TNT is a commonly known and widely used explosive. However, what you might not know is that TNT is toxic in small concentrations and can contaminate both soil and water. In fact, there is evidence suggesting TNT may be a human carcinogen. Traditionally, decontamination involves blowing up affected soil. However, researchers have been looking into using white-rot fungi to break down 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) instead. The fungi studied in Anasonye et al. (2015) were Gymnopilus luteofolius, Kuehneromyces mutabilis, and Phanerochaete velutina. TNT (1000 mg/kg) was experimentally added to soil and the researchers discovered that Phanerochaete velutina had the highest degradation rate (80%) out of the three fungi tested. The ability to breakdown TNT was attributed to the reactive oxidoreductase manganese peroxidase. Maybe we should think twice before we blow-up TNT contaminated soil, there might be a less dramatic solution.
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From (Anasonye et al., 2015). TNT breakdown by Phanerochaete velutina and CO2 concentration in the outlet air over a 107 day period. The fungus was inoculated in TNT contaminated soil diluted with composted waste (1:20 ratio).
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Original article: Anasonye F, Winquist E, Räsänen M, Kontro J, Björklöf K, Vasilyeva G et al (2015). Bioremediation of TNT contaminated soil with fungi under laboratory and pilot scale conditions. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation 105: 7-12.
I agree. This sounds like a better option. It would be interesting to figure out how the fungi could influence mineralization after the 50 day mark or if there is another microbe that could play a role here.
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