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Bioremediation potential of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethane (DDT) from a sandy-loam soil using aerobic bacteria Alcaligenes eutrophus A5, Corynebacterium sp. and a mixed culture

Abstract Details

2016, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, Civil Engineering.
1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) is a pesticide well-known for its negative health and environmental effects. Although banned by most countries over 30 years ago, it persists in the environment. The objective of this study was to assess the bioremediation potential of 4,4-DDT in soil using the aerobic bacterium Alcaligenes eutrophus A5, Corynebacterium sp. and a mixture of these two cultures. Freshly spiked and aged soil was subjected to a conventional sorption/desorption study. A large percentage of DDT (50% of 2.26 mg/L and 92% of 5.28 mg/L) was bound to soil within 8 hours. These results show that DDT rapidly binds to soil and resists desorption. 4,4-DDT degradation using Alcaligenes eutrophus A5 over one year was found to be 13%, 11%, 7%, 2.5% for 24 mg/kg (60 day aged), 33 mg/kg (200 day aged), 136 mg/kg (60 day aged) and 630 mg/kg (60 day aged), respectively. This corresponds to 0.25-1.34 mg/year partial DDT degradation, with 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDE) and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDD) detected as primary metabolites. Total DDT degradation results for the Corynebacterium sp. at 35 mg/kg (60 d aged) and 18 mg/kg (200 d aged) concentrations were 7.7% and 5.7%, respectively which corresponded to 0.228 and 0.086 mg/year DDT degradation, with DDD the dominant metabolite. Mixed culture experiments at 30 mg/kg (60 day aged), 343 mg/kg (60 day aged) and 28 mg/kg (200 day aged) resulted in total DDT degradation of 1.94%, 2.5% and 7.6% which corresponded to 0.049±0.032, 0.779±0.505 and 0.179±0.033 mg/year partial DDT degradation. The mixed culture resulted in lower metabolite formation when compared to the pure cultures (p<0.05). Only one of nine sets of bioremediation experiments showed significant DDT degradation (p<0.05) while seven of the nine experiments resulted in a significant difference in biproduct formation for at least one metabolite (p<0.05). This was evidence of some form of metabolic activity and biodegradation. The main advance for science in this study was the first use of Corynebacterium sp. for degradation of DDT. It also documented that DDD, mainly a product of anaerobic degradation, can be formed under aerobic conditions. Any aerobic degradation of DDT is considered a benefit to society and science.
Teresa Cutright, Dr. (Advisor)
143 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Erdem, Z. (2016). Bioremediation potential of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethane (DDT) from a sandy-loam soil using aerobic bacteria Alcaligenes eutrophus A5, Corynebacterium sp. and a mixed culture [Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1468933721

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Erdem, Ziya. Bioremediation potential of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethane (DDT) from a sandy-loam soil using aerobic bacteria Alcaligenes eutrophus A5, Corynebacterium sp. and a mixed culture . 2016. University of Akron, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1468933721.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Erdem, Ziya. "Bioremediation potential of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethane (DDT) from a sandy-loam soil using aerobic bacteria Alcaligenes eutrophus A5, Corynebacterium sp. and a mixed culture ." Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1468933721

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)