Microbial degradation of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (CHCl2F and CHCl2CF3) in soils and sediments.

TitleMicrobial degradation of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (CHCl2F and CHCl2CF3) in soils and sediments.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1996
AuthorsOremland RS, Lonergan DJ, Culbertson CW, Lovley DR
JournalAppl Environ Microbiol
Volume62
Issue5
Pagination1818-21
Date Published1996 May
ISSN0099-2240
KeywordsBiodegradation, Environmental, Chlorofluorocarbons, Soil Microbiology
Abstract

The ability of microorganisms to degrade trace levels of the hydrochlorofluorocarbons HCFC-21 and HCFC-123 was investigated. Methanotroph-linked oxidation of HCFC-21 was observed in aerobic soils, and anaerobic degradation of HCFC-21 occurred in freshwater and salt marsh sediments. Microbial degradation of HCFC-123 was observed in anoxic freshwater and salt marsh sediments, and the recovery of 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-chloroethane indicated the involvement of reductive dechlorination. No degradation of HCFC-123 was observed in aerobic soils. In some experiments, HCFCs were degraded at low (parts per billion) concentrations, raising the possibility that bacteria in nature remove HCFCs from the atmosphere.

Alternate JournalAppl. Environ. Microbiol.
PubMed ID8633881