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Title: Initial-phase optimization for bioremediation of munition compound-contaminated soils

Journal Article · · Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (United States)
OSTI ID:6139241

2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT), RDX, and HMX, munition compounds, persist as soil and ground water contaminants at many USA military sites. Incineration is the only available proven technology for remediation, but this technology is very expensive for small locations. Biodegradation of TNT and other hazardous energetic nitroaromatic compounds is another possibility. This paper reports the application of a procedure previously used for the strict anaerobic microbial bioremediation of nitroaromatic herbicide-contaminated soils to the remediation of munition compound-contaminated soils. Anaerobic metabolism occurs in two stages: reductive stage in which TNT is reduced to its amino derivatives and degradation to nonaromatic products stage. The optimization of the reductive stage of TNT metabolism is also described here. The organism used is the white-rot fungus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium. 24 refs., 5 figs., 2 tabs.

OSTI ID:
6139241
Journal Information:
Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (United States), Vol. 59:7; ISSN 0099-2240
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English