DEGRADATION OF 1,4-DIOXANE BY AN ACTINOMYCETE IN PURE CULTURE

An actinomycete capable of sustained aerobic growth on 1,4-dioxane was isolated from a dioxane-contaminated sludge sample. The actinomycete, CB1190, grows on 1,4-dioxane as the sole carbon and energy source with a generation time of approximately 30 h. CB1190 degrades 1,4-dioxane at a rate of 0.33 mg of dioxane min(-1) mg of protein(-1) and mineralizes 59.5% of the dioxane to CO2. CB1190 also gro cvs with other cyclic and linear ethers as the sole carbon and energy sources, including 1,3-dioxane, 2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane, tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydropyran, diethyl ether, and butyl methyl ether. CB1190 is capable of aerobic autotrophic growth on H-2 and CO2.