Bioremediation of Nitroaromatic Contaminants in Soil Using Acetogenic Bacteria

Abstract

Nitroaromatics are a common environmental contaminant that with can cause serious health risks from . In this experiment, a novel technique of treating soil contaminated with nitroaromatic compounds, such as trinitrotoluene (TNT) and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) was explored for decreasing the toxicity and spread of the contaminants. Acetogenic bacteria were used to reduce nitro groups to amino groups under anaerobic conditions in a minimal gas exchange reactor. The effectiveness of the treatment was measured through an analysis of contaminants in the soil, which were separated and quantified by high performance liquid chromatography throughout the treatment, as well as by ecotoxicological testing performed after the treatment. The results of the contamination analysis showed a drastic reduction in the concentration of nitroaromatics in the soil, while ecotoxicological tests indicated a decrease in the toxicity of the soil. The accumulation of reduced TNT products indicates reduction of the nitro groups by electron carriers, which decreases the concentration of contaminants. In addition, the ecotoxicological tests performed after the specified treatment indicated no detectable toxicity in the soil due to the specific contaminants. Overall, this method is a practical and efficient way to remove harmful contaminants from the environment and prevent illness due to exposure to nitroaromatic contamination.