Phenanthrene biodegradation by an indigenous Pseudomonas sp. ZJF08 with TX100 as surfactant

Abstract

It is a potential approach to enhance the hydrophobic compounds biodegradation by microorganisms in the present of surfactants in contaminated soil. The application of surfactants has been considered as a potential method to enhance remediation effect of hydrophobic compounds by microorganisms in contaminated soils. The effects of four different surfactants on the biodegradation of phenanthrene were investigated in this research. The results showed that Triton X-100 enhanced the rate of degradation throughout the process at three different concentrations significantly. Meanwhile, Triton X-100 was difficult to be degraded by Pseudomonas sp. ZJF08. Both sodium dodecyl sulphate and Tween 80 enhanced the phenanthrene biodegradation rate at the initial phase of the biodegradation process, and the rate was slowed down after about 80 hours. Additionally, these two surfactants could be used as the carbon source easily by strain ZJF08. Tween 20 inhibited the degradation of phenanthrene, but it was the best carbon source for Pseudomonas sp. ZJF08 growth in mineral medium.