Project Number: 1265-12000-037-11
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Apr 18, 2006
End Date: Dec 31, 2008

Objective:
This cooperative research will investigate whether a combined phytoextraction-rumen microbe biodegradation system can achieve bioremedation-biodegradation of TNT in munition contaminated soils. 1. Determine if forage plant species can be used to phytoextract 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and its metabolites from contaminated soils into plant shoots. 2. Determine if plant shoot accumulated TNT can be mineralized by rumen microbes of sheep or cattle.

Approach:
Cooperators will meet to design experimental program to efficiently utilize available funds to further develop bioremediation of TNT using phytoextraction by plants followed by mineralization by rumen microbes. After reviewing previous research on TNT uptake by plants, cooperators will select and test plant species for uptake of TNT into shoots; they will identify any soil management conditions which favor TNT uptake into plant shoots rather than immobilization by biochemical reactions in the roots. When promising plant species are identified, the soil concentration of TNT effect on uptake and transport to plant shoots will be examined. Chemical forms accumulated in shoots may be identified. Because preliminary test showed that chemical TNT could be biodegraded by rumen microbes, additional rumen studies should examine TNT that has been absorbed by plant roots and incorporated in plant shoots to validate that plant-TNT can also be biodegraded in the rumen. Chemically pure 14C-TNT will be used in these tests so that the balance of TNT can be quantitatively assessed. Partial degradation products will be identified as appropriate to determine effectiveness of the bioremediation technology.