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Biotransformation of tetrachloroethylene to trichloroethylene, dichloroethylene, vinyl chloride, and carbon dioxide under methanogenic conditions. 1985

T M Vogel, and P L McCarty

Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE), common industrial solvents, are among the most frequent contaminants found in groundwater supplies. Due to the potential toxicity and carcinogenicity of chlorinated ethylenes, knowledge about their transformation potential is important in evaluating their environmental fate. The results of this study confirm that PCE can be transformed by reductive dehalogenation to TCE, dichloroethylene, and vinyl chloride (VC) under anaerobic conditions. In addition, [14C]PCE was at least partially mineralized to CO2. Mineralization of 24% of the PCE occurred in a continuous-flow fixed-film methanogenic column with a liquid detention time of 4 days. TCE was the major intermediate formed, but traces of dichloroethylene isomers and VC were also found. In other column studies under a different set of methanogenic conditions, nearly quantitative conversion of PCE to VC was found. These studies clearly demonstrate that TCE and VC are major intermediates in PCE biotransformation under anaerobic conditions and suggest that potential exists for the complete mineralization of PCE to CO2 in soil and aquifer systems and in biological treatment processes.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D002245 Carbon Dioxide A colorless, odorless gas that can be formed by the body and is necessary for the respiration cycle of plants and animals. Carbonic Anhydride,Anhydride, Carbonic,Dioxide, Carbon
D002250 Carbon Radioisotopes Unstable isotopes of carbon that decay or disintegrate emitting radiation. C atoms with atomic weights 10, 11, and 14-16 are radioactive carbon isotopes. Radioisotopes, Carbon
D004000 Dichloroethylenes Toxic chlorinated unsaturated hydrocarbons. Include both the 1,1- and 1,2-dichloro isomers. Both isomers are toxic, but 1,1-dichloroethylene is the more potent CNS depressant and hepatotoxin. It is used in the manufacture of thermoplastic polymers. Vinylidene Chlorides,Chlorides, Vinylidene
D006843 Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated Hydrocarbon compounds with one or more of the hydrogens replaced by CHLORINE. Chlorinated Hydrocarbon,Chlorinated Hydrocarbons,Organochlorine Compound,Chlorine Compounds, Organic,Organochlorine Compounds,Compound, Organochlorine,Compounds, Organic Chlorine,Compounds, Organochlorine,Hydrocarbon, Chlorinated,Organic Chlorine Compounds
D001711 Biotransformation The chemical alteration of an exogenous substance by or in a biological system. The alteration may inactivate the compound or it may result in the production of an active metabolite of an inactive parent compound. The alterations may be divided into METABOLIC DETOXICATION, PHASE I and METABOLIC DETOXICATION, PHASE II.
D013750 Tetrachloroethylene A chlorinated hydrocarbon used as an industrial solvent and cooling liquid in electrical transformers. It is a potential carcinogen. Perchloroethylene,Perchlorethylene,Tetrachlorethylene,Tetrachloroethene
D014241 Trichloroethylene A highly volatile inhalation anesthetic used mainly in short surgical procedures where light anesthesia with good analgesia is required. It is also used as an industrial solvent. Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of the vapor can lead to cardiotoxicity and neurological impairment. Ethinyl Trichloride,Trichloroethene,Trielina,Trilene,Trichloride, Ethinyl
D014752 Vinyl Chloride A gas that has been used as an aerosol propellant and is the starting material for polyvinyl resins. Toxicity studies have shown various adverse effects, particularly the occurrence of liver neoplasms. Chloroethylene,Chloride, Vinyl
D014753 Vinyl Compounds Compounds containing the vinyl (-C Compounds, Vinyl
D019605 Euryarchaeota A phylum of ARCHAEA comprising at least seven classes: Methanobacteria, Methanococci, Halobacteria (extreme halophiles), Archaeoglobi (sulfate-reducing species), Methanopyri, and the thermophiles: Thermoplasmata, and Thermococci. Archaeoglobi,Halobacteria,Methanoococci,Methanopyri,Thermococci,Thermoplasmata,Methanobacteria

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