Microbial degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls and alkylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
department or school: Science, Faculty of
department or school: Chemistry, Department of
data provider: DSpace
degree campus: UBCV
creator: Kuipers, Bianca
issued: 2009-07-14T19:57:06Z
issued: 1999
related degree: Doctor of Philosophy - PhD
degree grantor: University of British Columbia
description: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread environmental contaminants, and their presence in the environment is a cause for concern because they are linked to a variety of toxic effects. In this thesis, some aspects of the microbial degradation of PCBs and alkyl PAHs are investigated. Analytical methods for the extraction and analysis (by using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS)) of PCBs were developed and tested. The PCB content of three sediment cores taken from lakes in Cambridge Bay (Nunavut) was analyzed, but no evidence for in-situ microbial dechlorination of PCBs was found. A variety of approaches to the development of microbial enrichment cultures were tested. The most successful were developed by using 4-bromobenzoate, as an amendment to stimulate dehalogenation activity, and sediment collected from Esquimalt Harbour (British Columbia) as an inoculum source. The dechlorination of Aroclor 1260 in soils from Resolution Island (Nunavut) and Saglek (Labrador) by using a variety of enrichment cultures was investigated. Extensive dechlorination of highly-chlorinated PCB congeners was achieved, and the most abundant products from Aroclor 1260 dechlorination were tetrachlorobiphenyls. A method to determine the identity of one major dechlorination product by using MS/MS was developed, and the dechlorination product was found to be 24-24- tetrachlorobipheny 1. Some factors that could affect the extent and rate of PCB dechlorination were investigated. It was found that autoclaving pre-incubated cultures prior to inoculation with PCB-dechlorinating enrichment cultures increased the rate and extent of PCB dechlorination. It was also found that dechlorination of PCBs that had been present in Resolution Island soil for a number of years was not as extensive as dechlorination of PCBs that were freshly added to Resolution Island soil. A variety of incubation temperatures were tested, and the most rapid and…
aggregated CHO: https://circle.library.ubc.ca/rest/handle/2429/10786
extent: 8181429 bytes
format: application/pdf
note: MICROBIAL DEGRADATION OF POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS AND ALKYLATED POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS by BIANCA KUIPERS B . S c , Un ive r s i t y o f A u c k l a n d , N e w Zealand, 1991 M . Sc. (Hons.) , Univers i ty o f A u c k l a n d , N e w Zealand, 1993 A T H E S I S S U B M I T T E D I N P A R T I A L F U L F I L L M E N T O F T H E R E Q U I R E M E N T S F O R T H E D E G R E E O F D O C T O R O F P H I L O S O P H Y i n T H E F A C U L T Y O F G R A D U A T E S T U D I E S (Department o f Chemis t ry) W e accept this thesis as conforming to the required standard T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F B R I T I S H C O L U M B I A N o v e m b e r 1999 © B i a n c a Ku ipe r s , 1999 In presenting this thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirements for an advanced degree at the University of British Columbia, I agree that the Library shall make it freely available for reference and study. I further agree that permission for extensive copying of this thesis for scholarly purposes may be granted by the head of my department or by his or her representatives. It is understood that copying or publication of this thesis for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. Department of C-Kem\'st:r The University of British Columbia Vancouver, Canada Date I S&c^hxS l^S^ DE-6 (2/88) Abstract Polychlor ina ted biphenyls ( P C B s ) and p o l y c y l i c aromatic hydrocarbons ( P A H s ) are widespread environmental contaminants, and their presence i n the environment is a cause for concern because they are l i nked to a variety o f tox ic effects. In this thesis, some aspects o f the mic rob i a l degradation o f P C B s and a l k y l P A H s are investigated. A n a l y t i c a l methods for the extraction and analysis (by us ing gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry ( G C / M S ) ) o f P C B s were developed and tested. The P C B content o f three sediment cores taken f rom lakes i n Cambr idge B a y (Nunavut) was analyzed, but no evidence for in-…
has type: Thesis/Dissertation
date issued: 2000-05
is shown at: 10.14288/1.0061422
language: eng
degree discipline: Chemistry
provider: Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
publisher: University of British Columbia
rights: For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
scholar level: Graduate
type: Text
identifier URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/10786