Mineralization of 1,4-dioxane in the presence of a structural analog.
A mixed culture with the ability to aerobically biodegrade 1,4-dioxane in the presence of tetrahydrofuran (THF) was enriched from a 1,4-dioxane contaminated aquifer. This consortium contained 3-4 morphologically different types of colonies and was grown in mineral salts media. Biodegradation of 1,4-dioxane began when THF concentrations in batch experiments became relatively low. No biodegradation of 1,4-dioxane was observed in the absence of THF and the measured cell yield was similar during degradation of 1,4-dioxane with THF or with THF alone. However, when the consortium was grown in the presence of 14C-1,4-dioxane plus THF, 2.1% of the radiolabeled 1,4-dioxane was present in the particulate fraction. The majority of the 14C (78.1%) was recovered as 14CO2, while 5.8% remained in the liquid fraction. This activity is interesting since the non-growth substrate is mineralized, yet only minimally assimilated into biomass. Using THF as the growth substrate, the consortium also degraded 1,3-dioxane, methyl t-butyl ether, ethyl t-butyl ether and t-amyl methyl ether.
Zenker
M J
MJ
Department of Civil Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27695-7908, USA.
Borden
R C
RC
Barlaz
M A
MA
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D004146:Dioxanes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D005663:Furans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D019015:Geologic Sediments; D008903:Minerals / Q000378:metabolism; D012987:Soil
D004146:Dioxanes; D005663:Furans; D008903:Minerals; D012987:Soil; C018674:tetrahydrofuran; C025223:1,4-dioxane