Microbial Ecology: Spatial Aspects of Pesticide Degradation

The influence of discontinuous water films on bioavailability of xenobiotics to soil microorganisms was examined in the third study. Comparisons were made between two scenarios for distributing the xenobiotic relative to an inoculated degrader under a range of soil moisture conditions. Spatial proximity of xenobiotic had a substantial effect on the extent of degradation, with an additional effect of moisture content. Simultaneous addition of the compound and the degrader to the soil resulted in reduced mineralization dependence on mass transfer and microbial motility. Solution phase concentrations of the compound in the vicinity of the degraders were controlled by application method, however, overall fraction of solution phase substrate was not affected, suggesting that mineralization was limited by a localized lack of solution phase substrate. The results demonstrate a possible role of physical accessibility in environmental fate of xenobiotics.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Natural Resrouces and Environmental Sciences

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Johnson, Teresa Ann

Contributors dc:contributor

• Sims, Gerald K.

• Environmental Sciences

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI9953055

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/83144