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Utilization of sorbed compounds by microorganisms specifically isolated for that purpose
W C Tang1, J C White, M Alexander
1Department of Soil, Crop and Atmospheric Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
|March 6, 1998
Summary
Microorganisms enriched on sorbed phenanthrene effectively degrade it, unlike those grown on free phenanthrene. Specialized bacteria are crucial for assessing biodegradation and bioremediation of sorbed compounds.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Bioremediation Science
Background:
- Phenanthrene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, often exists in sorbed states in environmental matrices.
- Understanding microbial degradation of sorbed contaminants is vital for effective bioremediation strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of bacteria enriched on sorbed versus nonsorbed phenanthrene for degrading phenanthrene in various environmental matrices.
- To determine if specialized enrichment on sorbed compounds enhances degradation capabilities.
Main Methods:
- Enrichment of bacterial cultures using phenanthrene sorbed to polyacrylic beads and nonsorbed phenanthrene.
- Assessing the degradation of sorbed phenanthrene in polyacrylic beads and lake-bottom sediment by different bacterial isolates.
- Evaluating the degradation of sorbed, nonleachable phenanthrene in soil using specialized and non-specialized cultures.
Main Results:
- Bacteria enriched on nonsorbed phenanthrene showed limited ability to degrade sorbed phenanthrene.
- Bacteria enriched on sorbed phenanthrene readily mineralized phenanthrene sorbed to beads and sediment.
- Degradation of sorbed phenanthrene by specialized bacteria exceeded desorption rates, indicating active microbial utilization.
- A mixed culture and bacteria enriched on sorbed phenanthrene extensively degraded sorbed, nonleachable phenanthrene in soil.
Conclusions:
- Microorganisms specifically enriched on sorbed phenanthrene exhibit superior degradation capabilities compared to those enriched on free phenanthrene.
- Enrichment strategies significantly influence the effectiveness of microbial consortia in degrading sorbed hydrophobic compounds.
- Current enrichment methods using nonsorbed compounds may not accurately reflect the potential for biodegradation and bioremediation of sorbed contaminants.
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