Biological reduction of TNT as part of a combined biological-chemical procedure for mineralization.
The explosive 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), one of the most abundant and persistent contaminants at former armament factories and military sites, was cometabolically reduced by sludge (mixed culture) from a sewage plant in order to facilitate mineralization in a subsequent photochemical treatment. Under aerobic conditions, the main reduction products were aminodinitrotoluenes (ADNTs). A greater amount of the nitroaromatics (ca. 30%) was adsorbed by the sludge as was shown by a complete balance of the process using 14C-TNT. Under anaerobic conditions, TNT was further converted into ADNTs and diaminonitrotoluenes (DANTs) while only negligible adsorption to the sludge occured.
Kröger
Mario
M
Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, University of Paderborn, Warburger Str. 100, D-33098 Paderborn, Germany.
Schumacher
Martina E
ME
Risse
Heike
H
Fels
Gregor
G
D000327:Adsorption; D000332:Aerobiosis; D000693:Anaerobiosis; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D003470:Culture Media; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011851:Radioactivity; D012722:Sewage / Q000032:analysis; D013395:Sucrose / Q000032:analysis; D014303:Trinitrotoluene / Q000378:metabolism*
D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D003470:Culture Media; D012722:Sewage; D014303:Trinitrotoluene; D013395:Sucrose