Simultaneous removal of chlorothalonil and nitrate by Bacillus cereus strain NS1

Elevated NO3− and chlorothalonil (CTN) have been found in production nursery recycling ponds. Bacillus cereus strain NS1 isolated from nursery recycling pond sediment was assessed for its ability to reduce NO3− and degrade CTN in a mineral medium. The results showed that the efficiency of NO3− reduction and CTN degradation by B. cereus strain NS1 were related to the nature of organic carbon sources added to the medium. In the medium amended with 100 mg/L yeast extract, 86% of NO3− (100 mg/L) and 99% of CTN (78 μg/L) were simultaneously removed by B. cereus strain NS1 during the first day of the experiment. It took 6 days for the removal of 82–93% of NO3− and 87–91% of CTN in the media containing glucose and acetate. B. cereus strain NS1 needed organic carbon as energy sources and electron donors to respire NO3−, and simultaneously degrade CTN. These results suggest that B. cereus strain NS1 may have great potential to remediate NO3− and CTN contaminated water in nursery recycling ponds.