Biotransformation of lindane (gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane) by sequential treatment with anaerobic microbial cultures

The gamma isomer of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), also known as lindane, is a carcinogenic persistent organic pollutant. Lindane was used worldwide as an agricultural insecticide. Soil and groundwater contamination with lindane and other HCH isomers is a worldwide concern. Through this project, we studied the complete biotransformation of lindane to non-toxic end products using a sequential treatment approach with three mixed anaerobic microbial cultures. Illumina 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was used during the various stages of the experiments to monitor the microbial community linked to a specific phase in the biotransformation and to help identify key microorganisms that carry out these reactions.

六氯环己烷（hexachlorocyclohexane, HCH）的γ异构体，又称林丹（lindane），是一类致癌性持久性有机污染物。林丹曾在全球范围内被用作农业杀虫剂。土壤及地下水受到林丹与其他六氯环己烷异构体污染的问题，已成为全球性关注焦点。本研究通过采用包含三种混合厌氧微生物菌群的分步处理方案，实现了林丹向无毒终产物的完全生物转化。实验各阶段均借助Illumina 16S rRNA基因扩增子测序技术，对与生物转化特定阶段相关联的微生物群落进行监测，并辅助鉴定出执行这些反应的关键微生物。