Mineralization of surfactants by microbiota of aquatic plants. [Lemna minor, Typha latifolia]

Journal Article · Tue Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989 · Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (USA)

OSTI ID:5075496

Federle, T W; Schwab, B S ^[1]

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1. Procter and Gamble Company, Cincinnati, OH (USA)

The biodegradation of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) and linear alcohol ethoxylate (LAE) by the microbiota associated with duckweed (Lemna minor) and the roots of cattail (Typha latifolia) was investigated. Plants were obtained from a pristine pond and a pond receiving wastewater from a rural laundromat. Cattail roots and duckweed plants were incubated in vessels containing sterile water amended with ({sup 14}C)LAS, ({sup 14}C)LAE, or {sup 14}C-labeled mixed amino acids (MAA). Evolution of {sup 14}CO{sub 2} was determined over time. The microbiota of cattail roots from both ponds mineralized LAS, LAE, and MAA without lag periods, and the rates and extents of mineralization were not significantly affected by the source of the plants. Mineralization of LAS and LAE was more rapid in the rhizosphere than in nearby root-free sediments, which exhibited differences as a function of pond. The microbiota of duckweed readily mineralized LAE and MAA but not LAS. The rate and extent of mineralization were not affected by the source of the duckweed.

• OSTI ID: 5075496
• Journal Information: Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (USA), Journal Name: Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (USA) Vol. 55:8; ISSN 0099-2240; ISSN AEMID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540311* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- Radiometric Techniques-- (1990-)
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BIODEGRADATION
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
METABOLISM
MICROORGANISMS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
PONDS
SURFACE WATERS
SURFACTANTS
TRACER TECHNIQUES