Biodegradation of creosote and pentachlorophenol in contaminated groundwater: chemical and biological assessment

Abstract

Shake flask studies examined the rate and extent of biodegradation of pentachlorophenol (PCP) and 42 components of coal-tar creosote present in contaminated groundwater recovered from the American Creosote Works Superfund site, Pensacola, Fla. The ability of indigenous soil microorganisms to remove these contaminants from aqueous solutions was determined by gas chromatographic analysis of organic extracts of biotreated groundwater. Changes in potential environmental and human health hazards associated with the biodegradation of this material were determined at intervals by Microtox assays and fish toxicity and teratogenicity tests. After 14 days of incubation at 30 degrees C, indigenous microorganisms effectively removed 100, 99, 94, 88, and 87% of measured phenolic and lower-molecular-weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and S-heterocyclic, N-heterocyclic, and O-heterocyclic constituents of creosote, respectively. However, only 53% of the higher-molecular-weight PAHs were degraded; PCP was not removed. Despite the removal of a majority of the organic contaminants through biotreatment, only a slight decrease in the toxicity and teratogenicity of biotreated groundwater was observed. Data suggest that toxicity and teratogenicity are associated with compounds difficult to treat biologically and that one may not necessarily rely on indigenous microorganisms to effectively remove these compounds in a reasonable time span; to this end, alternative or supplemental approaches may be necessary. Similar measures of the toxicity and teratogenicity of treated material may offer a simple, yet important, guide to bioremediation effectiveness.

Estrogen Receptor- And Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor-Mediated Activities of a Coal-Tar Creosote

“…Serial dilutions of creosote and E2 were prepared in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), which was purchased from BDH (Toronto, ON, Canada). [2,4,6, H]17␤-Estradiol ([ 3 H]E2), with a specific activity of 70 Ci/mmol and radiochemical purity Ͼ97%, was purchased from New England Nuclear (Boston, MA, USA). Sesame oil was purchased from Aldon (Avon, NY, USA).…”

“…Environmental contamination is often associated with surface and groundwater after accidental spillage and improper disposal from creosoting operations, including unprotected drip pads. Creosote-contaminated groundwater has been found to contain high levels of mutagenic, carcinogenic, and teratogenic high molecular weight PAHs [2]. The major source of human exposure to creosote and derived PAHs is through dermal and inhalation routes during occupational use at creosoting operations and production facilities [3].…”

Behavioral and histopathological effects of fluoranthene on bullfrog larvae (Rana catesbeiana)

“…PAH have been detected in soil, air, water, and sediments [7,9]. PAH are deposited into the aquatic environment through atmospheric deposition, surface runoff, unplanned release of petroleum products, and domestic and industrial sewage effluent [8,[10][11][12][13][14][15]. Some PAH are known to cause acute toxicity in a variety of organisms in combination with solar ultraviolet radiation [16].…”

Toxicity of water‐soluble fractions derived from whole creosote and creosote‐contaminated sediments

“…The reduction of heterocyclic concentrations in sediments may result from losses due to their greater solubility or microbial degradation. Mueller et al [19] demonstrated the rapid biodegradation of nitrogen heterocyclics in creosote-contaminated groundwater. The relative contribution of low molecular weight heterocyclics to the two WSFs differed significantly.…”