PPT Slide
Biotechnology Center for Agriculture and the Environment Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
- Four compounds were detectable in enrichment cultures amended with toluene and one of
the isomers of xylene. These compounds were identified as benzylsuccinate, phenylitaconate,
methyl-benzylsuccinate (MBS) and methyl-phenylitaconate (MPI).
- Our data indicates that the products of o-xylene degradation (2-MBS and 2-MPI) were
produced in much greater concentrations than those of toluene and the other xylene isomers.
- 2-methylbenzylsuccinate was detected in denitrifying sediment microcosms during active
toluene degradation, but not in microcosms that were unable to biodegrade toluene.
- By extracting 1 liter of groundwater with ether, and using GC-MS for detection, we were able
to identify 2-MBS at two points within the contaminant plume.
- 2-MBS was only detectable near the source of the plume where toluene and xylene
concentrations were relatively high.
- No 2-MBS was detected outside of the plume, or far downgradient within the plume.