Aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation of nitrilotriacetate in subsurface soils

Journal Article · Sat Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0147-6513(86)90032-1· OSTI ID:5621808

Ward, T E

Studies were conducted to characterize mineralization of nitrilotriacetate (NTA) in subsurface soils under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Chemical (redox indicator, resazurin) and biological (dentrification) markers were used as indicators of anaerobic conditions in the test system. The indigenous microflora in subsurface soils previously exposed to septage containing NTA were able to rapidly mineralize NTA under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The half-lives (t1/2) of mineralization for NTA in aerobic soils ranged from 87 to 160 hr. Biodegradation of NTA under anaerobic conditions where NO3- indicates that a mechanism exists for the anaerobic biodegradation of this substrate. NTA biodegradation can occur readily in the absence of molecular oxygen and the NTA-monooxygenase which are required for the aerobic mineralization of this substrate. These results provide the first evidence that the indigenous microflora in subsurface soils of septic tank tile fields can rapidly degrade NTA under anaerobic conditions.

• Research Organization: Procter and Gamble Co., Cincinnati, OH
• OSTI ID: 5621808
• Journal Information: Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf.; (United States), Journal Name: Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf.; (United States) Vol. 1; ISSN EESAD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

510200* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AEROBIC CONDITIONS
ALDEHYDES
AMINO ACIDS
ANAEROBIC CONDITIONS
BIODEGRADATION
CARBOHYDRATES
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CHELATING AGENTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
ELEMENTS
GLUCOSE
HEXOSES
MINERALIZATION
MONOSACCHARIDES
NITRATES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NONMETALS
NTA
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SACCHARIDES
SOILS
SUBSURFACE ENVIRONMENTS