Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Isolation of Native Soil Microorganisms with Potential for Breaking Down Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films Used in Agriculture
Published on: May 10, 2013
Reductive microbial dechlorination of indigenous polychlorinated biphenyls in soil using a sediment-free inoculum
K T Klasson1, J W Barton, B S Evans
1Chemical Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee 37831-6044, USA.
Abstract:
In laboratory experiments, unagitated soil slurry bioreactors inoculated with micro-organisms extracted from polychlorinated biphenyl-contaminated (PCBs) sediments from the Hudson River were used to anaerobically dechlorinate PCBs. The onset of dechlorination activity was accelerated by the addition of certain organic acids (pyruvate and maleate) and single congeners (2,3,6-trichlorobiphenyl). Dechlorination was observed under several working conditions after 19 weeks of incubation with PCB-contaminated soil and nutrient solution. Best results showed a drop in average chlorine content from 4.3 to 3.6 chlorines per biphenyl due to a loss of m-chlorines. Soil used for these experiments was obtained from a PCB-contaminated (weathered Aroclor 1248) site at an electric power substation. Dechlorination was observed with no sediment particles or other matrix being added.
More Related Videos
15:19Development of Sulfidogenic Sludge from Marine Sediments and Trichloroethylene Reduction in an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactor
Published on: October 15, 2015
09:49Prospecting Microbial Strains for Bioremediation and Probiotics Development for Metaorganism Research and Preservation
Published on: October 31, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Bioremediation
Microbial Bioremediation of Uranium
Microbial Bioremediation of Hydrocarbons
Microbial Bioremediation of Pesticides
Microbial Wastewater Treatment
Bioplastics