Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1021/es980927n
Title (Primary) Formation of nonextractable soil residues: A stable isotope approach
Author Richnow, H.H.; Eschenbach, A.; Mahro, B.; Kästner, M.; Annweiler, E.; Seifert, R.; Michaelis, W.
Source Titel Environmental Science & Technology
Year 1999
Department ISOBIO; UBT
Volume 33
Page From 3761
Page To 3767
Language englisch
Abstract Stable carbon isotopic measurements were employed to characterize the transformation of a 13C-labeled polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), anthracene, in a closed soil bioreactor system. The 13C-label was used to calculate a carbon mass balance including mineralization and the formation of nonextractable soil-bound residues. Similar results were obtained from 13C-labeled carbon and 14C-labeled carbon mass balance calculations for separate batch experiments with labeled anthracene. In concentration ranges typical for real PAH-contaminated sites, the sensitivity of the 13C tracer method meets the requirements of classical radiotracer experiments. Therefore, our balancing method based on stable isotope-labeled chemicals may supplement or substitute radiotracer experiments under many circumstances. One major advantage of using stable isotope-labeled tracers is the possible application in transformation studies where the use of radioactive substances is of environmental concern. The transformation of 13C-labeled PAH into nonextractable residues clearly depends on the metabolic activity of the soil microflora and occurs during an early phase of biodegradation. Successive contamination of the soil by anthracene leads to a progressive adaptation of the microflora to a complete mineralization of anthracene in the soil. The extent of residue formation is controlled by the capability of the microflora to degrade the contaminant. Results of long-term experiments indicate that nonextractable residues are relatively stable over time.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=8314
Richnow, H.H., Eschenbach, A., Mahro, B., Kästner, M., Annweiler, E., Seifert, R., Michaelis, W. (1999):
Formation of nonextractable soil residues: A stable isotope approach
Environ. Sci. Technol. 33 , 3761 - 3767 10.1021/es980927n