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Formation of "photodieldrin" by microorganisms.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|December 11, 1970
Summary
Photodieldrin, a dieldrin conversion product, was identified as a metabolic product in various environments. This finding expands our understanding of dieldrin
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Microbiology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Dieldrin is a persistent organic pollutant with known environmental and health concerns.
- Photodieldrin was previously identified as a major photodegradation product of dieldrin under sunlight.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the microbial metabolism of dieldrin.
- To determine if photodieldrin is also a product of microbial degradation.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of microorganisms from diverse environmental samples (soil, water, animal digestive tracts).
- Incubation of dieldrin with isolated microorganisms.
- Analysis of metabolic products using appropriate analytical techniques.
Main Results:
- Photodieldrin was identified as a metabolic product of dieldrin.
- Microbial metabolism of dieldrin yielding photodieldrin occurred across various environments, including soil, Lake Michigan water, rat intestines, and cow rumen contents.
Conclusions:
- Microorganisms contribute to the environmental transformation of dieldrin.
- The formation of photodieldrin is not exclusive to photodegradation but also occurs through microbial metabolism.
- This finding has implications for understanding the environmental fate and persistence of dieldrin and its metabolites.