Abstract
In laboratory experiments, repeated applications of benthiocarb (thiobencarb, S-4-chlorobenzyl N, N-diethylthiocarbamate) to soil shortened the lag period of benthiocarb dechlorination and accelerated the dechlorination. This activity, however, decreased rapidly after complete disappearance of benthiocarb. When a small amount of soil activated by repeated applications of benthiocarb was inoculated into 16 different inactive soils, they showed different dechlorination activities due to the difference in their properties. The phosphate content was closely correlated to the activity. When the diluted suspension of activated soil was inoculated to autoclaved soil, the activity was stimulated. The inoculation to nonreactive soil also induced the high activity when the soil had been autoclaved. Dechlorinating microorganisms were hardly separable from soil particles. The dechlorination in soil was strongly inhibited by methoxyphenone and BNA-80, especially by BNA-80.
