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Degradation of trifluoroacetate in oxic and anoxic sediments.

Author(s) : VISSCHER P. T., CULBERTSON C. W., OREMLAND R. S.

Type of article: Article

Summary

The deleterious effect of chlorofluorocarbons on stratospheric ozone has led to international cooperation to end their use. The search for acceptable alternatives has focused on hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) or hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) which are attractive because they have relatively short atmospheric residence times. HFCs and HCFCs are attacked by tropospheric hydroxyl radicals, leading to the formation of trifluoroacetate (TFA). Most of the atmospheric TFA is deposited at the Earth's surface, where it is thought to be highly resistant to bacterial attack. The article reports that TFA can be rapidly degraded microbially under anoxic and oxic conditions. These results imply that significant microbial sinks exist in nature for the elimination of TFA from the environment. It is also shown that oxic degradation of TFA leads to the formation of fluoroform, a potential ozone-depleting compound with a much longer atmospheric lifetime than the parent compounds.

Details

  • Original title: Degradation of trifluoroacetate in oxic and anoxic sediments.
  • Record ID : 1995-0720
  • Languages: English
  • Source: Nature - vol. 369 - n. 6483
  • Publication date: 1994/06/30
  • Document available for consultation in the library of the IIR headquarters only.

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