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Microbial degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: effect of substrate availability on bacterial growth kinetics

  • Environmental Biotechnology
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Summary

It is demonstrated that bacterial growth on crystalline or adsorbed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons can result in a linear increase in biomass concentration. A simple mathematical approach is presented, showing that under these circumstances mass transfer from the solid phase to the liquid phase is rate-limiting for growth.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection, Laboratory for Waste Materials and Emissions, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands

    F. Volkering, A. M. Breure, A. Sterkenburg & J. G. van Andel

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  1. F. Volkering
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  2. A. M. Breure
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  3. A. Sterkenburg
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  4. J. G. van Andel
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Volkering, F., Breure, A.M., Sterkenburg, A. et al. Microbial degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: effect of substrate availability on bacterial growth kinetics. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 36, 548–552 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00170201

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00170201

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