CHARACTERIZATION OF NOVEL BACTERIA THAT REDUCTIVELY DECHLORINATE POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS (PCBS)

Abstract

Sediment-free Aroclor1260-dechlorinating cultures have been obtained with distinct PCB dechlorination patterns, in which phylogenetically diverse PCB dechlorinators have been identified by using the newly developed molecular approaches (i.e., T-RFs-2D and 2S-DGGE). The dissertation also demonstrates a strategy to isolate PCB dechlorinators by using alternative halogenated compounds. The overall study broadens our knowledge of PCB dechlorination, and provides useful cultures for future in situ bioremediation applications.