Summary
Composting was investigated as a bioremediation technology for clean-up of sediments contaminated with explosives and propellants. Two field demonstrations were conducted, the first using 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetraazocine (HMX), hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), and N-methyl-N,2,4,6-tetranitroaniline (tetryl) contaminated sediment, and the second using nitrocellulose (NC) contaminated soil. Tests were conducted in thermophilic and mesophilic aerated static piles. Extractable TNT was reduced from 11840 mg/kg to 3 mg/kg, and NC from 13090 mg/kg to 16 mg/kg under thermophilic conditions. Under mesophilic conditions, TNT was reduced from 11 190 mg/kg to 50 mg/kg. The thermophilic and mesophilic half-lives were 11.9 and 21.9 days for TNT, 17.3 and 30.1 days for RDX, and 22.8 and 42.0 days for HMX, respectively. Known nitroaromatic transformation products increased in concentration over the first several weeks of the test period, but decreased to low concentrations thereafter.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Williams, R.T. and C.A. Myler. 1990. Bioremediation using composting. Biocycle. Novemeber, 1990.
Osman, J.L. and C.C. Andrews. 1978. The biodegradation of TNT in enhanced soil and compost systems. In: U.S. Army Armament Research and Development Command Report ARLD-TR-77032: Dover, New Jersey, U.S.A.
Klausmeier, R.E., E.I. Jamison and A. Tatyrek. 1982. Composting of TNT: Airborne Products and Toxicity. In: U.S. Armament Research and Development Command Report AD-E400-744: Dover, New Jersey, U.S.A.
Kaplan, D.L. and A.M. Kaplan. 1982. Thermophilic biotransformations of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene under simulated composting conditions. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 44: 747–760.
Isbister, J.D., G.L. Anspach, J.F. Kitchens and R.C. Doyle. 1984. Composting for decontamination of soils containing explosives. Microbiologies. 7: 47–73.
Doyle, R.C., J.D. Isbister, G.L. Anspach and J.F. Kitchens. 1986. Composting of explosives/organics contaminated soils. In: U.S. Army Report AMXTH-TE-CR-86077: Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, U.S.A.
Tudor, F., J.A. Bumpus and S.D. Aust. 1990. Biodegradation of TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene) byPhanerochaete chrysosporium. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 56: 1666–1671.
Unkefer, P.J., M.A. Alvarez, J.L. Hanners, C.J. Unkefer, M. Stenger and E.A. Margiotta. 1990. Bioremediation of Explosives. Presented at the Workshop on Alternatives to Open Burning/Open Detonation of Propellents and Explosives, Tyndall Air Force Base, Panama City, Florida, U.S.A, 27–28 March 1990.
Gordon, L. and W.R. Hartley. 1989. Health Advisory on 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene. Published by. U.S. EPA Office of Drinking Water, Washington, D.C. 20460, U.S.A.
McLellan, W.L., W.R. Hartley and M.E. Brower. 1988. Health Advisory for Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinotro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX). Published by U.S. EPA Office of Drinking Water, Washington, D.C. 20460, U.S.A.
McLellan, W.L., W.R. Hartley and M.E. Brower. 1988. Health Advisory for Octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro 1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX). Published by U.S. EPA Office of Drinking Water, Washington, D.C. 20460, U.S.A.
Griest, W.H., A.J. Stewart, R.L. Tyndal, C.H. Ho and E. Tan. 1990. Characterization of explosives processing waste decomposition due to composting. In: Report No. DOE IAC 1016-B123-A1.
Lowe, W., R. Williams and P. Marks. 1989. Composting of Explosive-Contaminated Soil Technology. In: U.S. Army Toxic and Hazardous Materials Agency Report No. CETHA-TE-CR-90027, USA THAMA, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, U.S.A.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Williams, R.T., Ziegenfuss, P.S. & Sisk, W.E. Composting of explosives and propellant contaminated soils under thermophilic and mesophilic conditions. Journal of Industrial Microbiology 9, 137–144 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01569746
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01569746