Biodegradation of trichloroethylene and toluene by indigenous microbial populations in soil

Journal Article · Tue Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1993 · Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (United States)

OSTI ID:6307404

Fan, Shifang; Scow, K M ^[1]

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1. Univ. of California, Davis (United States)

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is one of the most prevalent organic ground water contaminants in the USA, in spite of the fact that many microorganisms are now know to biodegrate TCE in the laboratory. This suggests that environmental conditions frequently are not conducive to TCE degradation. This study compares the kinetics of biodegradation of TCE in several soils with and without the addition of toluene, an aromatic cosubstrate supporting TCE degradation, and tests for the potential of other cosubstrates to support TCE degradation by soil microbial communities. Physical and chemical interactions between the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and the soil matrix are also considered with respect to their impact on biodegradation. 27 refs., 8 figs., 3 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 6307404
• Journal Information: Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (United States), Journal Name: Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (United States) Vol. 59:6; ISSN AEMIDF; ISSN 0099-2240
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALKENES
ALKYLATED AROMATICS
AROMATICS
BIODEGRADATION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ETHYLENE
GROUND WATER
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
KINETICS
MATTER
MICROORGANISMS
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POPULATIONS
SOILS
TOLUENE
USA
VOLATILE MATTER
WATER