This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Bauer, J. E. Articles by Capone, D. G. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Bauer, J. E. Articles by Capone, D. G. Agricola Articles by Bauer, J. E. Articles by Capone, D. G.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Appl Environ Microbiol. 1985 July; 50(1): 81-90
Copyright © 1985, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Degradation and Mineralization of the Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Anthracene and Naphthalene in Intertidal Marine Sediments

Marine Sciences Research Center, State University of New York, Stony Brook, New York 11794

ABSTRACT

The degradation of the polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) anthracene and naphthalene by the microbiota of intertidal sediments was investigated in laboratory studies. No mineralization of either PAH was observed in the absence of oxygen. Both rates and total amounts of PAH mineralization were strongly controlled by oxygen content and temperature of the incubations. Inorganic nitrogen and glucose amendments had minimal effects on PAH mineralization. The rates and total amounts of PAH mineralized were directly related to compound concentration, pre-exposure time, and concentration. Maximum mineralization was observed at the higher concentrations (5 to 100 µg/g [ppm]) of both PAHs. Optimal acclimation to anthracene and naphthalene (through pre-exposures to the compounds) occurred at the highest acclimation concentration (1,000 ppm). However, acclimation to a single concentration (100 ppm) resulted in initial relative mineralization rates over a range of re-exposure concentrations (1 to 1,000 ppm) being nearly identical. Maximum mineralization of both PAHs occurred after intermediate periods (1 to 2 weeks) of pre-exposure. The fraction of the total heterotrophic population capable of utilizing anthracene or naphthalene as sole carbon source was also greatest after 2 weeks.

^* Corresponding author.

Contribution no. 480 from the Marine Sciences Research Center.

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Rockne, K. J., Chee-Sanford, J. C., Sanford, R. A., Hedlund, B. P., Staley, J. T., Strand, S. E. (2000). Anaerobic Naphthalene Degradation by Microbial Pure Cultures under Nitrate-Reducing Conditions. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 66: 1595-1601 [Abstract] [Full Text]