Sunday, July 29, 2007
P67

The effect of s-triazines and nitrobenzene on the degradation of toluene and naphthalene in solid phase systems

Samandra T. Demons and George E. Pierce. Biology, Georgia State University, 24 Peachtree Center Ave, Atlanta, GA 30303

While nitrogen is known to be a limiting factor in many environments contaminated with organic compounds, many studies overlook the potential role for nitrogen to significantly influence the removal rate and efficiency with which microorganisms can degrade these compounds. In this study, inoculated and uninoculated aerated soil microcosms containing different s-triazines (cyanuric acid, melamine, and atrazine), along with nitrobenzene, were examined for their ability to efficiently and rapidly treat contaminated soils containing toluene and naphthalene. This was carried out via a controlled microbial consortium consisting of Pseudomonas, Rhodococcus, and Aeromonas. Soil microcosms were maintained and monitored for aromatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon removal.  After 14 days, degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons within all soil boxes was observed.  Results showed that inoculated microcosms, using cyanuric acid and melamine as primary nitrogen sources, degraded compounds faster and more efficiently than inoculated boxes containing atrazine.  Inoculated boxes degraded compounds to lower levels than those that were not inoculated and resulted in less compound loss due to volatilization. Community analysis studies were performed on inoculated boxes by examining partial 16S rDNA sequences in order to give a description of the bacterial community, and determine the abundance and survival of inoculated strains within each condition.  Results from clone libraries constructed showed that inoculated strains did survive within each condition, but were not the most abundant members present in the communities.

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