Sediments have been shown to contain active enzymes that can degrade nitroaromatic compounds such as TNT or chlorinated solvents such as TCE. Five classes of proteins have been isolated and partially characterized. Three of the classes of proteins have been used for the production of monoclonal antibodies to determine the possible sources of these proteins. In every case, the sources are plants growing near the sediment. The use of plants for remediation of hazardous materials such as TNT or other munitions like RDX and HMX has led to a new approach to remediation-- phytoremediation. Investigators have developed a field test to indicate which locally grown plants can be used at each contaminated site.