Laboratory testing of hydrocarbon-contaminated sediments and groundwater for evidence of anaerobic benzene biodegradation

Benzene is a widespread and toxic contaminant that tends to persist in anoxic environments. We propose that the abundance of specific clade of microorganisms specialized for anaerobic benzene metabolism is key to observing benzene loss. This project aims to collect soil and/or groundwater materials from hydrocarbon-polluted sites around the world in search of known anaerobic benzene degraders. Supporting laboratory-based (microcosm) experiments aim to enrich for these key microbes, either those naturally present at the site or inoculated into microcosm bottles. Results from this project will help identify the most common anaerobic benzene degraders (and associated microbes) and methods for reliably increasing their abundances for faster anaerobic benzene attenuation in situ.