Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1897/04-321R.1
Document Shareable Link
Title (Primary) Isotopic fractionation indicates anaerobic monochlorobenzene biodegradation
Author Kaschl, A.; Vogt, C.; Uhlig, S.; Nijenhuis, I.; Weiß, H. ORCID logo ; Kästner, M.; Richnow, H.H.
Source Titel Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Year 2005
Department ISOBIO; UBT; GWS
Volume 24
Issue 6
Page From 1315
Page To 1324
Language englisch
Keywords Anaerobic aquifer; Microbial degradation; Chlorobenzenes; Stable carbon isotope analysis; Natural attenuation
Abstract The concentration and isotopic composition of monochlorobenzene (MCB) was monitored in the plume of an anaerobic, contaminated aquifer in Bitterfeld, Germany. An enrichment in the carbon isotopic composition of more than 4 δ units was found at the fringes of the plume relative to the center (-26.5 ‰), suggesting the occurrence of in situ biodegradation of MCB. A similar enrichment was measured in a detailed cross-section of the plume and in depth-specific samples obtained in a multilevel sampling well. The latter samples gave a good correlation of MCB concentrations and respective isotopic composition according to the Rayleigh equation. On the other hand, batch experiments using the aerobic MCB-degrading strains Ralstonia sp. DSM 8910, Acidovorax facilis UFZ B517, Rhodococcus erythropolis UFZ B528, and Pseudomonas veronii UFZ B547 showed that the known aerobic pathway initiated by dioxygenases does not result in a significant isotopic fractionation. Thus, a novel anaerobic pathway resulting in an isotopic fractionation appears to be the predominant process of MCB degradation in this aquifer. The study also clearly demonstrates the usefulness of isotopic fractionation analysis to prove biodegradation directly in the field, even when microcosm studies are not available and a metabolic pathway has not yet been elucidated.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=3498
Kaschl, A., Vogt, C., Uhlig, S., Nijenhuis, I., Weiß, H., Kästner, M., Richnow, H.H. (2005):
Isotopic fractionation indicates anaerobic monochlorobenzene biodegradation
Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 24 (6), 1315 - 1324 10.1897/04-321R.1