Biodegradation of Halogenated Hydrocarbon Fumigants by Nitrifying Bacteria.
Three species of nitrifying bacteria were tested for the ability to degrade the halocarbon fumigants methyl bromide, 1,2-dichloropropane, and 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane. The soil nitrifiers Nitrosomonas europaea and Nitrosolobus multiformis degraded all three fumigants, while the marine nitrifier Nitrosococcus oceanus degraded only methyl bromide under the conditions tested. Inhibition of biodegradation by allylthiourea and acetylene, specific inhibitors of ammonia monooxygenase, suggests that ammonia monooxygenase is the enzyme which catalyzes fumigant degradation.
Rasche
Madeline E
ME
Laboratory for Nitrogen Fixation Research, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331.
Hyman
Michael R
MR
Arp
Daniel J
DJ