Factors affecting the biodegradation of phenanthrene initially dissolved in different nonaqueous-phase liquids

摘要

A study was conducted of the importance of measured partitioning rate, the nonaqueous-phase liquid (NAPL)-water interfacial area, and the toxicity of NAPLs to the biodegradation of constitutents of NAPLs. Bacterial mineralization of phenanthrene was slower if the compounds was initially dissolved in phthalate esters than in aliphatic hydrocarbons with several NAPL-water interfacial areas. The differences were not the results of toxicity of the test NAPLs. The rates of partitioning of phenanthrene from NAPLs to water were faster with larger interfacial areas, but a consistent influence of interfacial area on the rate of mineralization Was not evident.