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The Role of Microbial PCB Dechlorination in Natural Restoration and Bioremediation

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Biotechnology in the Sustainable Environment

Part of the book series: Environmental Science Research ((ESRH,volume 54))

Abstract

From 1929 to 1978 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were widely used as dielectric fluids, hydraulic fluids, solvent extenders, and plasticizers. Several hundred million pounds of PCBs were released into the environment (Shiu and Mackay, 1986). It has been estimated that 50–80% of the PCBs in the environment have been deposited in the North Atlantic Ocean, and that the major continental sink for PCBs is freshwater sediment (NRC, 1979). PCBs tend to accumulate in biota and have been associated with potential health effects; consequently, their environmental fate is important.

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Author information

Author notes

  1. Donna L. Bedard

    Present address: GE Corporate Research and Development, P.O. Box 8, Schenectady, New York, 12301, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemistry Department, Purdue University, 1393 Brown Chemistry Building, Lafayette, Indiana, USA, 47907-1393

    Donna L. Bedard

  2. GE Corporate Research and Development, P.O. Box 8, Schenectady, New York, 12301, USA

    Heidi M. Van Dort

Authors
  1. Donna L. Bedard
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  2. Heidi M. Van Dort
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

    Gary S. Sayler , John Sanseverino  & Kimberly L. Davis ,  & 

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© 1997 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Bedard, D.L., Van Dort, H.M. (1997). The Role of Microbial PCB Dechlorination in Natural Restoration and Bioremediation. In: Sayler, G.S., Sanseverino, J., Davis, K.L. (eds) Biotechnology in the Sustainable Environment. Environmental Science Research, vol 54. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5395-3_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5395-3_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-7463-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-5395-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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