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Effect of copper on the degradation of phenanthrene by soil micro-organisms
J Sokhn1, F A De Leij, T D Hart
1School of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK.
Aims:
The effect of copper on the degradation by soil micro-organisms of phenanthrene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, was investigated.
Methods And Results:
Inert nylon filters were incubated in the soil for 28 days at 25 degrees C. Each filter was inoculated with a soil suspension, phenanthrene (400 ppm), copper (0, 70, 700 or 7000 ppm) and nitrogen/phosphorus sources. The filters were assessed for phenanthrene degradation, microbial respiration and colonization. Phenanthrene degradation proceeded even at toxic copper levels (700/7000 ppm), indicating the presence of phenanthrene-degrading, copper-resistant and/or -tolerant microbes. However, copper at these high levels reduced microbial activity (CO2 evolution).
Conclusion:
High levels of copper caused an incomplete mineralization of phenanthrene and possible accumulation of its metabolites.
Significance And Impact Of The Study:
The presence of heavy metals in soils could seriously affect the bioremediation of PAH-polluted environments.