Dual 14C/residue analysis method to assess the microbial accessibility of native phenanthrene in environmental samples.
The aim of this work was to develop a method to assess the microbial accessibility of native phenanthrene present in soils and sediments. We developed an accelerated biodegradation assay, characterized by (a) inoculation with a sufficient number of phenanthrene-degrading microorganisms, (b) monitoring of the biodegradation activity through 14C-mineralization measurements, and (c) single-step chemical analysis of the native compound in the residue. The use of 14C-labeling allowed the determination of the time period needed for biodegradation of the bioaccessible fraction of the native chemical. The method was tested with environmental samples having a wide range of phenanthrene concentrations, i.e., from background levels (microg kg(-1)) originating in soil from atmospheric deposition, to acute concentrations (g kg(-1)) corresponding to industrial pollution of soils and sediments. The results showed a wide range of bioaccessibility (15-95% of the initial amount). The method can be used for the assessment of bioaccessibility involved in the management of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) pollution.
Posada-Baquero
Rosa
R
Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla, CSIC, Apartado 1052, Seville 41080, Spain.
Niqui-Arroyo
José-Luis
JL
Bueno-Montes
Marisa
M
Gutiérrez-Dabán
Alfonso
A
Ortega-Calvo
José-Julio
JJ
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D019015:Geologic Sediments; D009170:Nontuberculous Mycobacteria / Q000378:metabolism*; D010616:Phenanthrenes / Q000378:metabolism*; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism*
D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D010616:Phenanthrenes; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; C031181:phenanthrene