Two-stage mineralization of phenanthrene by estuarine enrichment cultures
The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon phenanthrene was mineralized in two stages by soil, estuarine water, and sediment microbial populations. At high concentrations, phenanthrene was degraded, with the concomitant production of biomass and accumulation of Folin-Ciocalteau-reactive aromatic intermediates. Subsequent consumption of these intermediates resulted in a secondary increase in biomass. Analysis of intermediates by high-performance liquid chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, and UV absorption spectrometry showed 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (1H2NA) to be the predominant product. A less pronounced two-stage mineralization pattern was also observed by monitoring /sup 14/CO/sub 2/ production from low concentrations (0.5 mg liter/sup -1/) of radiolabeled phenanthrene. Here, mineralization of /sup 14/C-labeled 1H2NA could explain the incremental /sup 14/CO/sub 2/ produced during the later part of the incubations. Accumulation of 1H2NA by isolates obtained from enrichments was dependent on the initial phenanthrene concentration. The production of metabolites during polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon biodegradation is discussed with regard to its possible adaptive significance and its methodological implications.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of New Hampshire, Durham (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 7160963
- 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
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Related Subjects
560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AROMATICS
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
CONDENSED AROMATICS
ESTUARIES
GROWTH
HYDROCARBONS
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
METABOLISM
MICROORGANISMS
MINERALIZATION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHENANTHRENE
SEDIMENTS
SOILS
SURFACE WATERS
TRACER TECHNIQUES