[2,4,6-trinitrotoluene as a nutritional source for bacteria]

2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) is one of the most stable toxic substances belonging to nitroaryls which is introduced into water reservoirs with industrial wastes. Its metabolism by microorganisms was studied in this work. The nitrogen of TNT is less accessible for Pseudomonas denitrificans than for Escherichia coli. In the latter case, TNT can be compared with ammonium sulphate. As a source of carbon, TNT is not utilized at all by E. coli and is hardly accessible for Ps. denitrificans. The data obtained in this work are valuable for intensifying the decomposition of TNT in natural and waste waters. This process can be stimulated in the conditions of biological purification of waters by combining waste waters containing TNT with other industrial waters containing accessible organic substances.