Open AccessMicrobial degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls
Author(s) -
Shubnum Mustapha
Publication year - 2021
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Dissertations/theses
DOI - 10.51415/10321/136
Subject(s) - environmental chemistry , effluent , degradation (telecommunications) , pollutant , gas chromatography , chemistry , bioaccumulation , microbial biodegradation , biodegradation , microorganism , environmental science , contamination , chromatography , environmental engineering , bacteria , organic chemistry , biology , ecology , telecommunications , computer science , genetics
The aromatic compounds Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are one of the largest groups of environmental pollutants. The greatest concern is the release of PCBs in the water systems by industrial effluent, accidental spillages or leaks. PCBs are able to bioaccumulate in the fatty tissues of animals, fish and humans. The impact on human health due to PCBs has prompted interest in their degradation. The application of microbial degradation of PCBs can transform many PCB metabolites. There are a wide variety of microorganisms that can degrade PCBs or utilise them as sole carbon sources. This study focused on isolating microrganisms from industrial wastewater capable of aerobic degradation of PCBs. The degradation potential of the selected isolates were investigated by using different analytical techniques viz. ultra violet or visible spectrophotometer (UV/Vis), thin layer chromatography (TLC) and gas chromatography electron capture detector (GC-ECD).