Abstract
Microcosm studies were employed to determine the subsurface biodegradation rates of phenol, 2-chlorophenol (2-CP), 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP), and pentachlorophenol (PCP). Soil samples were taken from sites in Pennsylvania and Virginia from depths up to 31 m, and all samples contained significant microbial populations. Soil from both sites readily biodegraded all five compounds. Biodegradation rates increased as initial concentrations increased, and all biodegradation rates appeared to follow first-order kinetics with regard to the initial compound concentrations. Biodegradation rates for the five compounds followed the order: phenol = 2-CP > 2,4,6-TCP > 2,4-DCP. PCP was degraded more slowly than phenol or 2-CP, but similarly to 2,4,6-TCP and 2,4-DCP. Different soils exhibited different degradation rates, and the soil characteristics that may influence the rates are discussed. The data suggest that biological degradation is a significant attenuation mechanism for phenol and its chlorinated derivatives in subsurfaces saturated and unsaturated zones.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alexander, M.: 1985, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 18, 106.
Alexander, M. and Aleem, M. I. H.: 1961, Agric. Food Chem. 9, 44.
Baird, R. B., Kuo, C. L., Shapiro, J. S., and Yanko, W.A.: 1974, Arch. Environ. Contain. Toxicol. 6, 165.
Banerjee, S., Howard, P. H., Rosenberg, A. M., Dombrowski, A. E., Sikka, H., and Tullis, D. L.: 1984, Environ. Sci. Technol. 18, 416.
Borighem, G. and Vereecken, J.: 1978, Ecological Modeling, 4, 51.
Callahan, M. A., Slimak, M. W., Gabel, N. W., May, I. P., Fowler, C. F., Freed, J. R., Jennings, P., Durfee, R. L., Whitmore, F. C., Maestri, B., Mabey, W. R., Holt, B. R., and Gould, C.: 1979, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA-440/4-79-029b, 83-6.
Chu, J. P. and Kirsch, E. J.: 1972, Appl. Microbiol. 23, 1033.
Hickman, G. T. and Novak, J. T.: 1984, J. Water Poll. Control Fed. 56, 364.
Isaacson, P. J. and Frink, C. R.: 1984, Environ. Sci. Technol. 18, 43.
Knackmuss, H. J. and Hellwig, M.: 1978, Arch. Microbiol. 117, 1.
Landner, L., Lindstrom, K., Karlsson, M., Nordin, J., and Sorenson, L.: 1977, Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 18, 663.
Moore, J. W. and Ramamoorthy, S.: 1984, Organic Chemicals in Natural Waters, Springer-Verlag, New York.
Murthy, N. B. K., Kaufman, D. D., and Fries, G. F.: 1979, J. Environ. Sci. Health B-14, 1.
Novak, J. T., Goldsmith, C. D., Benoit, R. E., and O'Brien, J. H.: 1985, Water Sci. Tech. 17, 71.
Ogram, A. V., Jessup, R. E., On, L. T., and Rao, P. S. C.: 1985, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 49, 582.
Simkins, S. and Alexander, M.: 1984, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 47, 1229.
Sokol, W. and Howell, J. A.: 1981, Biotechnology and Bioengineering 23, 2039.
Tabak, H. H., Chambers, C. W., and Kabler, P. W.: 1964, J. Bacteriol. 87, 910.
Tabak, H. H., Quave, S. A., Mashni, C. I., and Barth, E.F.: 1981, J. Water Poll. Control Fed. 53, 1503.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: 1980, Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Phenol, EPA 440/5-80-066.
Valiknac, T. and Neufeld, R. D.: 1978, Proceedings, 33rd Purdue Industrial Waste Conference, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, Ann Arbor Science, Ann Arbor, Michigan, p. 540.
Visser, S. A., Lamontagne, G., Zoulalian, V., and Tesser, A.: 1977, Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 6, 455.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Author for all correspondence.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Smith, J.A., Novak, J.T. Biodegradation of chlorinated phenols in subsurface soils. Water Air Soil Pollut 33, 29–42 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00191375
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00191375