Fate and movement of azaarenes and their anaerobic biotransformation products in an aquifer contaminated by wood-treatment chemicals

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

Infiltration of wastes containing creosote and pentachlorophenol from surface impoundments at an abandoned wood-treatment facility near Pensacola, Florida, resulted in contamination of the underlying sand and gravel aquifer. Pond sludges and sediments near the source were contaminated with 2- to 5-ring azaarenes having log Kow values of from 2.0 to 5.6. However, the ground water contained only azaarenes and their oxygenated and methylated derivatives having log Kow values of less than 3.5. These compounds also were present in coal tar-contaminated ground water at a site near St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Laboratory anaerobic degradation studies and on-site observations indicated that oxygenated azaarenes probably were biotransformation products of reactions mediated by indigenous microbial populations. Microbial N-methylation, C-methylation and O-methylation reactions are reported here for the first time. In the presence of nutrients and carbon sources such as acetate and propionate, all azaarenes studied were either partially or completely degraded. Evidence for the microbial degradation of azaarenes in ground water from anaerobic zones is presented. Oxygenated azaarenes were relatively more water-soluble, mobile and persistent in hydrogeologic environments.

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Fate and movement of azaarenes and their anaerobic biotransformation products in an aquifer contaminated by wood-treatment chemicals
Series title Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
DOI 10.1002/etc.5620060302
Volume 6
Issue 3
Year Published 1987
Language English
Publisher Wiley
Contributing office(s) Toxic Substances Hydrology Program
Description 14 p.
First page 163
Last page 176
Country United States
State Minnesota, Florida
City St. Louis Park, Pensacola
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details