Abstract
The inhibitory effect of creosote compounds on the aerobic degradation of benzene was studied in microcosm experiments. A total removal of benzene was observed after twelve days of incubation in microcosms where no inhibition was observed. Thiophene and benzothiophene, two heterocyclic aromalic compounds containing sulfur (S-compounds), had a significant inhibitory effect (in the degradation of benzene, but also an inhibitory effect of benzofuran (an O-compound) and 1-methylpyrrole (a N- compound) could be observed, although the effect was weaker. The NSO- compounds also had an inhibitory effect on the degradation of p-xylene, o-xylene, and naphthalene, while they only bad a weak influence on the degradation of 1- methylnaphthalene, o-cresol and 2,4-dimethylphenol. The phenolic compounds seemed to have a weak stimulating effect on the degradation of benzene whereas the monoaromatic hydrocarbons and the naphthalenes had no significant influence on the benzene degradation. The inhibitory effect of the NSO-compounds on the aerobic degradation of benzene could be identified as three different phenomena. The lag phase increased, the degradation rate decreased, and a residual concentration of benzene was observed in microcosms when NSO-compounds were present. The results show that NSO- compounds can have a potential inhibitory effect on the degradation of many creosote compounds, and that inhibitory effects in mixtures can be important for the degradation of different compounds.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Biodegradation |
Volume | 7 |
Issue number | 3 |
Pages (from-to) | 191-201 |
ISSN | 0923-9820 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1996 |