Abiotic and Biotic TNT Transformations.
Abstract
Cleanup of soils and groundwater contaminated with the explosive TNT is a major concern. Interpretation of fate processes, especially equilibrium partitioning, is confounded by the ready transformation of TNT to mono and diamino products. The objectives of this study were to demonstrate the presence of the Fe+2 abiotic reduction pathway in soils, investigate the pH dependence of the process, and investigate the relationship between aerobic TNT transformations and soil components. Effects of pH on abiotic transformations of TNT were examined in buffered batch tests with montmorillonite and Fe+2. Results indicated that TNT was rapidly reduced to monoamino transformation products under abiotic conditions, with the rate of reduction increasing as p11 increased. Recoveries of unlabeled TNT and transformation products ranged from 30 to 50 percent, but radioisotope tests showed complete recovery of (14)C, indicating that significant quantities of unextractable or unknown transformation products were produced. Until these transformation products are identified, mass balances for TNT will not be possible, even in simple environmental systems without the use of (14)C.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA330162
Entities
People
- Charolett A. Hayes
- Cynthia B. Price
- James M. Brannon