Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1021/es902491d
Title (Primary) Evaluation of the effects of low oxygen concentration on stable isotope fractionation during Aerobic MTBE biodegradation
Author Rosell, M.; Finsterbusch, S.; Jechalke, S.; Hübschmann, T.; Vogt, C.; Richnow, H.H.
Source Titel Environmental Science & Technology
Year 2010
Department ISOBIO; UMB
Volume 44
Issue 1
Page From 309
Page To 315
Language englisch
Abstract Laboratory experiments were performed with two aerobic MTBE degrading strains (Methylibium sp. PM1 and Aquincola tertiaricarbonaris L108) in order to determine whether conditions of low oxygen availability, typically found in fuel-contaminated aquifers, can influence stable isotope fractionation of MTBE. Although single carbon and hydrogen enrichment factors of the two strains were not significantly or were only slightly (L108) affected by low oxygen concentrations (fully oxic incubation with initial 21% O2 in the headspace tested versus hypoxic conditions always <2% O2), the experiments showed indirect effects caused by competition interactions in mixed cultures. In a mixed culture of PM1 and L108 under oxic and even more so under hypoxic conditions, the total observed carbon isotope enrichment factor was significantly reduced, while hydrogen fractionation was not detectable. This indicates that the low fractionating model strain L108 is more competitive in degrading MTBE compared to strain PM1. Consistently, higher oxygen affinities during MTBE degradation were observed for strain L108. These first studies, conducted with resting cells, may explain the low isotope fractionation observed in some field studies that are not necessarily related to a lack of biodegradation.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=10445
Rosell, M., Finsterbusch, S., Jechalke, S., Hübschmann, T., Vogt, C., Richnow, H.H. (2010):
Evaluation of the effects of low oxygen concentration on stable isotope fractionation during Aerobic MTBE biodegradation
Environ. Sci. Technol. 44 (1), 309 - 315 10.1021/es902491d