Nitroaromatic compounds bioremediation

Degradation of nitroaromatic compounds is possible at temperatures much lower than optimal for most bioremedial technologies. 

Until very recently, explosives-contaminated soils have been remediated by incineration, a process whose high cost has stimulated the search for a more economical cleanup method (Roberts et al., 1993). Microbially mediated degradation of explosives is a promising technology. Many researchers have studied microbial consortia and various pure cultures for their ability to degrade TNT and other nitroaromatic compounds (for a review see Crawford, 1995), bringing about the development of bioremediation processes that can remove TNT and other explosives from contaminated soil and water (Funk etal., 1995 Williams a/., 1992). 

Rieger PG and Knackmuss HJ, Basic knowledge and perspectives on biodegradation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene and related nitroaromatic compounds in contaminated soil, in Bioremediation of Nitroaromatic Compounds, Spain JC, Ed., Plenum Press, New York, 1995. 

In bioremediation oxidation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), dioxins, halogenated compounds, phenolic compounds, benzene derivatives, nitroaromatic compounds, and synthetic organic dyes. 

Anaerobic Microflora Funk, Roberts, Cranford, and Crawford examined the bioremediation of soils contaminated with the munition compounds 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), hexahydro-l,3,5-trinitro-l,3,5-triazine, and octahydro-l,3,5,7-tetranitro-l,3,5,7-tetraacocine by a procedure that produced anaerobic conditions in the soils and promoted biodegradation of nitroaromatic contaminants. This procedure consisted of flooding the soils with 50 mM phosphate buffer, adding starch as a supplemental carbon substrate, and incubating under static conditions. Aerobic heterotrophs, present naturally in the soil or added as an inoculum, quickly removed the oxygen from the static cultures, creating anaerobic conditions. Removal of parent TNT molecules from the soil cultures by the strictly anaerobic microflora occurred within four days. 

Adrian NR, Lowder A. (1999). Biodegradation of RDX and HMX by a methanogenic enrichment culture. In Bioremediation of Nitroaromatic and Haloaromatic Compounds (ed. BC Alleman). Columbus, OH Battelle, pp. 1-6. 

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