Dechlorination of DDT to DDD in higher animals requires the presence of molecular oxygen, but in microorganisms the presence of oxygen hinders dechlorination. In cell-free preparations of Aerobacter aerogenes, the use of selected metabolic inhibitors indicated that reduced Fe(II) cytochrome oxidase was responsible for DDT dechlorination. This finding may possibly explain. the persistence of DDT residues in soils and sediments.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 1966 |
|---|---|
| Title | Dechlorination of DDT by Aerobacter aerogenes |
| DOI | 10.1126/science.152.3722.647 |
| Authors | Gary Wedemeyer |
| Publication Type | Article |
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Series Title | Science |
| Index ID | 70171218 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | Columbia Environmental Research Center |