Dissertations and Theses @ UNI
Availability
Open Access Thesis
Keywords
Bioremediation; Explosives--Biodegradation; Soil pollution--Biodegradation; Soil remediation;
Abstract
Bioremediation of contaminated soil and water has been the topic of considerable research interest. White rot fungi have recently been proposed for use in biodegradation of explosives. The explosives, TNT, RDX and HMX are integral components of the manufacture of munitions. The wastes from the production of these and other explosives have been discharged into the surrounding environment resulting in contamination. Phanerochaete chrysosporium and strain F600, a proprietary white rot fungus developed by Mycotech Corporation, were studied with regard to their ability to degrade TNT, HMX and RDX in liquid cultures and in soil. Laboratory studies demonstrated that P. chrysosporium and F600 mediated substantial biodegradation of 14C-TNT in liquid cultures. The initial step in biodegradation of TNT by these fungi is the reduction of TNT to 2-amino-4,6- dinitrotoluene and 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene. However, P. chrysosporium mineralized 14C-TNT more efficiently than strain F600. Both fungi degraded 14C-TNT to more polar metabolites. Field studies were performed on-site at the Yorktown Naval Weapons Station (Yorktown, Virginia) during 1995 and 1996. A pilot study was conducted at the site to determine a suitable formulation that would be utilized in a larger scale field demonstration. Although results from the pilot study were unsatisfactory due to environmental conditions at the site and the high concentrations of explosives present, a formulation was chosen and a field study was performed. Extensive biodegradation of TNT, HMX and RDX was observed in the presence or absence of added fungi indicating that indigenous microorganisms have the ability to degrade these compounds in the presence of a suitable growth substrate.
Year of Submission
1998
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Department of Chemistry
First Advisor
John A. Bumpus
Second Advisor
Carl G. Johnston
Third Advisor
Edward J. Brown
Date Original
1998
Object Description
1 PDF file (113 leaves)
Copyright
©1998 Catherine A. Axtell
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Axtell, Catherine A., "Bioremediation of Soil Contaminated with Explosives" (1998). Dissertations and Theses @ UNI. 2002.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/etd/2002
Comments
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