Bifenilas policloradas (PCBs) são compostos de difícil degradação presentes na composição de ascarel, muito utilizado como fluidos dielétricos e isolantes. Neste contexto, a presente pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar a diversidade de microrganismos em biofilmes de reatores anaeróbios na presença de PCB empregando Métodos de Microbiologia de Anaeróbios Estritos e de Biologia Molecular. Em reator anaeróbio horizontal de leito fixo (RAHLF), alimentado com etanol, formiato, Triton X-100 (0,1%) e ascarel (1 mL/L), operado com tempo de detenção hidráulica (TDH) de 24 horas, foi retirado a comunidade microbiana do biofilme da espuma de poliuretano. Os grupos microbianos encontrados por meio da clonagem e sequenciamento do gene RNAr 16S para o domínio Bacteria foram relacionados aos filos Thermogae, Proteobacteria (Brachymonas petroleovorans, 100% de similaridade e Methylobacillus, 98% de similaridade), Firmicutes (Clostridium, 97% de similaridade, Syntrophomonas, 100% de similaridade e Sporomusa com 100% de similaridade), Synegistetes (Synergistes, 98% de similaridade), Spirochaetes (Leptonema illini, 98% de similaridade), Aminanaerobia, Deferribacteres, Chlorobi, Chloroflexi e Armatimonadetes. Além disso, como nesse biofilme foram identificadas bactérias redutoras de ferro, procedeu-se a sua quantificação por meio da técnica de tubos múltiplos (NMP, Número Mais Provável) obtendo 5,26 x \'10 POT.12\' NMP/g STV de bactérias redutoras de ferro. Ensaio em batelada foi realizado separadamente sob duas condições: (1) metanogênica e (2) ferro redutora. Em ambas as condições foram adicionadas aroclor 1260 (PCB). Os reatores, sob condição metanogênica, foram alimentados com meio de cultivo Angelidaki e substratos orgânicos (formiato e etanol), além de aroclor 1260 (0,2 \'mü\'g/L). Para simular a condição redutora de ferro foi acrescido ao meio de cultura Angelidaki, EDTA férrico (1,86 g/L). A produção de metano, na presença de aroclor 1260 foi de 3,8 x \'10 POT.-4\' mmol \'CH IND.4\'/g STV. A presença de bactérias ferro redutoras foi confirmada indiretamente pela taxa média de redução férrica (90%) nos reatores em batelada, após 60 dias de operação. Por meio de PCR/DGGE, elaborou-se um dendograma das amostras deste ensaio em batelada (metanogênico e redutor de ferro) comparativamente com as do reator RAHLF (biofilme presente na parede do reator e no material suporte). Os reatores em batelada apresentaram similaridade entre si de 79% e 92% para os domínios Bacteria e Archaea, respectivamente. As amostras do reator RAHLF foram 80% (Bacteria) e 96% (Archaea) similares. A existência de bactérias degradadoras de PCB, bem como, bactérias redutoras de ferro no biofilme anaeróbio contribuiu com informações sobre o consórcio microbiano e sua diversidade. / Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are compounds of difficult degradation, a component of askarel, which were used widely as coolants and lubricants. Hence, this study evaluated the diversity of microorganisms in the presence of PCBs in anaerobic reactors. For such, methods as Strict Anaerobic Microbiology and Molecular Biology were employed. The microbial community of the biofilm, developed in a fixed horizontal bed anaerobic reactor (RAHLF), was studied using the technique of cloning and sequencing of RNAr 16S gene for the Bacteria domain. The reactor had immobilized cells in polyurethane foam with ethanol and formate as a carbon source, Triton X-100 (0.1%) and polychlorinated biphenyls (1 mL/L), and operated with 24 hours HRT. The microbial groups found in this biofilm were related to phyla Thermogae, Proteobacteria (Brachymonas petroleovorans, 100% similarity and Methylobacillus, 98% similarity), Firmicutes (Clostridium, 97% similarity Syntrophomonas, and 100% similarity with Sporomusa 100% similarity), Synegistetes (Synergistes, 98% similarity), Spirochaetes (Leptonema Illini, 98% similarity), Aminanaerobia, Deferribacteres, Chlorobi, Chloroflexi and Armatimonadetes. Furthermore, as bacteria that reduce iron were found, we proceeded the quantification by the multiple tube method (MPN) for this group, obtaining 5.26 x \'10 POT.12\' MPN/g STV of iron-reducing bacteria. The batch reactors evaluated the growth of microorganisms in two condictions: (1) methanogenic e (2) iron reduction, both had the presence of PCBs (Aroclor 1260). The reactor, under methanogenic condition, was fed with synthetic substrate Angelidaki, ethanol and formate, used as carbon source, and aroclor 1260 (0.2 \'mü\'g /L). To simulate the condition of iron reducing, the same synthetic substrate was supplemented with ferric EDTA (1.86 g/L). The production of methane in the presence of aroclor 1260, was 3.8 x \'10 POT.-4\' mmol \'CH IND.4\'/g STV. The presence of iron reducing bacteria, after 60 days, was confirmed indirectly by the average rate of iron ferric reduction (90%). Filogenetics analysis (PCR/DGGE) compared the samples of this batch reactor - methanogenic and reduction of iron ferric -, with the samples of RAHLF - the biofilm in the reactor wall and the support material. The two condictions in batch reactors showed similarity of 79% and 92% respectively for the Bacteria and Archaea domain. Therefore, both samples of RAHLF showed 80% (Bacteria) and 96% (Archaea) of similarity. In other words, more similarity were presented due configuration of the reactor as well as the type of PCB added. As a result, the existence of PCBs degrading bacteria and iron-reducing bacteria in anaerobic biofilm, provided informations about the microbial consortium and its diversity in the presence of PCB.

Bifenilas policloradas (PCBs) são compostos de difícil degradação presentes na composição de ascarel, muito utilizado como fluidos dielétricos e isolantes. Neste contexto, a presente pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar a diversidade de microrganismos em biofilmes de reatores anaeróbios na presença de PCB empregando Métodos de Microbiologia de Anaeróbios Estritos e de Biologia Molecular. Em reator anaeróbio horizontal de leito fixo (RAHLF), alimentado com etanol, formiato, Triton X-100 (0,1%) e ascarel (1 mL/L), operado com tempo de detenção hidráulica (TDH) de 24 horas, foi retirado a comunidade microbiana do biofilme da espuma de poliuretano. Os grupos microbianos encontrados por meio da clonagem e sequenciamento do gene RNAr 16S para o domínio Bacteria foram relacionados aos filos Thermogae, Proteobacteria (Brachymonas petroleovorans, 100% de similaridade e Methylobacillus, 98% de similaridade), Firmicutes (Clostridium, 97% de similaridade, Syntrophomonas, 100% de similaridade e Sporomusa com 100% de similaridade), Synegistetes (Synergistes, 98% de similaridade), Spirochaetes (Leptonema illini, 98% de similaridade), Aminanaerobia, Deferribacteres, Chlorobi, Chloroflexi e Armatimonadetes. Além disso, como nesse biofilme foram identificadas bactérias redutoras de ferro, procedeu-se a sua quantificação por meio da técnica de tubos múltiplos (NMP, Número Mais Provável) obtendo 5,26 x \'10 POT.12\' NMP/g STV de bactérias redutoras de ferro. Ensaio em batelada foi realizado separadamente sob duas condições: (1) metanogênica e (2) ferro redutora. Em ambas as condições foram adicionadas aroclor 1260 (PCB). Os reatores, sob condição metanogênica, foram alimentados com meio de cultivo Angelidaki e substratos orgânicos (formiato e etanol), além de aroclor 1260 (0,2 \'mü\'g/L). Para simular a condição redutora de ferro foi acrescido ao meio de cultura Angelidaki, EDTA férrico (1,86 g/L). A produção de metano, na presença de aroclor 1260 foi de 3,8 x \'10 POT.-4\' mmol \'CH IND.4\'/g STV. A presença de bactérias ferro redutoras foi confirmada indiretamente pela taxa média de redução férrica (90%) nos reatores em batelada, após 60 dias de operação. Por meio de PCR/DGGE, elaborou-se um dendograma das amostras deste ensaio em batelada (metanogênico e redutor de ferro) comparativamente com as do reator RAHLF (biofilme presente na parede do reator e no material suporte). Os reatores em batelada apresentaram similaridade entre si de 79% e 92% para os domínios Bacteria e Archaea, respectivamente. As amostras do reator RAHLF foram 80% (Bacteria) e 96% (Archaea) similares. A existência de bactérias degradadoras de PCB, bem como, bactérias redutoras de ferro no biofilme anaeróbio contribuiu com informações sobre o consórcio microbiano e sua diversidade. / Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are compounds of difficult degradation, a component of askarel, which were used widely as coolants and lubricants. Hence, this study evaluated the diversity of microorganisms in the presence of PCBs in anaerobic reactors. For such, methods as Strict Anaerobic Microbiology and Molecular Biology were employed. The microbial community of the biofilm, developed in a fixed horizontal bed anaerobic reactor (RAHLF), was studied using the technique of cloning and sequencing of RNAr 16S gene for the Bacteria domain. The reactor had immobilized cells in polyurethane foam with ethanol and formate as a carbon source, Triton X-100 (0.1%) and polychlorinated biphenyls (1 mL/L), and operated with 24 hours HRT. The microbial groups found in this biofilm were related to phyla Thermogae, Proteobacteria (Brachymonas petroleovorans, 100% similarity and Methylobacillus, 98% similarity), Firmicutes (Clostridium, 97% similarity Syntrophomonas, and 100% similarity with Sporomusa 100% similarity), Synegistetes (Synergistes, 98% similarity), Spirochaetes (Leptonema Illini, 98% similarity), Aminanaerobia, Deferribacteres, Chlorobi, Chloroflexi and Armatimonadetes. Furthermore, as bacteria that reduce iron were found, we proceeded the quantification by the multiple tube method (MPN) for this group, obtaining 5.26 x \'10 POT.12\' MPN/g STV of iron-reducing bacteria. The batch reactors evaluated the growth of microorganisms in two condictions: (1) methanogenic e (2) iron reduction, both had the presence of PCBs (Aroclor 1260). The reactor, under methanogenic condition, was fed with synthetic substrate Angelidaki, ethanol and formate, used as carbon source, and aroclor 1260 (0.2 \'mü\'g /L). To simulate the condition of iron reducing, the same synthetic substrate was supplemented with ferric EDTA (1.86 g/L). The production of methane in the presence of aroclor 1260, was 3.8 x \'10 POT.-4\' mmol \'CH IND.4\'/g STV. The presence of iron reducing bacteria, after 60 days, was confirmed indirectly by the average rate of iron ferric reduction (90%). Filogenetics analysis (PCR/DGGE) compared the samples of this batch reactor - methanogenic and reduction of iron ferric -, with the samples of RAHLF - the biofilm in the reactor wall and the support material. The two condictions in batch reactors showed similarity of 79% and 92% respectively for the Bacteria and Archaea domain. Therefore, both samples of RAHLF showed 80% (Bacteria) and 96% (Archaea) of similarity. In other words, more similarity were presented due configuration of the reactor as well as the type of PCB added. As a result, the existence of PCBs degrading bacteria and iron-reducing bacteria in anaerobic biofilm, provided informations about the microbial consortium and its diversity in the presence of PCB.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are carcinogenic, persistent, and bioaccumulative contaminants that pose risks to human and environmental health. PCB biodegradation by indigenous microbial communities could be a cost-effective and an environmental-friendly bioremediation strategy for in situ PCB removal. A comprehensive understanding of the microbial PCB degradation at the contaminated site is required for the acceptance and optimization of using microbial PCB degradation as the site clean-up strategy. This thesis describes investigations of the aerobic and anaerobic microbial degradation of PCBs under both field and laboratory conditions. The microbial PCB degradation potential in sediments from Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal (IHSC), a site that was historically contaminated by PCBs, was explored by analyzing the PCB congener distributions and microbial communities in two core sediment samples. PCB congener analysis suggested the possibility of in situ dechlorination in deep sediments. Molecular analysis of biomarker genes revealed the potential of both aerobic and anaerobic PCB degradation in sediments. Microbial communities were characterized by the combination use of terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP), clone library, and pyrosequencing. These methods elucidated the dominant role of Proteobacteria, especially Acidovorax and Acinetobacter in sediments. To improve the microbial PCB degradation, phytoremediation with switchgrass (Panicum vigratum) was employed under laboratory conditions. Congener analysis showed that both phytoextraction and microbial PCB degradation contributed to the enhanced PCB removal in the presence of switchgrass. Bioaugmentation with Burkholderia xenovorans LB400 was performed to further promote aerobic PCB degradation. The presence of LB400 was associated with improved degradation of PCB 52, but not PCB77 or PCB 153. Increased abundance of the biphenyl dioxygenase gene, which is indicative of aerobic PCB degradation, and its transcript were observed after bioaugmentation, suggesting active aerobic PCB degradation. To promote the anaerobic PCB degradation, redox cycling (alternating flooding and non-flooding) was performed. Redox cycling was found to improve the removal of PCB 153 in unplanted soils and to increase the dechlorinating Chloroflexi population. Characterization of the microbial community by T-RFLP and clone library revealed that Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria were dominant. Species that contain dechlorination potential were identified, including Geobacter and Clostridium, suggesting that their possible role in PCB dechlorination. The research described in this thesis provides scientific knowledge and evidence for the feasibility of employing bioremediation including natural attenuation, phytoremediation, and bioaugmentation to clean up PCB contamination. Such information will be critical in selecting and optimizing remediation strategies for PCB contaminated sites.