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

摘要

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.