In the new future, clean-up efforts at dioxin-contaminated sites all over the world may be possible.
A recent study revealed bacteria might defuse the highly toxic dioxin in the sediments of the Passaic River.
Donna E. Fennell, the senior author, disclosed, "the bacteria-driven process we observed greatly decreases the toxicity of dioxin.".
The research was published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology. A team of scientists from Rutgers University did the study.
Rachel K. Dean, the study's lead author, revealed that the bacteria-driven process is quite slow, but is hopeful that there are many rooms for enhancement and by doing so may have the potential to remove all toxic chlorines from the compound."
The bacteria removes chlorine atom from 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, disintegrating the toxic compound.
Passaic River in eastern Essex County. The highly toxic dioxin in the sediments of Passaic River may be defused by a bacteria, a recent study revealed.
Dechlorination with the help of bacteria
The researchers took materials from the river bottom of the Passaic River. Nutrient, water, and 2,3,7,8-TeCDD and another chemical (dichlorobenzene) were mixed and noted the bacteria-driven process.
The study team identified the bacteria involved in the dechlorination process as Dehalococcoidia by sequencing its DNA from the mud. The team believes that 2,3,7,8-TeCDD in the Passaic River and estuary could be completely dechlorinated.
Dean and the study team admit that further work is needed to achieve the microbes' full potential. The team hopes to study further the enzymes involved in the dechlorination. The step is essential so that clean-up technologies for the Passaic River and other dioxin-contaminated sites may be possible soon.
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