Perchlorate reduction by an isolated Serratia marcescens strain under high salt and extreme pH.

An isolated Serratia marcescens strain exhibited growth-coupled perchlorate (ClO4 -) reduction under anoxic conditions. Perchlorate was reduced completely with stoichiometric chloride buildup and equimolar acetate consumption. Polymerase chain reaction confirmed the presence of pcrA and cld genes coding for key enzymes involved in the ClO4 - degradation pathway. The isolate degraded ClO4 - under high salt (up to 15% NaCl) and a wide range of pH (4.0-9.0), as well as simultaneously reduced nitrate and ClO4 -.