Anaerobic Degradation of Chloroaromatic Compounds in Aquatic Sediments under a Variety of Enrichment Conditions

Abstract

Anaerobic degradation of monochlorophenols and monochlorobenzoates in a variety of aquatic sediments was compared under four enrichment conditions. A broader range of compounds was degraded in enrichments inoculated with sediment exposed to industrial effluents. Degradation of chloroaromatic compounds was observed most often in methanogenic enrichments and in enrichments amended with 1 mM bromoethane sulfonic acid. Degradation was observed least often in enrichments with added nitrate or sulfate. The presence of 10 mM bromoethane sulfonic acid prevented or inhibited degradation of most compounds tested. Primary enrichments in which KNO 3 was periodically replenished to maintain enrichment characteristics degraded chlorobenzoates, but not chlorophenols. In contrast, primary enrichments in which Na 2 SO 4 was periodically replenished failed to degrade any chloroaromatic compounds. Upon transfer to fresh medium, none of the sulfate enrichments required the presence of Na 2 SO 4 for degradation, while only two nitrate enrichments required the presence of KNO 3 for degradation. As a class of compounds, chlorophenols were degraded more readily than chlorobenzoates. However, as individual compounds 3-chlorobenzoate, 2-chlorophenol, and 3-chlorophenol degradation was observed most often and with an equal frequency. Within the chlorophenol class, the relative order of degradability was ortho > meta > para , while that of chlorobenzoates was meta > ortho > para , In laboratory transfers, 2-chlorobenzoate, 3-chlorobenzoate, and 2-chlorophenol degradation was most easily maintained, while degradation of para -chlorinated compounds was very difficult to maintain.