Biodegradation of selected PCBs by microorganisms isolated from PCBs polluted environment

Abstract

During the XX century, mankind had developed various substances with excellent chemical and physical properties, and they were used as pesticides, flame retardants, oil for transformers and capacitors, water repellent substances. Unfortunately, many years after their introduction in commercial application and thus environment, it was discovered that some of these compounds are persistent, calcitrant, but also with carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic potential. Today some of these chemicals are on listed on Stockholm convention as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). These organic chemical substances possess a particular combination of physical and chemical properties because of which, when released into the environment, they: remain intact for exceptionally long periods of time; become widely distributed throughout the environment as a result of natural processes involving soil, water and, most notably, air; accumulate in the fatty tissue of living organisms including humans, and are found at higher concentrations at higher levels in the food chain; and are toxic to both humans and wildlife.