ANAEROBIC DEGRADATION OF PRISTANE IN NITRATE-REDUCING MICROCOSMS AND ENRICHMENT CULTURES

Microcosm studies were conducted under nitrate-reducing conditions wit h diesel fuel-contaminated aquifer material from a site treated by in situ bioremediation. In the microcosms, the consumption of nitrate and the production of inorganic carbon were strongly stimulated by the ad dition of the isoprenoid alkane pristane (2,6,10,14-tetramethylpentade cane). Within 102 days enrichment cultures degraded more than 90% of t he pristane supplied as coatings on reticulated sinter glass rings. Th e study demonstrates that pristane can no longer be regarded as recalc itrant under anaerobic conditions.