Biodegradation of tetrabromobisphenol-A in Mangrove sediments

Abstract

Tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA) is a pollutant which has a devastating impact on our environment and should be removed from earth. This research aims to evaluate the aerobic and anaerobic TBBPA degradation and bacterial community changes in mangrove sediments. TBBPA degradation in the sediments was enhanced with a microcapsuled enzyme extract of spent mushroom compost (MC) under aerobic conditions and with zerovalent iron under anaerobic conditions. The TBBPA aerobic or anaerobic degradation rates were enhanced for three time additions. Four bacterial genera (Bacillus, Erythrobacter, Pseudomonas, Rhodococcus) were associated with TBBPA aerobic degradation; and four other bacterial genera (Desulfovibrio, Pseudomonas, Sphaerochaeta, Sphingomonas) were associated with TBBPA anaerobic degradation in the sediment. Moreover, nine methanogens were identified under anaerobic conditions that might also be involved in TBBPA anaerobic degradation in the sediment. Our results demonstrate two feasible methods toward TBBPA bioremediation for mangrove sediments under aerobic and anaerobic conditions.