Is it possible to have Dehalococcoides organisms at a site and to not observe complete dechlorination?
A. Yes. There are several scenarios where complete dechlorination may not be observed in the presence of Dehalococcoides organisms these include: (1) Sites where electron donor concentrations are low, preventing abundant growth and dechlorination; (2) Sites where inhibitory compounds are present (e.g., 1,1,1-trichloroethane/ chloroform). (3) Sites where the strain of Dehalococcoides is not capable of, or efficient at, complete degradation of chlorinated ethenes.
