Microbial degradation of 2,4,6‐trichloroaniline in aquatic samples and laboratory enrichment cultures

Abstract

Microorganisms present in water samples obtained from a small tributary to the Gunpowder River in Maryland degraded 2,4,6‐trichloroaniline following a prolonged acclimation period. Creek water sediments, but not the co‐substrate aniline, reduced the lag time prior to degradation. The microorganisms in the samples could be enriched to grow on 2,4,6‐trichloroaniline as indicated by increases in carbon dioxide, chloride, and adenosine triphosphate and by slight biomass increases accompanying the degradation of the compound. Uptake bf 2,4,6‐trichloroaniline by the enrichment population was as rapid as that of the original sample population but was without an apparent lag. Similar enrichment cultures could not be developed from five other sites.

Key words:

• 2,4,6‐Trichloroaniline
• Microbial Degradation
• Mineralization