Characterization and Biostimulation of benzene biodegradation in the potting-mix of indoor plants

Torpy, FR; Irga, PJ; Moldovan, D; Tarran, J; Burchett, MD

Characterization and Biostimulation of benzene biodegradation in the potting-mix of indoor plants

Torpy, FR

Irga, PJ

Moldovan, D Tarran, J Burchett, MD

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Journal of Applied Horticulture, 2013, 15 (1), pp. 10 - 15
Issue Date:: 2013-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Torpy, FR https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9137-6948	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Irga, PJ https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5952-0658	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Moldovan, D	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Tarran, J	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Burchett, MD	en_US
dc.date.issued	2013-01-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Journal of Applied Horticulture, 2013, 15 (1), pp. 10 - 15	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	0972-1045	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/26544
dc.description.abstract	Over 900 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been detected in indoor air, where they cause acute and chronic health problems to building occupants. Potted-plants can significantly reduce VOC levels in indoor air, the root-zone bacteria of the potting mix effecting most of the VOC biodegradation. In this study, a baseline community level physiological profile (CLPP) was established for the potting mix bacteria of the indoor plant species, Spathiphyllum wallisii 'Petite', using Biolog EcoPlates, to provide information on the functional abilities of this community. Changes in the CLPP resulting from benzene exposure were then determined and following the identification of the carbon sources associated with changes in the CLPP, biostimulant solutions were formulated and applied to fresh potted-plant specimens. Biostimulation of benzene removal was observed, with increases in removal rates of about 15%, providing proof-of-concept for the biostimulation of this process. The findings further elucidate the mechanisms of bacterial activity associated with removal of indoor airborne benzene, and could be applied to increase VOC biodegradation rates, augmenting the uses of indoor plants in improving building environmental quality.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of Applied Horticulture	en_US
dc.title	Characterization and Biostimulation of benzene biodegradation in the potting-mix of indoor plants	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	1	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	15	en_US
utslib.for	0706 Horticultural Production	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science/School of Life Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CTWW - Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater Treatment
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	1	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	15	en_US

Abstract:

Over 900 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been detected in indoor air, where they cause acute and chronic health problems to building occupants. Potted-plants can significantly reduce VOC levels in indoor air, the root-zone bacteria of the potting mix effecting most of the VOC biodegradation. In this study, a baseline community level physiological profile (CLPP) was established for the potting mix bacteria of the indoor plant species, Spathiphyllum wallisii 'Petite', using Biolog EcoPlates, to provide information on the functional abilities of this community. Changes in the CLPP resulting from benzene exposure were then determined and following the identification of the carbon sources associated with changes in the CLPP, biostimulant solutions were formulated and applied to fresh potted-plant specimens. Biostimulation of benzene removal was observed, with increases in removal rates of about 15%, providing proof-of-concept for the biostimulation of this process. The findings further elucidate the mechanisms of bacterial activity associated with removal of indoor airborne benzene, and could be applied to increase VOC biodegradation rates, augmenting the uses of indoor plants in improving building environmental quality.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/26544