Single-well, push-pull tests were conducted in a contaminated aquifer to evaluate the ability of toluene-oxidizing microorganisms to cometabolize chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons (CAHs), such as trichloroethene (TCE). Test solutions were injected into the aquifer using a standard monitoring well, and then were transported under natural-gradient conditions. Transport tests demonstrated similar...

Hydroxyl radical (OH) oxidation of toluene produces ring-retaining products: cresol and benzaldehyde, and ring-opening products: bicyclic intermediate compounds and epoxides. Here, firstand later-generation OH oxidation products from cresol and benzaldehyde are identified in laboratory chamber experiments. For benzaldehyde, first-generation ring-retaining products are identified, but later-gene...

The relationship between toluene concentration and the rate of leakage of solutes from toluene-treated roots and leaves of Sorghum bicolor, L. Moench, was studied to determine the effect of toluene on plant cell membranes. A threshold concentration of 0.2% toluene was needed to induce leakage. Maximal leakage rates were obtained with 0.5% toluene. Low molecular weight solutes, such as amino aci...

The separation of aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylenes) from C4 to C10 aliphatic hydrocarbon mixtures is challenging since these hydrocarbons have boiling points in a close range and several combinations form azeotropes. In this work, we investigated the separation of toluene from heptane by extraction with ionic liquids. Several ionic liquids are suitable for extr...

Toluene has been reported to antagonize the function of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. In this study, the effects of neonatal toluene exposure on NMDA receptors in primarily cultured cerebellar granule neurons were examined. Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with toluene (0, 200, 500, and 1000 mg/kg, i.p.) from postnatal day (PN) 4 to PN 7. Under toluene-free conditions, Ca2+ signals of ...

The stimulation of the microbial population by a more bioavailable supplementary carbon source and by a surfactant pretreatment was studied in petroleum hydrocarbon-polluted soils bioremediation. Two types of soils were used, Soil A which had been recently polluted and the aged Soil B. They contained 52.4 and 50.4 g of total petroleum hydrocarbons per kg of dry soil, respectively. The effect of...

The bioremediation of polluted groundwater and toxic waste sites requires that bacteria come into close physical contact with pollutants. This can be accomplished by chemotaxis. Five motile strains of bacteria that use five different pathways to degrade toluene were tested for their ability to detect and swim towards this pollutant. Three of the five strains (Pseudomonas putida F1, Ralstonia pi...

The total oxidation of toluene at a wide temperature range (200–500 oC) over micro/mesoporous platinated catalysts has been investigated about activity, selectivity to CO2 and CO, catalyst's stability versus coke deposition and reaction kinetics. Kinetic of toluene oxidation was measured under various oxygen and toluene pressures and als...