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Trichloroethylene biodegradation by a methane-oxidizing bacterium

Journal Article · · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6895382
Trichloroethylene (TCE), a common ground water contaminant, is a suspected carcinogen that is highly resistant to aerobic biodegradation. An aerobic, methane-oxidizing bacterium was isolated that degrades TCE in pure culture at concentrations commonly observed in contaminated ground water. Strain 46-1, a type I methanotrophic bacterium, degraded TCE if grown on methane or methanol, producing CO/sub 2/ and water-soluble products. Gas chromatography and /sup 14/C radiotracer techniques were used to determine the rate, methane dependence, and mechanism of TCE biodegradation. TCE biodegradation by strain 46-1 appears to be a cometabolic process that occurs when the organism is actively metabolizing a suitable growth substrate such as methane or methanol. It is proposed that TCE biodegradation by methanotrophs occurs by formation of TCE epoxide, which breaks down spontaneously in water to form dichloroacetic and glyoxylic acids and one-carbon products.
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OR21400; FG03-85ER13306
OSTI ID:
6895382
Journal Information:
Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States) Vol. 54:4; ISSN AEMID
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English