A biodegradation process for the organophosphonate product of Sarin (O-isopropyl
methylphosphonofluoridate) hydrolysis, i.e., isopropylmethylphosphonate (IMPA).
This process provides a feasible biodegradation demilitarization alternative to
Sarin incineration. Public opposition of nerve agent incineration is widespread,
and alternative methods are sought to help the U.S. Army meet the 2007 demilitarization
deadline imposed by the Chemical Weapons Convention. This process uses a two-step
approach to IMPA biodegradation. In the first step, a concentrated IMPA solution
is used as the sole nutritional carbon and phosphorus source for microbial cultures.
The second step involves diluting the culture and adding an inexpensive carbon
source to encourage bacterial phosphate assimilation. The biodegradation typically
involves a consortium of microorganisms comprising Methylobacterium radiotolerans
GB21, Agrobacterium tumefaciens GB2GA, Klebsiella oxytoca GB2CS,
GB272, Aureobacterium sp. GB2 and three bacterial isolates belonging to
the same species GB23, GB272, and GB292.