Effects of polychlorinated biphenyls and environmental biotransformation products on aquatic nitrification

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Abstract
The effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on nitrification were examined for pure cultures and natural reservoir samples. PCBs at concentrations greater than 10 microgram liter-1 inhibited nitrification, principally ammonium oxidation, in one of two natural reservoir environments. However, this inhibition could not be reproduced in pure high-cell-density cultures or in previously contaminated reservoir waters. A PCB environmental biotransformation product, p-chlorophenylglyoxylic acid, and p-chloromandelic acid had no effect on nitrification.