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Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Elucidating the Metabolism of 2,4-Dibromophenol in Plants
Published on: February 10, 2023
Removal of 2,4-dinitrotoluene from concrete using bioremediation, agar extraction, and photocatalysis
S R Phutane1, J N Renner, S L Nelson
1Department of Chemical Engineering, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA.
Abstract:
Three methods, i.e. bioremediation by application of bacteria-laden agar, physical absorption of DNT by agar, or illumination by UV light were evaluated for the removal of 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT) from building-grade concrete. DNT biodegradation by Pseudomonas putida TOD was turned "on" and "off" by using toluene as a co-substrate thus allowing for rate-limiting step assessment. Bioremediation efficiency can be > 95-97% in 5-7 d if the process occurs at optimum growth temperature with the biological processes appearing to be rate-limiting. Sterile agar can remove up to 80% of DNT from concrete thus allowing DNT desorption and biodegradation to be conducted separately. Photoremediation results in 50% DNT removal in 9-12 d with no further removal, most likely due to mass transfer limitations.
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