Maintenance energy model for microbial degradation of toxic chemicals in soil

A new kinetic model incorporating maintenance energy requirements is developed for use in the description of microbial degradation of toxic chemicals in soil. This model better describes extended, longterm CO2 respiration data that typically occurs when substrate concentrations are low. The model is tested with data from the respiration of 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) to CO2 and is shown to statistically fit better than an associated model without maintenance considerations.