Utilization and degradation of lindane by soil microorganisms

Abstract

Of 147 microorganisms isolated from a loamy sand, 71 showed good growth with lindane (γ-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane) and produced chloride in an aqueous medium. Thirteen soil microorganisms were selected to study the utilization of lindane. Lindane was metabolized by the microbes to γ-2,3,4,5,6-pentachloro-1-cyclohexene (γ-PCCH), α-3,4,5,6-tetrachloro-1-cyclohexene (α-TCCH), β-3,4,5,6-tetrachloro-1-cyclohexene (β-TCCH), γ-3,4,5,6-tetrachloro-1-cyclohexene (γ-TCCH), and pentachlorobenzene (PCB). Cells of Pseudomonas sp. No. 62 grown on lindane simultaneously adapted to γ-PCCH, α-TCCH, β-TCCH, γ-TCCH, PCB, 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorobenzene (1,2,3,4-TCB) and 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene (1,2,4,5-TCB). The bacteria degraded each of these chemicals at least partially as indicated by an increased rate of oxygen consumption. © 1976 Springer-Verlag.