Anaerobic Degradation of Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and o-Xylene in Sediment-Free Iron-Reducing Enrichment Cultures

• Published in: Applied and Environmental Microbiology 2005-06, Vol.71 (6), p.3355-3358
• Main Authors: Jahn, Michael K, Haderlein, Stefan B, Meckenstock, Rainer U
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: anaerobes; anaerobic conditions; Anaerobiosis; aromatic compounds; bacteria; Bacteria, Anaerobic - growth & development; Bacteria, Anaerobic - metabolism; benzene; Benzene - metabolism; Benzene Derivatives - metabolism; Biodegradation; Biodegradation of pollutants; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Cell culture; Culture Media; Environment and pollution; Environmental Microbiology; ethylbenzene; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; groundwater contamination; Hydrocarbons; Hydrocarbons, Aromatic - metabolism; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Iron; Iron - metabolism; oxidation; Oxidation-Reduction; reduction; Sediments; toluene; Toluene - metabolism; Water Pollutants, Chemical - metabolism; xylene; Xylenes - metabolism
• ISSN: 0099-2240; 1098-5336
• DOI: 10.1128/AEM.71.6.3355-3358.2005

Monoaromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) are widespread contaminants in groundwater. We examined the anaerobic degradation of BTEX compounds with amorphous ferric oxide as electron acceptor. Successful enrichment cultures were obtained for all BTEX substrates both in the presence and absence of AQDS (9,10-anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonic acid). The electron balances showed a complete anaerobic oxidation of the aromatic compounds to CO₂. This is the first report on the anaerobic degradation of o-xylene and ethylbenzene in sediment-free iron-reducing enrichment cultures.