Degradation of 2,4-DNT, 2,6-DNT, and 2,4,6-TNT by indigenous aquifer microorganisms

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:490987

Bradley, P M; Chapelle, F H; Landmeyer, J E ^[1]

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1. Geological Survey, Columbia, SC (United States)

Microorganisms indigenous to aquifer sediments collected at an explosives-contaminated site removed greater than 99% of added 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT) and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) from aerobic microcosms within 70 days. The initial microcosms substrate concentrations were about 100 {micro}M. Approximately 55% of 2,6-dinitrotoluene (2,6-DNT) was removed within the same period. Decreases in the dissolved concentrations of the DNT and TNT test substrates were accompanied by accumulation of amino-mononitrotoluene or amino-DNT compounds, respectively. The lack of appreciable CO{sub 2} production by aquifer materials in the absence of added test substrate suggests the possibility that a significant fraction of these compounds was completely degraded to CO{sub 2} within 70 days.

• OSTI ID: 490987
• Report Number(s): CONF-950483--; ISBN 1-57477-008-X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AEROBIC CONDITIONS
AQUIFERS
BIODEGRADATION
NITRO COMPOUNDS
REMEDIAL ACTION
TNT