Assessment of the natural attenuation of chlorinated ethenes in an anaerobic contaminated aquifer in the Bitterfeld/Wolfen area using stable isotope techniques, microcosm studies and molecular biomarkers.
The in situ degradation of chlorinated ethenes was assessed in an anaerobic aquifer using stable isotope fractionation approaches, microcosm studies and taxon specific detection of specific dehalogenating groups of bacteria. The aquifer in the Bitterfeld/Wolfen region in Germany contained all chlorinated ethenes, benzene and toluene as contaminants. The concentrations and isotope composition of the chlorinated ethenes indicated biodegradation of the contaminants. Microcosm studies confirmed the presence of in situ microbial communities capable of the complete dechlorination of tetrachloroethene. Taxon specific investigation of the microbial communities indicated the presence of various potential dechlorinating organisms including Dehalococcoides, Desulfuromonas, Desulfitobacterium and Dehalobacter. The integrated approach, using metabolite spectra, molecular marker analysis and isotope studies, provided several lines of evidence for natural attenuation of the chlorinated ethenes.
Nijenhuis
Ivonne
I
Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry (ISOBIO), UFZ Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig-Halle, Permoserstr. 15; 04318 Leipzig, Germany. ivonne.nijenhuis@ufz.de
Nikolausz
Marcell
M
Köth
Andreas
A
Felföldi
Tamás
T
Weiss
Holger
H
Drangmeister
Jörg
J
Grossmann
Jochen
J
Kästner
Matthias
M
Richnow
Hans-Hermann
HH
D001554:Benzene / Q000032:analysis; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D005858:Germany; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000737:chemistry*; D007220:Industrial Waste; D014050:Toluene / Q000032:analysis; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical
D015415:Biomarkers; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D007220:Industrial Waste; D014050:Toluene; D001554:Benzene