Transgenic phytoremediation blasts onto the scene

The EPA National Priority List contains 22 ammunition production and processing sites that are laden with explosive and propellant wastes. With levels of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) contamination as high as 200 g/kg of solids, some of these sites are literally on the verge of exploding. They also pr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature biotechnology 1999-05, Vol.17 (5), p.428-428
Main Authors: Hooker, Brian S, Skeen, Rodney S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
AMMUNITION
Biodegradation, Environmental
CLEANING
CONTAMINATION
ENZYMES
EXPLOSIVES
MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
MUTAGENS
Nicotiana - enzymology
Nicotiana - genetics
Oxidoreductases - genetics
Oxidoreductases - metabolism
PHYTOREMEDIATION, TRANSGENIC PLANTS
Plants, Genetically Modified - enzymology
Plants, Toxic
PROCESSING
PRODUCTION
Soil Pollutants - metabolism
TNT
TOXINS
TRANSGENIC PLANTS
Trinitrotoluene - metabolism
US EPA
WASTES
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Summary:The EPA National Priority List contains 22 ammunition production and processing sites that are laden with explosive and propellant wastes. With levels of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) contamination as high as 200 g/kg of solids, some of these sites are literally on the verge of exploding. They also present serious exposure risks to humans and wildlife, as many of these contaminants are also strong toxins and mutagens. In this issue, French et al. describe a new option for cleaning up this dangerous mixture: the use of transgenic plants. They engineered plants to express a bacterial enzyme that can completely denitrify TNT and trinitroglycerin (GTN) into harmless compounds.
ISSN:1087-0156
1546-1696
DOI:10.1038/8596