The scientists from State Science Centre of Applied Microbiology have developed an original biotechnology for treating soils, contaminated with heptyl – the propellant component. They’ve discovered microorganisms, which are able to decompose this chemical agent. These microorganisms were isolated from heptyl-contaminated soil samples, collected in the areas, where primary stages of missile carriers use to fall. Said microorganisms are able to grow on poor substrates, containing heptyl as the only source of carbon.

The technique has a notable feature – bacteria die after they utilize last drops of propellant and don’t contaminate the environment.

The analysis of contaminated soil after introduction of selected bacterial strains showed significant decrease of its toxicity on the 30th day of the experiment.

Comparative analysis of two techniques of soil decontamination – chemical one and using biosorbents with immobilized heptyl-destructing microorganisms - on a special test site showed the least’s decisive superiority. In technological, economical and efficiency aspects, microbiological technique of soil detoxification proved to be much more effective than any existing physical or chemical technique.