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Redox Conditions and the Reductive/Oxidativebiodegradation of Chlorinated Ethenes in Groundwater Systems

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Dehalogenation

3. Conclusions

Chlorinated ethenes are subject to a variety of biodegradation processes including chlororespiration, cometabolic reductive dechlorination, fermentative acetogenesis,aerobic and anaerobic oxidation, and aerobic cometabolism. Due to this metabolic diversity, the behavior of chlorinated ethenes in groundwater systems is often puzzling. The rate and extent of these biodegradation processes depends on predominant redox conditions and on the succession of predominant redox conditions. Thus, an assessment of ambient redox processes can help to explain the fate of chlorinated ethenes in different hydrologic systems. By careful evaluation of the redox conditions in groundwater systems, a clearer understanding of the biodegradation and natural attenuation of chlorinated ethenes in the environment can be achieved.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Microbial Studies Group, U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia, SC, USA

    Francis H. Chapelle & Paul M. Bradley

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  1. Francis H. Chapelle
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  2. Paul M. Bradley
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Rutgers University, USA

    Max M. Häggblom  & Ingeborg D. Bossert  & 

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Chapelle, F.H., Bradley, P.M. (2004). Redox Conditions and the Reductive/Oxidativebiodegradation of Chlorinated Ethenes in Groundwater Systems. In: Häggblom, M.M., Bossert, I.D. (eds) Dehalogenation. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-306-48011-5_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/0-306-48011-5_14

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-7406-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-306-48011-9

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