PCB dechlorination hotspots and reductive dehalogenase genes in sediments from a contaminated wastewater lagoon.

ABSTRACT: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a class of persistent organic pollutants that are distributed worldwide. Although industrial PCB production has stopped, legacy contamination can be traced to several different commercial mixtures (e.g., Aroclors in the USA). Despite their persistence, PCBs are subject to naturally occurring biodegradation processes, although the microbes and enzymes involved are poorly understood. The biodegradation potential of PCB-contaminated sediments in a wastewater lagoon located in Virginia (USA) was studied. Total PCB concentrations in sediments ranged from 6.34 to 12,700 mg/kg. PCB congener profiles in sediment sample were similar to Aroclor 1248; however, PCB congener profiles at several locations showed evidence of dechlorination. The sediment microbial comm

SUBMITTER: Mattes TE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6206866 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature