This proposal investigates the working hypothesis that phytoremediation can be used to degradeairborne PCB congeners from soil and groundwater sources. Plants stimulate the microbial communityin the root zone and contribute to microbial degradation of RGBs (rhizodegradation). Higher-chlorinatedPCBs are dechlorinated under reducing (anaerobic) conditions; resulting lesser-chlorinated congenerscan undergo oxidative mineralization under aerobic conditions. Alternating reducing and oxidizingconditions in the rhizosphere makes the plant-soil system a natural two-stage bioreactor for initial PCBtransformation. Lesser-chlorinated PCBs can also be taken-up and transformed inside plan tissues.
The specific aims of the project are (1) to test the hypothesis that poplar plants can take up and detoxifylesser-chlorinated PCB congeners by identifying metabolic pathways of PCBs and genes that encodefor catabolic enzymes, (2) to test the hypothesis that bacteria in the rhizosphere can reductivelydechlorinate higher-chlorinated PCBs and can mineralize resulting lesser-chlorinated congeners underoxidizing conditions; this will be tested using anaerobic and aerobic batch bioreactors with rhizospheresoils contaminated with PCBs, (3) to test the hypothesis that phytoremediation will allow for significantreductions in the airborne transfer of PCBs from waste disposal sites and mitigate exposure to humansand ecosystems; this innovative cleaning up strategy (based on hypotheses 1 and 2) will be tested atthe bench scale and by pot-studies in the greenhouse, (4) to test the hypothesis that residues of PCBsin plant tissues are non-toxic or of greatly reduced toxicity to biota by conducting an eco-toxicologicalevaluation of the phytoremediation process using a battery of toxicity tests, and (5) to test thehypothesis that higher plants play a significant role in the environmental cycling of airborne PCBs byfield analyses of PCB accumulation on vegetation. The significance of this project is that it provides anintervention and remedy for contaminated waste sites that will help to break the continuous cycling ofPCBs in the atmosphere and the subsequent exposure to humans.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Type
Hazardous Substances Basic Research Grants Program (NIEHS) (P42)
Project #
1P42ES013661-01A1
Application #
7106934
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZES1-SET-A (P9))
Project Start
2006-04-01
Project End
2010-03-31
Budget Start
2006-04-01
Budget End
2007-03-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$183,537
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Iowa
Department
Type
DUNS #
062761671
City
Iowa City
State
IA
Country
United States
Zip Code
52242
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Xiao, Xin; Chen, Baoliang; Chen, Zaiming et al. (2018) Insight into Multiple and Multilevel Structures of Biochars and Their Potential Environmental Applications: A Critical Review. Environ Sci Technol 52:5027-5047
Herkert, Nicholas J; Jahnke, Jacob C; Hornbuckle, Keri C (2018) Emissions of Tetrachlorobiphenyls (PCBs 47, 51, and 68) from Polymer Resin on Kitchen Cabinets as a Non-Aroclor Source to Residential Air. Environ Sci Technol 52:5154-5160
P?n?íková, Kate?ina; Svržková, Lucie; Strapá?ová, Simona et al. (2018) In vitro profiling of toxic effects of prominent environmental lower-chlorinated PCB congeners linked with endocrine disruption and tumor promotion. Environ Pollut 237:473-486

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