MBTs for Chlorinated Ethane Reductive Dechlorination
Introduction
Evaluate microbial populations and functional genes associated with the anaerobic biodegradation of chlorinated ethanes, including 1,1,1-trichloroethane (1,1,1-TCA), 1,1-dichloroethane (1,1-DCA), 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCA), chloroform (CF), and related compounds. Molecular Biological Tools (MBTs) help determine whether native microbial populations are capable of complete reductive dechlorination, evaluate the need for bioaugmentation, and monitor biological response following amendment application.
Common Functional Gene and Microbial Biomarker Assays for Anaerobic Chlorinated Ethane Reductive Dechlorination
Molecular Target
Role in Reductive Dechlorination
Typical Application
Dehalobacter 16S rRNA
Identifies Dehalobacter spp., microorganisms capable of reductive dechlorination of chlorinated ethanes and chloroform. Some strains also ferment dichloromethane (DCM) to volatile fatty acids.
Biological treatment of chlorinated ethanes and chloroform
dcaA (1,2-DCA Reductase)
Encodes the reductive dehalogenase responsible for conversion of 1,2-dichloroethane to ethene.
Evaluation of 1,2-DCA biodegradation potential
dcrA (1,1-DCA Reductase)
Functional gene associated with reductive dechlorination of 1,1-dichloroethane to chloroethane.
Evaluation of 1,1-DCA biodegradation
cfrA (Chloroform / 1,1,1-TCA Reductase)
Encodes the reductive dehalogenase responsible for sequential dechlorination of 1,1,1-trichloroethane and chloroform to less chlorinated daughter products.
Evaluation of 1,1,1-TCA and chloroform biodegradation
