Anaerobic degradation of toluene and xylene by aquifer microorganisms under sulfate-reducing conditions

Journal Article · Sat Feb 29 23:00:00 EST 1992 · Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (United States)

OSTI ID:5094464

Edwards, E A; Wills, L E; Reinhard, M; Grbic-Galic, D ^[1]

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1. Stanford Univ., CA (United States)

Toluene and the three isomers of xylene were completely mineralized to CO{sub 2} and biomass by aquifer-derived microorganisms under strictly anaerobic conditions. The source of the inoculum was gasoline-contaminated sediment from Seal Beach, California. Evidence confirming that sulfate was the terminal electron acceptor is presented. Benzene and ethylbenzene were not degraded under the experimental conditions used. Successive transfers of the mixed cultures that were enriched from aquifer sediments retained the ability to degrade to toluene and xylenes. Greater than 90% of {sup 14}C-labeled toluene or {sup 14}C-labeled o-xylene was mineralized to {sup 14}CO{sub 2}. The doubling time for the culture grown on toluene or m-xylene was about 20 days, and the cell yield was about 0.1 to 0.14 g of cells (dry weight) per g of substrate. The accumulation of sulfide in the cultures as a result of sulfate reduction appeared to inhibit degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons.

• OSTI ID: 5094464
• Journal Information: Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (United States), Journal Name: Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (United States) Vol. 58:3; ISSN 0099-2240; ISSN AEMID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020900* -- Petroleum-- Environmental Aspects
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALKYLATED AROMATICS
ANAEROBIC CONDITIONS
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
AQUIFERS
AROMATICS
BACTERIA
BIOCONVERSION
CALIFORNIA
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CONTAMINATION
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DIGESTION
FUELS
GASOLINE
HYDROCARBONS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
LIQUID FUELS
MANAGEMENT
METABOLISM
MICROORGANISMS
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
POLLUTION SOURCES
PROCESSING
SEDIMENTS
SULFATE-REDUCING BACTERIA
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TOLUENE
USA
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
XYLENES