Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Development of Sulfidogenic Sludge from Marine Sediments and Trichloroethylene Reduction in an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactor
Published on: October 15, 2015
Anaerobic degradation of benzene in BTX mixtures dependent on sulfate reduction
C D Phelps1, J Kazumi, L Y Young
1Center for Agricultural Molecular Biology, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, Cook College, New Brunswick 08903-0231, USA.
Abstract:
Enrichment cultures from marine sediments mineralized benzene while using sulfate as the terminal electron acceptor. Parallel cultures using river marsh sediment displayed no activity. Mineralization was confirmed by release of 14CO2 from radiolabeled benzene. The dependence on sulfate reduction was demonstrated by stoichiometric balances and the use of specific inhibitors. This work supports recent observations that anaerobic benzene degradation takes place coupled to sulfate reduction.
Related Concept Videos
Preparation and Reactions of Thiols
Preparation and Reactions of Sulfides
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Sulfonation of Benzene
Microbes and the Sulfur Cycle
Microbial Bioremediation of Hydrocarbons
Microbial Corrosion

