Science · 1993 · 205 citations · 25 references
Natural SciencesEnvironmental SciencesMicrobiologyEnvironmental ChemistryEnvironmental MicrobiologyMicrobial EcologyBiodegradationBioremediationMicrobial BiogeochemistrySediment BiogeochemistrySediment ContaminationSediment ToxicologyAerobic BiodegradationAerobic BioremediationBacterial BiodegradationBiodegradation Of Organic ContaminantsBiodegradation Of Organic PollutantsBiodegradation Of PollutantsMicrobial BiodegradationPollutant Degradation In Sediments
A 73-day field study of in situ aerobic biodegradation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the Hudson River shows that indigenous aerobic microorganisms can degrade the lightly chlorinated PCBs present in these sediments. Addition of inorganic nutrients, biphenyl, and oxygen enhanced PCB biodegradation, as indicated both by a 37 to 55 percent loss of PCBs and by the production of chlorobenzoates, intermediates in the PCB biodegradation pathway. Repeated inoculation with a purified PCB-degrading bacterium failed to improve biodegradative activity. Biodegradation was also observed under mixed but unamended conditions, which suggests that this process may occur commonly in river sediments, with implications for PCB fate models and risk assessments.
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Polychlorinated Biphenyl Dechlorination in Aquatic Sediments
John F. Brown, Donna L. Bedard, Michael J. Brennan et al. · Science · 1987 · 366 citations
Donna L. Bedard, Ronald Unterman, Lawrence H. Bopp et al. · Applied and Environmental Microbiology · 1986 · 363 citations · Full text