title: Mineralization of trichloroethylene by heterotrophic enrichment cultures.
abstract: Microbial consortia capable of aerobically degrading more than 99% of exogenous trichloroethylene (TCE) (50 mg/liter) were collected from TCE-contaminated subsurface sediments and grown in enrichment cultures. TCE at concentrations greater than 300 mg/liter was not degraded, nor was TCE used by the consortia as a sole energy source. Energy sources which permitted growth included tryptone-yeast extract, methanol, methane, and propane. The optimum temperature range for growth and subsequent TCE consumption was 22 to 37 degrees C, and the pH optimum was 7.0 to 8.1. Utilization of TCE occurred only after apparent microbial growth had ceased. The major end products recovered were hydrochloric acid and carbon dioxide. Minor products included dichloroethylene, vinylidine chloride, and, possibly, chloroform.
authors.affiliation: Savannah River Laboratory, E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Inc., Aiken, South Carolina 29808, and Institute for Applied Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville/Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Knoxville, Tennessee 37932.
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Fliermans
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Phelps
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ringelberg
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Mikell
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: White