Degradation of atrazine by a hydrogenotrophic microbial association

Abstract

The degradation of atrazine under different experimental conditions is monitored. H₂ supplied to liquid enrichment cultures accelerated atrazine breakdown. The addition of an energy source (i.e. H₂) and not the imposition of a N or a C limitation, makes the bacteria degrade the atrazine molecule. Experiments with [ethyl‐1‐¹⁴ C]‐ and [ring‐U‐¹⁴ C] atrazine indicate that, thus far, the action of the hydrogenotrophs remained restricted to the sidechains of the triazine molecule.