DEGRADATION OF FLUORANTHENE IN A SOIL MATRIX BY INDIGENOUS AND INTRODUCED BACTERIA

Microbial growth and degradation of fluoranthene in amended soil micro cosms by the indigenous microbial population and a PAH degrading mixed culture inoculum were characterised. Percentages of fluoranthene disa ppearance ranged from 14.4% in sterilised uninoculated soil microcosms to 52.1% in unsterilized inoculated microcosms. Inoculated soils had initial microbial counts approximately one order of magnitude higher t han the indigenous soil count and exhibited enhanced fluoranthene degr adation. Over a nine week incubation period, total viable counts in in oculated non-sterile soil declined to the levels observed for the orig inal indigenous population.