The potential of biodegradation on 1, 1, 1-trichloro-2, 2-bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethane, based upon co-metabolism of indigenous bacteria

Abstract: The purpose of this project is to evaluate the potential of a bioreactor system to degrade DDT based upon co-metabolism of indigenous bacteria. The study was performed with soil samples spiked with four different concentrations of DDT. The prepared sludge was circulated at a steady rate of revolution per minute in bioreactors with added M8 solution, cabbage leaf extract and molasses. The experiment was carried out for 7 days and chemical analysis and toxicity testing was accomplished at the beginning and the end of the experiment. The chemical analysis was essential to support the conclusions of the ecotoxicology tests. Ecotoxicology test was performed for the assessment of the toxicity (in terms of bioavailable measures) of the sludge samples, and was carried out with the Ostracodtoxkit sediment toxicity test, with the freshwater benthic crustacean test species Heterocypris incongruens. As part of the project the potential of the bioremediation method phytoremediation have been studied. Brassica Juncea seeds have been cultivated in the soil spiked with four different concentrations of DDT for one month, under stable circumstances. Growth of the plants was measured at the end of the experiment, and a chemical analysis was carried out. A thorough literature review was carried out for both the bioreactor and the phytoremediation experiments in order to obtain information about methods and theoretical background. The ecotoxicology tests and the chemical analysis showed increased p,p’- DDT concentrations in the bioreactors I. and II. at the end of the 7 day experiment, the reasons of which are not known, and require further studies.