Bacterial mineralization of phenanthrene on thermally activated palygorskite: a 14C radiotracer study

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2017

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Biswas, B.
Sarkar, B.
Naidu, R.

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Journal article

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Science of the Total Environment, 2017; 579:709-717

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Abstract

Clay-bacterial interaction can significantly influence the biodegradation of organic contaminants in the environment. A moderate heat treatment of palygorskite could alter the physicochemical properties of the clay mineral and thus support the growth and function of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-degrading bacteria. By using 14C-labelled phenanthrene and a model bacterium Burkholderia sartisoli, we studied the mineralization of phenanthrene on the surface of a moderately heat-treated (up to 400 °C) palygorskite. The heat treatment at 400 °C induced a reduction of binding sites (e.g., by the elimination of organic matter and/or channel shrinkage) in the palygorskite and thus imparted a weaker sequestration of phenanthrene on its surface and within the pores. As a result, a supplement with the thermally modified palygorskite (400 °C) significantly increased (20–30%; p < 0.05) the biomineralization of total phenanthrene in a simulated soil slurry system. These results are highly promising to develop a clay mineral based technology for the bioremediation of PAH contaminants in water and soil environments.

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Copyright 2016 Elsevier Access Condition Notes: Postprint available after 1 January 2019

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