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A Whole Cell Bioreporter Approach to Assess Transport and Bioavailability of Organic Contaminants in Water Unsaturated Systems
Published on: December 24, 2014
Biodegradation of low aqueous concentration pentachlorophenol (PCP) contaminated groundwater
L M Schmidt1, J J Delfino, J F Preston
1Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611-6450, USA.
Chemosphere
|April 24, 1999
Summary
Indigenous microorganisms effectively degrade pentachlorophenol (PCP) in contaminated groundwater. Bioremediation approaches, with or without nutrient amendment, show promise for reaching regulatory drinking water standards for PCP removal.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Bioremediation
- Water Quality
Background:
- Low-level organic contamination in groundwater poses challenges for regulatory compliance.
- Bioremedial treatments have shown limited success in removing contaminants like pentachlorophenol (PCP) to required standards.
- Former wood treatment facilities often have contaminated surficial aquifers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the potential of indigenous microorganisms to degrade pentachlorophenol (PCP) in contaminated groundwater.
- To determine the rate and extent of PCP removal by native microbial communities.
- To assess the impact of nutrient amendment (nitrogen and phosphorus) on PCP degradation rates.
Main Methods:
- Batch reactor experiments using source water from a contaminated aquifer.
- Monitoring PCP concentrations over time to assess removal efficiency.
- Bacterial enumeration to quantify PCP-degrading bacteria.
- Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) analysis for bacterial identification.
Main Results:
- PCP was removed to below 0.002 mg/L in most reactors within 32 days, irrespective of nutrient amendment.
- A significant positive correlation (R2 = 0.94) was found between reactive phosphate levels and PCP degradation rate.
- PCP-degrading bacteria, identified as Pseudomonas species, increased in abundance during degradation.
- Autochthonous microbes demonstrated capability to reduce PCP levels towards the 0.001 mg/L drinking water standard.
Conclusions:
- Indigenous microorganisms can effectively degrade low-level pentachlorophenol (PCP) in contaminated groundwater.
- Bioremediation, with oxygen and potentially phosphate, can achieve regulatory drinking water standards for PCP.
- Findings support the application of in-situ or ex-situ bioremediation at former wood treatment sites.
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