2-Bromoethanesulfonate, Sulfate, Molybdate, and Ethanesulfonate Inhibit Anaerobic Dechlorination of Polychlorobiphenyls by Pasteurized Microorganisms

Dechlorination of Aroclor 1242 by pasteurized microorganisms was inhibited by 2-bromoethanesulfonate (BES), sulfate, molybdate, and ethanesulfonate. Consumption of these anions and production of sulfide from BES were detected. The inhibition could not be relieved by hydrogen. Taken together these results suggest that pattern M dechlorination is mediated by spore-forming sulfidogenic bacteria. These results also suggest that BES may inhibit anaerobic dechlorination by nonmethanogens by more than one mechanism.