Dehalococoides

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Contaminant:

Remediation Protocol:

Target Type:

DHC

Polychorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

Reductive dechlorination

Contaminant degrading species

qPCR Target Information

Dehalococoides (DHC) is an organohalide respiring species that are adept at dechlorinating PCBs under anaerobic conditions. Their reductive dehalogenase enzymes remove chlorine atoms from PCBs, making the PCBs less toxic. This process requires anaerobic conditions, hydrogen available for use as an electron donor and nutrients for optimal performance. This anaerobic process also makes the smaller/less chlorinated PCBs susceptible to aerobic oxidation by bacteria and fungi. Whilist initially developed for complete PCE and TCE dechlorination, the Dehalococcoides in AusPCE also dechlorinate PCBs.