Inhibition of alkylbenzene biodegradation under denitrifying conditions by using acetylene block technique

Technical Report · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:7183396

Hutchins, S R

Aquifers contaminated with gasoline and other fuels often exhibit levels of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) in excess of regulatory limits mandated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Addition of acetylene to microcosms simultaneously amended with nitrate and alkylbenzenes resulted in inhibition of the rate of alkylbenzene biodegradation under denitrifying conditions. Toluene, xylenes, and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene were recalcitrant, whereas ethylbenzene was degraded at a slower rate than usual. Benzene was not degraded in either case. Addition of acetylene to microcosms preexposed to nitrate and alkylbenzenes produced similar inhibition. These data indicate that the activities of microorganisms that degrade alkylbenzenes under denitrifying conditions may be suppressed if the standard acetylene block technique is used to verify denitrifying activity.

• Research Organization: ManTech Environmental Technology, Inc., Ada, OK (United States)
• OSTI ID: 7183396
• Report Number(s): PB-93-121242/XAB
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Pub. in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Vol. 58, No. 10, 3395-3398(Oct 1992)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACETYLENE
USES
AQUIFERS
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
BIODEGRADATION
INHIBITION
FUELS
DENITRIFICATION
GASOLINE
BENZENE
GROUND WATER
MICROORGANISMS
TOLUENE
XYLENES
ALKYLATED AROMATICS
ALKYNES
AROMATICS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CONTROL
DECOMPOSITION
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LIQUID FUELS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
POLLUTION CONTROL
WATER
540320* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)