| Title |
A New Biological Approach in Pink and Red Water Treatment |
| Authors |
Sung Hyun Kwon, Jae Kwan Lee, In S . Kim |
| Abstract |
Improper management of red water generated during the manufacture of trinitrotoluene (TNT) is an environmental concern because it can result in soil and groundwater contamination. Past methods for the management of this hazardous waste stream did not fully meet pollution compliance or were not cost-effective. The biodegradation of TNT by pure population under their optimum conditions has been studied, and its intermediates have been found to be toxic and mutagenic to microorganisms because they interact with cell membranes. Our observation by a mixed microbial population in digested sewage culture under strict anaerobic conditions revealed TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene) was degraded effectively. An initial concentration of 110㎎/L of TNT was reduced to a non-detectable amount (>99% removal) in 6 days of incubation. Red color due to the electron charge of NO2 groups become colorless after 6 days of incubation, while the autoclaved control remained red in color. Due to the resistance of the transformed inhibitors, further stepwise deamination and subsequent mineralization by ring cleavage occurred by mixed vitro reductase which is created predominantly by many of the denitrifying bacteria in sewage culture. |