Anaerobic biodegradation of chlorophenols in fresh and acclimated sludge

Journal Article · Wed Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1984 · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6658748

Boyd, S A; Shelton, D R

An investigation was made of the anaerobic biodegradation of mono- and dichlorophenol isomers by fresh (unacclimated) sludge and by sludge acclimated to either 2-chlorophenol, 3-chlorophenol, or 4-chlorophenol. Biodegradation was evaluated by monitoring substrate disappearance and, in selected cases, production of /sup 14/CH/sub 4/ from labeled substrates. In unacclimated sludge, each of the monochlorophenol isomers was degraded. The relative rates of disappearance were in this order: ortho > meta > para. For the dichlorophenols in unacclimated sludge, reductive dechlorination of the Cl group ortho to phenolic OH was observed, and the monochlorophenol compounds released were subsequently degraded. 3,4-Dichlorophenol and 3,5-dichlorophenol were persistent. Sludge acclimated to 2-chlorophenol cross-acclimated to 4-chlorophenol but did not utilize 3-chlorophenol. This sludge also degraded 2,4-dichlorophenol. Sludge acclimated to 3-chlorophenol cross-acclimated to 4-chlorophenol but not to 2-chlorophenol. This sludge degraded 3,4- and 3,5-dichlorophenol but not 2,3- or 2,5-dichlorophenol. The specific cross-acclimation patterns observed for monochlorophenol degradation demonstrated the existence of two unique microbial activities that were in turn different from fresh sludge. The sludge acclimated to 4-chlorophenol could degrade all three monochlorophenol isomers and 2,4- and 3,4-dichlorophenol. The active microbial population in this sludge appeared to be a mixture of populations present in the 2-chlorophenol- and 3-chlorophenol-acclimated sludges, both of which could utilize 4-chlorophenol. Experiments with /sup 14/C-radiolabeled p-chlorophenol, o-chlorophenol, and 2,4-dichlorophenol demonstrated that these compounds were converted to /sup 14/CH/sub 4/ and /sup 14/CO/sub 2/. 10 references.

• Research Organization: Michigan State Univ., East Lansing
• OSTI ID: 6658748
• Journal Information: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Vol. 47:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
CARBON DIOXIDE
BIOSYNTHESIS
METHANE
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
BIODEGRADATION
ANAEROBIC CONDITIONS
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
ISOMERS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
PHENOLS
SEWAGE SLUDGE
ALKANES
AROMATICS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SEWAGE
SLUDGES
SYNTHESIS
WASTES
550701* - Microbiology- Tracer Techniques