Trichloroacetic acid in Norway spruce/soil-system I. Biodegradation in soil

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) Vol. 50; no. 3; pp. 303 - 309
• Main Authors: Matucha, M, Forczek, S.T, Gryndler, M, Uhlı́řová, H, Fuksová, K, Schröder, P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 2003; Elsevier
• Subjects: 14C-labeling; Biodegradation of pollutants; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Dichloroacetic acid; Environment and pollution; Forest soil; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Microbial degradation; Picea - metabolism; Picea abies; Radio-indicator methods; Scintillation Counting; Soil; TCA uptake; Trichloroacetic acid; Trichloroacetic Acid - metabolism; Trichloroacetic acid; Dichloroacetic acid; 14C-labeling; Microbial degradation; Forest soil; Radio-indicator methods; TCA uptake; Biodegradation; Microbial activity; Isotope labelling; Softwood forest tree; Gymnospermae; Coniferales; Spermatophyta; Picea abies
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/S0045-6535(02)00638-0

Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) as a phytotoxic substance affects health status of coniferous trees. It is known as a secondary air pollutant (formed by photooxidation of tetrachloroethene and 1,1,1-trichloroethane) and as a product of chlorination of humic substances in soil. Its break-down in soil, however, influences considerably the TCA level, i.e. the extent of TCA uptake by spruce roots. In connection with our investigations of TCA effects on Norway spruce, microbial processes in soil were studied using 14C-labeling. It was shown that TCA degradation in soil is a fast process depending on TCA concentration, soil properties, humidity and temperature. As a result, the TCA level in soil is determined by a steady state between uptake from the atmosphere, formation in soil, leaching and degradation. The process of TCA degradation in soil thus participates significantly in the chlorine cycle in forest ecosystems.