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Test of aerobic TCE degradation by willows (Salix viminalis) and willows inoculated with TCE-cometabolizing strains of Burkholderia cepacia

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Abstract

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a widespread soil and groundwater pollutant and clean-up is often problematic and expensive. Phytoremediation may be a cost-effective solution at some sites. This study investigates TCE degradation by willows (S. viminalis) and willows inoculated with three strains of B. cepacia (301C, PR1-31 and VM1330-pTOM), using chloride formation as an indicator of dehalogenation. Willows were grown in non-sterile, hydroponic conditions for 3 weeks in chloride-free nutrient solution spiked with TCE. TCE was added weekly due to rapid loss by volatilization. Chloride and TCE in solution were measured every 2–3 days and chloride and metabolite concentrations in plants were measured at test termination. Based on transpiration, no tree toxicity of TCE exposure was observed. However, trees grown in chloride-free solution showed severely inhibited transpiration. No or very little chloride was formed during the test, and levels of chloride in TCE-exposed trees were not elevated. Chloride concentrations in chloride containing TCE-free nutrient solution doubled within 23 days, indicating active exclusion of chloride by root cell membranes. Only traces of TCE-metabolites were detected in plant tissue. We conclude that TCE is not, or to a limited extent (less than 3%), aerobically degraded by the willow trees. The three strains of B. cepacia did not enhance TCE mineralization. Future successful application of rhizo- and phytodegradation of TCE requires measures to be taken to improve the degradation rates.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Professor William J. Doucette, UWRL Associate Director, Utah State University, for valuable comments, suggestions, English proof reading, and for analyzing the TCE metabolite samples. Strains B. cepacia 301C and PR1-31 were kindly provided by S.C. Francesconi, and strain B. cepacia VM1330-pTOM by B. Borremans. We thank Susanne Kruse and Hanne Bøggild for assistance in the laboratory. Lastly, the author’s gratitude goes to the unknown reviewers who provided a lot of constructive comments which improved the manuscript considerably.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet bygning 115, 2800, Kgs Lyngby, Denmark

    Lauge Peter Westergaard Clausen, Mette Martina Broholm & Stefan Trapp

  2. Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark

    Ulrich Gosewinkel

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  1. Lauge Peter Westergaard Clausen
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  2. Mette Martina Broholm
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Correspondence to Lauge Peter Westergaard Clausen or Stefan Trapp.

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Clausen, L.P.W., Broholm, M.M., Gosewinkel, U. et al. Test of aerobic TCE degradation by willows (Salix viminalis) and willows inoculated with TCE-cometabolizing strains of Burkholderia cepacia . Environ Sci Pollut Res 24, 18320–18331 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-9420-8

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