Thermophilic Transformation of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene in Composting Systems

Abstract

The biotransformation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) was studied in lab scale composting systems. Under these thermophilic (55 C) conditions the same biochemical transformation scheme was found as that previously reported for mesophiles. TNT, C14-labelled, was used to trace these transformations. Thermophilic fungi, actinomycetes, and bacteria were isolated from both test (1. 5% TNT) and control (no TNT) compost systems. Intermediates were detected by thin layer chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, infrared spectroscopy, and scintillation counting. An increasing percentage of the original C14-label became bound into humus-like components, becoming unextractable with solvents and undetectable by standard analytical methodologies.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1982
Accession Number
ADA113979

Entities

People

  • A. M. Kaplan
  • D. L. Kaplan

Organizations

  • United States Army Soldier Systems Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Bacteria
  • Biodegradation
  • Chromatography
  • Environment
  • Fungi
  • Hazardous Materials
  • Humic Acid
  • Infrared Spectrophotometers
  • Liquid Chromatography
  • Mass Spectroscopy
  • Materials
  • Microorganisms
  • Organic Materials
  • Solid Waste
  • Solvent Extraction
  • Spectroscopy
  • Waste Products

Readers

  • Agricultural Chemistry/Soil Science
  • Microbial Pathology