Use of γ-hexachlorocyclohexane as a terminal electron acceptor by an anaerobic enrichment culture

► Use of γ-hexachlorocyclohexane as a terminal electron acceptor was demonstrated. ► H2 served as the electron donor for an enrichment culture that dechlorinated γ-HCH. ► H2 consumption for acetogenesis and methanogenesis stopped in HEPES media. ► Addition of vancomycin significantly slowed the rate of γ-HCH dechlorination. ► Previously identified chlororespiring microbes were not detected in the enrichment.