METABOLISM OF 2,4,6-TRINITROTOLUENE BY A PSEUDOMONAS-CONSORTIUM UNDERAEROBIC CONDITIONS

An aerobic bacterial consortium was shown to degrade 2,4,6-trinitrotol uene (TNT). At an initial concentration of 100 ppm, 100% of the TNT wa s transformed to intermediates in 108 h. Radiolabeling studies indicat ed that 8% of [C-14]TNT was used as biomass and 3.1% of [C-14]TNT was mineralized. The first intermediates observed were 4-amino-2,6-dinitro toluene and its isomer 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene. Prolonged incubatio n revealed signs of ring cleavage. Succinate or another substrate-e.g. , malic acid, acetate, citrate, molasses, sucrose, or glucose-must be added to the culture medium for the degradation of TNT. The bacterial consortium was composed of various Pseudomonas spp. The results sugges t that the degradation of TNT is accomplished by co-metabolism and tha t succinate Serves as the carbon and energy source for the growth of t he consortium. The results also suggest that this soil bacterial conso rtium may be useful for the decontamination of environmental sites con taminated with TNT.