Research Article

Bioremediation of DDT-contaminated soil: enhancement by seaweed addition

  1. D Kantachote1,†,
  2. R Naidu2,‡,
  3. B Williams1,
  4. N McClure3,
  5. M Megharaj2,‡,
  6. I Singleton4,*

Article first published online: 16 APR 2004

DOI: 10.1002/jctb.1032

Issue

Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology

Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology

Volume 79, Issue 6, pages 632–638, June 2004

Additional Information

How to Cite

Kantachote, D., Naidu, R., Williams, B., McClure, N., Megharaj, M. and Singleton, I. (2004), Bioremediation of DDT-contaminated soil: enhancement by seaweed addition. J. Chem. Technol. Biotechnol., 79: 632–638. doi: 10.1002/jctb.1032

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Soil and Water, University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, SA 5064, Australia

  2. 2

    CSIRO Land and Water, Waite Campus, Glen Osmond, SA 5064, Australia

  3. 3

    School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5001 Australia

  4. 4

    School of Biology, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle, NE1 7RU, UK

  1. †

    Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat-Yai, 90112, Thailand

  2. ‡

    Australian Centre for Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation, University of South Australia, The Mawson Lakes Campus, SPRI Building W2-34, Mawson Lakes Boulevard, Mawson Lakes, South Australia 5095

*School of Biology, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle, NE1 7RU, UK

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 5 MAY 2004
  2. Article first published online: 16 APR 2004
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 5 FEB 2004
  4. Manuscript Revised: 28 JAN 2004
  5. Manuscript Received: 29 AUG 2003

Funded by

  • Royal Thai government

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Keywords:

  • bioremediation;
  • contaminated soil;
  • DDT;
  • dissolved organic carbon;
  • microorganisms;
  • sodium;
  • seaweed

Abstract

DDT [1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethane] is a major environmental pollutant and economical methods to remove DDT from the environment are required. In this work we used seaweed (dried and ground) to enhance DDT transformation in waterlogged soils. Initial daily rates of DDT biodegradation increased in the following order relating to the percentage by weight of added seaweed to soil 0.5 > 1 > 0 > 3 > 5 > 13 (w/w). The actual percentages of DDT biodegradation occurring within 6 weeks were 80, 64, 60, 50, 40 and 34 respectively. During soil incubation DDD [1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethane] was the major metabolite found with small amounts of DDE [1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethane] produced. The maximum amount of 4,4′-dichlorobenzophenone (DBP) (2.5%) produced was found in soil amended with 0.5% (w/w) seaweed, indicating that further degradation of DDD occurred. High levels of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), between 309 and 509 mg kg−1 soil, were present in soil amended with 3–13% (w/w) seaweed immediately after seaweed addition. It is possible that the high levels of DOC in soils amended with larger amounts of seaweed significantly retarded DDT biodegradation, possibly due to binding of DDT to DOC and subsequently decreasing the bioavailability of DDT to soil microbes. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry

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