Anaerobic biotransformation of explosives in aquifer slurries amended with ethanol and propylene glycol

Performance of mesophilic anaerobic granules for removal of octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) from aqueous solution

“…As a matter of fact, our results reveal that acetogenic bacteria play a major role in the degradation of HMX by anaerobic granules. Adrian and Arnett [7] proposed that acetogens may be responsible for the explosives transformation in a methanogenic enrichment culture amended with ethanol. However, acetogens are unlikely to be the only group contributing to HMX metabolism within anaerobic granules, because the presence of vancomycin did not appear to completely inhibit HMX elimination.…”

“…In several previous studies, biodegradation of explosives has been demonstrated under aerobic conditions [5,6]. But these compounds have often been shown to be more recalcitrant under oxygen-enriched conditions compared to oxygen-limited environments [7]. As a more prominent alternative, biodegradation of HMX under anaerobic condition has been extensively reported [7][8][9][10].…”

“…But these compounds have often been shown to be more recalcitrant under oxygen-enriched conditions compared to oxygen-limited environments [7]. As a more prominent alternative, biodegradation of HMX under anaerobic condition has been extensively reported [7][8][9][10]. The likely mechanism of HMX biotransformation was proposed to be similar to the sequential reduction process of RDX and TNT [11].…”

Cosubstrate independent mineralization of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) by a Desulfovibrio species under anaerobic conditions

“…However, in order to efficiently mineralize RDX traditionally a cosubstrate is needed to stimulate the process (Kitts et al 2000;Young et al 1997). Typically, substrates rich in organic matter are used to promote the microbial degradation process (Adrian et al 2003; Adrian and Arnett 2007;Gorontzy et al 1994;Hawari 2000). Starch (Funk et al 1993), nutrient broth (McCormick et al 1981), yeast extract (Kitts et al 1994), glucose , propylene glycol and ethanol (Adrian and Arnett 2007) have all been used to stimulate RDX-degrading activity in bacterial cultures.…”

Detection of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene-Utilizing Anaerobic Bacteria by 15 N and 13 C Incorporation

“…strain JLR11) have been reported to utilize TNT as a sole nitrogen source (6,7). It is widely believed that nitroaromatic compounds cannot serve as growth substrates under anaerobic conditions in situ (11), and coamendment strategies are suggested for stimulating TNT transformation to 2,4,6-triaminotoluene (TAT) (1,7,18). Given these difficulties, there is no direct evidence that TNT can be biodegraded in situ and there is little proof that anaerobic bacteria can utilize TNT as a sole carbon or nitrogen source in organic-rich sediments.…”