Microbial response to triepthylphosphate

Technical Report · Thu May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1997

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/477743· OSTI ID:477743

Hazen, T C; Santo Domingo, J W; Berry, C J

The effect of triethylphosphate (TEP) on the activity of a landfill aquifer microbial community was evaluated using standard techniques and in situ hybridizations with phylogenetic probes. Benzene was used as an external carbon source to monitor degradation of an aromatic compound in TEP amended microcosms. Microscopical and viable counts were higher in TEP containing microcosms when compared to unamended controls. A significant increase in metabolic activity was also observed for TEP amended samples as determined by the number of cells hybridizing to an eubacterial probe. In addition, the number of beta and gamma Proteobacteria increased from undetectable levels prior to the study to 15-29% of the total bacteria in microcosms containing TEP and benzene. In these microcosms, nearly 40% of the benzene was degraded during the incubation period compared to less than 5% in unamended microcosms. While TEP has previously been used as an alternate phosphate source in the bioremediation of chlorinated aliphatics, this study shows that it can also stimulate the microbial degradation of aromatics in phosphate limited aquifers.

• Research Organization: Westinghouse Savannah River Co., Aiken, SC (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-96SR18500
• OSTI ID: 477743
• Report Number(s): WSRC-MS--97-0003; ON: DE97060077
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
55 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BASIC STUDIES
ADDITIVES
AQUIFERS
AROMATICS
BACTERIA
BENZENE
BIODEGRADATION
METABOLISM
MICROCOSMS
PHOSPHATES
PROBES
REMEDIAL ACTION