Optimization of environmental factors for the biological treatment of trinitrotoluene-contaminated soil

In earlier studies (Boopathy et al. 1994a, 1994b), soil bacteria present in a TNT-contaminated site removed 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). In this study the optimum conditions for the most efficient removal of TNT is discussed. The results suggest that the soil bacterial consortium has an optimal pH range of 6-7. Maximum growth was observed at pH 7. However, the TNT removal rate was higher at pH 6. Studies of the effects of temperature showed that the bacterial consortium had maximum metabolic activity at 20 to 22 degrees C (ambient temperature). At a higher temperature (37 degrees C) the TNT removal rate dropped significantly. The consortium could not use TNT as a nitrogen source but required the addition of ammonium. Optimal growth occurred with 0.25 g/L of ammonium chloride. Growing cells removed TNT significantly faster rates than resting cells or cell-free extract. The operation of soil slurry reactors with the optimal conditions suggested that TNT can be removed effectively from the contaminated sites. These environmental conditions established as optimal can be used to improve the efficiency of large-scale soil slurry reactors for the treatment of soil contaminated with TNT.