Open AccessMicrobial degradation of phenanthrene in two European cathedrals
Author(s) -
OrtegaCalvo J.J,
SaizJimenez C
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
fems microbiology ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.377
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1574-6941
pISSN - 0168-6496
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6941.1997.tb00360.x
Subject(s) - phenanthrene , biology , pollutant , degradation (telecommunications) , isolation (microbiology) , bacteria , environmental chemistry , carbon source , ecology , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , chemistry , astrobiology , telecommunications , genetics , computer science
The presence of phenanthrene‐degrading micro‐organisms in building stones of two European cathedrals (Seville, Spain, and Mechelen, Belgium) was demonstrated by conversion to 14 CO 2 of [9‐ 14 C]phenanthrene freshly added to the stones and by the isolation of bacteria capable of using phenanthrene as sole source of carbon and energy. We suggest that micro‐organisms present in building stones are able to transform deposited atmospheric pollutants and to use them for growth.