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Related Experiment Videos

Anaerobic benzene degradation.

D R Lovley1

  • 1Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst 01003, USA. dlovley@microbio.umass.edu

Biodegradation
|July 7, 2001
PubMed
Summary

Benzene can be degraded anaerobically in contaminated environments using various electron acceptors like Fe(III) and sulfate. Stimulating these processes enhances benzene removal in aquifers.

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental microbiology
  • Bioremediation
  • Geochemistry

Background:

  • Benzene is a persistent pollutant in anaerobic petroleum-contaminated environments.
  • Recent findings show benzene can be anaerobically oxidized by common electron acceptors.
  • These acceptors include Fe(III), sulfate, nitrate, humic substances, and methanogenic conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evidence for anaerobic benzene degradation in petroleum-contaminated environments.
  • To explore factors stimulating anaerobic benzene degradation.
  • To identify microbial players and limitations in anaerobic benzene degradation.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing laboratory and field studies on anaerobic benzene degradation.
  • Analysis of conditions favoring benzene oxidation with different electron acceptors.
  • Examination of microbial phylogenetic studies.

Main Results:

  • Benzene degradation occurs under Fe(III) reduction and methanogenic conditions in aquifers.
  • Benzene can be degraded in marine sediments under sulfate-reducing conditions.
  • Degradation is stimulated by adding Fe(III) chelators, humic substances, or sulfate.

Conclusions:

  • Anaerobic benzene degradation is feasible and can be enhanced in contaminated sites.
  • Microbial communities play a key role, with sulfate addition showing promise in field trials.
  • The lack of pure cultures for anaerobic benzene degraders limits further research.

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