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U.S. Department of Energy
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Aromatic hydrocarbon biotransformation under mixed oxygen/nitrate electron acceptor conditions

Conference ·
OSTI ID:484957
; ;  [1]
  1. Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, MD (United States)
Research is being conducted to investigate the effect of mixed oxygen/nitrate electron acceptor conditions on the biodegradation of monocyclic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Batch studies have determined that microorganisms, sampled from aquifer sediments and enriched under denitrification conditions, were able to degrade benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and naphthalene under conditions of 2 mg/L oxygen and high levels of nitrate. Complete mineralization of benzene to carbon dioxide was observed in some samples. Biodegradation was inhibited at high (8.6 mg/L) and low oxygen levels. Only toluene was degraded under anaerobic denitrification conditions. Further studies will assess the reaction kinetics and stoichiometry of biodegradation of aromatic hydrocarbons under mixed oxygen/nitrate electron acceptor conditions.
Sponsoring Organization:
Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI ID:
484957
Report Number(s):
CONF-950483--; ISBN 1-57477-009-8
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English