Phenanthrene biodegradation in freshwater environments

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6942808

Sherrill, T W; Sayler, G S

Phenanthrene, a low-molecular-weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, was incubated with water samples from various reservoir systems in Tennessee to evaluate the potential for significant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon degradation by the indegenous microbial populations. Biodegradation was assessed by comparison of total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon substrate recovery in degradation flasks relative to sterile control flasks. During 1977 field studies, the mean phenanthrene biodegradation was approximately 80% after a 4-week incubation. Within a given habitat, 45% of the total variability in phenanthrene biodegradation was attributable to the physical, chemical, and microbiological site characteristics examined. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon degradation was directly related to the historical environmental pollution of the sampling sites examined, the length of biodegradation assessment, temperature, and the molecular size of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon substrate.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville
• OSTI ID: 6942808
• Journal Information: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States) Vol. 39:1; ISSN AEMID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520200 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
550200 -- Biochemistry
550700* -- Microbiology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
AROMATICS
BIODEGRADATION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CONDENSED AROMATICS
DECOMPOSITION
ECOSYSTEMS
HYDROCARBONS
MICROORGANISMS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHENANTHRENE
POLLUTION
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
WATER POLLUTION