Biological degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid: chloride mass balance in stirred tank reactors.

A mass balance was developed for the degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid by a mixed culture. Batch culture experiments showed the degradation to be an acid-producing step. Inorganic chloride concentration consistently correlated with the expected value and with base consumption to maintain a constant pH.