Biodegradation of Atrazine by the Novel Klebsiella variicola Strain FH-1

Bacterial strain FH-1 with high efficiency of degrading Atrazine is separated by means of enrichment culture from the soil applied with Atrazine for many years. FH-1, recognized as Klebsiella variicola based on phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA sequences, can grow with Atrazine which is the sole nitrogen source. In fluid inorganic salt medium, the optimal degradation temperature, pH value, and initial concentration of Atrazine are 25°C, 9.0, and 50 mg L–1, respectively, and the degradation rate of Atrazine by strain FH-1 reached 81.5% in 11 d of culture. The degrading process conforms to the kinetics equation of pesticide degradation. Among the metal ions tested, Zn2