1株铜绿假单胞菌(Pseudomonas aeruginosa)1217石油降解特性及相关基因分析（英文）

从石油污染土壤中分离得到1株石油降解菌1217,经细菌形态学、生理生化及16S rD NA序列分析初步鉴定为铜绿假单胞菌(Pseudomonas aeruginosa)。在温度5~65℃,pH 2~10,盐度0~9%的条件下菌株能很好生长,在以正十二烷、正十八烷、苯、甲苯、二甲苯和萘为唯一碳源的培养基中生长良好。在10℃和30℃条件下培养7 d,对原油的降解率分别为21.57%和15.15%。菌株产生的生物表面活性剂可以将表面张力从72.20 mN/m降至35.14 mN/m。利用特异性PCR扩增,在菌株中检测到烷烃单加氧酶、甲苯双加氧酶、联苯双加氧酶、芳香烃双加氧酶和氧化还原酶基因,并成功克隆出烷烃单加氧酶和芳烃双加氧酶基因,同相关基因比对分析,与铜绿假单胞菌PAO1的相应基因相似度分别为99.91%和99.22%。研究表明,菌株在生物修复和石油烃污染环境中具有潜在的应用价值。     

深海多环芳烃降解菌新鞘氨醇杆菌H25的降解特性及降解基因

[目的]为了从深海环境中筛选新的多环芳烃降解菌,了解其降解基因及降解特性.[方法]以原油作为碳源从印度洋深海海水样品中富集筛选出降解能力较强的多环芳烃降解菌,并根据已报道的相关菌属的多环芳烃起始双加氧酶大亚基序列及侧翼序列设计兼并引物进行扩增.[结果]获得了1株能够高效降解原油、柴油及多种多环芳烃的菌株H25.经16S rDNA序列系统发育分析表明它属于新鞘氨醇杆菌属(Novosphingobium)(96%).并从该菌株中扩增获得2条相似度为91.0%双加氧酶基因片段.2条序列在NCBI上Blastn分析表明均与菌株N.aromaticivorans DSM12444T的降解质粒pNL1上的双加氧酶大亚基具有最高相似度,分别为99.6%和91.0%.根据pNL1上的双加氧酶序列设计引物获得了包含H25双加氧酶大亚基及上下游序列的2个基因片段H25 Ⅰ(2.9kb)和H25Ⅱ(4.5kb).另外,单碳降解实验表明H25对联苯、2-甲基萘、2,6-二甲基萘、菲、二苯并噻吩、二苯并呋喃等均有较好的降解能力.[结论]H25菌株是Novosphingobium属可能的新种.深海细菌在大洋环境多环芳烃污染的自然净化中起到一定作用,并在环境生物修复中有较大的应用前景.     

高分子量多环芳烃降解菌筛选及在土壤电动-生物修复中应用

采用富集培养和多环芳烃双加氧酶基因检测方法,从焦化场地多环芳烃污染土壤分离筛选出9株PAHs降解菌。以高分子量多环芳烃芘为唯一碳源进行摇瓶降解实验,结果表明,J6、S5、S4、S2和B4对芘具有较好的降解能力,21 d时芘降解率均达55%以上,其中B4处理芘的降解率最高,达到70.2%。进一步研究了该5株菌及其混合菌对土壤中芘的降解效果,发现混合菌的降解效果高于单菌的降解效果,其中混合菌H4和单菌B4的降解效果较好,49 d时混合菌H4和单菌B4处理土壤中芘的降解率达29.3%和18.3%。经过16S rRNA基因序列比对,鉴定J6菌株为赤红球菌(Rhodococcus ruber),S5为芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus sp.),S4和S2是鞘脂单胞菌属(Sphingopyxis sp.),B4为假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas sp.)。在电场条件下,混合菌H4和单菌B4处理微生物数量及活性均显著提高,芘的降解率较单独H4和B4处理提高33.0%和20.1%,说明筛选出的5株高分子量多环芳烃降解菌具有较强的电场适应能力,可在高分子量多环芳烃污染土壤电动-微生物修复中应用。     

萘降解细菌的分离及其降解基因的分子检测

从污水处理厂的活性污泥和石油工业废水中各分离到24个降解萘的细菌分离株,提取这些分离株的总DNA,然后与各种萘降解基因杂交。结果表明,这2个来源的分离株在萘降解基因的种类上有明显不同。来自工业废水的分离株含有萘双加氧酶的铁硫蛋白大亚基基因nahAc,水杨醛脱氢酶基因nahF及其重复基因nahV,水杨酸羟化酶基因nahG及其重复基因nahU,儿茶酚2,3-双加氧酶基因nahH和儿茶酚1,2-双加氧酶基因catA,以及萘趋化蛋白基因nahY。来自活性污泥的分离株只含有nahAc、nahF、nahG和catA,不含有nahY、nahV、nahU和nahH。     

一株芘降解菌的分离鉴定及其降解效果

以芘为唯一碳源,采用平板升华法,从徐州市卧牛山焦化厂周围污染土壤中分离得到一株芘降解菌SE12.经形态观察、生理生化试验和16S rDNA鉴定,该菌株属于分枝杆菌属(Mycobacterium sp.)菌株,与快速生长型非致病性南非分枝杆菌(M.austroa fricanum ATCC33464)的同源性达到98%.SE12降解芘的最适pH和温度为pH9和30℃.当土壤芘初始含量为100和200mg.kg-1,SE12接种量为107CFU.g-1时,30℃培养28d后土壤芘降解率分别达到97%和99%.利用双加氧酶基因的同源序列引物nidAF/nidAR和nidBF/nidBR进行扩增,得出了该菌株编码双加氧酶大亚基和小亚基的基因片段,它们与已知降解芘的分枝杆菌的双加氧酶基因具有高度同源性.     

Gordonia sp. LAM0048的分离鉴定及其降解正十六烷的研究

以正十六烷为唯一碳源,从长期受石油污染的土壤中筛选到一株高效降解正十六烷的菌株LAM0048。通过形态学观察、生理生化试验、细胞化学组分分析、16S rRNA基因序列分析、细胞脂肪酸和极性脂试验,确定其属于棒杆菌亚目(Corynebacterineae)、诺卡菌科(Nocardiaceae)、戈登氏属(Gordonia),且可能为戈登氏属的一株新种。采用单因素实验对菌株LAM0048在无机盐培养基中降解正十六烷的降解率进行初步探讨,发现该菌株能在以正十六烷为唯一碳源的培养基中生长,菌株LAM0048能够在36 h内完全降解0.05%(V/V)的正十六烷,当烷烃浓度达到1.0%(V/V)时,降解率达46.4%。结果表明LAM0048是一株具有耐受高浓度烷烃的石油降解菌,在石油污染环境的微生物修复中具有一定的应用潜力。     

一株苯系物降解真菌筛选及降解特性

采用逐量分批驯化的方法以污水处理厂污泥作为菌源,苯、甲苯、二甲苯为唯一碳源,驯化、分离、筛选能够有效降解苯系物的真菌,命名为B1。采用单因素以及正交实验方法并对真菌降解环境影响因素及降解效率进行了测定和研究。结果表明:真菌B1对苯系物降解的最佳条件为C:N=5:1,pH5,温度30℃,菌种接种量为5.5ml(50ml培养基)。采用GC对初始液相浓度0~90mg/L范围内的苯系物降解效果进行测定,未发现苯系物对真菌降解活性产生抑制作用。真菌对苯系物的降解效率为:甲苯>苯>二甲苯,最高降解效率分别达到87.39%,85.21%,81.47%。混合物降解效果略高于单一底物的降解效果。     

一株菲降解细菌的分离鉴定及其特性

通过选择性富集培养,从沈抚灌区石油污染土壤中分离到1株菲降解细菌.试验证明该菌株能以菲为唯一碳源和能源生长.经形态学、生理生化鉴定和16S rRNA基因序列比对分析,确定该菌株属于不动杆菌属,命名为Acinetobacter sp. L2. 系统发育进化分析发现,L2菌株与Acinetobacter sp. DG880［AY258108］亲源关系最近.L2菌株培养7 d后对菲的降解率达96.3%.邻苯二酚2,3-双加氧酶活力测定表明,L2菌株可能含有菲降解基因.     

沈抚灌区广宿主石油烃代谢质粒的分离及鉴定

本研究采用“三亲配对外源分离法”,从沈抚灌区土壤、底泥和水样中共计分离得到8个广宿主（BHR）石油烃代谢质粒,并通过对其进行抗生素抗性检测和抗性遗传标记,将其转移至大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli)EC100宿主中进行操作.不相容性群分析结果表明: pS3-2C、pS4-6G为Inc P质粒;pS3-2G、pW22-3G、pA15-7G为Inc N质粒;pS7-2G 为Inc W质粒;pA23-1G和 pA10-1C为Inc Q质粒.采用PCR扩增已报道的石油烃污染物降解基因的方法初步分析其石油烃代谢功能,质粒pS3-2G、pS7-2G、pA23-1G、pW22-3G和pA10-1C上含有编码芳香环羟化双加氧酶基因(phdA)和甲苯单加氧酶基因(touA)的片段;pA15-7G含有编码甲苯双加氧酶和甲苯单加氧酶基因片段;pS3-2C含有编码芳香环羟化双加氧酶、苯双加氧酶和甲苯双加氧酶基因片段;pS4-6G仅含有编码芳香环羟化双加氧酶基因片段.通过宿主范围检测,除质粒pS3-2C外,其余7个质粒均可在变形菌纲(Proteobacteria)α-、β-、γ-亚纲的代表性菌株根瘤农杆菌(Agrobacterium tumefaciens)C58、钩虫贪铜菌(Cupriavidus necator)JMP228、大肠杆菌EC100间进行转移并稳定传代.     

一株苯胺降解菌的分离及其苯胺降解特性的研究

目的:筛选高效苯胺降解菌并研究其降解特性,为利用微生物进行苯胺环境污染物修复奠定基础.方法:利用含苯胺的A15培养基分离筛选苯胺降解菌,探讨苯胺降解最佳条件、降解代谢途径,利用16S rDNA基因扩增测序法对株菌进行分子鉴定.结果:获得了一株以苯胺为惟一碳源、氮源生长的高效苯胺降解菌AN6-4.该菌降解苯胺的最高浓度为2500mg/L,降解苯胺的最适温度和pH值分别为30℃、7.0;该菌在60h内可以将1500mg/L浓度的苯胺完全降解;重金属离子对该菌株降解苯胺有不同程度的抑制作用;代谢机制研究表明,该菌株可以诱导合成邻苯二酚-2,3-双加氧酶并分泌到胞外降解苯胺;16S rDNA基因序列同源性比较结果表明该菌属芽孢杆菌的一种.结论:所获得的苯胺降解菌对于研究苯胺降解机制和苯胺环境污染物的生物修复具有重要的理论和潜在应用价值.     

Temperature effects and substrate interactions during the aerobic biotransformation of BTEX mixtures by toluene-enriched consortia and Rhodococcus rhodochrous

A microbial consortium derived from a gasoline-contaminated aquifer was enriched on toluene (T) in a chemostat at 20 degrees C and was found to degrade benzene (B), ethylbenzene (E), and xylenes (X). Studies conducted to determine the optimal temperature for microbial activity revealed that cell growth and toluene degradation were maximized at 35 degrees C. A consortium enriched at 35 degrees C exhibited increased degradation rates of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes in single-substrate experiments; in BTEX mixtures, enhanced benzene, toluene, and xylene degradation rates were observed, but ethylbenzene degradation rates decreased. Substrate degradation patterns over a range of BTEX concentrations (0 to 80 mg/L) for individual aromatics were found to differ significantly from patterns for aromatics in mixtures. Individually, toluene was degraded fastest, followed by benzene, ethylbenzene, and the xylenes. In BTEX mixtures, degradation followed the order of ethylbenzene, toluene, and benzene, with the xylenes degraded last. A pure culture isolated from the 35 degrees C-enriched consortium was identified as Rhodococcus rhodochrous. This culture was shown to degrade each of the BTEX compounds, individually and in mixtures, following the same degradation patterns as the mixed cultures. Additionally, R. rhodochrous was shown to utilize benzene, toluene, and ethylbenzene as primary carbon and energy sources. Studies conducted with the 35 degrees C-enriched consortium and R. rhodochrous to evaluate potential substrate interactions caused by the concurrent presence of multiple BTEX compounds revealed a range of substrate interaction patterns including no interaction, stimulation, competitive inhibition, noncompetitive inhibition, and cometabolism. In the case of the consortium, benzene and toluene degradation rates were slightly enhanced by the presence of o-xylene, whereas the presence of toluene, benzene, or ethylbenzene had a negative effect on xylene degradation rates. Ethylbenzene was shown to be the most potent inhibitor of BTEX degradation by both the mixed and pure cultures. Attempted quantification of these inhibition effects in the case of the consortium suggested a mixture of competitive and noncompetitive inhibition kinetics. Benzene, toluene, and the xylenes had a negligible effect on the biodegradation of ethylbenzene by both cultures. Cometabolism of o-, m-, and p-xylene was shown to be a positive substrate interaction.     

Molecular biological characterization of biphenyl-degrading bacteria and identification of the biphenyl 2,3-Dioxygenase α-subunit genes

Bacterial isolates from soils contaminated with (chlorinated) aromatic compounds, which degraded biphenyl/chlorinated biphenyls (CB) and belonged to the genera Rhodococcus and Pseudomonas, were studied. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences was used to determine the phylogenetic position of the isolates. The Rhodococcus cells were found to contain plasmids of high molecular mass (220–680 kbp). PCR screening for the presence of the bphA1 gene, a marker indicating the possibility for induction of 2,3-dioxygenase (biphenyl/toluene dioxygenase subfamily), revealed the presence of the bphA1 genes with 99–100% similarity to the homologous genes of bacteria of the relevant species in all pseudomonad and most Rhodococcus isolates. A unique bphA1 gene, which had not been previously reported for the genus, was identified in Rhodococcus sp. G10. The absence of specific amplification of the bphA1 genes in some biphenyl-degrading bacteria (Rhodococcus sp. B7b, B106a, G12a, P2kr, P2(51), and P2m), as well as in an active biphenyl degrader Rhodococcus ruber P25, indicated the absence of the genes encoding the proteins of the biphenyl/toluene dioxygenase subfamily and participation of the enzymes other than this protein family in biphenyl/CB degradation.     

Addition of aromatic substrates restores trichloroethylene degradation activity in Pseudomonas putida F1

The rate of trichloroethylene (TCE) degradation by toluene dioxygenase (TDO) in resting cells of Pseudomonas putida F1 gradually decreased and eventually stopped within 1.5 h, as in previous reports. However, the subsequent addition of toluene, which is the principal substrate of TDO, resulted in its immediate degradation without a lag phase. After the consumption of toluene, degradation of TCE restarted at a rate similar to its initial degradation, suggesting that this degradation was mediated by TDO molecules that were present before the cessation of TCE degradation. The addition of benzene and cumene, which are also substrates of TDO, also caused restoration of TCE degradation activity: TCE was degraded simultaneously with cumene, and a larger amount of TCE was degraded after cumene was added than after toluene or benzene was added. But substrates that were expected to supply the cells with NADH or energy did not restore TCE degradation activity. This cycle of pseudoinactivation and restoration of TCE degradation was observed repeatedly without a significant decrease in the number of viable cells, even after six additions of toluene spread over 30 h. The results obtained in this study demonstrate a new type of restoration of TCE degradation that has not been previously reported.     

Addition of Aromatic Substrates Restores Trichloroethylene Degradation Activity in Pseudomonas putida F1

The rate of trichloroethylene (TCE) degradation by toluene dioxygenase (TDO) in resting cells of Pseudomonas putida F1 gradually decreased and eventually stopped within 1.5 h, as in previous reports. However, the subsequent addition of toluene, which is the principal substrate of TDO, resulted in its immediate degradation without a lag phase. After the consumption of toluene, degradation of TCE restarted at a rate similar to its initial degradation, suggesting that this degradation was mediated by TDO molecules that were present before the cessation of TCE degradation. The addition of benzene and cumene, which are also substrates of TDO, also caused restoration of TCE degradation activity: TCE was degraded simultaneously with cumene, and a larger amount of TCE was degraded after cumene was added than after toluene or benzene was added. But substrates that were expected to supply the cells with NADH or energy did not restore TCE degradation activity. This cycle of pseudoinactivation and restoration of TCE degradation was observed repeatedly without a significant decrease in the number of viable cells, even after six additions of toluene spread over 30 h. The results obtained in this study demonstrate a new type of restoration of TCE degradation that has not been previously reported.     

Kinetic study of the anaerobic degradation of toluene by a mixed culture

Toluene was anaerobically degraded by an enriched mixed culture under methanogenic conditions. The mixed culture was originally developed from cow-dung and sludge from a laboratory reactor, in which benzene was anerobically degraded by sulphate-reducing bacteria. First the mixed culture was enriched on toluene over a year with and without the use of sulphate in the medium. For the evaluation of growth-kinetic and maintenance parameters, namely μ_max, K_s, k_d and Y, the anaerobic degradation of toluene was carried out in batch as well as in continous reactors systems. The gas volume and the methane content in the produced gas was somewhat lover than the theoretical value expected, indicating an incomplete degradation of some of the complex intermediates of the toluene degradation pathway. However, the mixed culture was able to transform 41.3% of the toluene carbon into methane.     

Biodegradation of mixtures of substituted benzenes by Pseudomonas sp. strain JS150.

Pseudomonas sp. strain JS150 was isolated as a nonencapsulated variant of Pseudomonas sp. strain JS1 that contains the genes for the degradative pathways of a wide range of substituted aromatic compounds. Pseudomonas sp. strain JS150 grew on phenol, ethylbenzene, toluene, benzene, naphthalene, benzoate, p-hydroxybenzoate, salicylate, chlorobenzene, and several 1,4-dihalogenated benzenes. We designed experiments to determine the conditions required for induction of the individual pathways and to determine whether multiple substrates could be biodegraded simultaneously. Oxygen consumption studies with whole cells and enzyme assays with cell extracts showed that the enzymes of the meta, ortho, and modified ortho cleavage pathways can be induced in strain JS150. Strain JS150 contains a nonspecific toluene dioxygenase with a substrate range similar to that found in strains of Pseudomonas putida. The presence of the dioxygenase along with multiple pathways for metabolism of substituted catechols allows facile extension of the growth range by spontaneous mutation and degradation of mixtures of substituted benzenes and phenols. Chlorobenzene-grown cells of strain JS150 degraded mixtures of chlorobenzene, benzene, toluene, naphthalene, trichloroethylene, and 1,2- and 1,4-dichlorobenzenes in continuous culture. Under similar conditions, phenol-grown cells degraded a mixture of phenol, 2-chloro-, 3-chloro, and 2,5-dichlorophenol and 2-methyl- and 3-methylphenol. These results indicate that induction of appropriate biodegradative pathways in strain JS150 permits the biodegradation of complex mixtures of aromatic compounds.     

Biodegradation of mixtures of substituted benzenes by Pseudomonas sp. strain JS150.

Pseudomonas sp. strain JS150 was isolated as a nonencapsulated variant of Pseudomonas sp. strain JS1 that contains the genes for the degradative pathways of a wide range of substituted aromatic compounds. Pseudomonas sp. strain JS150 grew on phenol, ethylbenzene, toluene, benzene, naphthalene, benzoate, p-hydroxybenzoate, salicylate, chlorobenzene, and several 1,4-dihalogenated benzenes. We designed experiments to determine the conditions required for induction of the individual pathways and to determine whether multiple substrates could be biodegraded simultaneously. Oxygen consumption studies with whole cells and enzyme assays with cell extracts showed that the enzymes of the meta, ortho, and modified ortho cleavage pathways can be induced in strain JS150. Strain JS150 contains a nonspecific toluene dioxygenase with a substrate range similar to that found in strains of Pseudomonas putida. The presence of the dioxygenase along with multiple pathways for metabolism of substituted catechols allows facile extension of the growth range by spontaneous mutation and degradation of mixtures of substituted benzenes and phenols. Chlorobenzene-grown cells of strain JS150 degraded mixtures of chlorobenzene, benzene, toluene, naphthalene, trichloroethylene, and 1,2- and 1,4-dichlorobenzenes in continuous culture. Under similar conditions, phenol-grown cells degraded a mixture of phenol, 2-chloro-, 3-chloro, and 2,5-dichlorophenol and 2-methyl- and 3-methylphenol. These results indicate that induction of appropriate biodegradative pathways in strain JS150 permits the biodegradation of complex mixtures of aromatic compounds.     

Toluene degradation by Pseudomonas putida F1. Nucleotide sequence of the todC1C2BADE genes and their expression in Escherichia coli

The nucleotide sequence of the todC1C2BADE genes which encode the first three enzymes in the catabolism of toluene by Pseudomonas putida F1 was determined. The genes encode the three components of the toluene dioxygenase enzyme system: reductaseTOL (todA), ferredoxinTOL (todB), and the two subunits of the terminal dioxygenase (todC1C2); (+)-cis-(1S, 2R)-dihydroxy-3-methylcyclohexa-3,5-diene dehydrogenase (todD); and 3-methylcatechol 2,3-dioxygenase (todE). Knowledge of the nucleotide sequence of the tod genes was used to construct clones of Escherichia coli JM109 that overproduce toluene dioxygenase (JM109(pDT-601]; toluene dioxygenase and (+)-cis-(1S, 2R)-dihydroxy-3-methylcyclohexa-3,5-diene dehydrogenase (JM109(pDTG602]; and toluene dioxygenase, (+)-cis-(1S, 2R)-dihydroxy-3-methylcyclohexa-3,5-diene dehydrogenase, and 3-methylcatechol 2,3-dioxygenase (JM109(pDTG603]. The overexpression of the tod-C1C2BADE gene products was detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The three E. coli JM109 strains harboring the plasmids pDTG601, pDTG602, and pDTG603, after induction with isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside, oxidized toluene to (+)-cis-(1S, 2R)-dihydroxy-3-methylcyclohexa-3,5-diene, 3-methylcatechol, and 2-hydroxy-6-oxo-2,4-heptadienoate, respectively. The tod-C1C2BAD genes show significant homology to the reported nucleotide sequence for benzene dioxygenase and cis-1,2-dihydroxycyclohexa-3,5-diene dehydrogenase from P. putida 136R-3 (Irie, S., Doi, S., Yorifuji, T., Takagi, M., and Yano, K. (1987) J. Bacteriol. 169, 5174-5179). In addition, significant homology was observed between the nucleotide sequences for the todDE genes and the sequences reported for cis-1,2-dihydroxy-6-phenylcyclohexa-3,5-diene dehydrogenase and 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl-1,2-dioxygenase from Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes KF707 (Furukawa, K., Arimura, N., and Miyazaki, T. (1987) J. Bacteriol. 169, 427-429).     

Subtle Difference between Benzene and Toluene Dioxygenases of Pseudomonas putida

Benzene dioxygenase and toluene dioxygenase from Pseudomonas putida have similar catalytic properties, structures, and gene organizations, but they differ in substrate specificity, with toluene dioxygenase having higher activity toward alkylbenzenes. The catalytic iron-sulfur proteins of these enzymes consist of two dissimilar subunits, α and β; the α subunit contains a [2Fe-2S] cluster involved in electron transfer, the catalytic nonheme iron center, and is also responsible for substrate specificity. The amino acid sequences of the α subunits of benzene and toluene dioxygenases differ at only 33 of 450 amino acids. Chimeric proteins and mutants of the benzene dioxygenase α subunit were constructed to determine which of these residues were primarily responsible for the change in specificity. The protein containing toluene dioxygenase C-terminal region residues 281 to 363 showed greater substrate preference for alkyl benzenes. In addition, we identified four amino acid substitutions in this region, I301V, T305S, I307L, and L309V, that particularly enhanced the preference for ethylbenzene. The positions of these amino acids in the α subunit structure were modeled by comparison with the crystal structure of naphthalene dioxygenase. They were not in the substrate-binding pocket but were adjacent to residues that lined the channel through which substrates were predicted to enter the active site. However, the quadruple mutant also showed a high uncoupled rate of electron transfer without product formation. Finally, the modified proteins showed altered patterns of products formed from toluene and ethylbenzene, including monohydroxylated side chains. We propose that these properties can be explained by a more facile diffusion of the substrate in and out of the substrate cavity.     

Degradation of BTX by dissimilatory iron-reducing cultures

The ability of indigenous bacteria to anaerobically degrade monoaromatic hydrocarbons has received attention as a potential strategy to remediate polluted aquifers. Despite the fact that iron-reducing conditions are often dominating in contaminated sediment, most of the studies have focussed on degradation of this class of pollutants with other terminal acceptors. In this work, we enriched bacteria from an iron-reducing aquifer in which a plume of pollution has developed over several decades and we show that benzene, toluene, meta- and para-xylene (BTX) could be degraded by the enriched cultures containing intrinsic iron-reducing microorganisms. To our knowledge, this is the first time that para-xylene degradation by dissimilatory iron-reducing bacteria has been reported in sediment free enrichment cultures. BTX degradation rates in enrichment cultures progressively increased in time and were found in good agreement with theoretical values calculated assuming complete BTX oxidation with Fe(II) as final electron acceptor. In addition, using labelled ((13)C(1)) benzene and toluene we could unambiguously identify intermediates of their respective degradation pathways. We provide evidence for benzene degradation via phenol formation under iron-reducing conditions, whereas toluene and meta-xylene were transformed into the corresponding benzylsuccinates.