Evaluation of Biotransformation Products from 2,4-Dinitrotoluene Under Nitrate-Reducing Conditions

摘要

Wastewater generated during the manufacture of munitions often containssignificant levels of nitrates and 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT). The objective of this project was to characterize the major biotransformation products formed from DNT under denitrifying conditions, and to identify the organisms responsible. In a denitrifying enrichment culture that used ethanol as the primary substrate, DNT was transformed primarily to 2-amino-4-nitrotoluene, 4-arnino-2-nitrotoluene, and 2,4-diaminotoluene. With extended incubation (>% 80 days), all of the 2,4-diaminotoluene subsequently disappeared. In cultures that received 14Cdnt, nearly all of the labeled metabolites remained in the aqueous phase. Approximately 35% consisted of insoluble material, while 29% was soluble hydrophobic and 32% was soluble hydrophilic. Two organisms were isolated from the enrichment: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a much slower-growing rod. Pure cultures of P. aeruginosa only partially reduced DNT to 2,4-diaminotoluene under both aerobic and denitrifying conditions. Accumulation of 2-amino-4-nitrotoluene accounted for 25-45% of the DNT consumed, while 4-acetylamino-2-nitrotoluene accounted for 32-35%. Reduction and acetylation therefore appear to be major biotransformation pathways for DNT under both aerobic and denitrifying conditions.