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Title: EFFECTS OF XENOBIOTIC AND MICROBIAL POPULATION DISTRIBUTION ON BIODEGRADATION

Author
item JOHNSON, TERESA - UNIV OF ILLINOIS
item SIMS, GERALD
item ELLSWORTH, TIMOTHY - UNIV OF ILLINOIS
item HUDSON, REOBERT - UNIV OF ILLINOIS

Submitted to: Soil Science Society of America Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/12/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The role of discontinuous water films on bioavailability of xenobiotics to soil microorganisms was examined by varying spatial distribution of atrazine relative to an atrazine degrader (Pseudomonas sp. strain ADP) under a range of soil moisture conditions (-100, -300, -500 kPa). Two distribution scenarios were examined. In one case, atrazine was introduced with the degrader to minimize dispersal of the pesticide relative to the organism. In a second case pesticide dispersal was maximized by saturating soil with a delivery solvent (methanol). This dispersal method was repeated using a much higher inoculum density to enhance distribution of the organism. The extent of mineralization observed indicated that with sufficient inoculum density, atrazine applied in this manner was readily degradable. Soils in which atrazine was added with the degrader presumably resulted in less dependence of mineralization on atrazine diffusion and microbial motility. Solution phase atrazine concentrations were unaffected by application method or moisture regime, suggesting that mineralization was not limited by lack of solution phase substrate. The results demonstrate a possible role of physical accessibility in environmental fate of xenobiotics.