Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in commercial diphenyl ether herbicides,and in freshwater fish collected from the application area

This paper describes the analyses of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins, dibenzofurans, and related compounds in diphenyl ether herbicides, CNP, NIP, and X-52. The levels of tetra-, penta-CDDs, and tetra-CDFs were about 150, 30, and 15 ppm, respectively in CNP formulations. NIP and X-52 contained lower chlorine alalogs. Isomer distribution of PCDDs in CNP agreed with an estimate from the reaction of chlorophenols. Freshwater fish samples heavily contaminated with CNP in the application season also contained 0.2 ppb of 1,3,6,8-tetra-CDD.     

Layer of organic pine forest soil on top of chlorophenol-contaminated mineral soil enhances contaminant degradation

Chlorophenols, like many other synthetic compounds, are persistent problem in industrial areas. These compounds are easily degraded in certain natural environments where the top soil is organic. Some studies suggest that mineral soil contaminated with organic compounds is rapidly remediated if it is mixed with organic soil. We hypothesized that organic soil with a high degradation capacity even on top of the contaminated mineral soil enhances degradation of recalcitrant chlorophenols in the mineral soil below. We first compared chlorophenol degradation in different soils by spiking pristine and pentachlorophenol-contaminated soils with 2,4,6-trichlorophenol in 10-L buckets. In other experiments, we covered contaminated mineral soil with organic pine forest soil. We also monitored in situ degradation on an old sawmill site where mineral soil was either left intact or covered with organic pine forest soil. 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol was rapidly degraded in organic pine forest soil, but the degradation was slower in other soils. If a thin layer of the pine forest humus was added on top of mineral sawmill soil, the original chlorophenol concentrations (high, ca. 70 μg g^?1, or moderate, ca. 20 μg g^?1) in sawmill soil decreased by >40 % in 24 days. No degradation was noticed if the mineral soil was kept bare or if the covering humus soil layer was sterilized beforehand. Our results suggest that covering mineral soil with an organic soil layer is an efficient way to remediate recalcitrant chlorophenol contamination in mineral soils. The results of the field experiment are promising.     

Diuron mobility through vineyard soils contaminated with copper

The herbicide diuron is frequently applied to vineyard soils in Burgundy, along with repeated treatments with Bordeaux mixture (a blend of copper sulfate and calcium hydroxide) that result in elevated copper concentrations. Cu could in principle affect the fate and transport of diuron or its metabolites in the soil either directly by complexation or indirectly by altering the populations or activity of microbes involved in their degradation. To assess the effect of high Cu concentrations on diuron transport, an experiment was designed with ten undisturbed columns of calcareous and acidic soils contaminated with 17--509 mg kg(-1) total Cu (field-applied). Grass was planted on three columns. Diuron was applied to the soils in early May and in-ground lysimeters were exposed to outdoor conditions until November. Less than 1.2% of the diuron applied was found in the leachates as diuron or its metabolites. Higher concentrations were found in the effluents from the grass-covered columns (0.1--0.45%) than from the bare-soil columns (0.02--0.14%), and they were correlated with increases in dissolved organic carbon. The highest amounts of herbicide were measured in acidic-soil column leachates (0.98--1.14%) due to the low clay and organic matter contents of these soils. Cu also leached more readily through the acidic soils (32.8--1042 microg) than in the calcareous soils (9.5--63.4 microg). Unlike in the leachates, the amount of diuron remaining in the soils at the end of the experiment was weakly related to the Cu concentrations in the soils.     

An integrated anaerobic/aerobic bioprocess for the remediation of chlorinated phenol-contaminated soil and groundwater.

An investigation of biodegradation of chlorinated phenol in an anaerobic/aerobic bioprocess environment was made. The reactor configuration used consisted of linked anaerobic and aerobic reactors, which served as a model for a proposed bioremediation strategy. The proposed strategy was studied in two reactors before linkage. In the anaerobic compartment, the transformation of the model contaminant, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP), to lesser-chlorinated metabolites was shown to occur during reductive dechlorination under sulfate-reducing conditions. The consortium was also shown to desorb and mobilize 2,4,6-TCP in soils. This was followed, in the aerobic compartment, by biodegradation of the pollutant and metabolites, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 4-chlorophenol, and phenol, by immobilized white-rot fungi. The integrated process achieved elimination of the compound by more than 99% through fungal degradation of metabolites produced in the dechlorination stage. pH correction to the anaerobic reactor was found to be necessary because acidic effluent from the fungal reactor inhibited sulfate reduction and dechlorination.     

Degradation and toxicity of phenyltin compounds in soil

Although the fate of organotins has been widely studied in the marine environment, fewer studies have considered their impact in terrestrial systems. The degradation and toxicity of triphenyltin in autoclaved, autoclaved-reinoculated and non-sterilised soil was studied in a 231 day incubation experiment following a single application. Degradation and toxicity of phenyltin compounds in soil was monitored using both chemical and microbial (lux-based bacterial biosensors) methods. Degradation was significantly slower in the sterile soil when compared to non-sterilised soils. In the non-sterilised treatment, the half-life of triphenyltin was 27 and 33 days at amendments of 10 and 20 mg Sn kg(-1), respectively. As initial triphenyltin degradation occurred, there was a commensurate increase in toxicity, reflecting the fact that metabolites produced may be both more bioavailable and toxic to the target receptor. Over time, the toxicity reduced as degradation proceeded. The toxicity impact on non-target receptors for these compounds may be significant.     

Biological remediation of explosives and related nitroaromatic compounds

Nitroaromatics form an important group of recalcitrant xenobiotics. Only few aromatic compounds, bearing one nitro group as a substituent of the aromatic ring, are produced as secondary metabolites by microorganisms. The majority of nitroaromatic compounds in the biosphere are industrial chemicals such as explosives, dyes, polyurethane foams, herbicides, insecticides and solvents. These compounds are generally recalcitrant to biological treatment and remain in the biosphere, where they constitute a source of pollution due to both toxic and mutagenic effects on humans, fish, algae and microorganisms. However, relatively few microorganisms have been described as being able to use nitroaromatic compounds as nitrogen and/or carbon and energy source. The best-known nitroaromatic compound is the explosive TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene). This article reviews the bioremediation strategies for TNT-contaminated soil and water. It comes to the following conclusion: The optimal remediation strategy for nitroaromatic compounds depends on many site-specific factors. Composting and the use of reactor systems lend themselves to treating soils contaminated with high levels of explosives (e.g. at former ammunition production facilities, where areas with a high contamination level are common). Compared to composting systems, bioreactors have the major advantage of a short treatment time, but the disadvantage of being more labour intensive and more expensive. Studies indicate that biological treatment systems, which are based on the activity of the fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium or on Pseudomonas sp. ST53, might be used as effective methods for the remediation of highly contaminated soil and water. Phytoremediation, although not widely used now, has the potential to become an important strategy for the remediation of soil and water contaminated with explosives. It is best suited where contaminant levels are low (e.g. at military sites where pollution is rather diffuse) and where larger contaminated surfaces or volumes have to be treated. In addition, phytoremediation can be used as a polishing method after other remediation treatments, such as composting or bioslurry, have taken place. This in-situ treatment method has the advantage of lower treatment costs, but has the disadvantage of a considerable longer treatment time. In order to improve the cost-efficiency, phytoremediation of nitroaromatics (and other organic xenobiotics) could be combined with bio-energy production. This requires, however, detailed knowledge on the fate of the contaminants in the plants as well as the development of efficient treatment methods for the contaminated biomass that minimise the spreading of the contaminants into the environment during post harvest treatment.     

Atrazine and simazine degradation in Pennisetum rhizosphere

The ability of rhizosphere of four plant species to promote the degradation of charcoal-fixed atrazine and simazine in cement blocks of a long-term contaminated soil when mixed with a normal soil at 1:1 ratio was tested. Of the four selected plants viz., rye grass (Lolium perenne), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacae), Pennisetum (Pennisetum clandestinum) and a spring onion (Allium sp.) used in this study, only P. clandestinum was able to survive in herbicide contaminated soil while other plants died within few days after germination/transplanting. Both atrazine and simazine were degraded at a faster rate in contaminated soil planted to P. clandestinum than in unplanted soil. Within 80 days, nearly 45% and 52% of atrazine and simazine, respectively, were degraded in soil planted to P. clandestinum while only 22% and 20% of the respective herbicide were degraded in the unplanted soil. During 80-day experimental period, both microbial biomass and soil dehydrogenase activity were significantly increased (7-fold) in soil planted to P. clandestinum over that in unplanted soil. The suspension of contaminated rhizosphere soil, planted to P. clandestinum exhibited an exceptional capability to degrade both atrazine (300 microg) and simazine (50 microg) in a mineral salts medium over that of non-rhizosphere soil suspension. Results indicate that P. clandestinum, a C4 plant, may be useful for remediation of soils contaminated with atrazine and simazine.     

Dioxin and dioxin-like PCB impurities in some Japanese agrochemical formulations

The profile and amount of dioxin impurity in agrochemicals were studied through detailed analysis of historic Japanese formulations. The chemicals analyzed include pentachlorophenol (PCP), 2,4,6-trichlorophenyl-4'-nitrophenyl ether (chloronitrofen, CNP), 2,4-dichlorophenyl-4'-nitrophenyl ether (nitrofen, NIP), tetrachloro-iso-phthalonitrile (chlorothalonil, TPN), 2-methyl-4-chloro-phenoxyacetic acid (MCP) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Among the six, two herbicides, PCP and CNP, produced during the 1960s and 1970s, contained very high concentrations of PCDD/DFs and TEQ. Others contained relatively low concentrations of PCDD/DFs. Dioxin-like PCB concentrations in all chemicals studied were low and their contributions to TEQ were negligible. The total dioxin emissions from the use of agrochemicals in Japan during the past 40 years (1955-1995) were estimated to be about a few hundred thousand kg of PCDD/DFs and 250 kg of WHO-TEQ from PCP and 190 x 10(3) kg of PCDD/DFs and 440 kg of WHO-TEQ from CNP. The major dioxin congeners present in PCP formulations were highly chlorinated PCDD/DFs that can be formed by the coupling of PCP and/or 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol, and those in the CNP formulations were tetra- to hexa-chlorinated PCDD/DFs that can be formed from 2,4,6-trichlorophenol and/or 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol.     

Fungal hydroxylation of polychlorinated naphthalenes with chlorine migration by wood rotting fungi

Biodegradation of the polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) 1,4-dichloronaphthalene (1,4-DCN), 2,7-dichloronaphthalene (2,7-DCN), and 1,2,3,4-tetrachloronaphthalene (1,2,3,4-TCN), by the white-rot fungus Phlebia lindtneri was investigated. 1,4-DCN was metabolized to form six metabolites by the fungus. It was estimated from GC–MS fragment patterns that the metabolites were four putative hydroxylated and two dihydrodihydroxylated compounds. One of the hydroxylated products was identified as 2,4-dichloro-1-naphthol by GC–MS analysis using an authentic standard. This intermediate indicated chlorine migration in a biological system of P. lindtneri. 2,7-DCN was metabolized to five hydroxylated metabolites and a dihydrodihydroxylated metabolite. Significant inhibition of the degradation of DCNs and formation of their metabolic products was observed in incubation with the cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase inhibitor piperonyl butoxide. The formation of the dihydrodiol-like metabolites, chlorine migration and the experiment with P-450 inhibitor suggested that P. lindtneri provides hydroxyl metabolites via benzene oxide intermediates of DCNs by a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase. In addition, P. lindtneri degraded 1,2,3,4-TCN; two hydroxylated compounds and a dihydrodihydroxylated compound were formed.     

Characterization of alkylphenol metabolites in fish bile by enzymatic treatment and HPLC-fluorescence analysis

Alkylphenol (AP) metabolites were characterized in the bile of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) after exposure to nine individual compounds (10mg/kg fish), 2-methylphenol (2-MP), 4-methylphenol (4-MP), 3,5-dimethylphenol (3,5-DMP), 2,4,6-trimethylphenol (2,4,6-TMP), 4-tert-butylphenol (4-t-BP), 4-tert-butyl-2-methylphenol (4-t-B-2-MP), 4-n-pentylphenol (4-n-PP), 4-n-hexylphenol (4-n-HexP) and 4-n-heptylphenol (4-n-HepP), and a mixture (total dose; 13.5 mg/kg fish) of the nine APs by inter-muscular injection. The degree of alkylation ranged from methyl (C1) to heptyl (C7) and represents the types of APs present in produced water. Fish bile was collected on day 4 and 16 (exposure groups 2-MP, 3,5-DMP, 2,4,6-TMP and 4-t-B-2-MP) following exposure. Characterization of major metabolites was accomplished by enzymatic de-conjugation and analysis by high performance liquid chromatography connected to a fluorescence detector (HPLC-F) acquiring at ex/em 222/306 nm. Two solid phase extraction (SPE) columns were evaluated for clean-up of samples prior to analysis. Independent of alkyl homologue, the glucuronide conjugated APs were the most abundant metabolites (73-100%), whereas sulfates, glucosides and unchanged compounds were excreted in amounts of 0-21%, 0-6.1% and 0-6.3%, respectively. The total concentration of measured metabolites in the bile, determined as their respective APs after de-conjugation, increased with increasing degree of alkylation (3.2+/-2.6 microg/g bile for 2-MP and 571+/-81 microg/g bile for 4-n-HepP) after exposure to an equal dose of AP. Comparison of metabolite concentrations in bile sampled 4 and 16 days after exposure, showed that the levels of 2-MP, 2,4,6-TMP and 4-t-B-2-MP were reduced by 55%, 30% and 45%, respectively whereas 3,5-DMP increased by 25% (not significant). This study suggests that analysis of de-conjugated metabolites in fish bile can be used to monitor AP exposure to fish, due to the relatively high and persistent level of these compounds. However, although HPLC-F is suitable for laboratory exposures, it might not be sufficient selective for field studies.     

Reductive dechlorination and biodegradation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol using sequential permeable reactive barriers: laboratory studies

The reductive dechlorination and biodegradation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) was investigated in a laboratory-scale sequential barrier system consisting of a chemical and biological reactive barrier. Palladium coated iron (Pd/Fe) was used as a reactive barrier medium for the chemical degradation of 2,4,6-TCP, and a sand column seeded with anaerobic microbes was used as a biobarrier following the chemical reactive barrier in this study. Only phenol was detected in the effluent from the Pd/Fe column reactor, indicating that the complete dechlorination of 2,4,6-TCP was achieved. The residence time of 30.2-21.2h was required for the complete dechlorination of 2,4,6-TCP of 100 mg l(-1) in the column reactor. The surface area-normalized rate constant (k(SA)) is 3.84 (+/-0.48)x10(-5)lm(-2)h(-1). The reaction rate in the column tests was one order of magnitude slower than that in the batch test. In the operation of the biobarrier, about 100 microM of phenol was completely removed with a residence time of 7-8d. Consequently, the dechlorination prior to biodegradation turns out to increase the overall treatability. Moreover, the sequential permeable reactive barriers, consisting of iron barrier and biobarrier, could be recommended for groundwater contaminated with toxic organic compounds such as chlorophenols.     

Isolation of mesotrione-degrading bacteria from aquatic environments in Brazil

Mesotrione is a benzoylcyclohexane-1,3-dione herbicide that inhibits 4-hydroxyphenyl pyruvate dioxygenase in target plants. Although it has been used since 2000, only a limited number of degrading microorganisms have been reported. Mesotrione-degrading bacteria were selected among strains isolated from Brazilian aquatic environments, located near corn fields treated with this herbicide. Pantoea ananatis was found to rapidly and completely degrade mesotrione. Mesotrione did not serve as a sole C, N, or S source for growth of P. ananatis, and mesotrione catabolism required glucose supplementation to minimal media. LC-MS/MS analyses indicated that mesotrione degradation produced intermediates other than 2-amino-4-methylsulfonyl benzoic acid or 4-methylsulfonyl-2-nitrobenzoic acid, two metabolites previously identified in a mesotrione-degrading Bacillus strain. Since P. ananatis rapidly degraded mesotrione, this strain might be useful for bioremediation purposes.     

Degradation of toxaphene in aged and freshly contaminated soil

Degradation of toxaphene in soil from both newly contaminated (from Sweden) and aged spills (from Nicaragua) were studied. The newly contaminated soil contained approximately 11 mg kg(-1) toxaphene while the aged Nicaraguan soil contained approximately 100 mg kg(-1). Degradation was studied in anaerobic bioreactors, some of which were supplied with lactic acid and others with Triton X-114. In this study we found that the lower isomers Parlar 11, 12 were degraded while the concentration of isomer Parlar 15 increased. This supported an earlier evaluation which indicated that less chlorinated isomers are formed from more heavily isomers. Lactic acid when added to the soil, interfere with the degradation of toxaphene. Lactic acid was added; several isomers appeared to degrade rather slowly in newly contaminated Swedish soil. The Swedish soil, without any external carbon source, showed the slowest degradation rate of all the compounds studied. When Triton X-114 at 0.4 mM was added, the degradation rate of the compounds increased. This study illustrates that biodegradation of toxaphene is a complex process and several parameters have to be taken into consideration. Degradation of persistent pollutants in the environment using biotechnology is dependent on bioavailability, carbon sources and formation of metabolites.     

Biotic and abiotic transformations of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE)

Background Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) is a fuel additive which is used all over the world. In recent years it has often been found in groundwater, mainly in the USA, but also in Europe. Although MTBE seems to be a minor toxic, it affects the taste and odour of water at concentrations of < 30 μg/L. Although MTBE is often a recalcitrant compound, it is known that many ethers can be degraded by abiotic means. The aim of this study was to examine biotic and abiotic transformations of MTBE with respect to the particular conditions of a contaminated site (former refinery) in Leuna, Germany. Methods Groundwater samples from wells of a contaminated site were used for aerobic and anaerobic degradation experiments. The abiotic degradation experiment (hydrolysis) was conducted employing an ion-exchange resin and MTBE solutions in distilled water. MTBE, tertiary butyl formate (TBF) and tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA) were measured by a gas chromatograph with flame ionisation detector (FID). Aldehydes and organic acids were respectively analysed by a gas chromatograph with electron capture detector (ECD) and high-performance ion chromatography (HPIC). Results and Discussion Under aerobic conditions, MTBE was degraded in laboratory experiments. Only 4 of a total of 30 anaerobic experiments exhibited degradation, and the process was very slow. In no cases were metabolites detected, but a few degradation products (TBF, TBA and formic acid) were found on the site, possibly due to the lower temperatures in groundwater. The abiotic degradation of MTBE with an ion-exchange resin as a catalyst at pH 3.5 was much faster than hydrolysis in diluted hydrochloric acid (pH 1.0). Conclusion Although the aerobic degradation of MTBE in the environment seems to be possible, the specific conditions responsible are widely unknown. Successful aerobic degradation only seems to take place if there is a lack of other utilisable compounds. However, MTBE is often accompanied by other fuel compounds on contaminated sites and anaerobic conditions prevail. MTBE is often recalcitrant under anaerobic conditions, at least in the presence of other carbon sources. The abiotic hydrolysis of MTBE seems to be of secondary importance (on site), but it might be possible to enhance it with catalysts. Recommendation and Outlook MTBE only seems to be recalcitrant under particular conditions. In some cases, the degradation of MTBE on contaminated sites could be supported by oxygen. Enhanced hydrolysis could also be an alternative. - * The basis of this peer-reviewed paper is a presentation at the 9th FECS Conference on 'Chemistry and Environment', 29 August to 1 September 2004, Bordeaux, France.     

Biomassbed: a biological system to reduce pesticide point contamination at farm level

A potential method for cleaning water from point-source pollution by organic compounds is using biological reactors. In this study, four reactors were tested for their ability to retain and degrade pesticides. The pesticides tested were the insecticide chlorpyrifos, the fungicide metalaxyl and the herbicide imazamox. The reactors were filled with differing mixtures of vine-branch, citrus peel, urban waste and public green compost. The reactor volume was 188 l. Forced circulation of the contaminated solution was programmed to decontaminate the solution. Both retention and degradation of the compounds by the reactors was studied. Chlorpyrifos was the best retained, due to its physico-chemical characteristics, while only one substrate effectively retained metalaxyl and imazamox (citrus peel+urban waste compost). Degradation of the pesticides in the reactors was faster than published values for degradation in soil. The half-life of all pesticides in the reactors was less than 14 days, compared to literature values of 60-70 days in soil. The combined retention and fast degradation make the biofilter a feasible technique to reduce spill-related and point environmental contamination by pesticides. The technique is most effective against persistent pesticides, while for mobile pesticides, the efficiency can be improved with several passages of the contaminated solution through biofilters.     

Detection of methylquinoline transformation products in microcosm experiments and in tar oil contaminated groundwater using LC-NMR

N-heterocyclic compounds are known pollutants at tar oil contaminated sites. Here we report the degradation of methyl-, and hydroxy-methyl-substituted quinolines under nitrate-, sulfate- and iron-reducing conditions in microcosms with aquifer material of a former coke manufacturing site. Comparison of degradation potential and rate under different redox conditions revealed highest degradation activities under sulfate-reducing conditions, the prevailing conditions in the field. Metabolites of methylquinolines, with the exception of 2-methylquinolines, were formed in high amounts in the microcosms and could be identified by ¹H NMR spectroscopy as 2(1H)-quinolinone analogues. 4-Methyl-, 6-methyl-, and 7-methyl-3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinone, the hydrogenated metabolites in the degradation of quinoline compounds, were identified by high resolution LC-MS. Metabolites of methylquinolines showed persistence, although for the first time a transformation of 4-methylquinoline and its metabolite 4-methyl-2(1H)-quinolinone is described. The relevance of the identified metabolites is supported by the detection of a broad spectrum of them in groundwater of the field site using LC-NMR technique. LC-NMR allowed the differentiation of isomers and identification without reference compounds. A variety of methylated 2(1H)-quinolinones, as well as methyl-3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinone isomers were not identified before in groundwater.     

Tracing the transformation of labelled [1-13C]phenanthrene in a soil bioreactor

[1-(13)C]-labelled phenanthrene was incubated in a closed bioreactor to study the flux and biotransformation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) in contaminated soils on a bulk and molecular level. The degradation of extractable phenanthrene was observed by GC-MS measurements and the mineralisation was monitored by (13)CO(2) production. The transformation of the (13)C-label into non-extractable soil-bound residues was determined by carbon isotopic measurements. With these data we were able to calculate a carbon budget of the (13)C-label. Moreover, the chemical structure of non-extractable bound residues was characterised by applying selective chemical degradation reactions to cleave xenobiotic subunits from the macromolecular organic soil matrix. The obtained low molecular weight products yielded (13)C-labelled compounds which were identified using IRM (isotope ratio monitoring)-GC-MS and structurally characterised with GC-MS. Most of the (13)C-labelled products obtained by chemical degradation of non-extractable bound residues are well-known metabolites of phenanthrene. Thus, metabolites of [1-(13)C]phenanthrene formed during biodegradation appear to be reactive components which are subsequently involved in the bound residue formation. Hydrolysable amino acids of the soil residues were significantly labelled with (13)C as confirmed by IRM-GC-MS measurements. Therefore, phenanthrene-derived carbon was transformed by anabolic microbial processes into typical biologically derived compounds. These substances are likely to be incorporated into humic-like material after cell death.     

Review of advances in the thin layer chromatography of pesticides: 2008-2010

Techniques and applications of thin layer chromatography (planar chromatography) for the separation, detection, qualitative and quantitative determination, and preparative isolation of pesticides and their metabolites and other related compounds are reviewed for the period from November 1, 2008 to November 1, 2010. Analyses are described for a variety of samples types and pesticide classes. In addition to references on residue analysis, studies such as pesticide structure-retention relationships, identification and characterization of plant pesticides and synthesized pesticides, metabolism, degradation, mobility, identification of biomarkers for detection of herbicide effects in plants, and lipophilicity are covered.     

Bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil by composting in biopiles

Composting of contaminated soil in biopiles is an ex situ technology, where organic matter such as bark chips are added to contaminated soil as a bulking agent. Composting of lubricating oil-contaminated soil was performed in field scale ( [Formula: see text] m(3)) using bark chips as the bulking agent, and two commercially available mixed microbial inocula as well as the effect of the level of added nutrients (N,P,K) were tested. Composting of diesel oil-contaminated soil was also performed at one level of nutrient addition and with no inoculum. The mineral oil degradation rate was most rapid during the first months, and it followed a typical first order degradation curve. During 5 months, composting of the mineral oil decreased in all piles with lubrication oil from approximately 2400 to 700 mg (kg dry w)(-1), which was about 70% of the mineral oil content. Correspondingly, the mineral oil content in the pile with diesel oil-contaminated soil decreased with 71% from 700 to 200 mg (kg dry w)(-1). In this type of treatment with addition of a large amount of organic matter, the general microbial activity as measured by soil respiration was enhanced and no particular effect of added inocula was observed.     

Chemically catalyzed uptake of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene by Vetiveria zizanioides

The efficiency of vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides) in removing 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) from aqueous media was explored in the presence of a common agrochemical, urea, used as a chaotropic agent. Chaotropic agents disrupt water structure, increasing solubilization of hydrophobic compounds (TNT), thus, enhancing plant TNT uptake. The primary objectives of this study were to: (i) characterize TNT absorption by vetiver in hydroponic media, and (ii) determine the effect of urea on chemically catalyzing TNT uptake by vetiver grass in hydroponic media. Results showed that vetiver exhibited a high TNT uptake capacity (1.026 mgg(-1)), but kinetics were slow. Uptake was considerably enhanced in the presence of urea, which significantly (p<0.001) increased the 2nd-order reaction rate constant over that of the untreated (no urea) control. Three major TNT metabolites were detected in the roots, but not in the shoot, namely 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene, 4-amino 2,6-dinitrotoluene, and 2-amino 4,6-dinitrotoluene, indicating TNT degradation by vetiver grass.