ANAEROBIC DEGRADATION OF BENZENE IN BTX MIXTURES DEPENDENT ON SULFATEREDUCTION

Enrichment cultures from marine sediments mineralized benzene while us ing sulfate as the terminal electron acceptor. Parallel cultures using river marsh sediment displayed no activity. Mineralization was confir med by release of (CO2)-C-14 from radiolabeled benzene. The dependence on sulfate reduction was demonstrated by stoichiometric balances and the use of specific inhibitors. This work supports recent observations that anaerobic benzene degradation takes place coupled to sulfate red uction.