Two Gram-positive coryneform bacteria that degradedp-chlorophenol isolated from a continuous culture system are characterized. Isolate B (probably anArthrobactersp.) completely removed thep-chlorophenol from a medium with a concomitant increase in cell density within 16 h. Isolate F similarly removed thep-chlorophenol within 28 h but without an increase in cell density. Isolates B and F also removed thep-chlorophenol from a medium withp-chlorophenol as the sole carbon source within 32 and 48 h, respectively. The optimal temperature forp-chlorophenol degradation by both organisms was 25 to 30 °C. The optimal pH range forp-chlorophenol degradation was pH 7–9 for isolate B and pH 8–9 for isolate F. Since these native environmental bacteria can degradep-chlorophenol, they may have an important application in waste water treatment processes.Key words: biodegradation, bioremediation, xenobiotics.