Options
1996
Journal Article
Titel
Biologische Behandlung von TNT-Hydrolysaten
Alternative
Biodegradation of alkaline TNT-hydrolysates
Abstract
Inventory recently taken on the number of contaminated military sites in Germany revealed considerable need for remedial action, especially when contaminated with trinitrotoluene (TNT). Remediation techniques are, however, still not well developed. The "HydroBio"-Process comprising alkaline hydrolysis followed by a thermal and biological treatment step, was developed for the treatment of highly TNT-contaminated soils or material from soil washing processes. The present article reports on the results of laboratory scale biological follow-up treatment of a pure TNT-hydrolysate and one resulting from a mixture of TNT and soil. The DOC of hydrolysates, which were produced at 80 deg C, was almost biologically inert and thus did not serve as a carbon source for biological denitrification. If, however, an external carbon source was used complete denitrification was achieved. At high DOC of the TNT-hydrolysate a considerable lag-phase appeared before the denitrification started. Hydrolysates, which were submitted to thermal treatment at 200 - 250 deg C before biodegradation, could be denitrified without addition of an external carbon source and the degree of DOC removal was up to 70 per cent.