Anaerobic benzene degradation: from lab to field

Title:	Anaerobic benzene degradation: from lab to field
Category:	Miscellaneous
Detail:	Umik Seminar
Date:	09. Feb. 2010, 16:00 - 17:00
Venue:	Eawag Dübendorf
	Forum Chriesbach C24
Speaker:	Prof. Rainer Meckenstock, Institute for Groundwater Ecology, Helmholtz Zentrum, München
Leader:	Egli Thomas, Eawag
Organisation:	Liz Walton, Eawag
Download:	as calendar event

In recent years, the field of anaerobic degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons has developed with the same growth characteristics as the responsible organisms: slowly but surely. Whereas anaerobic degradation of substituted aromatics such as toluene is largely elucidated, the biochemistry of anaerobic degradation of non-substituted aromatic hydrocarbons remained unclear. We present recent results of proteomic and genomic analyses of anaerobic benzene degradation and discuss different options for novel, initial biochemical activation reactions.

As one of the most important factors limiting biodegradation in contaminated aquifers we identified the spatial separation of electron donors and acceptors. We will show high spatial resolution data indicating very steep geochemical gradients and the location of degradation processes at the fringes of an aromatic hydrocarbon plume in a contaminated aquifer.