Screening Test and Isolation Procedure for TNT-Degrading Microorganisms

摘要

A test was developed to screen soils and sediments for the presence of microbialactivity against 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). TNT removal was observed with and without the use of chemicals to stimulate microbial activity., In addition to a small amount of TNT added to each soil sample, chemical treatments included toluene, dinitroaniline, dinitro-o-cresol, dinitrophenol, sodium acetate, sawdust, or sodium succinate. Following 1 to 4 weeks of incubation in static and slurry modes, individual soil treatments were plated onto a crystalline lawn of TNT overlying a basal salts agar containing one of three cometabolites (acetate, glucose, or succinate). Activity against TNT was detected by visual observation of TNT clearing around the soil sample. The screening procedure was applied to soils from seven military installations. Positive results were obtained for each soil, although the amount of activity varied from soil to soil. Based on these results, the following combinations of screening substrates and cometabolites are recommended: (a) acetate and succinate as combined priming substrates and cometabolites and (b) toluene, dinitroaniline, and dinitro-o-cresol as priming substrates with acetate, succinate, and glucose as cometabolites. Biodegradation, Mineralization, Biotransformation, Phenaerochaete, Biotreatment, Pseudomonas, Explosive, Screening test, Microorganism.