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Title: Reductive dechlorination of chlorobenzenes in surfactant-amended sediment slurries

Abstract

Microbial anaerobic dechlorination of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) was examined in sediment slurries amended with two classes of nonionic surfactant, polyoxyethylene (POE) sorbitan fatty acid esters (Tweens) and POE alcohols (Brijs). The rationale for surfactant addition was to increase the bioavailability of highly sorbed organic pollutants to degrading microorganisms by enhancing their solubility. The solubility of HCB was initially enhanced via micellar partitioning; however, primary degradation of most surfactants occurred within 10 d. Dechlorination activity was significantly reduced at POE alcohol concentrations above the critical micelle concentration (cmc), with or without the occurrence of surfactant degradation. Tween 80 decreased HCB dechlorination at concentrations significantly above the cmc. At concentrations closer to the cmc, Tween 80 increased dechlorination rate constants four- to fivefold in acclimated slurries. Additions of Tween 80 at or below the cmc stimulated dechlorination activity in unacclimated slurries that exhibited very little activity in unamended controls. An average of 89% of HCB was dechlorinated after 90 d, compared to 20% in unamended sediments. No effect was observed for POE alcohols at these sub-cmc levels. The lack of a stimulated response for the POE alcohols suggests that Tween 80 may not be acting simply as a source of carbon or energy.

Authors:
 [1];  [2]
  1. Univ. of Georgia, Athens, GA (United States)
  2. Environmental Protection Agency, Athens, GA (United States). Environmental Research Lab.
Publication Date:
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
474304
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 15; Journal Issue: 11; Other Information: PBD: Nov 1996
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; REMEDIAL ACTION; WATER POLLUTION; CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS; SURFACTANTS; BIODEGRADATION; BIOLOGICAL AVAILABILITY; ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS

Citation Formats

Van Hoof, P L, and Jafvert, C T. Reductive dechlorination of chlorobenzenes in surfactant-amended sediment slurries. United States: N. p., 1996. Web. doi:10.1002/etc.5620151109.
Van Hoof, P L, & Jafvert, C T. Reductive dechlorination of chlorobenzenes in surfactant-amended sediment slurries. United States. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620151109
Van Hoof, P L, and Jafvert, C T. 1996. "Reductive dechlorination of chlorobenzenes in surfactant-amended sediment slurries". United States. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620151109.
@article{osti_474304,
title = {Reductive dechlorination of chlorobenzenes in surfactant-amended sediment slurries},
author = {Van Hoof, P L and Jafvert, C T},
abstractNote = {Microbial anaerobic dechlorination of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) was examined in sediment slurries amended with two classes of nonionic surfactant, polyoxyethylene (POE) sorbitan fatty acid esters (Tweens) and POE alcohols (Brijs). The rationale for surfactant addition was to increase the bioavailability of highly sorbed organic pollutants to degrading microorganisms by enhancing their solubility. The solubility of HCB was initially enhanced via micellar partitioning; however, primary degradation of most surfactants occurred within 10 d. Dechlorination activity was significantly reduced at POE alcohol concentrations above the critical micelle concentration (cmc), with or without the occurrence of surfactant degradation. Tween 80 decreased HCB dechlorination at concentrations significantly above the cmc. At concentrations closer to the cmc, Tween 80 increased dechlorination rate constants four- to fivefold in acclimated slurries. Additions of Tween 80 at or below the cmc stimulated dechlorination activity in unacclimated slurries that exhibited very little activity in unamended controls. An average of 89% of HCB was dechlorinated after 90 d, compared to 20% in unamended sediments. No effect was observed for POE alcohols at these sub-cmc levels. The lack of a stimulated response for the POE alcohols suggests that Tween 80 may not be acting simply as a source of carbon or energy.},
doi = {10.1002/etc.5620151109},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/474304}, journal = {Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry},
number = 11,
volume = 15,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1996},
month = {Fri Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1996}
}