Pyrene Mineralization by Mycobacterium sp. Strain KMS in a Barley Rhizosphere

Authors

R. Child
C. Miller
Y. Liang
Ronald C. Sims, Utah State UniversityFollow
A. J. Anderson

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title

Journal of Environmental Quality

Publication Date

2007

Volume

36

Abstract

To determine whether the soil Mycobacterium isolate KMS would mineralize pyrene under rhizosphere conditions, a microcosm system was established to collect radioactive carbon dioxide released from the labeled polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon. Microcosms were designed as sealed, flow-through systems that allowed the growth of plants. Experiments were conducted to evaluate mineralization of ¹⁴C-labeled pyrene in a sand amended with the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons degrading Mycobacterium isolate KMS, barley plants, or barley plants with roots colonized by isolate KMS. Mineralization was quantified by collecting the ¹⁴CO₂ produced from ¹⁴C-labeled pyrene at intervals during the 10-d incubation period. Roots and foliar tissues were examined for ¹⁴C incorporation. Mass balances for microcosms were determined through combustion of sand samples and collection and quantification of ¹⁴CO₂ evolved from radiolabeled pyrene. No pyrene mineralization was observed in the sterile control systems. Greater release of ¹⁴CO₂ was observed in the system with barley colonized by KMS than in microcosms containing just the bacterium inoculum or sterile barley plants. These findings suggest that phytostimulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons mineralization could be applied in remediation schemes.

Recommended Citation

Child, R.; Miller, C.; Liang, Y.; Sims, Ronald C.; and Anderson, A. J., "Pyrene Mineralization by Mycobacterium sp. Strain KMS in a Barley Rhizosphere" (2007). Biological Engineering Faculty Publications. Paper 7.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/bioeng_facpub/7