Improvements in and environmental applications of double-vial radiorespirometry for the study of microbial mineralization

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5849950

McKinley, V L; Federle, T W; Vestal, J R

Several variations in the scintillation mixture and the filter paper arrangements for double-vial radiorespirometry were compared. Improved efficiencies (44%) and shorter response times were found by adding wetting agents and methanotic NaOH to the scintillation mixture in the filter paper. The scintillation chemicals used did not contain dioxane and were found to be nontoxic to the test microbiota in this system. Covering the inner reaction vial with aluminum foil minimized the reduction in counting efficiency when testing colored or dense environmenal samples. Mineralization rates were determined with /sup 14/C-labeled glucose, acetate, and glutamate and (/sup 14/C)cellulose- and (/sup 14/C)lignin-labeled lignocellulose for composting cow manure, forest soil, and arctic lake sediment microbiota. This improved method can be used in a variety of procedures involving the measurement of microbial mineralizations of organic compounds. Since no liquid scintillation cocktail is used for counting, the radioactive wastes are aqueous or can be incinerated, making disposal easy.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Cincinnati, Ohio
• OSTI ID: 5849950
• Journal Information: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States) Vol. 45:1; ISSN AEMID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550701* -- Microbiology-- Tracer Techniques
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ACETATES
AGRICULTURAL WASTES
ALDEHYDES
CARBOHYDRATES
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
CARBOXYLIC ACID SALTS
COMPOSTING
COUNTING TECHNIQUES
GLUCOSE
HEXOSES
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
MANAGEMENT
MANURES
MEASURING METHODS
MICROORGANISMS
MINERALIZATION
MONOSACCHARIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC WASTES
PROCESSING
RESPIRATION
SACCHARIDES
SCINTILLATION COUNTING
SEDIMENTS
SOILS
TRACER TECHNIQUES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTES