Anaerobic biodegradation of DDT to DDD in soil.

DDT labeled with carbon-14 was added to soil, and the mixture was incubated anaerobically for 2 weeks and 4 weeks. DDT and seven possible decomposition products were separated by thin-layer chromatography, and the radioactivity of material from individual spots was determined by liquid scintillation. The DDT was dechlorinated by soil microorganisms to DDD, and only traces of other degradation products were detected. No degradation of DDT was detected in sterile soil.