Jd. Macrae et Kj. Hall, Biodegradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) in marine sediment under denitrifying conditions, WATER SCI T, 38(11), 1998, pp. 177-185
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) are common environmental pollutants
that have been linked to cancerous lesions in bottom fish. In this research
, the feasibility of using nitrate as an alternative electron acceptor to s
timulate PAM-degradation in anoxic marine sediment was investigated. PAM co
uld be degraded under denitrifying conditions as long as other nutrients we
re not limiting. The half lives of low molecular weight PAH ranged from app
roximately 33-88 days. Degradation of high molecular weight PAM was slower,
or not observed. Half lives ranged from 143-812 days. Nitrate may be appli
ed to sediments in situ or used in bioreactors to reduce the cost of biorem
ediation operations ex situ. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd on
behalf of the IAWQ. All rights reserved.