Microbial communities associated with anaerobic benzene degradation in a petroleum-contaminated aquifer

Microbial community composition related to benzene oxidation under in situ Fe(III)-reducing conditions in a petroleum-contaminated aquifer located in Bemidji, MN, was studied. Findings indicated that specific Geobacter spp are associated with the capacity for benzene degradation in the petroleum-contaminated aquifer. Evidence supporting this conclusion includes the significant rise in the number of Geobacteraceae within the zone of benzene degradation and specific enrichment of a tight phylogenetic cluster of Geobacter spp in the zone of benzene degradation that is not found in the uncontaminated sediments.