University of Kentucky UKnowledge University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations Graduate School 2008 MICROBIAL COMMUNITY STRUCTURE DYNAMICS IN OHIO RIVER SEDIMENTS DURING REDUCTIVE DECHLORINATION OF PCBS Andres Enrique Nunez University of Kentucky Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Nunez, Andres Enrique, "MICROBIAL COMMUNITY STRUCTURE DYNAMICS IN OHIO RIVER SEDIMENTS DURING REDUCTIVE DECHLORINATION OF PCBS" (2008). University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations. 679. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/gradschool_diss/679 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION Andres Enrique Nunez The Graduate School University of Kentucky 2008 MICROBIAL COMMUNITY STRUCTURE DYNAMICS IN OHIO RIVER SEDIMENTS DURING REDUCTIVE DECHLORINATION OF PCBS ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the College of Agriculture at the University of Kentucky By Andres Enrique Nunez Director: Dr. Elisa M. D’Angelo Lexington, KY 2008 Copyright © Andres Enrique Nunez 2008 ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION MICROBIAL COMMUNITY STRUCTURE DYNAMICS IN OHIO RIVER SEDIMENTS DURING REDUCTIVE DECHLORINATION OF PCBS The entire stretch of the Ohio River is under fish consumption advisories due to contamination with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). In this study, natural attenuation and biostimulation of PCBs and microbial communities responsible for PCB transformations were investigated in Ohio River sediments. Natural attenuation of PCBs was negligible in sediments, which was likely attributed to low temperature conditions during most of the year, as well as low amounts of available nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic carbon.