Chapter 23 - Bacterial enzymatic degradation and remediation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene

Abstract

Explosive materials are highly toxic compounds, and their occurrence in the environment (soil and groundwater) is primarily due to military activities, manufacturing operations, and dumping of munitions. Furthermore, these compounds have mutagenic and carcinogenic properties making them a toxic hazard to the biota. In soil, depending on the environmental condition, explosives undergo variable degrees of biochemical and chemical transformation. This chapter addresses the occurrence of nitro explosives in the environment, including a discussion of their fates in soil. Further, a section encompasses the current knowledge and advancement in TNT degradation and transformation by aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. This review covers various bacterial enzymes, their mechanisms responsible for the TNT biodegradation/transformation under oxic and anoxic conditions, together with different bioremediation technologies for TNT remediation.