| Abstract: | Abstract The effect of the pollution of an industrial land site with chlorinated benzenes, chlorinated phenols, hexachlorocyclohexane-isomers (HCH) on the soil microflora was investigated. Cell counts (microscopic and by plate count) as well as respiration rated did not correlate negatively with the concentration of the contaminants. Soil microorganisms grew in the presence of up to 750 μmol 1−1 pf chlorinated compounds in liquid culture. Only 150 μmol l−1 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (2,4,5-TCP) inhibited growth totally. In enrichment cultures, bacteria used α- and γ-HCH, 3-chlorophenol (3-CP), 2,3-dichlorophenol (2,3-DCP), 2,6-DCP, 2,4,5-TCP, and 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene (1,2,4,5-TeCB) as a sole source of carbon and energy under aerobic conditions. No growth was observed with β-HCH. Under anaerobic conditions no growth was observed with any of the substances tested |
