Biodegradation of 2-chlorophenol in forest soil: effect of inoculation with aerobic sewage sludge

LALLAI, ANTONIO;MURA G.

2004-01-01

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Abstract

Decontamination of 2-monochlorophenol–containing forest soil was studied in laboratory experiments. We found that in sterile soil, sorption of chlorophenol can occur. Chlorophenol disappearance of approximately 55% was observed in native soil; both soil sorption and degradation by indigenous soil populations caused this disappearance. In native soil, however, the rate of chlorophenol disappearance was enhanced up to slightly more than 90% by inoculation with a sludge taken from the aeration tank of a municipal wastewater treatment plant. In this sludge, the presence of Alcaligenes and Pseudomonas spp. was observed. In other experiments, addition to the soil of a laboratory culture preacclimated to 2-monochlorophenol did not lead to a greater increase in chlorophenol disappearance. In contrast to native soil, inoculation of sterile soil had no effect on disappearance of the chlorophenol. A possible explanation for the lack of cometabolic degradation is that autoclaving of the soil destroys the organic substances within it.