Microbial mine detection system (MMDS)

Abstract

The Savannah River Technology Center (SRTC) is developing the Microbial Mine Detection System (MMDS), a cost-effective, safe and reliable method to detect land mines using microorganisms as the primary biosensor detector. SRTC research has shown that various naturally occurring microbial species are stimulated by nitrogen, trinitrotoluene (TNT), dinitrotoluene (DNT), nitrates, nitrites, nitrous oxide, and the chemical components found in explosive materials. Several of the 10,000 indigenous bacteria already existing in the SRTC Subsurface Microbiology Culture Collection (SMCC) possess characteristics that would support discrete detection of land mines during metabolic activity or growth. SRTC scientists are screening and identifying bacteria residing in the SMCC, and other collections associated with specific land mines, for their attraction to explosive off-gasses. After contacting explosives or off-gasses, the micro-organisms will activate via bioluminescence and identify the location of the land mines. Once identified, down selected and mesocosmly defined, the micro-organisms can then be prepared for field deployment. This deployment process requires minimal user training and is envisioned to be administered in hand-held, vehicular mounted and airborne platforms. Microbial detection systems are a renewable resource, easy to preserve, inexpensive to maintain under field conditions, and provide a high-probability response recognition technology.