THE MICROBIAL RESPIRATION QUOTIENT AS INDICATOR FOR BIOREMEDIATION PROCESSES

The respiration quotient (Q(R)) calculated from the actual (R(A)) and potential respiration rate (R(p)) after addition of glucose (Q(R) = R( A)/R(P)) was compared with the PAH concentration of a contaminated sit e during bioremediation. A correlation coefficient of 0.997 was obtain ed. Comparison with respiration quotients of several contaminated and uncontaminated sites gives evidence that the quotient is a suitable in dicator for easily biodegradable carbon sources in the soil and presen ts an adequate quick and easily determinable indicator for the efficie ncy of bioremediation processes.