Biomarkers for Monitoring In-Situ Biodegradation of PAHs in Anoxic Harbor Sediment | Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)

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Citation
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HERO ID

1479768

Reference Type

Technical Report

Title

Biomarkers for Monitoring In-Situ Biodegradation of PAHs in Anoxic Harbor Sediment

Author(s)

Young, LY; Kerkhof, LJ; Phelps, CD

Year

2002

Report Number

NTIS/02926134

Volume

GRA and I

Issue

GRA and I

Abstract

Biomarkers for monitoring in situ biodegradation of PAHs in anoxic sediments were developed by careful study of microbial degradation mechanisms. Both metabolic and molecular - (genetic) biomarkers were studied. Several unique metabolites of anaerobic naphthalene - degradation were identified and methods were developed for detecting them in environmental samples. Detection of these metabolic biomarkers at several contaminated sites has demonstrated their usefulness. The other biomarker that was developed was the dsrAB gene. A comparison of many different sequences of this gene allowed us to identify sequence groups that are correlated to PAH and petroleum hydrocarbon degradation.

Keywords

Markers; *Biodegradation; *Sediments; *Anoxia; *Anaerobic processes; Detection; Degradation; Monitoring; Metabolism; Hydrocarbons; Sampling; Contamination; Metabolites; Petroleum products; Microorganisms; Tracer studies; Biodeterioration; Naphthalenes; Pah