ISOLATION OF BACTERIA AND FUNGI FROM TNT-CONTAMINATED COMPOSTS AND PREPARATION OF C-14 RING LABELED TNT

TNT and its transformation products constitute a special contamination problem for the military. In addition to their explosive properties, these compounds are toxic to animals, plants and microorganisms and th us have detrimental effects on both human health and natural ecosystem s. Composting is under consideration as a biological method for treati ng munitions-contaminated soils. In order better to characterize the m icrobial consortia associated with composting, we have isolated both b acteria and fungi from TNT-contaminated soils and composts. Fungi were identified as members of the genera Alternaria, Aspergillus, Penicill ium and Trichoderma. Isolates varied in their TNT tolerance on complex liquid and solid media. Finally, a simple method for preparing C-14-T NT is presented.