Research Product

Biological degradation represents the major route through which polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other organic chemicals are removed from contaminated environments. In most cases, lower molecular weight PAHs containing two or three rings are readily degraded biologically. Conversely, higher-molecular-weight PAHs are considered resistant to biological action and tend to persist in contaminated environments. Unfortunately, higher molecular weight PAHs represent the greatest risk to public and environmental health. For bioremediation to be considered as an acceptable remedial action alternative for PAH-contaminated sites (i.e., creosote waste sites, coal gasification sites, petroleum refineries), biotreatment processes must be capable of destroying these chemicals. The isolation of microbial systems capable of utilizing high-molecular-weight PAHs (e.g., fluoranthene) as sole sources of carbon and energy for growth partially addresses this challenge.