A biological method for synthesizing C-vinyl chloride

Introduction Vinyl chloride (VC) is a known human carcinogen and an EPA priority pollutant found in at least 496 of the 1430 sites on the National Priorities List. Manufacturing generates roughly 27 million ton of VC per year in the US, predominantly in the production of the polymer polyvinyl chloride. VC accumulates in polluted groundwater through the anaerobic degradation of multi-chlorinated ethenes, such as trichloroethene (TCE) and tetrachloroethene (PCE). Under anaerobic conditions and in the presence of sufficient electron donor, the substitution of chlorine by hydrogen in PCE, TCE and, to some extent cis-dichloroethene (cDCE), occurs relatively rapidly, a process known as halorespiration. However, VC dehalogenates to ethene more slowly. Complicating matters, very few organisms utilize VC as a sole source of carbon and energy. Therefore, the implementation of efficient remediation strategies depends upon a well-developed understanding of the abiotic and microbial factors involved in the various degradation processes for VC. To this end radiolabeled