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Potential for Intrinsic Bioremediation of a DNT‐Contaminated Aquifer
Author(s) -
Bradley P. M.,
Chapelle F. H.,
Landmeyer J. E.,
Schumacher J. G.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
groundwater
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.84
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1745-6584
pISSN - 0017-467X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-6584.1997.tb00054.x
Subject(s) - microcosm , bioremediation , aquifer , environmental chemistry , mineralization (soil science) , chemistry , contamination , microorganism , groundwater , substrate (aquarium) , microbial biodegradation , biodegradation , incubation , environmental science , ecology , geology , bacteria , biology , organic chemistry , biochemistry , nitrogen , paleontology , geotechnical engineering
Microorganisms indigenous to a shallow aquifer, which underlies an explosives‐contaminated site, mineralized 28% of [U‐ring‐ 14 C] 2,4–dinitrotoluene to 14 CO 2 within 28 days under aerobic conditions. Approximately 20% of added 2,4–dinitrotoluene remained undegraded at the end of the incubation while approximately 22% and 6% were transformed to 4–amino‐2–nitrotoluene and 2–amino‐4–nitrotoluene, respectively. In aquifer microcosms containing 2,6–dinitrotoluene, approximately 67% of the substrate remained undegraded and approximately 14% was transformed to 2–amino‐6–nitrotoluene. The radiolabeled study indicated that about 8% of the 2,6–dinotrotoluene was mineralized to CO 2 . The demonstrated degradation and subsequent mineralization of dinitrotoluene compounds by aquifer microorganisms are consistent with the decline in dissolved dinitrotoluene concentrations observed along the general ground‐water flowpath at the site. The results indicate that intrinsic bioremediation may be a viable alternative for remediating contaminated ground water at this site.