Microbial degradation of phenanthrene in two European cathedrals
The presence of phenanthrene-degrading micro-organisms in building stones of two European cathedrals (Seville, Spain, and Mechelen, Belgium) was demonstrated by conversion to 14CO2 of [9-14C]phenanthrene freshly added to the stones and by the isolation of bacteria capable of using phenanthrene as sole source of carbon and energy. We suggest that micro-organisms present in building stones are able to transform deposited atmospheric pollutants and to use them for growth.