In situ stimulation of aerobic PCB biodegradation in Hudson River sediments

Journal Article · Fri Jan 22 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.8424172· OSTI ID:6827266

Harkness, M R; McDermott, J B; Abramowicz, D A; Salvo, J J; Flanagan, W P; Stephens, M L; Mondello, F J; May, R J; Lobos, J H; Carroll, K M; Brennan, M J; Bracco, A A; Fish, K M; Warner, G L; Wilson, P R; Dietrich, D K; Lin, D T; Morgan, C B; Gately, W L ^[1]

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1. GE Corporate Research and Development Center, Schenectady, NY (United States)

A 73-day field study of in situ aerobic biodegradation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the Hudson River shows that indigenous aerobic microorganisms can degrade the lightly chlorinated PCBs present in these sediments. Addition of inorganic nutrients, biphenyl, and oxygen enhanced PCB biodegradation, as indicated both by a 37 to 55 percent loss of PCBs and by the production of chlorobenzoates, intermediates in the PCB biodegradation pathway. Repeated inoculation with a purified PCB-degrading bacterium failed to improve biodegradative activity. Biodegradation was also observed under mixed but unamended conditions, which suggests that this process may occur commonly in river sediments, with implications for PCB fate models and risk assessments.

• OSTI ID: 6827266
• Journal Information: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States), Journal Name: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States) Vol. 259:5094; ISSN SCIEAS; ISSN 0036-8075
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540320* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AEROBIC CONDITIONS
AROMATICS
BIODEGRADATION
BIPHENYL
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
DECOMPOSITION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
HUDSON RIVER
HYDROCARBONS
IN-SITU PROCESSING
IN-SITU RETORTING
INORGANIC COMPOUNDS
MICROORGANISMS
NONMETALS
NUTRIENTS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN
POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS
PROCESSING
RETORTING
RIVERS
SEDIMENTS
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS