title: Transformation and mineralization of benzo[a]pyrene by microbial cultures enriched on mixtures of three- and four-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
abstract: Microorganisms originating from a soil contaminated by low levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were enriched with three- and four-ring PAHs as primary substrates in the presence of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). Most enrichment cultures, isolated in the presence or absence of a sorptive matrix, significantly transformed BaP. Evidence of BaP mineralization was obtained with cultures enriched on phenanthrene and anthracene. Our findings supplement literature data suggesting the wide occurrence of microbial activity against BaP.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Engineering Program, University of Connecticut, Storrs 06269-2037, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dries
authors.forename: B F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Smets
mesh_terms: D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D001711:Biotransformation; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000378:metabolism*; D012988:Soil Microbiology
chemical_list: D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene