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Title: Biodegradation of 1,1,1-trichloroethane by a carbon tetrachloride-degrading denitrifying consortium

Journal Article · · Biotechnology and Bioengineering
;  [1];  [2]
  1. Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA (United States). Chemical Engineering Dept.
  2. Battelle Pacific Northwest National Lab., Richland, WA (United States). Bioprocessing Group

A denitrifying consortium capable of degrading carbon tetrachloride (CT) was shown to also degrade 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA). Fed-batch experiments demonstrated that the specific rate of TCA degradation by the consortium was comparable to the specific rate of CT degradation (approximately 0.01 L/gmol/min) and was independent of the limiting nutrient. Although previous work demonstrated that 4--50% of CT transformed by the consortium was converted to chloroform (CF), no reductive dechlorination products were detected during TCA degradation, regardless of the limiting nutrient. The lack of chlorinated TCA degradation products implies that the denitrifying consortium possesses an alternate pathway for the degradation of chlorinated solvents which does not involve reductive dechlorination.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC06-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
642250
Journal Information:
Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Vol. 59, Issue 4; Other Information: PBD: 20 Aug 1998
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English