Fate of Explosives in Plant Tissues Contaminated During Phytoremediation.
Abstract
Kenaf plants were grown in uncontaminated soil using irrigation water contaminated with TNT, RDX, and HMX, and in soil contaminated with TNT, RDX, and HMX using uncontaminated irrigation water. Plant growth was minimal in contaminated soil but unaffected by contaminated irrigation water. TNT and its free amino transformation products were recovered from root tissues by solvent extraction. The conjugated amino transformation products were recovered from root tissue by base/ acid hydrolysis. RDX and HMX were recovered by solvent from the roots and foliar tissues. At harvest, the kenaf was chopped and mixed in with soil, where it was allowed to humify. Very little TNT or its transformation products were recoverable either by solvent extraction, base/acid hydrolysis, or aqueous leaching. Both RDX and HMX were recovered in significant amounts by both solvent extraction and aqueous leaching; furthermore, the nitroso transformation products of RDX were detected in the leachates. Kenaf plants could be used to remediate contaminated groundwater by removing TNT from irrigation water and sequestering the residues as conjugated transformation products. These plants were ineffective for the remediation of groundwater contaminated with RDX and HMX.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA372581
Entities
Organizations
- Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory