BIODEGRADATION OF CHLORPYRIFOS BY A MARINE BACTERIUM Bacillus firmus Strain BY6 ASSOCIATED WITH BRANCHING CORAL Acropora Sp.

A bacterium which utilizes chlorpyrifos as a sole source of carbon and energy was isolated from coral surface. The organism utilized chlorpyrifos up to 25 mg l-1. The lag phase and time for degradation, however, were severely prolonged at chlorpyrifos concentrations above 10 mg/liter. The growth kin