Aerobic microbial mineralization of dichloroethene as sole carbon substrate

Microorganisms indigenous to the bed sediments of a black-water stream util ized 1,2-dichloroethene (1,2-DCE) as a sole carbon substrate for aerobic me tabolism. Although no evidence of growth was observed in the minimal salts culture media used in this study, efficient aerobic microbial mineralizatio n of 1,2-DCE as sole carbon substrate was maintained through three sequenti al transfers (10(7) final dilution) of the original environmental innoculum . These results indicate that 1,2-DCE can be utilized as a primary substrat e to support microbial metabolism under aerobic conditions.