METABOLISM OF ANILINE UNDER DIFFERENT ANAEROBIC ELECTRON-ACCEPTING AND NUTRITIONAL CONDITIONS

The biodegradability of aniline was evaluated under two different anae robic conditions, denitrifying and methanogenic. In addition, under de nitrifying conditions, the influence of bicarbonate was studied. Anaer obic sewage digester sludge and estuarine sediment were used as hetero geneous sources of bacteria. Under anaerobic denitrifying conditions a mended with bicarbonate, aniline was completely mineralized to CO2 and N-2. After an initial lag period, N-2 recoveries of 74 and 100% were obtained for sludge and sediment cultures, respectively. Under anaerob ic denitrifying conditions with no bicarbonate, aniline depletion was observed; however, stoichiometric quantities of N-2 were not produced from mineralization and were in fact inhibited below background contro ls. Under methanogenic conditions, aniline concentrations remained unc hanged for >31 weeks. A metabolite of aniline, 4-hydroxybenzoate, was detected in bicarbonate-amended denitrifying cultures.