Aerobic cometabolism of trichloroethene and cis-dichloroethene with benzene and chlorinated benzenes as growth substrates

Using inoculum from a microcosm study that exhibited aerobic transformation of cis-1,2-dichloroethene (cDCE) and trichloroethene (TCE) commensurate with biodegradation of monoaromatic compounds, enrichment cultures were developed by providing benzene, chlorobenzene (CB), dichlorobenzene (DCB) isomers and 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene as carbon and energy sources. Isolates that grow on benzene, CB, 1,2-DCB and 1,3-DCB were identified as Rhodococcus, Ralstonia, Variovorax and Ralstonia spp., respectively. Cometabolic transformation of cDCE and TCE by resting cells was demonstrated. Transformation capacities (Tc = 0.47–1.0 μg TCE mg−1 biomass; 1.3–5.3 μg cDCE mg−1 biomass), transformation yields (Ty = 0.18-0.27 μg TCE mg−1 substrate; 0.46–2.1 μg cDCE mg−1 substrate), and pseudo-first-order cometabolic degradation rate constants (0.00081–0.0031 L mg TCE−1 d−1; 0.0012–0.030 L mg cDCE−1 d−1) for resting cells grown on benzene, CB, 1,2-DCB and 1,3-DCB were generally lower in comparison to phenol and toluene-grown isolates. Cometabolic transformation of cDCE and TCE also occurred while the cultures concurrently consumed their growth substrate (Tc′ = 0.15–0.33 μg TCE mg−1 biomass; 4.9–11 μg cDCE mg−1 biomass; Ty′ = 0.06–0.11 μg TCE mg−1 substrate; 1.7–4.6 μg cDCE mg−1 substrate), a condition that is more likely to be encountered in situ compared to cometabolic transformations by resting cells. This study is the first to report transformation rates, capacities, and yields for cometabolism of cDCE and TCE during aerobic growth on benzene, CB, 1,2-DCB and 1,3-DCB. This type of information is needed to predict the potential for natural attenuation when these compounds occur as co-contaminants.

► Cometabolic transformation capacities and yields were higher for cDCE versus TCE.
► Transformation capacities and yields were generally higher for growing cells.
► Benzene, chlorobenzene, and dichlorobenzene isomers served as primary substrates.
► Four bacterial strains evaluated; isolates obtained from a hazardous waste site.
► Transformation data are needed to predict natural attenuation of chemical mixtures.