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. 1996 Jul;62(7):2651–2656. doi: 10.1128/aem.62.7.2651-2656.1996

Microbial Transformation of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene in Aerobic Soil Columns

D Bruns-Nagel, J Breitung, E von Low, K Steinbach, T Gorontzy, M Kahl, K Blotevogel, D Gemsa
PMCID: PMC1388907  PMID: 16535369

Abstract

2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT)-contaminated soil material of a former TNT production plant was percolated aerobically in soil columns. Nineteen days of percolation with a potassium phosphate buffer supplemented with glucose or glucose plus ammonium sulfate caused an over 90% decline in the amount of extractable nitroaromatics in soils containing 70 to 2,100 mg of TNT per kg (dry weight). In the percolation solution, a complete elimination of TNT was achieved. Mutagenicity and soil toxicity were significantly reduced by the percolation process. 4-N-Acetylamino-2-amino-6-nitrotoluene was generated in soil and percolation fluid as a labile TNT metabolite.

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Selected References

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