Compound-Specific Isotope Analysis as a Tool To Characterize Biodegradation of Ethylbenzene

This study applied one- and two-dimensional compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) for the elements carbon and hydrogen to assess different means of microbial ethylbenzene activation. Cultures incubated under nitrate-reducing conditions showed significant carbon and highly pronounced hydrogen iso...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental science & technology 2014-08, Vol.48 (16), p.9122-9132
Main Authors: Dorer, Conrad, Vogt, Carsten, Kleinsteuber, Sabine, Stams, Alfons J. M, Richnow, Hans-Hermann
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
anaerobic degradation
aromatic-hydrocarbons
aromatoleum-aromaticum
Azoarcus
Bacteria - metabolism
Benzene Derivatives - metabolism
benzylsuccinate synthase
Biodegradation
Biodegradation, Environmental
Carbon
Carbon Isotopes - analysis
denitrifying conditions
Deuterium - analysis
Fractionation
Hydrogen
initial reactions
intrinsic bioremediation
Isotopes
naphthalene dioxygenase
Nitrates - metabolism
Organic chemicals
sulfate-reducing conditions
toluene dioxygenase
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Summary:This study applied one- and two-dimensional compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) for the elements carbon and hydrogen to assess different means of microbial ethylbenzene activation. Cultures incubated under nitrate-reducing conditions showed significant carbon and highly pronounced hydrogen isotope fractionation of comparable magnitudes, leading to nearly identical slopes in dual-isotope plots. The results imply that Georgfuchsia toluolica G5G6 and an enrichment culture dominated by an Azoarcus species activate ethylbenzene by anaerobic hydroxylation catalyzed by ethylbenzene dehydrogenase, similar to Aromatoleum aromaticum EbN1. The isotope enrichment pattern in dual plots from two strictly anaerobic enrichment cultures differed considerably from those for benzylic hydroxylation, indicating an alternative anaerobic activation step, most likely fumarate addition. Large hydrogen fractionation was quantified using a recently developed Rayleigh-based approach considering hydrogen atoms at reactive sites. Data from nine investigated microbial cultures clearly suggest that two-dimensional CSIA in combination with the magnitude of hydrogen isotope fractionation is a valuable tool to distinguish ethylbenzene degradation and may be of practical use for monitoring natural or technological remediation processes at field sites.
ISSN:0013-936X
1520-5851
DOI:10.1021/es500282t