title: Biogenic volatile organic compounds as a potential stimulator for organic contaminant degradation by soil microorganisms.
abstract: The effects of monoterpenes on the degradation of (14)C-2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP) were investigated in soils collected from areas surrounding monoterpene and non-monoterpene-emitting vegetation. Indigenous microorganisms degraded (14)C-2,4-DCP to (14)CO(2), after 1d contact time. Degradation was enhanced by prior exposure of the soils to 2,4-DCP for 32 d, increasing extents of mineralisation up to 60%. Monoterpene amendments further enhanced 2,4-DCP degradation, but only following pre-exposure to both 2,4-DCP and monoterpene, with total 2,4-DCP mineralisation extents of up to 71%. Degradation was greatest at the higher monoterpene concentrations (> or = 1 microg kg(-1)). Total mineralisation extents were similar between concentrations, but higher than the control and the 0.1 microg kg(-1) amendment, indicating that increases in monoterpene concentration has a diminishing enhancing effect. We suggest that monoterpenes can stimulate the biodegradation of 2,4-DCP by indigenous soil microorganisms and that monoterpene amendment in soils is an effective strategy for removing organic contaminants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science, Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: McLoughlin
authors.forename: Angela H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Rhodes
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Owen
authors.forename: Kirk T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Semple
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018533:Biomass; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D002384:Catalysis; D002733:Chlorophenols / Q000378:metabolism*; D004463:Ecology / Q000379:methods; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000379:methods*; D008129:Lolium / Q000378:metabolism; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006109:Poaceae / Q000378:metabolism; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism*; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D002733:Chlorophenols; D039821:Monoterpenes; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds; C004762:2,4-dichlorophenol