Abstract: A method for increasing the concentration of calcium carbonate in a geomaterial that contains indigenous microorganisms capable of hydrolyzing urea to ammonia, which method includes enriching the geomaterial with a source of nutrients, adding urea to the geomaterial which is hydrolyzed to ammonia and which raises the pH of the geomaterial, and adding a source of calcium ions to the geomaterial. Carbonate ions obtained by the hydrolysis of the urea combine with calcium ions to form calcium carbonate.

Abstract: A method for increasing the concentration of calcium carbonate in a geomaterial that contains indigenous microorganisms capable of hydrolyzing urea to ammonia, which method includes enriching the geomaterial with a source of nutrients, adding urea to the geomaterial which is hydrolyzed to ammonia and which raises the pH of the geomaterial, and adding a source of calcium ions to the geomaterial. Carbonate ions obtained by the hydrolysis of the urea combine with calcium ions to form calcium carbonate.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules that encode one or more of the enzymes required to produce PDTC. The present invention also provides isolated proteins encoded by nucleic acid molecules of the invention. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods for reducing the amount of a metal in a substrate, such as soil. In yet another aspect, the present invention provides methods for reducing the amount of carbon tetrachloride in a substrate, such as soil.

Abstract: Methods for biodegrading nitroaromatic compounds present as contaminants in soil or water using microorganisms are disclosed. Water is treatable directly; dry soil is first converted into a fluid medium by addition of water. The preferred method comprises two stages, each employing microorganisms: a fermentative stage, followed by an anaerobic stage. The fermentative stage is rapid, wherein an inoculum of aerobic and/or facultative microorganisms ferments a carbohydrate added to the fluid medium, exhausting the oxygen in the fluid medium and thereby inhibiting oxidative polymerization of amino by-products of the nitroaromatics. In the subsequent anaerobic stage, an inoculum of a mixed population of anaerobic microorganisms completes the mineralization of the contaminant nitroaromatics, using the remaining carbohydrate as a carbon and energy source.

Abstract: Novel methods for biodegrading nitroaromatic compounds present as contaminants in soil or water using microorganisms are disclosed. Water is treatable directly; dry soil is first converted into a fluid medium by addition of water. The preferred method comprises two stages, each employing microorganisms: a fermentative stage, followed by an anaerobic stage. The fermentative stage is rapid, wherein an inoculum of aerobic and/or facultative microorganisms ferments a carbohydrate added to the fluid medium, exhausting the oxygen in the fluid medium and thereby inhibiting oxidative polymerization of amino by-products of the nitroaromatics. In the subsequent anaerobic stage, an inoculum of a mixed population of anaerobic microorganisms completes the mineralization of the contaminant nitroaromatics, using the remaining carbohydrate as a carbon and energy source.

Abstract: Novel methods for biodegrading nitroaromatic compounds present as contaminants in soil or water using microorganisms are disclosed. Water is treatable directly; dry soil is first converted into a fluid medium by addition of water. The preferred method comprises two stages, each employing microorganisms: a fermentative stage, followed by an anaerobic stage. The fermentative stage is rapid, wherein an inoculum of aerobic and/or facultative microorganisms ferments a carbohydrate added to the fluid medium, exhausting the oxygen in the fluid medium and thereby inhibiting oxidative polymerization of amino by-products of the nitroaromatics. In the subsequent anaerobic stage, an inoculum of a mixed population of anaerobic microorganisms completes the mineralization of the contaminant nitroaromatics, using the remaining carbohydrate as a carbon and energy source.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the detection of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and other phenoxy ether compounds. The phenoxy ether bond of 2,4-D is enzymatically cleaved by 2,4-D .alpha.-ketoglutarate dioxygenase to form 2,4-dichlorophenol, which is assayed by the 4-aminoantipyrine method. The enzyme is supplied in a dried form, preferably immobilized on a solid support, and is stable at room temperature for several months even in a highly impure state, e.g., crude cell extracts or dried cells.

Abstract: A composition comprises an azo dye having a lignin-like substitution pattern and an environmentally common microbe, such as Streptomyces or Phanerochaete chrysosporium. The composition may also comprise an azo dye having a lignin-like substitution pattern, an amount of lignin peroxidase effective to degrade the dye, and an amount of veratryl alcohol effective to recycle lignin peroxidase II to lignin peroxidase. The lignin peroxidase may be provided by an environmentally common microbe. Azo dyes substituted with lignin-like groups are completely mineralized by the environmentally common microbe. The biodegradable azo dye preferably includes a first aromatic ring having a first substituent R1 selected from hydroxy or lower alkoxy, a second substituent R2 selected from lower alkyl or lower alkoxy, and a third substituent R3 selected from lower alkoxy or halogen. In especially preferred embodiments the first substituent R.sub.1 is hydroxy and is para to the azo group, and both R.sub.2 and R.sub.

Abstract: Novel methods for biodegrading nitroaromatic compounds present as contaminants in soil or water using microorganisms are disclosed. Water is treatable directly; dry soil is first converted into a fluid medium by addition of water. The preferred method comprises two stages, each employing microorganisms: a fermentative stage, followed by an anaerobic stage. The fermentative stage is rapid, wherein an inoculum of aerobic and/or facultative microorganisms ferments a carbohydrate added to the fluid medium, exhausting the oxygen in the fluid medium and thereby inhibiting oxidative polymerization of amino by-products of the nitroaromatics. In the subsequent anaerobic stage, an inoculum of a mixed population of anaerobic microorganisms completes the mineralization of the contaminant nitroaromatics, using the remaining carbohydrate as a carbon and energy source.

Abstract: A biodegradable azo dye contains a nitrogen atom linked to an aromatic ring having a lignin-like substitution pattern. The ring is preferably a syringyl or guaiacol moiety, and provides a naturally-occurring structure for attack by microorganisms, such as Streptomyces or Phanerochaete. In especially preferred embodiments, the aromatic ring has a first substituent R.sub.1 selected from among hydroxy, lower alkoxy, or amino, and a second substituent R.sub.2 selected from among lower alkyl, lower alkoxy and halogen. Some embodiments include a third ring substituent R.sub.3 selected from the group lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, and halogen.

Abstract: Three individual strains of anaerobic microorganisms are disclosed. Each has an ability to degrade nitroaromatic and nitramine compounds under anaerobic conditions. The strains, identified as LJP-1, SBF-1, and KMR-1, appear to be of Clostridium bifermentans. The strains were isolated from consortia of anaerobic microorganisms grown in a chemostat in which the "munitions" compounds TNT (as a representative nitroaromatic) and "RDX" nad "HMX" (as representative nitramines) were administered as sole sources of carbon for the microorganisms. The isolated strains, either individually or as mixtures thereof, can be used in methods for degrading, under anaerobic conditions (i.e., redox potential <-200 mV), a contaminant nitroaromatic and/or nitramine compound in water or soil (as an aqueous slurry, i.e., "fluid medium"). The strains will degrade nitroaromatics and nitramines in such fluid media either alone or with other microorganisms present in the fluid medium.

Abstract: Novel methods for biodegrading nitroaromatic compounds present as contaminants in soil or water using microorganisms are disclosed. Water is treatable directly; dry soil is first converted into a fluid medium by addition of water. The preferred method comprises two stages, each employing microorganisms: a fermentative stage, followed by an anaerobic stage. The fermentative stage is rapid, wherein an inoculum of aerobic and/or facultative microorganisms ferments a carbohydrate added to the fluid medium, exhausting the oxygen in the fluid medium and thereby inhibiting oxidative polymerization of amino by-products of the nitroaromatics. In the subsequent anaerobic stage an inoculum of a mixed population of anaerobic microorganisms completes the mineralization of the contaminant nitroaromatics, using the remaining carbohydrate as a carbon and energy source.

Abstract: A bacterium of the genus Flavobacterium which utilizes pentachlorophenol (PCP) as its sole carbon and energy source, which tolerates media PCP concentrations over about 250 mg/l, and which may be used in methods of detoxifying PCP-contaminated material.