General Information: This strain was enriched as a hydrocarbon-oxidizing chlorate-reducer from the Potomac River, Maryland, USA. This organism is the first one to have the capability of benzene oxidation in pure anaerobic culture by coupling it to nitrate reduction which is of importance due to the anaerobic environments often found in bioremediation projects. It can reduce perchlorate and chlorate to chloride. This organism may be used for bioremediation as it can oxidize aromatic hydrocarbon compounds, including benzene, in the absence of oxygen. Benzene is an important pollutant, and is used in many manufacturing processes and is a component of diesel fuel.