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Title: Method and system for enhancing microbial motility

Patent Application ·
OSTI ID:5917434

A method and system for enhancing the motility of microorganisms by placing an effective amount of chlorinated hydrocarbons, preferably chlorinated alkenes, and most preferably trichloroethylene in spaced relation to the microbes so that the surprisingly strong, monomodal, chemotactic response of the chlorinated hydrocarbon on subsurface microbes can draw the microbes away from or towards and into a substance, as desired. In remediation of groundwater pollution, for example, TCE can be injected into the plume to increase the population of microbes at the plume whereby the plume can be more quickly degraded. A TCE-degrading microbe, such as Welchia alkenophilia, can be used to degrade the TCE following the degradation of the original pollutant. 5 figs.

Research Organization:
Du Pont de Nemours (E.I.) and Co., Aiken, SC (USA)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC09-76SR00001
Assignee:
Dept. of Energy
Patent Number(s):
PATENTS-US-A7461596
Application Number:
ON: DE91011569; PPN: US 7-461596
OSTI ID:
5917434
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English