Metabolic ability and gene characteristics of Arthrobacter sp. strain DNS10, the sole atrazine-degrading strain in a consortium isolated from black soil

► The sole atrazine decomposer of a consortium is identified as Arthrobacter sp. DNS10. ► Evolutionary branch of DNS10 differs from other Arthrobacter genus atrazine degraders. ► Atrazine-degrading genes trzN, atzB and atzC are detected in strain DNS10. ► DNS10 could degrade 10 mg atrazine in 100 mL medium to cyanuric acid within 24 h. ► Strain DNS10 exhibits an excellent atrazine-degrading ability correspondingly.