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Mineralization of polycyclic and N ‐heterocyclic aromatic compounds in hydrocarbon‐contaminated soils
Author(s) -
Grosser Robert J.,
Vestal J. Robie,
Warshawsky David
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
environmental toxicology and chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1552-8618
pISSN - 0730-7268
DOI - 10.1002/etc.5620140304
Subject(s) - phenanthrene , anthracene , pyrene , environmental chemistry , mineralization (soil science) , chemistry , polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon , aromatic hydrocarbon , soil water , hydrocarbon , organic chemistry , geology , soil science , nitrogen
The comparative mineralization of eight polycyclic aromatic compounds in five soils collected from an abandoned coal tar refinery in eastern Ohio was determined. The soils showed differences only in total extractable hydrocarbon content of the soil chemical characteristics measured. The compounds studied included five polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (phenanthrene, anthracene, pyrene, and carcinogenic benz[ a ]anthracene and benzo[ a ]pyrene) and three N ‐heterocyclic aromatics (9 H ‐carbazole, and carcinogenic 7 H ‐dibenzo[ c,g ]carbazole and dibenz[ a,j ]acridine). Mineralization was measured by serum bottle radiorespirometry. Only phenanthrene, anthracene, pyrene, benz[ a ]anthracene, and carbazole were mineralized in the soils after 64 d. Two of the soils with eight to 15 times the hexane‐extractable hydrocarbon content consistently showed more rapid initial rates and higher overall extents of mineralization compared to the other three soils. Overall extents of mineralization ranged from 38 to 55% for phenanthrene, 10 to 60% for anthracene, 25 to 70% for pyrene, background to 40% for benz[ a ]anthracene, and 25 to 50% for carbazole after 64 d. Extents of mineralization by indigenous soil microbiota appear to be more dependent on the chemical characteristics of the soil and not soil total biomass and activity. Cultures capable of degrading phenanthrene, anthracene, and pyrene were obtained following enrichment techniques. A Mycobacterium sp. capable of degrading these three compounds was isolated and reintroduced into two of the soils, resulting in mineralization enhanced above that of the indigenous soil microbial population. These data indicate that the future success of bioremediation methods relies on the characterization of environmental parameters affecting microbial degradation as well as the isolation of microbial populations that can reduce toxicity in the environment.