Inhibition of alkylbenzene biodegradation under denitrifying conditions by using the acetylene block technique

Journal Article · Thu Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1992 · Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (United States)

OSTI ID:7004454

Hutchins, S R ^[1]

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1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Ada, OK (United States)

Addition of acetylene to microcosms simultaneously amended with nitrate and alkylbenzenes resulted in inhibition of the rate of alkylbenzene biodegradation under denitrifying conditions. Toluene, xylenes, and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene were recalcitrant, whereas ethylbenzene was degraded at a slower rate than usual. Benzene was not degraded in either case. Addition of acetylene to microcosms preexposed to nitrate and alkylbenzenes produced similar inhibition. These data indicate that the activities of microorganisms that degrade alkylbenzenes under denitrifying conditions may be suppressed if the standard acetylene block technique is used to verify denitrifying activity.

• OSTI ID: 7004454
• Journal Information: Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (United States), Vol. 58:10; ISSN 0099-2240
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACETYLENE
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
AROMATICS
BIODEGRADATION
AQUIFERS
DENITRIFICATION
INHIBITION
MICROCOSMS
NITRATES
TOLUENE
XYLENES
ALKYLATED AROMATICS
ALKYNES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
HYDROCARBONS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
540320 - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)