Simultaneous biodegradation of phenol and carbon tetrachloride mediated by humic acids.
The capacity of an anaerobic sediment to achieve the simultaneous biodegradation of phenol and carbon tetrachloride (CT) was evaluated, using humic acids (HA) as redox mediator. The presence of HA in sediment incubations increased the rate of biodegradation of phenol and the rate of dehalogenation (2.5-fold) of CT compared to controls lacking HA. Further experiments revealed that the electron-accepting capacity of HA derived from different organic-rich environments was not associated with their reducing capacity to achieve CT dechlorination. The collected kinetic data suggest that the reduction of CT by reduced HA was the rate-limiting step during the simultaneous biodegradation of phenol and CT. To our knowledge, the present study constitutes the first demonstration of the simultaneous biodegradation of two priority pollutants mediated by HA.
División de Ciencias Ambientales, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica-IPICyT, Camino a la Presa San José 2055, 78216 San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico. claudia.martinez@ipicyt.edu.mx
Claudia M
CM
Martínez
Luis H
LH
Alvarez
Francisco J
FJ
Cervantes
D000693:Anaerobiosis; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D004583:Electrons; D054879:Halogenation; D006812:Humic Substances / Q000032:analysis*; D007700:Kinetics; D019800:Phenol / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013997:Time Factors
D006812:Humic Substances; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D019800:Phenol; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride