B E Haigler

Biodegradation of Mixed Solvents by a Strain of Pseudomonas

Substituted aromatic compounds are used extensively as solvents, synthetic intermediates, pesticides, and fuels. They are released in the environment in tremendous quantities and can pose a considerable human health hazard, particularly in groundwater. The most common groundwater contamination problem in the United States is caused by gasoline components such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes leaking from underground storage tanks. These and other petroleum components in gasoline are readily biodegradable and bioremediation is often the treatment of choice for cleanup. Indigenous mixed microbial communities are typically able to carry out the treatment process if supplied with oxygen and mineral nutrients. Biotreatment has been successful for petroleum hydrocarbons in groundwater and soil (Thomas and Ward, 1989) and in landfarming (Bartha and Bossert, 1984).