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Science 8 May 1987:
Vol. 236. no. 4802, pp. 709 - 712
DOI: 10.1126/science.236.4802.709
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Articles

Polychlorinated Biphenyl Dechlorination in Aquatic Sediments

JOHN F. BROWN JR. 1, DONNA L. BEDARD 1, MICHAEL J. BRENNAN 1, JAMES C. CARNAHAN 1, HELEN FENG 1, and ROBERT E. WAGNER 1

1 General Electric Research and Development Center, Schenectady, NY 12301.

The polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) residues in the aquatic sediments from six PCB spill sites showed changes in PCB isomer and homolog (congener) distribution that indicated the occurrence of reductive dechlorination. The PCB dechlorinations exhibited several distinct congener selection patterns that indicated mediation by several different localized populations of anaerobic microorganisms. The higher (more heavily chlorinated) PCB congeners that were preferentially attacked by the observed dechlorination processes included all those that are either pharmacologically active or persistent in higher animals. All the lower (less heavily chlorinated) PCB congeners formed by the dechlorinations were species that are known to be oxidatively biodegradable by the bacteria of aerobic environments.

Submitted on December 5, 1986
Accepted on March 16, 1987


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
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The Dehalococcoides Population in Sediment-Free Mixed Cultures Metabolically Dechlorinates the Commercial Polychlorinated Biphenyl Mixture Aroclor 1260.
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Development and Characterization of Stable Sediment-Free Anaerobic Bacterial Enrichment Cultures That Dechlorinate Aroclor 1260.
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A PCR-based specific assay reveals a population of bacteria within the Chloroflexi associated with the reductive dehalogenation of polychlorinated biphenyls.
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Appl. Envir. Microbiol. 64, 1786-1795
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Complete Reductive Dehalogenation of Brominated Biphenyls by Anaerobic Microorganisms in Sediment.
D. L. Bedard and H. M. Van Dort (1998)
Appl. Envir. Microbiol. 64, 940-947
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Microbial Reductive Dechlorination of Aroclor 1260 in Anaerobic Slurries of Estuarine Sediments.
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Appl. Envir. Microbiol. 64, 1052-1058
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Bioremediation of Petroleum- and Creosote-Contaminated Soils: a Review of Constraints.
S. J. T. Pollard, S. E. Hrudey, and P. M. Fedorak (1994)
Waste Management Research 12, 173-194
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In situ stimulation of aerobic PCB biodegradation in Hudson River sediments.
M. Harkness, J. McDermott, D. Abramowicz, J. Salvo, W. Flanagan, M. Stephens, F. Mondello, R. May, J. Lobos, K. Carroll, et al. (1993)
Science 259, 503-507
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Reductive Dechlorination of Polychlorinated Biphenyls by Anaerobic Microorganisms from Sediments.
J. F. Quensen, J. F. QUENSEN III, J. M. TIEDJE, and S. A. BOYD (1988)
Science 242, 752-754
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PCB dechlorination in Hudson River sediment.
M. Brown, B Bush, G. Rhee, and L Shane (1988)
Science 240, 1674-1676
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Response: PCB Dechlorination in Hudson River Sediment.
J. F. BROWN JR., R. E. WAGNER, and D. L. BEDARD (1988)
Science 240, 1675-1676
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