Aerobic biodegradation of the chloroethenes: pathways, enzymes, ecology, and evolution

Timothy E Mattes; Anne K Alexander; Nicholas V Coleman

doi:10.1111/j.1574-6976.2010.00210.x

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Aerobic biodegradation of the chloroethenes: pathways, enzymes, ecology, and evolution

Journal article

Open access

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Aerobic biodegradation of the chloroethenes: pathways, enzymes, ecology, and evolution

Timothy E Mattes, Anne K Alexander and Nicholas V Coleman

FEMS microbiology reviews, Vol.34(4), pp.445-475

07/2010

DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6976.2010.00210.x

PMID: 20146755

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Abstract

Extensive use and inadequate disposal of chloroethenes have led to prevalent groundwater contamination worldwide. The occurrence of the lesser chlorinated ethenes [i.e. vinyl chloride (VC) and cis-1,2-dichloroethene (cDCE)] in groundwater is primarily a consequence of incomplete anaerobic reductive dechlorination of the more highly chlorinated ethenes (tetrachloroethene and trichloroethene). VC and cDCE are toxic and VC is a known human carcinogen. Therefore, their presence in groundwater is undesirable. In situ cleanup of VC- and cDCE-contaminated groundwater via oxidation by aerobic microorganisms is an attractive and potentially cost-effective alternative to physical and chemical approaches. Of particular interest are aerobic bacteria that use VC or cDCE as growth substrates (known as the VC- and cDCE-assimilating bacteria). Bacteria that grow on VC are readily isolated from contaminated and uncontaminated environments, suggesting that they are widespread and influential in aerobic natural attenuation of VC. In contrast, only one cDCE-assimilating strain has been isolated, suggesting that their environmental occurrence is rare. In this review, we will summarize the current knowledge of the physiology, biodegradation pathways, genetics, ecology, and evolution of VC- and cDCE-assimilating bacteria. Techniques (e.g. PCR, proteomics, and compound-specific isotope analysis) that aim to determine the presence, numbers, and activity of these bacteria in the environment will also be discussed.

Bacteria - metabolism

Aerobiosis

Bacterial Proteins - genetics

Dichloroethylenes - metabolism

Environmental Pollutants - metabolism

Bacteria - genetics

Metabolic Networks and Pathways - genetics

Environmental Microbiology

Biotransformation

Vinyl Chloride - metabolism

Bacterial Proteins - metabolism

Enzymes - metabolism

Evolution, Molecular

Details

Title: Subtitle: Aerobic biodegradation of the chloroethenes: pathways, enzymes, ecology, and evolution
Creators: Timothy E Mattes - Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA. tim-mattes@uiowa.edu
Anne K Alexander
Nicholas V Coleman
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: FEMS microbiology reviews, Vol.34(4), pp.445-475
Publisher: England
DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6976.2010.00210.x
PMID: 20146755
ISSN: 0168-6445
eISSN: 1574-6976
Language: English
Date published: 07/2010
Academic Unit: Civil and Environmental Engineering
Record Identifier: 9983991956702771

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