Metabolism of explosive compounds by sulfate-reducing bacteria.
The metabolism of various explosive compounds (1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (TNB), hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetraazocine (HMX)) by a sulfate-reducing bacterial consortium, Desulfovibrio spp., was studied. The results indicated that the Desulfovibrio spp. used all of the explosive compounds studied as their sole source of nitrogen for growth. The concentrations of TNB, RDX, and HMX in the culture media dropped to below the detection limit (<0.5 ppm) within 18 days of incubation. We also observed the production of ammonia from the nitro groups of the explosive compounds in the culture media. This ammonia served as a nitrogen source for the bacterial growth, and the concentration of ammonia later dropped to <0.5 mg/L. The sulfate-reducing bacteria may be useful in the anaerobic treatment of explosives-contaminated soil.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-06CH11357
- OSTI ID:
- 938313
- Report Number(s):
- ANL/ER/JA-29256
- Journal Information:
- Curr. Microbiol., Journal Name: Curr. Microbiol. Journal Issue: 2 ; 1998 Vol. 37
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- ENGLISH
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