Coupled abiotic-biotic mineralization of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT)

J Environ Qual. 2002 May-Jun;31(3):736-44. doi: 10.2134/jeq2002.7360.

Abstract

Munitions wastes such as TNT are widespread contaminants in soils and ground waters. We investigated a coupled abiotic-biotic treatment scheme for remediation of aqueous solutions of TNT. Mineralization of aqueous TNT (0.22 mM) was initially optimized with minimum reactant use (Fe3+ and H2O2) in light-assisted and dark, modified Fenton reactions at acidic and neutral pH. Complete TNT degradation occurred under all reaction conditions within 24 h. Using the optimum reactant concentrations, coupled abiotic-biotic reactions showed an increase in TNT mineralization, from 47 to 80%, after biomass addition to the acidic, dark Fenton-like reaction. Comparable increases of TNT mineralization were observed under neutral pH with similar reaction conditions. In light-assisted Fenton-like reactions at neutral pH, no increase in cumulative TNT mineralization (66%) was seen in coupled abiotic-biotic reactions. Abiotic photo-Fenton-like reactions alone, at acidic pH, produced complete TNT mineralization and required no biotic assistance. While light-enhanced Fenton reactions alone can provide high levels of TNT mineralization, the dark abiotic-biotic reaction scheme has perhaps a wider use due to a similar extent of TNT mineralization in the absence of light, leading to possible applications in soil slurry and in situ processes in the subsurface.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Catalysis
  • Hazardous Waste / analysis*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Ions
  • Iron
  • Trinitrotoluene / chemistry*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*
  • Water Purification / methods

Substances

  • Fenton's reagent
  • Hazardous Waste
  • Ions
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Trinitrotoluene
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Iron