Microbial Degradation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls


Takao KOANA
A novel detoxification process for polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs) was developd. Two kinds of biphenyl degrading bacteria that can degrade most of mono-, di-, tri- and tetra- chlorinated biphenyl congeners were isolated from soil samples. When the commercially used KC-500 was dissolved in ethanol or menthanol and irradiated with UV light,dechlorination occured so that all congeners with four or more chlorines disappeared. Those with three or less chlorines was easily degraded by our bacteria to a lower level than that prescribed in the waste water regulation. The practical use of the process is discussed.