Chloroethenes are among the most common pollutants at
hazardous waste sites. They have been used extensively as solvents in
dry-cleaning operations, metal degreasing, textile finishing, dyeing, and
industrial extraction processes, and they were sometimes carelessly handled,
stored or disposed of. Because these compounds are highly toxic and in many
cases are either known or suspected to be carcinogens, their presence in the
environment poses important health risks. This has stimulated investigations
into their degradation, transport, and fate in the subsurface as well as
inexpensive, yet effective technologies for their destruction.
Investigators at the Biodesign Institute of Arizona State
University have enriched and identified a consortium of microorganisms that can
be used to dehalogenate chloroethenes and related compounds at hazardous waste
sites. Rates of for example trichloroethene dechlorination by this culture are
several times faster than those of commercially available microorganisms. An
added benefit of the new culture is its ability to maintain activity in the
presence of common co-contaminants and microbial inhibitors.
These organisms can either be used in situ or incorporated
into industrial processes, so as to achieve effective bioremediation.
Potential Applications
- Bioremediation of hazardous waste sites and sediments
Benefits and Advantages
- Faster microbial bioremediation of organohalogens,
including chloroethenes and related pollutants
- Unprecedented tolerance toward co-contaminants frequently
found at hazardous waste sites
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For more information about the inventor(s) and their
research, please see
Dr.
Halden's directory webpage
Dr. Halden's
laboratory webpage
Dr. Krajmalnik-Brown's directory webpage
