Biodegradation of phenanthrene in freshwater environments
Date Issued
March 1, 1980
Author(s)
Sherrill, Timothy W.
Advisor(s)
Gary S. Sayler
Additional Advisor(s)
R. W. Beck
T. C. Montie
W. O. Smith
Abstract
Phenanthrene, a low molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), was incubated with water samples from various reservoir systems in Tennessee to evaluate the potential for significant PAH degradation by the indigenous microbial populations. Biodegradation was measured by comparison of total PAH substrate recovery in degradation flasks relative to sterile control flasks. During 1977 field studies, the mean phenanthrene biodegradation was approximately 80% following a four-week incubation. Within a given habitat, 45% of the total variability in phenanthrene biodegradation was attributable to physical, chemical and microbiological site characteristics. PAH degradation was directly related to the historical environmental pollution of the sampling sites examined, the length of incubation time, temperature, and the molecular size of the PAH substrate.
A rapid Tenax-GC extraction technique was evaluated for use in conjunction with aqueous biodegradation assays for PAH. The method was quantitatively efficient and reproducible for phenanthrene. Aqueous sample volumes and varying concentrations of organic matter influenced the efficiency of PAH extraction. Phenanthrene recovery was decreased by soil extract but unaffected by spent bacteriological culture medium. PAH biodegradation assays, performed with reservoir samples, supported the laboratory evaluation. The study demonstrated the utility of the Tenax-GC extraction technique for analysis of phenanthrene in the measurement of biodegradation.
Degree
Master of Science
Major
Microbiology
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