Application of data from field-and labscale microbiological studies for treatment of phenolic leachate in natural systems
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15626/Eco-Tech.2001.016Keywords:
Phenolic leachate, bacteria, biodegradation, oil-shale industry.Abstract
The phenol-rich leachate from semi-coke mounds formed as a by-product of oil-shale
processing is discharged via channels and rivers Kohtla and Purtse into the Baltic Sea without
any treatment. The leachate from processed oil shale contains several organic and inorganic
compounds (oil fractions, sulphides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). The impact of
leachate on microbiological characteristics of river water and sediment as well as on
abundance, activity and structure of biodegradative consortia have been studied. The
metabolic and genetic diversity of phenol-utilizing bacteria was characterized. Pollution
markedly altered all aspects of the studied microbial diversity. The structure and functioning
of the bacterial communities changed significantly along the river and revealed remarkable
adaptation to phenolic compounds in environment. The results demonstrate multiplicity of
catabolic types of degradation of phenol and p-cresol and the existence of characteristic
assemblages of species and specific genotypes among the strains isolated from the polluted
river water.
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References
Heinaru E, Talpsep E, Linnas A, Heinaru A, Stottmeister U (1997). Metabolic and genetic diversity of phenol-utilizing bacteria as an enhancer of natural biodegradation in polluted waters. Oil Shale 14, 454-468
Heinaru, E., Truu, J. , Stottmeister, U., Heinaru, A. (2000). Three types of phenol and p-cresol catabolism in phenol-and p-cresol-degrading bacteria isolated from river water continuously polluted with phenolic compounds. FEMS Microbiol. Ecol. 31, 195-205. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1574-6941.2000.tb00684.x
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Talpsep E, Heinaru E, Truu J, Laht T, Heinaru A, Wand H, Stottmeister U (1997). Functional dynamics of microbial populations in waters contaminated with phenolic leachate. Oil Shale 14, 435-453
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