Summary
Several strains that utilize aromatic solvents were isolated and tested for their ability to degrade chlorinated and non-chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons. The effect of inoculation with pure bacterial cultures on the degradation of benzene, toluene, o-, m- and p-xylene, chlorobenzene o-dichlorobenzene and 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene in soil slurries was studied. The compounds for which organisms were added were rapidly degraded. Without inoculation, however, degradation of benzene, toluene, m- and p-xylene and chlorobenzene was slow, while o-xylene and o-dichlorobenzene were only slightly degraded. The results showed that degradation was due to growth of the inoculated cells using the aromatic compounds as sources of carbon and energy. Addition of activated sludge did not stimulate degradation. The degradation rate of aromatic solvents by the added bacteria in soil slurries was similar or higher than that observed in liquid cultures of the same organisms.
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Oldenhuis, R., Kuijk, L., Lammers, A. et al. Degradation of chlorinated and non-chlorinated aromatic solvents in soil suspensions by pure bacterial cultures. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 30, 211–217 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00264013
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00264013