Abstract

A series of aqueous phase and soil-slurry phase microcosm studies were conducted on 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) to obtain kinetic data for optimizing a treatment protocol using an enzyme extract from spinach (Spinacia oleracea). Crude extract was obtained by homogenization of fresh leaves with a buffered protease inhibitor, and employed as phytoremediation agent. Aqueous phase microcosms containing 20 mg∕L TNT and soil–slurry microcosms containing 1 g of a characterized sandy loam soil contaminated with 2,500 mg∕kg TNT and 1,000 mg∕kg hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine were dosed with fixed aliquots of extract and analyzed for TNT transformation over time. The TNT concentration was monitored using a colorimetric method for nitroaromatic compounds based on EPA Method 8515. Nitrate reductase activity of the applied crude extract was simultaneously quantified. The transformation of TNT was described by a pseudofirst-order reaction. Coupling kinetic rate information with enzyme activity allowed for estim...

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.