In vitro anaerobic trinitrotoluene (TNT) degradation with rumen fluid ...

draw advantage from anaerobic conditions, isolation of the specific microorganism
that is responsible for TNT transformation should be conducted.
For both anaerobic and aerobic conditions, the analytical methods used for
most TNT transformation intermediates have been well developed (29), but their
utility for the further reduction of TAT products under anaerobic conditions and of the
oxidation of TNT to CO2 under aerobic conditions remains in issue, leaving evidence
that these processes are more polar than their parent compounds.
1.6 Statement of purpose
Based upon the previous results of TNT biodegradation, TNT transformations
with ruminal microorganisms and an isolate, G.8, are investigated. This study is
directed to: 1) identify pathways of TNT transformation with incubation of rumen
fluid.; 2) explore the feasibility of using ruminal microorganisms for the
decontamination of TNT contaminated soil; 3) isolate a pure culture to avoid
complexities of rumen contents matrix; 4) determine TNT transformation pathways by
the isolate.; 4) investigate the effects of the different energy sources (i.e. lactate,
acetate and formate as electron donor; nitrate, nitrite and absence of primary electron
acceptor) on TNT transformations in a batch and continuous flow bioreactor.
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