Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Biodegradation of explosives using a known herbicide degrader

Conference ·
OSTI ID:490986
;  [1]
  1. Battelle Columbus, OH (United States)

This research evaluated the application of a pure bacterial culture of M91-3 to degrade 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-s-triazine (RDX), and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-s-tetrazocine (HMX) in liquid medium under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Tests were conducted in batch cultures and in a continuous plug-flow reactor. In batch cultures, it was established that M91-3 was able to cometabolize TNT as a sole nitrogen source but could not use RDX or HMX under aerobic conditions. Growth using RDX as the sole nitrogen source was demonstrated under anaerobic conditions. Plug-flow reactor tests demonstrated that M91-3 was able to transform TNT in aqueous media from 80 mg/L to below 0.2 mg/L with a 4.3-day residence time.

OSTI ID:
490986
Report Number(s):
CONF-950483--; ISBN 1-57477-008-X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Similar Records

Metabolism of explosive compounds by sulfate-reducing bacteria.
Journal Article · Wed Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1997 · Curr. Microbiol. · OSTI ID:938313

Kinetic deuterium isotope effects in the combustion of nitramine propellants. Final report, October 1986-July 1988. [HMX and RDX]
Technical Report · Fri Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1988 · OSTI ID:6549026

Bioremediation of high explosives
Technical Report · Fri Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1995 · OSTI ID:102161