Biodegradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) in marine sediment under denitrifying conditions

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) are common environmental pollutants that have been linked to cancerous lesions in bottom fish. In this research, the feasibility of using nitrate as an alternative electron acceptor to stimulate PAM-degradation in anoxic marine sediment was investigated. PAM could be degraded under denitrifying conditions as long as other nutrients were not limiting. The half lives of low molecular weight PAH ranged from approximately 33-88 days. Degradation of high molecular weight PAM was slower, or not observed. Half lives ranged from 143-812 days. Nitrate may be applied to sediments in situ or used in bioreactors to reduce the cost of bioremediation operations ex situ. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd on behalf of the IAWQ. All rights reserved.