents: 

• Mutere O., Limane B., Mihailova A., Dubova L., Strikauska S., Zarina. D. Isolation of consortium of microorganisms-destructors MDK-825 for oil product degradation in soil. Latvian patent LV 14133 A, 4/2010, 624-625.
• Laškovs A., Laškovs E., Grinbergs A., Uljanovs A., Mutere O. Mikroorganismu-destruktoru konsorcijs P1035 un tā izmantošana naftas produktu degradēšanai. Latvian patent LV 14347, July, 2011.

Recent publications:  

2013  

• Nõlvak H., Truu J., Truu M., Juhanson J., Cepurnieks G., Bartkevics V., Limane B., Muter O. 2012. Microbial community changes in TNT spiked soil bioremediation trial using biostimulation, phytoremediation and bioaugmentation. Journal of Environmental Engineering and Landscape Management. In Press.

 Conferences

• Telysheva G., Dobele G., Lebedeva G., Volpert A., Muter O., Strikauska S. Biochar of different origin as an amendment for planted soil. The 2nd Nordic Biochar Seminar, February 14-15, 2013, Helsinki, Finland, P1-6.

 2012  

• Muter O., Potapova K., Limane B., Sproge K., Jakobsone I., Cepurnieks G., Bartkevics V. The role of nutrients in the biodegradation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene in liquid and soil. Journal of Environmental Management. 2012, 98:51-55.
• Muter, O., Potapova, K., Poršņovs, D., Kļaviņš, M. Biodegradation of oil sorbed on peat after its use as a spill cleanup sorbent. Scientific Journal of RTU: Materials Sciences and Applied Chemistry, 2012 (26): 120-126.
• Bērziņš, A., Potapova, K., Strikauska, S., Muter, O. Combination of straw and ceramic materials for biofiltration of volatile hydrocarbons. Scientific Journal of RTU: Materials Sciences and Applied Chemistry, 2012 (26): 127-133.
• Muter, O., Potapova, K., Nikolajeva, V., Petriņa, Z., Griba, T., Patmalnieks, A., Švinka, R., Švinka, V. Comparative study on bacteria colonization onto ceramic beads originated from two Devonian clay deposits in Latvia. Scientific Journal of RTU: Materials Sciences and Applied Chemistry, 2012 (26): 134-139.
• Šteinberga V., Mutere O., Jansone I., Alsina I., Dubova L. 2012. Effect of buckwheat and potato as the forecrop to soil properties in crop rotation. Proc. of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Section B. Natural, Exact, and Applied Sciences, 66(4-5): 185-191.

Conferences

• Muter O., Jansone I., Stelmahere S., Potapova K., Steinberga V. Activity of soil microorganisms influenced by two-year crop rotation. EUROSOIL 2012, Bari, Italy, 2012.
• Potapova K., Berzins A., Limane B., Muter O. Viability of bacteria immobilized onto ceramic beads in soil contaminated by nitroaromatics. EUROSOIL 2012, Bari, Italy, 2012.
• Steinberga V., Muter O., Jansone I., Alsina I., Dubova L. Effect of buckwheat and potato as the forecrop to soil properties in crop rotation. Int.conf. „Diversity in Plant Breeding and Agriculture: Strategies for Healthy Lifestyle”. May 30 – June 1, 2012, Stende, Latvia.
• Nikolajeva V., Petrina Z., Griba T., Potapova K., Berzins A., Muter O. Optimization of the attachment of bacteria on inert or biodegradable supports for environmental applications. ISME 14, Copenhagen, Denmark, 2012.
• Muter O., Berzins A., Strikauska S., Truu J., Truu M., Steiner C. Effect of wood-chip and straw derived biochars in remediation of soils contaminated with herbicide 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA). Workshop on Biochar. Crete, Greece, September 24-25, 2012.
• Muter O., Potapova K., Patmalnieks A., Wagner A., Kammann C. Evaluation of different types of biochar as a potential carrier for bacteria colonization. Workshop on Biochar. Crete, Greece, September 24-25, 2012.
• Muter O. Activity of soil microorganisms as the most important quality criterion of agricultural and contaminated soils. Int. Workshop „Towards a North-Eastern European Biomass Agenda 2020”, Riga, 15-16 August, 2012, p.71-73.
• Muter O., Potapova K., Porsnovs D., Klavins M. Microbial uptake of diesel oil sorbed on modified peat PeatOs. The 1^st Congress of Baltic Microbiologists. Riga, Latvia, 31.10.-04.11.2012.
• Muter O. Recent trends in applied microbiology for agro- and remediation technologies in Latvia. The 1^st Congress of Baltic Microbiologists. Riga, Latvia, 31.10.-04.11.2012.
• Berzins , Potapova, Strikauska, Muter. Comparative study on the attachment of bacteria consortium MDK.EKO-7 onto different carriers. The 1^st Congress of Baltic Microbiologists. Riga, Latvia, 31.10.-04.11.2012.
• Potapova K., Bērziņš A., Muter O. Keramisko granulu pielietošana gaisa biofiltrācijas procesā: gaistošo ogļūdeņražu degradācija. LU 70.konference. Lietišķās ģeoloģijas apakšsekcija, 2012 g. 03. februāris.
• Muter O., Limane B., Potapova K., Stelmahere S., Grinbergs A. Complex approach for bioremediation and recultivation of contaminated soils. The 1st Biotechnology World Congress. Dubai, United Arab Emirates, February 14-15, 2012, Book of Abstracts,  P.117.

2011 

• Berzins A., Potapova K., Limane B., Strikauska S., Muter O. Interrelations between soil bacteria and rye Secale cereale L. in the presence of nitroaromatic compounds. Environmental Engineering, The 8th International Conference, May 19–20, 2011, Vilnius, Lithuania, Selected papers. Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, 2011, 25-30.
• Limane B., Muter O., Juhanson J., Truu M., Truu J., Nolvak H. Characterization of microbial community structure after application of different bioremediation approaches in TNT contaminated soil. Environmental Engineering, The 8th International Conference, May 19–20, 2011, Vilnius, Lithuania, Selected papers. Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, 2011, 188-194.
• Muter O., Berzins A., Potapova K., Strikauska S., Stelmahere S. Bacteria immobilization on ceramic beads for soil remediation technolgies. J Sci Pub : Ecology & Safety (ISP:EB) ISSN: 1313-2563, 2011, Vol.5. 152-162.
• Ashihmina O., Dubova L., Potapova K., Muter O. Eco-toxicity of nitroaromatics: comparative study for different conditions. J Sci Pub: Ecology & Safety (ISP:EB) ISSN: 1313-2563, 2011, Vol.5. 97-109.
• Potapova K., Limane B., Gavare M., Grube M., Mutere O. Mikroorganismu izmantošana sprādzienbīstamo vielu degradācijā. Militārā zinātne. 2011. No.2, 92-102. In Latvian, available at: http://doc.mod.gov.lv/lv/militara_zinatne/2011/3/
• Telysheva G., Jashina L., Lebedeva G., Dizhbite T., Solodovnik V., Mutere O., Grigiškis S., Baškys E., Aikaite J. Use of plants to remediate soil polluted with oil. Proc. of the 8th Int. Sci. and Practical Conf. Rēzeknes Augstskola, Rēzekne, RA Izdevniecība, 2011, Vol.1, 38-45.

Conferences

• Potapova K., Berzins A., Cimmers A., Svinka R., Mutere O. Keramikas materiālu pielietošana vides tehnoloģijās. LU 65. zin. Konf., Zemes un vides zinātņu sekcija,  2011.g. 28.janv., p.360.
• Muter O., Mekss P., Grube M., Gavare M., Saulite V., Olschewsky B., Laskovs A., Grinbergs A. Biodegradation Of Surfactants: Chemical And Microbiological Aspects. 8^th World Surfactant Congress and Business Convention. CESIO 2011, P18.

2010       

• Muter O., Mihailova A., Vanags J., Strikauska S., Zarina D., Viesturs U. Development of submerged and solid state bioreactors for waste gas treatment.  Biotechniques for Air Pollution Control - Proceedings of the 3rd International Congress on Biotechniques for Air Pollution Control , 2010, pp. 345-347.  
• Muter O. Combination of Bioremediation Strategies as a Tool for Efficient Biodegradation of Explosives. SAFEX Newsletter No.32, 1^st Qtr.2010, 13-15. 
• Muter O. Education in the field of explosives-contaminated soils and bioremediation technologies. EUExNet Newsletter No1., February 2010, p.5. www.euexcert.org/pdf/Newsletter1_EUExNet.pdf
• Conferences
• Muter O., Strikauska S., Vanags J., Uljanovs A., Laskovs A., Grinbergs A. Characterization of microorganisms isolated from petroleum contaminated soils. BIT’s Petromicrobiology-2010, 1st Annual Congress, Dalian, China, July 25-27, 2010, p.100.
• Muter O., Limane B., Strikauska S., Cepurnieks G., Bartkevics V., Zarina D. Interactions between higher plants and microorganisms in soil contaminated with explosives. Abstract book. Int. Symp. Microbial Contaminant Degradation at Biogeochemical Interfaces. Leipzig, March 2-4, 2010, p.12. 
• Muter O., Limane B., Sproge K., Strikauska S., Cepurnieks G., Bartkevics V. 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene degradation in water: effect of nutrition. Abstract book. Int. Symp. Microbial Contaminant Degradation at Biogeochemical Interfaces. Leipzig, March 2-4, 2010, p.37.  
• Gavare M., Limane B., Muter O., Grube M. Monitoring and assessment of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene biodegradation process by FT- IR spectroscopy. Abstract book. Int. Symp. Microbial Contaminant Degradation at Biogeochemical Interfaces. Leipzig, March 2-4, 2010, p.45. 
• Grube M., Mihailova A., Potapova K., Gavare M. and Muter O. FT- IR spectroscopy as additional tool for investigation of ammonia-degrading bacteria consortium. Abstract book. Int. Symp. Microbial Contaminant Degradation at Biogeochemical Interfaces. Leipzig, March 2-4, 2010, p.46. 
• Alsiņa I., Šteinberga V., Muter O., Jansone I., Dubova L. Dynamics of soil biological activity parameters in the cereals crop rotation. 9. Int.Conf., S-Peterbourg, Russia, 2010, April 22-23. In Russian. 
• Muter O., Limane B., Potapova K., Sproge K., Strikauska S., Cepurnieks G., Bartkevics V. 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene biodegradation in water and soil: effect of nutrition. 6th Int. Disposal Conference, Örebro, Sweden 10-11 November 2010. 
• Truu  J., Limane B., Juhanson J., Truu M., Muter O. Impact of different bioremediation approaches on microbial community structure in explosive contaminated soil. 6th Int. Disposal Conference, Örebro, Sweden 10-11 November 2010. 

2009 

• Dubova L., Limane B., Muter O., Versilovskis A., Zarina D., Alsina I. Effect of nitroaromatic compounds to the growth of potted plants. In: “Current Research Topics in Applied Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology", Ed.Antonio Mendez-Vilas World Scientific Publishing Co. 2009, 24-28.
• Limane B., Juhanson J., Truu J., Truu M., Muter O., Dubova L., Zarina D. Changes in microbial population affected by physico-chemical conditions of soils contaminated by explosives. In: “Current Research Topics in Applied Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology", Ed.Antonio Mendez-Vilas World Scientific Publishing Co. 2009, 637-640. 
• Conferences
• Līmane B., Mihailova A., Potapova K., Dubova L., Šteinberga V., Muter O. The role of phytotoxicity study in the soil remediation technologies. Book of Abstracts. 1st Joint PSE-SETAC Conf. „Ecotoxicology in the real world”. September 16-19, 2009. Krakow, Poland. P.100.
• Nehrenheim E., Odlare M., Rodriguez A., Muter O. Demilitarization industry sludge: assessment of biodegradation potential. Int.Conf. Water & Industry, New Zealand 30 November-2 December 2009, subm.34.
• Mutere O. Assessment of bioremediation potential for the soil contaminated with nitroaromatic compounds. In: Conf. Defence Industry and Joint Development Possibilities in the Baltic States. Riga, Latvia, 10-11 Sept., 2009.
• Mutere O., Zariņa Dz. Soil remediation, air biofiltration and composting: common approaches and specific goals. 3^rd Int. Conf. “Environmental Science and Education in Latvia and Europe”, Riga, Latvia, 23 October, 2009, p. 66-68.
• Muter O., Strikauska S., Limane B. Effect of plant growth in the presence of humates to the biochemical properties of contaminated soils. In: Proceedings of the Int.conf. Bioveg 2009. University Ciego de Avila, Cuba, May 11-15, 2009.
• Dubova L., Šteinberga V., Mutere O., Jansone I., Alsiņa I.  Influence of organic and conventional soil tillage system on soil respiration and enzymatic activity. BioMicroWorld2009, Lisbon, Portugal, December 2-4, 2009. Code: 773.
• Mutere O. Assessment of bioremediation potential for the soil contaminated with nitroaromatic compounds. In: Conf. Defence Industry and Joint Development Possibilities in the Baltic States. 10-11 Sept., 2009, Riga. Full paper for conference proceedings. 2009. CD-ROM.

2008 

• Muter O.; Versilovskis A., Scherbaka R., Grube M.; Zarina Dz. Effect of plant extract on the degradation of nitroaromatic compounds by soil microorganisms. J. Ind. Microbiol. Biotechol. 2008, 35: 1539-1543. 
• Grube M.; Muter O., Strikauska S., Gavare M., Limane B. Application of FT-IR for control of the medium composition during biodegradation of nitro aromatic compounds. J. Ind. Microbiol. Biotechol. 2008, 35: 1545-1549. 
• Mihailova A., Muter O., Strikauska S., Limane B., Berzins U., Viesturs U., Zarina D. In: The 7^th International Conference “Environmental Engineering”, Ed. D.Cygas, K.D.Froehner, Vilnius 22-23 May, 2008, p.218-223. 
• Strikauska S., Muter O., Berzins A., Mihailova A., Sudars R., Zarina D., Viesturs U. Reduction of ammonia emission and it’s evaluation: the case of domestic animals. NOSE2008. 1st International Conference on Environmental Odour Monitoring and Control. Rome, Italy, 4-6 July, 2008. Proceedings. CD-Rom, http://www.aidic.it/nose2008/webpapers/22Strikauska.pdf 
• Dubova L., Muter O., Mihailova A., Alsina I., Steinberga V., Limane B., Zarina Dz. Growth of peas Pisum sativum L. in the presence of diesel and bacteria consortia in peat and sandy soil. 10th WSEAS International Conference on Mathematical methods, computational techniques, non-linerar systems, intelligent systems(MAMECTIS'08). Corfu, Greece, October 26 -28, 2008. Published by WSEAS Press, 403-407. 
• Muter O., Strikauska S., Abols J., Zarina Dz., Viesturs U. Assessment of pesticides-contaminated soil: the case study from remediation viewpoint. Proceedings of the 2^nd WSEAS/IASME Conf. on Waste Management, Water Pollution, Air Pollution and Indoor Climate (WWAI’08). Corfu, Greece, October 26-28, 2008, 127-131. 
• Dizhbite T., Telysheva G., Bikovens O., Mutere O., Andersone A. Potentials of technical lignins for application as soil amendments: free radical scavengers and biological activity. In: Proc. Of the 14^th Int. Meeting of the Int. Humic Substrates Society. Ed. By I.V. Perminova, N.A. Kulikova. Moscow-Saint Petersburg, September 14-19, 2008, 639-642. 
• Limane B., Cugunov M., Muter O., Dubova L., Alsina I. The impact of petroleum hydrocarbons on the soil enzymatic activity and plant growth. In Proceedings of 17th International Symposium of CIEC Plant nutrient management under stress conditionsNational Reserch Centre (NRC) 24-27 Nov. Cairo- Egypt, 2008, pp. 239-245. 
• Conferences
• Limane B., Mihailova A., Dinaburga G., Dubova L., Muter O., Alsina I., Zarina Dz. Comparison of different methodical approaches to evaluate the plant root growth. EUROSOIL 2008, Book of Abstracts, Vienna, Austria, 2008, P067. 
• Limane B., Muter O., Dubova L., Zarina Dz. Effect of salinity on the plant germination in the context of soil toxicity. EUROSOIL 2008, Book of Abstracts, Vienna, Austria, 2008, P167. 

2007

• Zariņa D., Dubova L., Mutere O., Viesturs U., Bērziņš A., Strikauska. The influence of climatic conditions on the sanitary state of composting and post composting processes. EcoBalt, Rīga May 10-11, 2007, 70-71. 
• Strikauska S., Zariņa Dz., Mutere O., Viesturs U., Bērziņš A. Effect of various factors to ammonia biodegradation by two stage biofiltration system. In: Proc. Of the II Int. Congress on Biotechniques for Air Pollution Control, La Coruna, Spain, October 3-5, 2007, 293-302. 
• Grube M. and Muter O. FT-IR Use for Particular Medium Component Balance Studies during the degradation of Explosives by Soil Bacteria. 12^th European Conf. on the Spectroscopy of Biological Molecules. Bobigny, France, 1-6-September, 2007, P.331. 
• Bikovens O., Muter O., Dizhbite T., Telysheva G. Latvian broadleaves trees species bark extracts – rich sources of biologically active phenolic compounds. 7^th Int. Symp. On the Chemistry of Natural Compounds, October 16-18, 2007, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, p.53. 

2006 

• Zariņa Dz., Dubova L., Bērziņš A., Viesturs U., and Strikauska S. Effect of Inoculum on the Survival of Pathogenic Agents in Different Composts. In “Modern Multidisciplinary Applied Microbiology, Ed. by Antonio Mendez-Vilas, Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH& Co.KGaA, 2006, p. 737–743. 
• Muter O., Dubova L., Zarina D. Microbial activity in the soils contaminated with nitramines and nitroaromatic compounds. Int. Conf. on Environ. Biotechnology, 9-13 July, 2006, Leipzig, Germany, p.71. 
• Muter O., Dubova L., Saulite L., Grube M., Zarina D. Microorganisms isolation from soils contaminated with nitramines and nitroaromatic compounds. 11^th Int. Symp. on Microbial Ecology, ISME-11, 2006, Vienna, Austria, p.422. 

2005

• Zarina D., Mutere O., Strikauska S., Dubova L., Berzins A. Survival of pathogenic agents in compost with added inoculum. Proc. of the 6^th Int. Conf. Environ. Engineering, 2005, v.1, p.510-514. 
• Zariņa Dz., Dubova L., Bendere R., Bērziņš A., Viesturs U. Comparison of Different Types of Solid State Fermentation Techniques for Waste Biodegradation by Composting. BioPS 2005, October 25–26, II 27­–II.40.