Biodegradation of c5+ hydrocarbons by a mixed bacterial consortium from a c5+-contaminated site

• Published in: Environmental technology Vol. 25; no. 3; pp. 355 - 363
• Main Authors: Greene, E. A., Voordouw, G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Taylor & Francis Group 01.03.2004; Selper
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Bacteria; biodegradation; BTX; Decontamination. Miscellaneous; degradation rates; Exact sciences and technology; Hydrocarbon; microbial community; Pollution; Soil and sediments pollution; Biodegradation; Hydrocarbon; Pollutant behavior; Toluene; Production; Prediction; Xylene; Aromatic compound; Soil pollution; Organic compounds
• ISSN: 0959-3330; 1479-487X
• DOI: 10.1080/09593330409355469

C5+, a mixture of benzene, toluene, xylene, styrene, dicyclopentadiene (DCPD), naphthalene and other compounds, is a byproduct of polyethylene production and has been introduced into the environment via accidental release. The degradation of C5+ was studied using a defined consortium of 11 distinct bacterial strains isolated from C5+-contaminated soil. Vigorous growth of individual strains on C5+ was no prediction of dominance in the consortium, when the latter was grown under the same conditions. The defined consortium was able to degrade benzene, toluene, styrene and naphthalene, and to codegrade m-xylene in the presence of toluene or naphthalene. It was unable to degrade DCPD, which was inhibitory when degradation of pairs of C5+ components was examined. The complete C5+ mixture appeared to be the best substrate for the consortium.