Trichloroethylene (TCE)

Definition

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a volatile organic compound used as an industrial solvent. It is significant in microbial metabolism due to its role as a pollutant and its biodegradation by certain bacteria.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. TCE can be degraded anaerobically by specific bacteria through reductive dechlorination.
2. Certain microbes can use TCE as an electron acceptor in their metabolic processes.
3. TCE contamination often occurs in groundwater and soil, posing environmental and health risks.
4. Bioremediation strategies for TCE involve stimulating microbial activity to enhance its degradation.
5. The complete mineralization of TCE involves breaking it down into non-toxic end products such as carbon dioxide and chloride.

Review Questions

• Which microbial process is involved in the anaerobic degradation of trichloroethylene?
• How do specific bacteria utilize TCE in their metabolic processes?
• What are the environmental implications of TCE contamination, and how can bioremediation address these issues?

Related terms

Reductive Dechlorination: A microbial process where chlorine atoms on a molecule are replaced with hydrogen atoms.

Bioremediation:

The use of microorganisms to degrade environmental contaminants into less toxic forms.

Volatile Organic Compound (VOC): Organic chemicals that have high vapor pressures at room temperature, leading to significant vapor emissions.