Intra-aggregate mass transport-limited bioavailability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to Mycobacterium strain PC01.
Biodegradation kinetics for three- and four-ring PAHs by Mycobacterium sp. strain PC01 were measured in whole and density-fractionated estuarine sediments and in a system without intra-aggregate mass transport limitations. The biokinetic data in the systems with and without intra-aggregate mass transport limitations were compared with abiotic PAH desorption kinetics. The results indicate that intra-aggregate mass transport limitations, and not the intrinsic bacterial PAH utilization capacity, were most important in controlling the rate of biodegradation of sediment-sorbed PAHs. Achievable extent of biodegradation could be predicted by the independently measured traction of desorbable PAHs in the fast-diffusion regime of a two-domain intra-aggregate mass transport model. A closed-form mathematical model was developed to describe sediment-pore water partitioning and rapid aqueous-phase diffusion of PAHs through the macropore and mesopore network of sediment aggregates, followed by first-order biodegradation of desorbed PAHs in the bulk aqueous domain. The model effectively predicted independent biodegradation kinetics of PAHs field-aged in two estuarine sediments. Despite low aqueous solubility of PAHs, macropore and mesopore diffusion may be an important mechanism controlling intra-aggregate mass transport and bioavailability of the most readily and extensively desorbed PAHs in sediments.
Shor
Leslie M
LM
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, USA.
Liang
Wenhsin
W
Rockne
Karl J
KJ
Young
L Y
LY
Taghon
Gary L
GL
Kosson
David S
DS
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D001682:Biological Availability; D005544:Forecasting; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D007700:Kinetics; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000502:physiology*; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical