Microbial Population Dynamics during PCB Bioremediation in Soils and Sediments.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) represent one of the most widespread and recalcitrant group of environmental contaminants in soils and aquatic sediments. Fortunately, they can be removed through the concerted activity of several bacterial groups under certain environmental conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of temperature, redox conditions, plant secondary metabolites (oxygenase-inducers), surfactants, and electron donors on aerobic and anaerobic PCB removal and microbial consortia in soils and river sediments using a variety of molecular techniques. Results from the study will be useful for identifying indicator taxa for assessing and optimizing bioremediation conditions such as redox status and substrate availability in soil and sediment environments.