Biodegradation of monoaromatic hydrocarbons by aquifer microorganisms using oxygen, nitrate, or nitrous oxide as the terminal electron acceptor

Journal Article · Thu Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991 · Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (United States)

OSTI ID:5273133

Hutchins, S R ^[1]

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1. Environmental Protection Agency, Ada, OK (USA)

Leaking underground storage tanks are a major source of groundwater contamination by petroleum hydrocarbons. Although these aromatic hydrocarbons are relatively water soluble, they are contained in the immiscible bulk fuel phase, which serves as a slow-release mechanism for sustained groundwater contamination. Microcosms were prepared from aquifer material, spiked with monoaromatic hydrocarbons, and amended with oxygen, nitrate, and nitrous oxide. Benzene and alkylbenzenes were degraded to concentrations below 5 {mu}g/liter within 7 days under aerobic conditions, whereas only the alkylbenzenes were degraded when either nitrate or nitrous oxide was used. With limited oxygen, monoaromatic hydrocarbons were degraded but removal ceased once oxygen was consumed. However, when nitrate was also present, biodegradation of the alkylbenzens continued with no apparent lag. Although benzene was still recalcitrant, levels were reduced compared with levels after treatment with nitrate or limited oxygen alone.

• OSTI ID: 5273133
• Journal Information: Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (United States), Journal Name: Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (United States) Vol. 57:8; ISSN 0099-2240; ISSN AEMID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020900 -- Petroleum-- Environmental Aspects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540310* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (1990-)
AEROBIC CONDITIONS
ANAEROBIC CONDITIONS
AQUIFERS
AROMATICS
BENZENE
BIOCHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
BIODEGRADATION
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CLEANING
DECOMPOSITION
DECONTAMINATION
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HYDROCARBONS
KINETICS
LEAKS
MICROCOSMS
MICROORGANISMS
NITRATES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN OXIDES
NITROUS OXIDE
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM
POLLUTION
REACTION KINETICS
WATER POLLUTION