The removal of butachlor from soil by wastewater‐derived Rhodopseudomonas marshes

Butachlor is a systemic selective pre‐emergent herbicide most commonly used to control grasses and broadleaf weeds. Residual butachlor in soil can have harmful ecotoxological effects and remediation is, therefore, important. Effects of Rhodopseudomonas marshes in wastewater effluent on biorestoration of butachlor in soil were investigated. Over a time period of one day, butachlor induced EthB gene expression to synthesize cytochrome P450 monooxygenase which led to the successful bioremediation of the herbicide. Residual organics in wastewater effluent provided sufficient carbon sources for continued growth of R. marshes beyond one day.