Effect of soil moisture on bioremediation of chlorophenol-contaminated soil

A chlorophenol-contaminated soil was tested for the biodegradability in a s emi-pilot scale microcosm using indigenous microorganisms. More than 90% of 4-chlorophenol and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, initially at 30 mg kg(-1), were removed within 60 days and 30 mg pentachlorophenol kg(-1) was completely de graded within 140 days. The chlorophenols were degraded more effectively un der aerobic condition than under anaerobic condition. Soil moisture had a s ignificant effect with the slowest degradation rate of chlorophenols at 25% in the range of 10-40% moisture content. At 25-40%, the rate of chlorophen ol degradation was directly related to the soil moisture content, whereas a t 10-25%, it was inversely related. Limited oxygen availability through soi l agglomeration at 25% moisture content might decrease the degradation rate of chlorophenols.