A novel and in situ technique for the quantitative detection of MTBE and benzene degrading bacteria in contaminated matrices

J.P. Biggerstaff, M. Le Puil, B.L. Weidow, J. Leblanc-Gridley, E. Jennings, J. Busch-Harris, K.L. Sublette, D.C. White and R.S. Albert

Abstract

A novel and in situ technique is presented here as a better alternative to culture-dependent and PCR-based techniques for the quantitative detection of predominant bacterial species involved in the bioremediation of contaminants. It allowed rapid, specific and in situ identification of Biosep®-immobilized eubacteria from MTBE- and benzene-contaminated matrices.