Compound Specific and Enantioselective Stable Isotope Analysis as Tools To Monitor Transformation of Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) in a Complex Aquifer System

Fate and degradation of methoxychlor in a contaminated aquifer: Insights from dual carbon-chlorine isotope analysis and isomeric fraction

The combined use of isomeric fraction (IF) and multi-element compound-specific isotope analysis (ME-CSIA) was evaluated for the first time to assess the fate and degradation of methoxychlor in the environment. The concentration and carbon and chlorine isotope composition of methoxychlor and its transformation products were monitored in water and solid phases of a fractured aquifer. The results from the interception trenches water samples demonstrated that induced alkaline conditions promoted alkaline hydrolysis. Natural attenuation of methoxychlor isomers was evidenced by carbon and chlorine isotopic fractionation. The field C-Cl isotope slope (ΛC/Cl = 0.42 ± 0.06; R² = 0.98) was statistically indistinguishable (p > 0.05) from that obtained in a previous experiment (0.44 ± 0.14), confirming the occurrence of reductive dechlorination of methoxychlor isomers. P,p'-methoxychlor δ13C values in groundwater samples revealed variations linked to rainfall patterns. The extent of p,p'-methoxychlor biodegradation was calculated to be greater than 89 % across the monitoring period. The combined use of CSIA and IF evidenced that alkaline hydrolysis and reductive dechlorination did not exhibit isomeric selectivity. Differences in IF values between slurry and water samples, as well as between upstream and downstream wells, suggested variations in the environmental behaviour of the p,p' and o,p'-isomers, likely due to differing water solubilities. Overall, ME-CSIA proved to be a valuable tool for identifying, quantifying, and tracing methoxychlor degradation in this aquifer. Additionally, IF provided insights into the distinct environmental behaviour of the p,p'- and o,p'-isomers. These tools offer crucial information, valuable for decision-makers in developing remediation strategies for methoxychlor-contaminated sites.

The soil-air interfacial migration process of volatile PFAS at the contaminated sites: Evidence from stable carbon isotopes with CSIA

Volatile per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are prone to transport among various environmental media, with the soil-air interfacial migration process being an important pathway that significantly influences their environmental fate. To assess the migration and transformations of target volatile PFAS at contaminated site using compound-specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA), it is necessary to understand the isotopic fractionation that occurs during their transfer from soil to air. We have established methods for pre-treatment and GC/CSIA analysis methods of target volatile PFAS in soil and air samples and ensured the accuracy of carbon isotope analysis. GC/IRMS δ13C measurements showed optimal precision at instrumental response above 1.35-2.75 Vs, with recommended minimum on-column C levels of 1.67-5.00 nmol for target volatile PFAS. Stable carbon isotope fractionation factors related to the soil-air interfacial migration process for target volatile PFAS were determined by performing laboratory simulations. The observed εsoil-air values are all negative, suggesting that the soil-air interfacial migration process for target volatile PFAS is kinetic fractionation, the removal of molecules containing lighter isotopes. By comparing the simulated and experimentally observed δ13C (‰) values of target volatile PFAS, we found consistent trends in the soil and inverse trends in the air. These δ13C (‰) values and the related isotope fractionation model provide valuable insights into the isotopic behavior of target volatile PFAS during soil-air interfacial migration process, aiding in the assessment of their environmental fate.

Novel extraction methods and compound-specific isotope analysis of methoxychlor in environmental water and aquifer slurry samples

Multi-element compound-specific stable isotope analysis (ME-CSIA) allows monitoring the environmental behavior and transformation of most common and persistent contaminants. Recent advancements in analytical techniques have extended the applicability of ME-CSIA to organic micropollutants, including pesticides. Nevertheless, the application of this methodology remains unexplored concerning harmful insecticides such as methoxychlor, a polar organochlorine pesticide usually detected in soil and groundwater. This study introduces methods for dual carbon and chlorine compound-specific stable isotope analysis (δ13C-CSIA and δ37Cl-CSIA) of both methoxychlor and its metabolite, methoxychlor olefin, with a sensitivity down to 10 and 100 mg/L, and a precision lower than 0.3 and 0.5 ‰ for carbon and chlorine CSIA, respectively. Additionally, three extraction and preconcentration techniques suitable for ME-CSIA of the target pesticides at environmentally relevant concentrations were also developed. Solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid-solid extraction (LSE) effectively extracted methoxychlor (107 ± 27 % and 87 ± 13 %, respectively) and its metabolite (91 ± 27 % and 106 ± 14 %, respectively) from water and aquifer slurry samples, respectively, with high accuracy (Δδ13C and Δδ37Cl ≤ ± 1 ‰). Combining CSIA with polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCISs) for the extraction of methoxychlor and methoxychlor olefin from water samples resulted in insignificant fractionation for POCIS-CSIA (Δδ13C ≤ ± 1 ‰). A relevant sorption of methoxychlor was detected within the polyethersulfones membranes of the POCISs resulting in temporary carbon isotope fractionation depending on the sorbed mass fraction during the first deployment days. This highlights the critical role of the interactions of polar analytes with POCIS sorbents and membranes in the performance of this method. Altogether, this study proposes a proof of concept for ME-CSIA of methoxychlor and its metabolites, opening the door for future investigations of their sources and transformation processes in contaminated sites.

Tracking the transformation of persistent organic pollutants in food webs using multi element isotope and enantiomer fractionation

In order to track the transformation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in food webs, field experiments were conducted at two sites using stable isotope and enantiomer fractionation concepts. The enantiomers of α-hexachlorocyclohexane (α-HCH) were selected as representative compounds for POPs. Isotope and enantiomer fractionation allowed the characterization of α-HCH enantiomer biotransformation processes along trophic levels of the food web - from soil and plants to animal livers, fat tissues and milk. The enrichment of heavy isotopes in soils, plants and sediments as well as the changes of enantiomer fractionation indicate that the biotransformation of α-HCH occurred in these compartments. Moreover, the increase of carbon and chlorine isotopic compositions as well as the changes of enantiomer fractionation of liver, fat tissues and milk demonstrated that the overall HCH exposure was much higher than estimates based on concentration levels, while the isotope and enantiomer fractionation revealed the enantiomer specific enantiomer uptake across the blood-brain barriers. Dual element isotope analysis suggested that complex transformation processes have occurred along the potential food web from the HCH sources over different environmental compartments to animal livers, fat tissues and milk. The results imply that the analyses of stable isotope compositions and concentrations has potential to reconstruct the exposure of higher organisms to POPs.

Anaerobic biotransformation of hexachlorocyclohexane isomers in aqueous condition: Dual CCl isotope fractionation and impact on microbial community compositions

Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers are persistent organic pollutants (POPs) with high toxicity, lipid solubility, chemical stability. Despite the current ban on usage of Lindane, residual contamination cannot be ignored, and HCH are frequently detected in groundwater and threaten human health. Cultures capable of degrading α-HCH, β-HCH, γ-HCH, and δ-HCH individually have been enriched in anoxic aqueous conditions. Compound-Specific Isotope Analysis (CSIA) was applied to examine the transformation mechanisms of different HCH isomers by the four enrichment cultures. 16S rRNA sequencing techniques were employed to examine the community composition of the enrichment cultures and detect changes in these communities resulting from adding individual HCH isomers. The results indicated that the ability of the enrichment cultures for dichloroelimination of HCH isomers was inconsistent. During dichloroelimination, different bond cleavage mode of β- and δ-HCH led to distinct isotopic effects. HCH isomers had significant impact on the microbial community, while different microbial communities showed comparable isotopic effects during the transformation of a specific HCH isomer. In addition, bacteria in the phyla Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were proposed as the dominant dechlorinators. This study provides a novel perspective on the mode of bond cleavage during HCH dichloroelimination and the effect of HCH on microbial communities, which could potentially support the evaluation of HCH transformation by CSIA and their effects on the microecosystems of groundwater.

Disclosing phototransformation mechanisms of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) in different media by simulated sunlight: Implication by compound-specific stable isotope analysis

As one of the typical brominated flame retardants, decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) has been widely detected in environment. However, scarce information was available on BDE-209 phototransformation mechanisms in various media. In this study, compound-specific stable isotope analysis was first applied to investigate BDE-209 phototransformation in n-hexane, MeOH:H2O (v:v, 8:2), and simulated seawater by simulated sunlight. BDE-209 transformation followed pseudo-first-order kinetic, with degradation rate in the following of n-hexane (2.66 × 10-3 min-1) > simulated seawater (1.83 × 10-3 min-1) > MeOH:H2O (1.41 × 10-3 min-1). Pronounced carbon isotope fractionation was first observed for BDE-209 phototransformation, with carbon isotope enrichment factors (εC) of -1.01 ± 0.14‰, -1.77 ± 0.26‰, -2.94 ± 0.38‰ in n-hexane, MeOH:H2O and simulated seawater, respectively. Combination analysis of products and stable carbon isotope, debromination with cleavage of C-Br bonds as rate-limiting step was the main mechanism for BDE-209 phototransformation in n-hexane, debromination and hydroxylation with cleavage of C-Br bonds as rate-limiting steps in MeOH:H2O, and debromination, hydroxylation and chlorination in simulated seawater. This present study confirmed that stable carbon isotope analysis was a robust method to discovery the underlying phototransformation mechanisms of BDE-209 in various solutions.

Recent progresses in compound specific isotope analysis of halogenated persistent organic pollutants. Assessing the transformation of halogenated persistent organic pollutants at contaminated sites

Compound specific isotope analysis was extensively used to characterise the environmental processes associated with the abiotic and biotic transformation of persistent halogenated organic pollutants including those of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs). In the last years, the compound specific isotope analysis was applied as tool to evaluate the environmental fate and was expanded to larger molecules like brominated flame retardants and polychlorinated biphenyls. Multi-element (C, H, Cl, Br) CSIA methods have been also employed both in laboratory and field experiments. Nevertheless, despite the instrumental advances of isotope ratio mass spectrometers systems, the instrumental detection limit for gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometer (GC-C-IRMS) systems is challenging, especially when it is utilized to δ13C analysis. Liquid chromatography-combustion isotope ratio mass spectrometry methods are challenging, taking into consideration the chromatographic resolution required when analysing complex mixtures. For chiral contaminants, enantioselective stable isotope analysis (ESIA) has turned up as alternative approach but, up to now, it has been used for a limited number of compounds. Taking into consideration the occurrence of new emerging halogenated organic contaminants, new GC and LC methods for non-target screening using high resolution mass spectrometry are needed to be developed prior to the compound specific isotope analysis (CSIA) methods.

Determination of Stable Hydrogen Isotopic Composition and Isotope Enrichment Factor at Low Hydrogen Concentration

Determination of stable hydrogen isotopic compositions (δ2H) is currently challenged to achieve a high detection limit for reaching the linear range where δ2H values are independent of concentration. Therefore, it is difficult to assess precise δ2H values for calculating the hydrogen isotope enrichment factor (εH) and for field application where the concentrations of contaminants are relatively low. In this study, a data treatment approach was developed to obtain accurate δ2H values below the linear range. The core concept was to use a logarithmic function to fit the δ2H values below the linear range and then adjust the δ2H values below the linear range into the linear range by using the fitted logarithmic equation. Moreover, the adjusted δ2H values were calibrated by using laboratory reference materials, e.g., n-alkanes. Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) and hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers were selected as examples of complex heteroatom-bearing compounds to develop the data treatment approach. This data treatment approach was then tested using δ2H values from a TCEP transformation experiment with OH radicals. Comparable δ2H values and εH between the low-concentration experiment and the reference experiment were obtained using the developed approach. Therefore, the developed data treatment approach enables a possibility of determining the hydrogen isotopic compositions of organic components in low concentrations. It is especially valuable for determining organic contaminants in environmental samples, which are usually present in low concentrations.

Integrating compound-specific stable isotope and enantiomer-specific analysis to characterize the isomeric and enantiomeric signatures of hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) in paddy soils

Organic pollutants in paddy fields may undergo different processes from those in dryland due to the anaerobic environment. The integrated use of compound-specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA) and enantiomer-specific analysis is a promising technique for understanding the behavior and fate of organic pollutants in soils. In this study, soil samples were collected from paddy fields in three major rice cultivation regions of China, spanning a transect of 4000 km. The mean concentrations of ƩHCHs in paddy soils from the Taihu Plain were the highest (1.44 ng/g). The ratios of α-HCH/β-HCH (all below 11.8) and α-HCH/γ-HCH (92% below 4.64), as well as the enantiomeric fractions (EFs) of chiral α-HCH (mean of 0.81), reflected that the distribution of HCHs was affected by the use of both technical HCHs and lindane. The preferential depletion of (-)-α-HCH and pronounced carbon isotope fractionation of α-HCH (δ13C of -28.22 ± 0.92‰ -23.63 ± 1.89‰) demonstrated its effective transformation. Factors such as altitude, soil temperature, soil pH, soil conductivity and soil organic matter significantly influenced the fate and transformation of HCHs. The current study highlights the integrated application of CSIA and enantiomer-specific analysis to provide multiple lines of evidence for the transformation of HCHs in soils.

Uptake and Transformation of Hexachlorocyclohexane Isomers (HCHs) in Tree Growth Rings at a Contaminated Field Site

The potential transformation of hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCHs) within tree trunks could have a significant impact on the use of phytoscreening. However, the transformation mechanisms of HCH in trunks particularly in growth rings are not yet well understood. Therefore, a field study on an HCH-contaminated field site was conducted to investigate the fate of HCH, particularly α-HCH in tree trunks using multielement compound-specific isotope analysis (ME-CSIA) and enantiomer fractionation. The results indicate that α-HCH was transformed, as evidenced by higher δ¹³C and δ³⁷Cl values detected across different growth ring sections and in the bark compared to those in muck and soil. Remarkably, in the middle growth ring section, δ¹³C values of HCH were only marginally higher or comparable to those in muck, whereas δ³⁷Cl values were higher than those of the muck, indicating a different transformation mechanism. Moreover, the δ³⁷Cl values of β-HCH also increased in the tree trunks compared to those in soil and muck, implying a transformation of β-HCH. Additionally, dual-element isotope analysis revealed that there are different transformation mechanisms between the middle growth rings and other sections. Our findings suggest that the transformation of HCHs in trunks could bias quantitative phytoscreening approaches; however, ME-CISA offers an option to estimate the degradation extent.

Mechanistic characterization of anaerobic microbial degradation of BTBPE in coastal wetland soils: Implication by compound-specific stable isotope analysis

As a novel brominate flame retardants, 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane (BTBPE) has been extensively used in various consumer products, and frequently detected in various environmental matrices. However, the microbial degradation of BTBPE remains unclear in the environment. This study comprehensively investigated the anaerobic microbial degradation of BTBPE and therein stable carbon isotope effect in the wetland soils. BTBPE degradation followed the pseudo-first-order kinetic, with degradation rate of 0.0085 ± 0.0008 day^-1. Based on identification of degradation products, stepwise reductive debromination was the main transformation pathway of BTBPE, and tended to keep the stable of 2,4,6-tribromophenoxy group during the microbial degradation. The pronounced carbon isotope fractionation was observed for BTBPE microbial degradation, and carbon isotope enrichment factor (ε_C) was determined to be -4.81 ± 0.37‰, indicating cleavage of C-Br bond as the rate-limiting step. Compared to previously reported isotope effects, carbon apparent kinetic isotope effect (AKIE_C = 1.072 ± 0.004) suggested that the nucleophilic substitution (S_N2 reaction) was the potential reaction mechanism for reductive debromination of BTBPE in the anaerobic microbial degradation. These findings demonstrated that BTBPE could be degraded by the anaerobic microbes in wetland soils, and the compound-specific stable isotope analysis was a robust method to discover the underlying reaction mechanisms.

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in groundwater: current understandings and challenges to overcome

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been frequently detected in groundwater globally. With the phase-out of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanate (PFOA) due to their risk to the ecosystem and human population, various novel PFASs have been used as replacements and detected in groundwater. In order to summarize the current understanding and knowledge gaps on PFASs in groundwater, we reviewed the studies about environmental occurrence, transport, and risk of legacy and novel PFASs in groundwater published from 1999 to 2021. Our review suggests that PFOS and PFOA could still be detected in groundwater due to the long residence time and the retention in the soil-groundwater system. Firefighting training sites, industrial parks, and landfills were commonly hotspots of PFASs in groundwater. More novel PFASs have been detected via nontarget analysis using high-resolution mass spectrometry. Some novel PFASs had concentrations comparable to that of PFOS and PFOA. Both legacy and novel PFASs can pose a risk to human population who rely on contaminated groundwater as drinking water. Transport of PFASs to groundwater is influenced by various factors, i.e., the compound structure, the hydrochemical condition, and terrain. The exchange of PFASs between groundwater and surface water needs to be better characterized. Field monitoring, isotope tracing, nontarget screening, and modeling are useful approaches and should be integrated to get a comprehensive understanding of PFASs sources and behaviors in groundwater.

Stable isotope fractionation associated with the synthesis of hexachlorocyclohexane isomers for characterizing sources

The stable isotope fingerprints of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers have potential for identifying sources as they are related to the synthesis processes and isotopic compositions of raw materials. However, the isotopic fractionation associated with the synthesis processes has not been investigated. Therefore, photochemical synthesis experiments using benzene and chlorine gas were conducted to characterize the associated isotopic fractionation under different conditions. Different patterns of isotopic fractionation factors (α_C, α_Cl, and α_H) were observed in each experiment. The large variability of α_H is related to the accumulating secondary hydrogen isotope effects or the rearrangement of C-H bonds at the cyclohexane ring. An increase of δ¹³C and δ³⁷Cl values of HCH isomers was observed during synthesis, which is related to the C-Cl bond formation in the radical dichlorination forming HCH and the subsequent chlorine substitution forming heptachlorocyclohexanes. The large variability of δ²H values is related to the secondary and primary hydrogen isotope effects. Different δ¹³C, δ³⁷Cl and δ²H values among HCH isomers were observed, indicating that conformational complexity of HCH caused by arrangement of C-Cl bonds in planar and axial positions also influence the isotope values. The understanding of isotopic fractionation during HCH synthesis can be indicative for source identification in the field.

Exploring Mechanisms of Biotic Chlorinated Alkane Reduction: Evidence of Nucleophilic Substitution (SN2) with Vitamin B12

Chlorinated alkanes are notorious groundwater contaminants. Their natural reductive dechlorination by microorganisms involves reductive dehalogenases (RDases) containing cobamide as a cofactor. However, underlying mechanisms of reductive dehalogenation have remained uncertain. Here, observed products, radical trap experiments, UV-vis, and mass spectra demonstrate that (i) reduction by cobalamin (vitamin B₁₂) involved chloroalkyl-cobalamin complexes (ii) whose formation involved a second-order nucleophilic substitution (S_N2). Dual element isotope analysis subsequently linked insights from our model system to microbial reductive dehalogenation. Identical observed isotope effects in reduction of trichloromethane by Dehalobacter CF and cobalamin (Dehalobacter CF, ε_C = -27.9 ± 1.7‰; ε_Cl = -4.2 ± 0.‰; λ = 6.6 ± 0.1; cobalamin, ε_C = -26.0 ± 0.9‰; ε_Cl = -4.0 ± 0.2‰; λ = 6.5 ± 0.2) indicated the same underlying mechanism, as did identical isotope effects in the reduction of 1,2-dichloroethane by Dehalococcoides and cobalamin (Dehalococcoides, ε_C = -33.0 ± 0.4‰; ε_Cl = -5.1 ± 0.1‰; λ = 6.5 ± 0.2; cobalamin, ε_C = -32.8 ± 1.7‰; ε_Cl = -5.1 ± 0.2‰; λ = 6.4 ± 0.2). In contrast, a different, non-S_N2 reaction was evidenced by different isotope effects in reaction of 1,2-dichloroethane with Dehalogenimonas (ε_C = -23.0 ± 2.0‰; ε_Cl = -12.0 ± 0.8‰; λ = 1.9 ± 0.02) illustrating a diversity of biochemical reaction mechanisms manifested even within the same class of enzymes (RDases). This study resolves open questions in our understanding of bacterial reductive dehalogenation and, thereby, provides important information on the biochemistry of bioremediation.

Stable Carbon Isotope Analysis of Hexachlorocyclohexanes by Liquid–Liquid Extraction Gas Chromatography Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry: Method Evaluation and Applications

Compound specific isotope analysis (CSIA) and enantiomer specific isotope analysis (ESIA) are powerful tools for assessing the fate of hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) in the environment. However, there is no systematic study on the CSIA and ESIA analysis test methods of the carbon isotopes of HCHs in water and soil environments, in particular the isotope fractionation in the pre-concentration process. We endeavored to test the compatibility of CSIA and ESIA with the liquid–liquid extraction method of HCHs in water. The results showed that there were negligible changes in the δ13C of HCHs after extraction, indicating that liquid–liquid extraction can be used as a pre-concentration method for the determination of δ13C of HCHs in water. The optimized method was validated and then applied to differentiate three HCHs from different manufacturers, to identify in situ degradation of HCHs of groundwater from a contaminated site and to resolve the carbon isotope fractionation occurring in the α-HCH oxidation by CaO2/Fe(II) Fenton system. The results showed that the same reagents from different manufacturers have different carbon isotope compositions, and different isomers from the same manufacturer also have different isotope compositions, showing useful evidence in identifying the source of HCHs. The more enriched δ13C in the down-gradient wells indicated that HCHs have undergone biodegradation or/and chemical reactions in the groundwater system of the site. Carbon isotopic enrichment factors (εC) of −1.90 ± 0.10‰ were obtained in the oxidation process. Hence, the method validated in this study has great potential as a method for identifying the degradation of HCHs in a water environment.

Fingerprinting Organochlorine Groundwater Plumes Based on Non-Invasive ERT Technology at a Chemical Plant

The refined characterization of groundwater pollution is an important prerequisite for efficient and effective remediation. A high-resolution survey of a contaminated site in a chemical pesticide factory was carried out using non-invasive geophysical sensing technology. Modern electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) technology can rapidly identify and characterize the groundwater pollution plumes of organochlorine pesticides, which was demonstrated in this study by the significantly abnormal resistivity sensing in stratums and aquifers under the raw material tanks, production, and loading areas. The results were found to be highly consistent with the ERT sensing results achieved via incorporating borehole sampling and hydrochemical analysis. With high abnormal resistivity, the range of contamination within the profile was characterized on the meter level. We also unexpectedly found new pollution and explained its source. This study confirmed that the modern refined ERT method has a high feasibility and accuracy in characterizing the spatial distribution of organochlorine pesticide plumes in groundwater.

Exploring the enantiomeric 13C position-specific isotope fractionation: challenges and anisotropic NMR-based analytical strategy

Trying to answer the intriguing and fundamental question related to chiral induction/amplification at the origin of homochirality in Nature: "Is there a relationship between enantiomeric and isotopic fractionation of carbon 13 in chiral molecules?" is a difficult but stimulating challenge. Although isotropic ¹³C-PSIA NMR is a promising tool for the determination of (¹³C/¹²C) ratios capable of providing key ¹³C isotopic data for understanding the reaction mechanisms of biological processes or artificial transformations, this method does not provide access to any enantiomeric ¹³C isotopic data unless mirror-image isomers are first physically separated. Interestingly, ¹³C spectral enantiodiscriminations can be potentially performed in situ in the presence of enantiopure entities as chiral-europium complexes or chiral liquid crystals (CLCs). In this work, we explored for the first time the capabilities of the anisotropic ¹³C-{¹H} NMR using PBLG-based lyotropic CLCs as enantiodiscriminating media in the context of the enantiomeric position-specific ¹³C isotope fractionation (EPSIF), within the requested precision of the order of the permil. As enantiomeric NMR signals are discriminated on the basis of a difference of ¹³C residual chemical shift anisotropy (¹³C-RCSA) prior to being deconvoluted, analysis of enantiomeric mixtures becomes possible. The analytical potential of this approach when using poly-γ-benzyl-L-glutamate (PBLG) is presented, and the preliminary quantitative results on small model chiral molecules obtained at 17.5 T with a cryogenic NMR probe are reported and discussed. A promising analytical approach based on anisotropic irm-¹³C-NMR spectrometry to potentially reveal the natural ¹³C/¹²C isotopic enantiofractionation effects in organic chiral molecules is proposed and discussed.

Characterizing the biotransformation of hexachlorocyclohexanes in wheat using compound-specific stable isotope analysis and enantiomer fraction analysis

Hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCHs) are persistent organic pollutants being responsible for environmental contamination worldwide. In order to characterize transformation of HCHs in different plant compartments during uptake, a hydroponic experimental setup was designed using wheat as the test plant. The extent of transformation was determined by using compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) and enantiomer fraction (EF) analysis. In nutrient solutions, no change of carbon (δ¹³C) and chlorine isotope ratios (δ³⁷Cl) of α-HCH and β-HCH was detected throughout the experiment indicating no transformation there. In wheat leaves, stems and roots, however, transformation of α-HCH due to a C‒Cl bond cleavage was indicated by increasing δ¹³C and δ³⁷Cl compared to the nutrient solution. In addition, 1,3,4,5,6-pentachlorocyclohexene (PCCH) was identified as the major metabolite of α-HCH transformation. For β-HCH, in contrast, no transformation was detected. The evaluation of enantiomer fraction analysis revealed no change of the EF(-) in the nutrient solution or on root surface but a decrease in the wheat compartments, providing an evidence for the preferential biological transformation of (-)α-HCH in wheat. The current study provides the first experimental evidence for biotransformation of α-HCH in wheat using CSIA and EF and provides a concept to evaluate processes during phytoremediation.

Chlorine and Bromine Isotope Analysis of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers Using Gas Chromatography-Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry

A compound-specific chlorine/bromine isotope analysis (Cl-/Br-CSIA) method was developed using gas chromatography-quadrupole mass spectrometry for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), which are toxic to human health and are frequently detected in various abiotic and biotic media. For PCB congeners, the molecular ion method for a concentration of 0.5-10.0 ppm, a dwell time of 20-100 ms, a relative EM voltage of 200 V, an electric current of 34 μA, and an ionization energy of 70 eV was determined as the most suitable scheme, which obtained standard deviations (SDs) of chlorine isotope ratios ranging from 0.00008 to 0.00068. As for the PBDE congeners, the lowest SDs, ranging from 0.00050 to 0.00172, were determined using the top four ion method with a concentration of 5-10 ppm and a dwell time of 20-50 ms. Both the chlorine and bromine isotope ratios showed strong concentration dependencies. Therefore, external standardization or detecting chlorine and bromine isotope ratios at a uniform concentration level is necessary to eliminate the concentration effect. In addition, ¹³C-correction is critical to remove interference from carbon isotopes. This newly developed Cl-/Br-CSIA method successfully determined the chlorine/bromine isotope ratios of PCBs/PBDEs in technical mixtures and traced the chlorine/bromine isotope ratio variations of PCBs/PBDEs in photodegradation experiments, thereby suggesting that it is a promising tool for assessing the sources and transformation processes of PCBs and PDBEs in the environment.

Dual C-Cl isotope analysis for characterizing the anaerobic transformation of α, β, γ, and δ-hexachlorocyclohexane in contaminated aquifers

Hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) are widespread and persistent environmental pollutants, which cause heavy contamination in soil, sediment and groundwater. An anaerobic consortium, which was enriched on β-HCH using a soil sample from a contaminated area of a former pesticide factory, was capable to transform α, β, γ, and δ-HCH via tetrachlorocyclohexene isomers stoichiometrically to benzene and chlorobenzene. The carbon and chlorine isotope enrichment factors (ε_C and ε_Cl) of the dehalogenation of the four isomers ranged from -1.9 ± 0.3 to -6.4 ± 0.7‰ and from -1.6 ± 0.2 to -3.2 ± 0.6‰, respectively, and the correlation of δ³⁷Cl and δ¹³C (Λ values) of the four isomers ranged from 1.1 ± 0.1 to 2.4 ± 0.2. The evaluation of Λ and the apparent kinetic isotope effects (AKIE) for carbon and chlorine may lead to the hypothesis that the two eliminated chlorine atoms of α- and γ-HCH were in axial positions, the same as for the β-HCH conformer which has six chlorine atoms in axial positions after ring flip. The dichloroelimination of δ-HCH resulted in distinct AKIE and Λ values as one chlorine atom is in axial whereas the other chlorine atoms are in the equatorial positions. Significant chlorine and carbon isotope fractionations of HCH isomers were observed in the samples from a contaminated aquifer (Bitterfeld, Germany). The ³⁷Cl/³⁵Cl and ¹³C/¹²C isotope fractionation patterns of HCH isomers from laboratory experiments were used diagnostically in a model to characterize microbial dichloroelimination in the field study. The comparison of isotope fractionation patterns indicates that the transformation of HCH isomers at the field was mainly governed by microbial dichloroelimination transformation.

Tracing the sources and microbial degradation of PCBs in field sediments by a multiple-line-of-evidence approach including compound-specific stable isotope analysis

Comprehensive monitoring is crucial for tracing micropollutants in the natural environment. To better evaluate the sources and natural attenuation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), three composite sediment cores were sampled from a closed pond near e-waste recycling plants, and a multiple-line-of-evidence approach (MLEA) including quantification, enantiomer analysis, microbial community profiling, and compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) was used to investigate the fate of PCBs in sediment cores. The difference in the maximum PCB concentrations and associated depths between sites 1/2 and 3 and the corresponding significant (p < 0.01) difference in δ¹³C values strongly indicated two different PCB inputs at sites 1/2 and 3. A significant (p < 0.01) negative correlation between the variation in chlorine per biphenyl (CPB) and Log the abundance of Dehalococcoides/total molar concentration of PCBs (Log Dhc/TPCB) along the cores suggested that different degrees of PCB degradation occurred and that Dehalococcoides likely participated in PCB degradation in these sediments. Nonracemic compositions and pronounced stable carbon isotope fractionation (Δδ¹³C > 1‰) of PCB congeners were observed, confirming that in situ degradation occurred in the sediment cores. The progressive enrichment in ¹³C with increasing core depth suggested strengthened microbial degradation of the residual congener pools. The results of this study suggested that MLEA analysis of PCBs can provide reliable information to better monitor the sources and fate of these compounds in the environment.

Compound-Specific Isotope Analysis and Enantiomer Fractionation to Characterize the Transformation of Hexachlorocyclohexane Isomers in a Soil-Wheat Pot System

The uptake by plants from soil is one of the first steps for hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers to enter the food web. However, the HCH transformation associated with the uptake process is still not well understood. Therefore, a soil-wheat pot experiment was conducted to characterize the HCH transformation during wheat growth using compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) and enantiomer fractionation. The results showed that the δ¹³C and δ³⁷Cl values of β-HCH remained stable in soil and wheat, revealing no transformation. In contrast, an increase of δ¹³C and δ³⁷Cl values of α-HCH indicated its transformation in soil and wheat. A shift of the enantiomer fraction (EF) (-) from 0.50 to 0.35 in soil at the jointing stage and 0.35 to 0.57 at the harvest stage suggested that the preferential transformation of enantiomers varied at different growth stages. Based on the dual element isotope analysis, the transformation mechanism in the soil-wheat system was different from that in wheat in hydroponic systems. The high abundance of HCH degraders, Sphingomonas sp. and Novosphingobium sp., was detected in the α-HCH-treated rhizosphere soil, supporting the potential for biotransformation. The application of CSIA and EF allows characterizing the transformation of organic pollutants such as HCHs in the complex soil-plant systems.

Microbial Communities Associated with Sustained Anaerobic Reductive Dechlorination of α-, β-, γ-, and δ-Hexachlorocyclohexane Isomers to Monochlorobenzene and Benzene

Intensive historical and worldwide use of pesticide formulations containing hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) has led to widespread contamination. We derived four anaerobic enrichment cultures from HCH-contaminated soil capable of sustainably dechlorinating each of α-, β-, γ-, and δ-HCH isomers stoichiometrically to benzene and monochlorobenzene (MCB). For each isomer, the dechlorination rates, inferred from production rates of the dechlorinated products, MCB and benzene, increased progressively from <3 to ∼12 μM/day over 2 years. The molar ratio of benzene to MCB produced was a function of the substrate isomer and ranged from β (0.77 ± 0.15), α (0.55 ± 0.09), γ (0.13 ± 0.02), to δ (0.06 ± 0.02) in accordance with pathway predictions based on prevalence of antiperiplanar geometry. Data from 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and quantitative PCR revealed significant increases in the absolute abundances of Pelobacter and Dehalobacter, most notably in the α-HCH and δ-HCH cultures. Cultivation with a different HCH isomer resulted in distinct bacterial communities, but similar archaeal communities. This study provides the first direct comparison of shifts in anaerobic microbial communities induced by the dechlorination of distinct HCH isomers. It also uncovers candidate microorganisms responsible for the dechlorination of α-, β-, γ-, and δ-HCH, a key step toward better understanding and monitoring of natural attenuation processes and improving bioremediation technologies for HCH-contaminated sites.

Can Alkaline Hydrolysis of γ-HCH Serve as a Model Reaction to Study Its Aerobic Enzymatic Dehydrochlorination by LinA?

Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers constitute a group of persistent organic pollutants. Their mass production and treatment have led to a global environmental problem that continues to this day. The characterization of modes of degradation of HCH by isotope fractionation is a current challenge. Multi isotope fractionation analysis provides a concept to characterize the nature of enzymatic and chemical transformation reactions. The understanding of the kinetic isotope effects (KIE) on bond cleavage reaction contributes to analyses of the mechanism of chemical and enzymatic reactions. Herein, carbon, chlorine, and hydrogen kinetic isotope effects are measured and predicted for the dehydrochlorination reaction of γ-HCH promoted by the hydroxyl ion in aqueous solution. Quantum mechanical (QM) microsolvation with an implicit solvation model and path integral formalism in combination with free-energy perturbation and umbrella sampling (PI-FEP/UM) and quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical QM/MM potentials for including solvent effects as well as calculating isotope effects are used and analyzed with respect to their performance in reproducing measured values. Reaction characterization is discussed based on the magnitudes of obtained isotope effects. The comparative analysis between the chemical dehydrochlorination of γ-HCH in aqueous media and catalyzed reaction by dehydrochlorinase, LinA is presented and discussed. Based on the values of isotope effects, these two processes seem to occur via the same net mechanism.

Isotope fractionation approach to characterize the reactive transport processes governing the fate of hexachlorocyclohexanes at a contaminated site in India

The transformation processes of hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCHs) from production sites of Lindane across the landscape and along the food web were studied as an example to understand the fate of POPs in the environment. Therefore, we studied the concentration and isotope composition of HCHs in different matrices in the vicinity of a dumpsite and a chemical plant producing HCHs in India. Carbon isotope compositions (δ¹³C) of HCHs and the enantiomer fraction (EF) of α-HCH were used as indicators to characterize in situ degradation in soil, groundwater, and sediment as well as along the food web. The HCHs were detected in plants growing on contaminated soil. Elevated concentrations of HCHs were found in a number of crops, which indicates an important transfer pathway of HCHs entering food webs. The EF value of α-HCH and the δ¹³C signature of HCHs indicated that degradation processes occurred in the rhizosphere or within the plants potentially attenuating the contamination of HCHs. The isotope enrichment of HCHs in dung and milk samples showed that degradation of HCHs may take place in the digestive track of cow and buffalo as well as during their metabolism. The δ¹³C of HCHs was used to analyze the potential dispersion routes on the landscape scale in order to understand the reactive transport pathways starting at the source of HCHs. In this study, the potential of carbon isotope fractionation and EF for characterizing uptake of HCHs into plants and accumulation in the food web were examined. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study using the combination of stable isotope fractionation and EF to track the reactive transport processes in a complex environment including the food web.

Assessment of hexachlorcyclohexane biodegradation in contaminated soil by compound-specific stable isotope analysis

Compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) was firstly applied to explore the biodegradation of hexachlorcyclohexane (HCH) isomers in contaminated soil. Concentrations and compound-specific carbon isotope ratio profiles of HCH in different specific ex-situ pilot-scale contaminated soil mesocosms were determined. The addition of nutrients and Sphingobium spp. significantly enhanced the degradation of HCH in contaminated soils within 90 days. Isomer specific biodegradation of HCHs was observed with α- and γ-HCH being more degradable than β and δ-HCH. Stable carbon isotope fractionation of HCH was observed and the δ¹³C values shifted from -28.8 ± 0.3‰ to -24.8 ± 0.7‰ upon 87.3% removal, -27.9 ± 0.2‰ to -25.9 ± 0.5‰ upon 72.8% removal, -29.4 ± 0.3‰ to -19.9 ± 0.6‰ upon 95.8% removal, and -27.8 ± 0.5‰ to -23.6 ± 0.7‰ after 96.9% removal for α, β, γ, and δ-HCH, respectively. Furthermore, the enrichment factor ε for α, β, γ, and δ-HCH biodegradation in soil was obtained for the first time as -2.0‰, -1.5‰, -3.2‰, and -1.4‰, which could play a critical role in assessing in situ biodegradation of HCH isomers in field site soil. Results from ex-situ pilot-scale experiments clearly demonstrated that CSIA could be a promising tool to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate in situ biodegradation of HCH in contaminated field site.

Enantiomer and Carbon Isotope Fractionation of α-Hexachlorocyclohexane by Sphingobium indicum Strain B90A and the Corresponding Enzymes

Chiral organic contaminants, like α-hexachlorocyclohexane (α-HCH), showed isotope fractionation and enantiomer fractionation during biodegradation. This study aims to understand the correlation between these two processes. Initial tests of α-HCH degradation by six Sphingobium strains (with different LinA variants) were conducted. Results showed variable enantiomer selectivity over the time course. In contrast, constant enantiomer selectivity was observed in experiments employing (i) cell suspensions, (ii) crude extracts, or (iii) LinA1 and LinA2 enzymes of strain B90A for α-HCH degradation in enzyme activity assay buffer. The average value of enantioselectivity (ES) were -0.45 ± 0.03 (cell suspensions), -0.60 ± 0.05 (crude extracts), and 1 (LinA1) or -1 (LinA2). The average carbon isotope enrichment factors (ε_c) of (+)α- and (-)α-HCH were increased from cells suspensions (-6.3 ± 0.1‰ and -2.3 ± 0.03‰) over crude extracts (-7.7 ± 0.4‰ and -3.4 ± 0.02‰) to purified enzymes (-11.1 ± 0.3‰ and -3.8 ± 0.2‰). The variability of ES and the ε_c were discussed based on the effect of mass transport and degradation rates. Our study demonstrates that enantiomer and isotope fractionation of α-HCH are two independent processes and both are affected by underlying reactions of individual enzymes and mass transport to a different extent.

Assessing Aerobic Biotransformation of Hexachlorocyclohexane Isomers by Compound-Specific Isotope Analysis

Contamination of soils and sediments with the highly persistent hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) continues to be a threat for humans and the environment. Despite the existence of bacteria capable of biodegradation and cometabolic transformation of HCH isomers, such processes occur over time scales of decades and are thus challenging to assess. Here, we explored the use of compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) to track the aerobic biodegradation and biotransformation pathways of the most prominent isomers, namely, (-)-α-, (+)-α-, β-, γ-, and δ-HCH, through changes of their C and H isotope composition in assays of LinA2 and LinB enzymes. Dehydrochlorination of (+)-α-, γ-, and δ-HCH catalyzed by LinA2 was subject to substantial C and H isotope fraction with apparent ¹³C- and ²H-kinetic isotope effects (AKIEs) of up to 1.029 ± 0.001 and 6.7 ± 2.9, respectively, which are indicative of bimolecular eliminations. Hydrolytic dechlorination of δ-HCH by LinB exhibited even larger C but substantially smaller H isotope fractionation with ¹³C- and ²H-AKIEs of 1.073 ± 0.006 and 1.41 ± 0.04, respectively, which are typical for nucleophilic substitutions. The systematic evaluation of isomer-specific phenomena showed that, in addition to contaminant uptake limitations, diffusion-limited turnover ((-)-α-HCH), substrate dissolution (β-HCH), and potentially competing reactions catalyzed by constitutively expressed enzymes might bias the assessment of HCH biodegradation by CSIA at contaminated sites.

Organochlorine pesticides air monitoring near a historical lindane production site in Spain

The landfilling and dumping of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and other persistent hazardous chemicals, such as hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers can have significantly adverse environmental consequences and cause contamination in soil, water, and atmosphere systems. Approximately 115,000 t of HCH wastes were generated by INQUINOSA Factory located in Sabiñánigo (Aragón, Spain) from 1975 to 1992, and were mainly dumped at Bailín and Sardas landfills. Under the frame of the project plan approved by the Government of Aragón, remediation and containment measures were implemented at the derelict production facility and landfill sites. To protect and assess the local environment, the concentrations of HCH isomers, pentachlorobenzene (PeCB) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in air were periodically monitored in the Sardas landfills and surroundings by passive sampling devices. The influence of meteorological parameters was evaluated, showing positive correlations between temperature and HCH and HCB concentrations. The highest HCH levels were detected in Sardas landfill and INQUINOSA Factory sites. PeCB values were statistically higher in Sardas landfill than in Sabiñánigo urban core, nevertheless, HCB concentrations were similar in both sampling points. Statistically positive correlations were found among HCH isomers in all sampling points, showing a major common source. The chlorobenzenes also correlated positively with each other. The α-/γ-HCH ratios were calculated (1.46 ± 1.25; mean ± S.D.), corroborating that concentrations detected were mainly originated from the historical production, storage and waste disposal of technical HCH.

Solid-phase extraction method for stable isotope analysis of pesticides from large volume environmental water samples

Compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) is a valuable tool for assessing the fate of organic pollutants in the environment. However, the requirement of sufficient analyte mass for precise isotope ratio mass spectrometry combined with prevailing low environmental concentrations currently limits comprehensive applications to many micropollutants. Here, we evaluate the upscaling of solid-phase extraction (SPE) approaches for routine CSIA of herbicides. To cover a wide range of polarity, a SPE method with two sorbents (a hydrophobic hypercrosslinked sorbent and a hydrophilic sorbent) was developed. Extraction conditions, including the nature and volume of the elution solvent, the amount of sorbent and the solution pH, were optimized. Extractions of up to 10 L of agricultural drainage water (corresponding to up to 200 000-fold pre-concentration) were successfully performed for precise and sensitive carbon and nitrogen CSIA of the target herbicides atrazine, acetochlor, metolachlor and chloridazon, and metabolites desethylatrazine, desphenylchloridazon and 2,6-dichlorobenzamide in the sub-μg L^-1-range. ¹³C/¹²C and ¹⁵N/¹⁴N ratios were measured by gas chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/IRMS), except for desphenylchloridazon, for which liquid chromatography (LC/IRMS) and derivatization-GC/IRMS were used, respectively. The method validated in this study is an important step towards analyzing isotope ratios of pesticide mixtures in aquatic systems and holds great potential for multi-element CSIA applications to trace pesticide degradation in complex environments.

Kinetic Isotope Effects of the Enzymatic Transformation of γ-Hexachlorocyclohexane by the Lindane Dehydrochlorinase Variants LinA1 and LinA2

Compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) can provide insights into the natural attenuation processes of hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), an important class of persistent organic pollutants. However, the interpretation of HCH stable isotope fractionation is conceptually challenging. HCHs exist as different conformers that can be converted into each other, and the enzymes responsible for their transformation discriminate among those HCH conformers. Here, we investigated the enzyme specificity of apparent ¹³C- and ²H-kinetic isotope effects (AKIEs) associated with the dehydrochlorination of γ-HCH (lindane) by two variants of the lindane dehydrochlorinases LinA1 and LinA2. While LinA1 and LinA2 attack γ-HCH at different trans-1,2-diaxial H-C-C-Cl moieties, the observed C and H isotope fractionation was large, typical for bimolecular eliminations, and was not affected by conformational mobility. ¹³C-AKIEs for transformation by LinA1 and LinA2 were the same (1.024 ± 0.001 and 1.025 ± 0.001, respectively), whereas ²H-AKIEs showed minor differences (2.4 ± 0.1 and 2.6 ± 0.1). Variations of isotope effects between LinA1 and LinA2 are small and in the range reported for different degrees of C-H bond cleavage in transition states of dehydrochlorination reactions. The large C and H isotope fractionation reported here for experiments with pure enzymes contrasts with previous observations from whole cell experiments and suggests that specific uptake processes by HCH-degrading microorganisms might modulate the observable HCH isotope fractionation at contaminated sites.

Carbon and hydrogen isotope analysis of parathion for characterizing its natural attenuation by hydrolysis at a contaminated site

The applicability of compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) for assessing in situ hydrolysis of parathion was investigated in a contaminated aquifer at a former pesticide wastes landfill site. Stable isotope analysis of parathion extracted from groundwater taken from different monitoring wells revealed a maximum enrichment in carbon isotope ratio of +4.9‰ compared to the source of parathion, providing evidence that in situ hydrolysis took place. Calculations based on the Rayleigh-equation approach indicated that the natural attenuation of parathion was up to 8.6% by hydrolysis under neutral and acidic conditions. In degradation experiments with aerobic and anaerobic parathion-degrading microbes, no carbon and hydrogen isotope fractionation of parathion were observed. For the first time, CSIA has been applied for the exclusive assessment of the hydrolysis of phosphorothioate-containing organophosphorus pesticides at a contaminated field site.

Anaerobic biotransformation of hexachlorocyclohexane isomers by Dehalococcoides species and an enrichment culture

The biotransformation of hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCH) by two Dehalococcoides mccartyi strains (195 and BTF08) and an enrichment culture was investigated and compared to conversion by the obligate anaerobic strain Clostridium pasteurianum strain DSMZ 525. The D. mccartyi strains preferentially transformed γ-HCH over α-HCH and δ-HCH isomers while β-HCH biotransformation was not significant. In case of the enrichment culture, γ-HCH was preferentially transformed over the δ-HCH, β-HCH and α-HCH isomers. Major observed metabolites in both cases were tetrachlorocyclohexene and as end products monochlorobenzene (MCB) and benzene. Dechlorination of the γ-HCH isomer was linked to an increase in cell numbers for strain 195. γ-HCH transformation was linked to considerable carbon stable isotope fractionation with the enrichment factor ε_c = - 5.5 ± 0.8‰ for D. mccartyi strain 195, ε_c = - 3.1 ± 0.4‰ for the enrichment culture and ε_c = - 4.1 ± 0.6‰ for co-metabolic transformation by C. pasteurianum.

Anaerobic microbial dehalogenation and its key players in the contaminated Bitterfeld-Wolfen megasite

The megasite Bitterfeld-Wolfen is highly contaminated as a result of accidents and because of dumping of wastes from local chemical industries in the last century. A variety of contaminants including chlorinated ethenes and benzenes, hexachlorohexanes and chlorinated dioxins can still be found in the groundwater and (river) sediments. Investigations of the in situ microbial transformation of organohalides have been performed only over the last two decades at this megasite. In this review, we summarise the research on the activity of anaerobic dehalogenating bacteria at the field site in Bitterfeld-Wolfen, focusing on chlorinated ethenes, monochlorobenzene and chlorinated dioxins. Various methods and concepts were applied including ex situ cultivation and isolation, and in situ analysis of hydrochemical parameters, compound-specific stable isotope analysis of contaminants, 13C-tracer studies and molecular markers. Overall, biotransformation of organohalides is ongoing at the field site and Dehalococcoides mccartyi species play an important role in the detoxification process in the Bitterfeld-Wolfen region.

Biotransformation and inhibition effects of hexachlorocyclohexanes during biogas production from contaminated biomass characterized by isotope fractionation concepts

Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) production for pesticides was banned by Stockholm Convention (2009) due to its harmful and adverse effects on the environment. Despite this measure, many areas contaminated with former HCH production-waste products still require management. As a potential solution contributing to clean-up of these sites, anaerobic digestion (AD) of pesticide-contaminated biomass to produce biogas is a promising strategy. High pesticide concentrations, however, may inhibit biogas production. Therefore, laboratory-scale batch reactors were set up to investigate biogas reactor performance in presence of HCH. Inhibitory effects on biogas yield was observed with concentrations of HCH ≥ 150 mg/L. Carbon isotope composition of methane (δ¹³C_CH4) showed significant fluctuation after an inhibition phase, indicating that HCH toxicity can affect the activity of acetoclastic methanogens. Furthermore, combined results of metabolites and carbon isotope fractionation factors (ε_c) demonstrated that α- and γ-HCH can be degraded to chlorobenzene and benzene via anaerobic reductive dechlorination.