microbial
micropollutant breakdown in aquifers and soil

It has often been reported that dissolved organic carbon (DOC) can stimulate micropollutant biodegradation. However, the role of DOC biodegradability is still poorly understood. In this study, we investigated how DOC with different biodegradability affects micropollutant biodegradation by aquifer and soil microbial communities. We observed that DOC addition promoted the biodegradation of MCPP (a pesticide), but not of other micropollutants. Our results also show the importance of sufficient exposure time to trigger micropollutant biodegradation in the environment and that the organic carbon in the environment can compete with micropollutants biodegradation.

Read more:
Branco, R. H. R., Meulepas, R. J. W., Kadlecová, K., Cardoso, M. F. S., Rijnaarts, H. H. M., & Sutton, N. B. (2024). Effect of dissolved organic carbon on micropollutant biodegradation by aquifer and soil microbial communities. Chemosphere, 347(140644), 140644. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140644