The influence of creosote compounds on the aerobic degradation of toluene

The inhibiting effect of 14 typical creosote compounds on the aerobic degradation of toluene was studied in batch experiments. Four NSO-compounds (pyrrole, 1-methylpyrrole, thiophene, and benzofuran) strongly inhibited the degradation of toluene. When the NSO-compounds were present together with toluene, little or no degradation of toluene was observed during 16 days of incubation, compared with a total removal of toluene within 4 days when the four compounds were absent. Indole (an N-compound) and three phenolic compounds (phenol, o-cresol, and 2,4-dimethylphenol) also inhibited the degradation of toluene, though the effect was much weaker that of the four NSO-compounds. O-xylene, p-xylene, naphthalene and 1-methylnaphthalene seemed to stimulate the degradation even though the influence was very weak. No effects of benzothiophene (an S-compound) and quinoline (an N-compound) were observed. Benzofuran (an O-compound) was identified as the compound that most inhibited the degradation of toluene. An effect could be detected even at low concentrations (40 g/l).Abbreviations bf benzofuran - bt benzothiophene - dmp 2,4-dimethylphenol - GC gas chromatograph - ind indole - mnap 1-methylnaphthalene - MAH monoaromatic hydrocarbons - mpyr 1-methylpyrrole - nap naphthalene - o-cre o-cresol - o-xyl o-xylene - phe phenol - pyr pyrrole - p-xyl p-xylene - tol toluene - thi thiophene - qui quinoline     

Effects of creosote compounds on the aerobic bio-degradation of benzene

The inhibitory effect of creosote compounds on the aerobic degradation of benzene was studied in microcosm experiments. A total removal of benzene was observed after twelve days of incubation in microcosms where no inhibition was observed. Thiophene and benzothiophene, two heterocyclic aromatic compounds containing sulfur (S-compounds), had a significant inhibitory effect on the degradation of benzene, but also an inhibitory effect of benzofuran (an O-compound) and 1-methylpyrrole (a N-compound) could be observed, although the effect was weaker. The NSO-compounds also had an inhibitory effect on the degradation of p-xylene, o-xylene, and naphthalene, while they only had a weak influence on the degradation of 1-methylnaphthalene, o-cresol and 2,4-dimethylphenol. The phenolic compounds seemed to have a weak stimulating effect on the degradation of benzene whereas the monoaromatic hydrocarbons and the naphthalenes had no significant influence on the benzene degradation. The inhibitory effect of the NSO-compounds on the aerobic degradation of benzene could be identified as three different phenomena. The lag phase increased, the degradation rate decreased, and a residual concentration of benzene was observed in microcosms when NSO-compounds were present. The results show that NSO-compounds can have a potential inhibitory effect on the degradation of many creosote compounds, and that inhibitory effects in mixtures can be important for the degradation of different compounds.Abbreviations ben benzene - bf benzofuran - bt benzothiophene - dmp 2,4-dimethylphenol - GC gas chromatograph - ind indole - mnap 1-methylnaphthalene - MAHs monoaromatic hydrocarbons - mp 1-methylpyrrole - nap naphthalene - NSO-compounds heterocyclic aromatic compounds containing nitrogen, sulphur or oxygen - o-cre o-cresol - o-xyl o-xylene - PAHs polyaromatic hydrocarbons - phe phenol - p-xyl p-xylene - pyr pyrrole - thi thiophene - qui quinoline     

Effects of creosote compounds on the aerobic bio-degradation of benzene

The inhibitory effect of creosote compounds on the aerobic degradation of benzene was studied in microcosm experiments. A total removal of benzene was observed after twelve days of incubation in microcosms where no inhibition was observed. Thiophene and benzothiophene, two heterocyclic aromatic compounds containing sulfur (S-compounds), had a significant inhibitory effect on the degradation of benzene, but also an inhibitory effect of benzofuran (an O-compound) and 1-methylpyrrole (a N-compound) could be observed, although the effect was weaker. The NSO-compounds also had an inhibitory effect on the degradation of p-xylene, o-xylene, and naphthalene, while they only had a weak influence on the degradation of 1-methylnaphthalene, o-cresol and 2,4-dimethylphenol. The phenolic compounds seemed to have a weak stimulating effect on the degradation of benzene whereas the monoaromatic hydrocarbons and the naphthalenes had no significant influence on the benzene degradation. The inhibitory effect of the NSO-compounds on the aerobic degradation of benzene could be identified as three different phenomena. The lag phase increased, the degradation rate decreased, and a residual concentration of benzene was observed in microcosms when NSO-compounds were present. The results show that NSO-compounds can have a potential inhibitory effect on the degradation of many creosote compounds, and that inhibitory effects in mixtures can be important for the degradation of different compounds.     

Bacterial aerobic degradation of benzene,toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene

Several aerobic metabolic pathways for the degradation of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX), which are provided by two enzymic systems (dioxygenases and monooxygenases), have been identified. The monooxygenase attacks methyl or ethyl substituents of the aromatic ring, which are subsequently transformed by several oxidations to corresponding substituted pyrocatechols or phenylglyoxal, respectively. Alternatively, one oxygen atom may be first incorporated into aromatic ring while the second atom of the oxygen molecule is used for oxidation of either aromatic ring or a methyl group to corresponding pyrocatechols or protocatechuic acid, respectively. The dioxygenase attacks aromatic ring with the formation of 2-hydroxy-substituted compounds. Intermediates of the “upper” pathway are then mineralized by eitherortho-ormeta-ring cleavage (“lower” pathway). BTEX are relatively water-soluble and there-fore they are often mineralized by indigenous microflora. Therefore, natural attenuation may be considered as a suitable way for the clean-up of BTEX contaminants from gasoline-contaminated soil and groundwater.     

Microbial degradation of toluene under sulfate-reducing conditions and the influence of iron on the process.

Toluene degradation occurred concomitantly with sulfate reduction in anaerobic microcosms inoculated with contaminated subsurface soil from an aviation fuel storage facility near the Patuxent River (Md.). Similar results were obtained for enrichment cultures in which toluene was the sole carbon source. Several lines of evidence suggest that toluene degradation was directly coupled to sulfate reduction in Patuxent River microcosms and enrichment cultures: (i) the two processes were synchronous and highly correlated, (ii) the observed stoichiometric ratios of moles of sulfate consumed per mole of toluene consumed were consistent with the theoretical ratio for the oxidation of toluene to CO2 coupled with the reduction of sulfate to hydrogen sulfide, and (iii) toluene degradation ceased when sulfate was depleted, and conversely, sulfate reduction ceased when toluene was depleted. Mineralization of toluene was confirmed in experiments with [ring-U-14C]toluene. The addition of millimolar concentrations of amorphous Fe(OH)3 to Patuxent River microcosms and enrichment cultures either greatly facilitated the onset of toluene degradation or accelerated the rate once degradation had begun. In iron-amended microcosms and enrichment cultures, ferric iron reduction proceeded concurrently with toluene degradation and sulfate reduction. Stoichiometric data and other observations indicate that ferric iron reduction was not directly coupled to toluene oxidation but was a secondary, presumably abiotic, reaction between ferric iron and biogenic hydrogen sulfide.     

Microbial degradation of toluene under sulfate-reducing conditions and the influence of iron on the process.

Toluene degradation occurred concomitantly with sulfate reduction in anaerobic microcosms inoculated with contaminated subsurface soil from an aviation fuel storage facility near the Patuxent River (Md.). Similar results were obtained for enrichment cultures in which toluene was the sole carbon source. Several lines of evidence suggest that toluene degradation was directly coupled to sulfate reduction in Patuxent River microcosms and enrichment cultures: (i) the two processes were synchronous and highly correlated, (ii) the observed stoichiometric ratios of moles of sulfate consumed per mole of toluene consumed were consistent with the theoretical ratio for the oxidation of toluene to CO2 coupled with the reduction of sulfate to hydrogen sulfide, and (iii) toluene degradation ceased when sulfate was depleted, and conversely, sulfate reduction ceased when toluene was depleted. Mineralization of toluene was confirmed in experiments with [ring-U-14C]toluene. The addition of millimolar concentrations of amorphous Fe(OH)3 to Patuxent River microcosms and enrichment cultures either greatly facilitated the onset of toluene degradation or accelerated the rate once degradation had begun. In iron-amended microcosms and enrichment cultures, ferric iron reduction proceeded concurrently with toluene degradation and sulfate reduction. Stoichiometric data and other observations indicate that ferric iron reduction was not directly coupled to toluene oxidation but was a secondary, presumably abiotic, reaction between ferric iron and biogenic hydrogen sulfide.     

The direct role of aerobic heterotrophic bacteria associated with cyanobacteria in the degradation of oil compounds

This study aimed at evaluating the role of cyanobacteria and their associated aerobic heterotrophic bacteria in biodegradation of petroleum compounds. We investigated the potential of ten non-axenic typical mat-forming cyanobacterial strains to degrade phenanthrene, pristane, n-octadecane, and dibenzothiophene. Five strains (Aphanothece halophyletica, Dactyolococcopsis salina, Halothece strain EPUS, Oscillatoria strain OSC, and Synechocystis strain UNIGA) were able to degrade n-alkanes. In case of the other five strains (Microcoleus chthonoplastes, Oscillatoria sp. MPI 95 OS 01, Halothece strain EPUG, Halomicronema exentricum, and Phormidium strain UNITF) alkanes were not significantly affected. Moderate changes in the concentration of the aromatic compounds were observed for three isolates only. In follow-up experiments with Oscillatoria strain OSC, we demonstrated that the cyanobacteria-associated aerobic heterotrophic bacteria were responsible for the observed biodegradation. The cyanobacteria themselves apparently do not degrade petroleum compounds, but more likely play a significant, indirect role in biodegradation by supporting the growth and activity of the actual degraders.     

Modelling the aerobic degradation of toluene in a closed chemostat with and without a head space outlet

The microbial aerobic decontamination of waste waters contaminated with highly volatile pollutants was experimentally investigated in a closed chemostat in [1]. The experiments, using a previously isolated Pseudomonas strain, were carried out with synthetic waste water containing toluene and saturated with either nitrogen or oxygen. A model for the interpretation of the experimentally determined process behaviour has been derived in this study. A comparison of the process curves obtained by simulation (numerical solutions of the model equations) with the experimentally determined results confirmed the model concepts. The model analysis supplied equations describing the process in a steady state as a function of the technical process parameters. These equations were used to draw conclusions for the practical operation of waste-water purification processes in closed chemostats.     

Microbial consortia for the aerobic degradation of aromatic compounds in olive oil mill effluent

Aerobic consortia that grow on olive oil mill effluent (OOME) were obtained by enrichment. Several cultures were capable of metabolizing monoaromatic compounds, supplied as the sole carbon source at 2 g L^–1. Some consortia degraded mixtures of seven aromatics (4 g L^–1) after 1 week of incubation at 32°C. The consortia were also active against monoaromatics of the undiluted OOME. This reduced the inhibitory effect of phenolic compounds prior to the anaerobic digestion of OOME at batch scale. No inhibition of the anaerobic microbial populations was noticed with treated OOME. From the most active consortium, nine different bacterial strains were isolated and shown to grow on simple aromatic compounds. Removal of 50% of the initial chemical oxygen demand and degradation of almost all of the simple aromatics in undiluted OOME was obtained with reconstituted bacterial mixtures. A slight reduction in colouration was due to adsorption of coloured compounds to bacterial cells. Presumably, the consortia could not reduce and degrade the coloured compounds in OOME.     

Effect of carbon starvation on toluene degradation activity by toluene monooxygenase-expressing bacteria

Subsurface bacteria commonly exist in a starvation state with only periodic exposure to utilizable sources of carbon and energy. In this study, the effect of carbon starvation on aerobic toluene degradation was quantitatively evaluated with a selection of bacteria representing all the known toluene oxygenase enzyme pathways. For all the investigated strains, the rate of toluene biodegradation decreased exponentially with starvation time. First-order deactivation rate constants for TMO-expressing bacteria were approximately an order of magnitude greater than those for other oxygenase-expressing bacteria. When growth conditions (the type of growth substrate and the type and concentration of toluene oxygenase inducer) were varied in the cultures prior to the deactivation experiments, the rate of deactivation was not significantly affected, suggesting that the rate of deactivation is independent of previous substrate/inducer conditions. Because TMO-expressing bacteria are known to efficiently detoxify TCE in subsurface environments, these findings have significant implications for in situ TCE bioremediation, specifically for environments experiencing variable growth-substrate exposure conditions.     

The influence of short-term starvation on aerobic granules

Evidence shows that almost all aerobic granules can only be cultivated in sequencing batch reactor (SBR). Compared to continuous process, the unique feature of SBR is its cycle operation, which results in a periodical starvation in the reactor. So far, the effect of such a periodical starvation on aerobic granulation process remains unknown. Thus, this study investigated the responses of aerobic granules to the respective carbon-, nitrogen-, phosphorus-, potassium-starvation and also their collective effects in terms of cell surface hydrophobicity, surface zeta potential, extracelluar polysaccharides content, specific oxygen utilization rate and biomass growth. Results showed that short-term C-, N-, P- and K- starvations would pose negative effects on aerobic granules, e.g. reduce EPS content, inhibit microbial activity, weaken structural integrity and worsen settleability of aerobic granules. This study likely provides primary evidence that the substrate and nutrients starvation would not contribute to the stability of aerobic granules in a significant way.     

Anaerobic degradation of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene compounds by Dechloromonas strain RCB

Dechloromonas strain RCB has been shown to be capable of anaerobic degradation of benzene coupled to nitrate reduction. As a continuation of these studies, the metabolic versatility and hydrocarbon biodegradative capability of this organism were investigated. The results of these revealed that in addition to nitrate, strain RCB could alternatively degrade benzene both aerobically and anaerobically with perchlorate or chlorate [(per)chlorate] as a suitable electron acceptor. Furthermore, with nitrate as the electron acceptor, strain RCB could also utilize toluene, ethylbenzene, and all three isomers of xylene (ortho-, meta-, and para-) as electron donors. While toluene and ethylbenzene were completely mineralized to CO2, strain RCB did not completely mineralize para-xylene but rather transformed it to some as-yet-unidentified metabolite. Interestingly, with nitrate as the electron acceptor, strain RCB degraded benzene and toluene concurrently when the hydrocarbons were added as a mixture and almost 92 microM total hydrocarbons were oxidized within 15 days. The results of these studies emphasize the unique metabolic versatility of this organism, highlighting its potential applicability to bioremediative technologies.     

One-electron oxidation in the degradation of creosote polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by Phanerochaete chrysosporium.

The abilities of whole cultures of Phanerochaete chrysosporium and P. chrysosporium manganese peroxidase-mediated lipid peroxidation reactions to degrade the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) found in creosote were studied. The disappearance of 12 three- to six-ring PAHs occurred in both systems. Both in vivo and in vitro, the disappearance of all PAHs was found to be very strongly correlated with ionization potential. This was true even for compounds beyond the ionization potential thresholds of lignin peroxidase and Mn3+. Deviations from this correlation were seen in the cases of PAHs which are susceptible to radical addition reactions. These results thus begin to clarify the mechanisms of non-lignin peroxidase-labile PAH degradation in the manganese peroxidase-lipid peroxidation system and provide further evidence for the ability of this system to explain the in vivo oxidation of these compounds.     

The influence of composting on the fertilizing value of an aerobic sewage sludge

The influence of composting on the fertilizing value of an aerobic sewage sludge and its action on ryegrass was studied. Soil P and K contents, cation-exchange capacity (CEC) and CEC/total organic carbon incresed with composting, while the percentage of phytotoxic substances diminished. The compost provided useful quantities of organic matter and macronutrients. The addition of uncomposted waste to the soil initially had a depressive effect on yield which disappeared after a period of incubation of this material in the soil, whereas the application of a mature compost produced yields superior to those in the control treatment.     

The influence of humic substances on the aerobic decomposition of submerged leaf litter

Leaf material was incubated in flasks containing streamwater in which the pH and the concentration of isolated fulvic acid were varied independently of one another. Decomposition of the leaf material was slower at pH 4 than at pH 5 or 7, but the concentration of fulvic acid had no effect when the pH was held constant. At pH 5, 20 mg Cl^–1 humic acid also had no effect on decomposition. High concentrations of dissolved fulvic acids may contribute to the slow decomposition of plant litter characteristic of many wetlands through their contribution to hydrogen ion activity, but we could find no evidence for other properties of fulvic acid which inhibit leaf litter decomposition.     

The effect of thyroxine and related compounds on the aerobic myeloperoxidase--catalysed oxidation of NADH

Thyroxine concentrations as low as 1 microM significantly stimulate compound III formation during aerobic oxidation of NADH by highly purified myeloperoxidase. This increased compound III formation is paralleled by an increased oxidation of NADH. Stimulation of various thyronine and tyrosine analogues was in the order T4 greater than T3 greater than 3,5-T2 (or triiodothyropropionic acid). Thyronine and diiodotyrosine had no significant effect. From the potencies of the various thyronines to stimulate compound III formation, the following structural features seem necessary: (1) Substitution of thyronine with four iodine atoms. (2) An amino group on the alanine side chain. (3) Both aromatic rings of thyronine.