| esticides and herbicides used in agriculture are the classic example of anthropogenic chemicals that enter the Earth's environment in large amounts via non-point sources. These compounds can adversely affect non-target organisms and may be detrimental to human health if people are exposed to residues of the molecules in food, water, or agricultural products. The longer such chemicals persist in the environment, the greater the chance of their causing harm. Thus, scientists have long recognized the need to study degradative processes, particularly biodegradation, that transform these molecules in the environment. This work was undertaken in order to develop a means of decontaminating and detecting herbicide-contaminated water. This following dissertation focuses on the development of a biological treatment system for 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)-contaminated wastewater.;An aerobic biological process to degrade 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) found in used containers and/or agricultural wastewaters was developed. The process was designed to be used in the field, where 2,4-D is sprayed, formulated, and applied. The treatment system employs a stabilized preparation of 2,4-D-degrading bacteria that can utilize the herbicide as a carbon source, mineralizing it to CO;An enzymatic system that can be used to detect 2,4-D in water samples was also developed. The system is based on the stoichiometric conversion of 2,4-D to 2,4-dichlorophenol by 2,4-D... |
