Degradation and Transformation of Dioxins and Dioxin-like Compounds in Bioremediation Technology

Abstract

article provides an overview of current knowledge on microbial degradation and transformation, as well as plant uptake of dioxins and dioxin-like compounds. Higher chlorinated dioxins can be reductively dechlorinated by anaerobic bacteria such as Dehalococcoides. Lower chlorinated dioxins can be cometabolically degraded by aerobic bacteria such as Sphingomonas, Pseudomonas and Burkholderia. Chlorinated dioxins can also be degraded under aerobic conditions by white-rot fungi that utilize cytochrome P450 and extracellular lignin-degrading peroxidases. Plants of the Cucurbitaceae family can uptake chlorinated dioxins from soil and translocate them to stems and leaves. Rhizodegradation of dioxin-contaminated soils is an effective and environmentally-friendly means of remediation.