These compounds can be biodegraded under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions. In these reactions the halogenated hydrocarbon is used as an electron acceptor requiring that a suitable electron donor be present. Methanotrophs, Nitrosomonas and Pseudomonas strains can aerobically degrade halogenated hydrocarbons. Follow this link to learn more about the structure and function of chlorinated solvent degrading monooxygenases. Halogenated Aromatic Compounds .
Degradation is frequently by consortia of microorganisms.
Anaerobic degradation can proceed by reductive dechlorination.