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Anaerobic degradation of xenobiotics by organisms from municipal solid waste under landfilling conditions

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Abstract

The potential for biological transformation of 23 xenobiotic compounds by microorganisms in municipal solid waste (MSW) samples from a laboratory scale landfill reactor was studied. In addition the influence of these xenobiotic compounds on methanogenesis was investigated. All R11, 1,1 dichloroethylene, 2,4,6 trichlorophenol, dimethyl phthalate, phenol, benzoate and phthalic acid added were completely transformed during the period of incubation (> 100 days). Parts of the initially added perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene, R12, R114, diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate and benzylbutyl phthalate were transformed. Methanogenesis from acetate was completely inhibited in the presence of 2,5 dichlorophenol, whereas 2,4,6 trichlorophenol and R11 showed an initial inhibition, whenafter methane formation recovered. No transformation or effect on the anaerobic microflora occurred for R13, R22, R114, 3 chlorobenzoate, 2,4,6 trichlorobenzoate, bis(2 ethyl)hexyl phthalate, diisodecyl phthalate and dinonyl phthalate. The results indicate a limited potential for degradation, of the compounds tested, by microorganisms developing in a methanogenic landfill environment as compared with other anaerobic habitats such as sewage digestor sludge and sediments.

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Abbreviations

BBP:

benzylbutylphthalate

DEHP:

bis(2 ethylhexyl) phthalate

3 CB:

3 chlorobenzoate

R22:

chlorodifluoromethane

CFC:

chlorofluorocarbon

R13:

chlorotrifluoromethane

cis1,2 DCE:

cis 1,2 dichloroethylene

DBP:

dibutyl phthalate

R12:

dichlorodifluoromethane

1,1 DCE:

1,1 dichloroethylenel

R114:

dichlorotetrafluoroethane

2,5 DCP:

2,5 dichlorophenol

DEP:

diethyl phthalate

DiDP:

diisodecyl phthalate

DMP:

Dimethyl phthalate

DNP:

dinonyl phthalate

MSW:

dunicipal solid waste

PCE:

perchloroethylene

PA:

phthalic acid

PAE:

phthalic acid esters

R11:

trichlorofluoromethane

2,4,6 TCB:

2,4,6 trichlorobenzoate

2,4,6 TCP:

2,4,6 trichlorophenol

VC:

vinylchloride

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Water and Environmental Studies, Linköping University, S-581 83, Linköping, Sweden

    J. Ejlertsson, E. Johansson, A. Karlsson, U. Meyerson & B. H. Svensson

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  1. J. Ejlertsson
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  2. E. Johansson
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  3. A. Karlsson
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  4. U. Meyerson
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  5. B. H. Svensson
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Ejlertsson, J., Johansson, E., Karlsson, A. et al. Anaerobic degradation of xenobiotics by organisms from municipal solid waste under landfilling conditions. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 69, 67–74 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00641613

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