Aerobic degradation of diuron by aquatic microorganisms

Degradation of diuron [3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethyl-urea] by microorganisms obtained from pond water and sediment was determined under aerobic conditions. Enrichment procedures were used to isolate cultures capable of degrading the herbicide. Several mixed fungal/bacterial and mixed bacterial cultures were isolated that could degrade diuron. The mixed cultures degraded 67-99% of the added diuron forming from six to seven products which were separated via TLC. The major degradation product detected in most culture extracts was 3,4-dichloroanaline. Other identified products formed were 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methyl-urea and 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)urea.