Small 13C/ 12C fractionation contrasts with large enantiomer fractionation in aerobic biodegradation of phenoxy acids

Shiran Qiu, Erkin Gözdereliler, Philip Weyrauch, Eva C. Magana Lopez, Hans-Peter E. Kohler, Sebastian R. Sørensen, Rainer U. Meckenstock, Martin Elsner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

31 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Phenoxy acid herbicides are important groundwater contaminants. Stable isotope analysis and enantiomer analysis are well-recognized approaches for assessing in situ biodegradation in the field. In an aerobic degradation survey with six phenoxyacetic acid and three phenoxypropionic acid-degrading bacteria we measured (a) enantiomer-specific carbon isotope fractionation of MCPP ((R,S)-2-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)-propionic acid), DCPP ((R,S)-2-(2,4- dichlorophenoxy)-propionic acid), and 4-CPP ((R,S)-2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-propionic acid); (b) compound-specific isotope fractionation of MCPA (4-chloro-2- methylphenoxyacetic acid) and 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid); and (c) enantiomer fractionation of MCPP, DCPP, and 4-CPP. Insignificant or very slight (ε = -1.3‰ to -2.0‰) carbon isotope fractionation was observed. Equally small values in an RdpA enzyme assay (ε ea = -1.0 ± 0.1‰) and even smaller fractionation in whole cell experiments of the host organism Sphingobium herbicidovorans MH (ε wc = -0.3 ± 0.1‰) suggest that (i) enzyme-associated isotope effects were already small, yet (ii) further masked by active transport through the cell membrane. In contrast, enantiomer fractionation in MCPP, DCPP, and 4-CPP was pronounced, with enantioselectivities (ES) of -0.65 to -0.98 with Sphingomonas sp. PM2, -0.63 to -0.89 with Sphingobium herbicidovorans MH, and 0.74 to 0.97 with Delftia acidovorans MC1. To detect aerobic biodegradation of phenoxypropionic acids in the field, enantiomer fractionation seems, therefore, a stronger indicator than carbon isotope fractionation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5501-5511
Number of pages11
JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology
Volume48
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 20 May 2014

Programme Area

  • Programme Area 2: Water Resources

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Small 13C/ 12C fractionation contrasts with large enantiomer fractionation in aerobic biodegradation of phenoxy acids'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this