Remediating RDX-contaminated water and soil using zero-valent iron

Journal Article · Tue Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1998 · Journal of Environmental Quality

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1998.00472425002700050032x· OSTI ID:290132

Singh, J; Comfort, S D; Shea, P J ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE (United States)

Soil and water contaminated with RDX (hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine) pose a serious threat to the environment and human health. The objective was to determine the potential for using zero-valent iron (Fe{sup 0}) to remediate RDX-contaminated water and soil. Mixing an aqueous solution of 32 mg RDX L{sup {minus}1} (spiked with {sup 14}C-labeled RDX) with 10 g Fe{sup 0} L{sup {minus}1} resulted in complete RDX destruction within 72 h. Nitroso derivatives of RDX accounted for approximately 26% of the RDX transformed during the first 24 h; these intermediates disappeared within 96 h ad the remaining {sup 14}C products were water soluble and not strongly sorbed by iron surfaces. When RDX-contaminated soil was treated with a single amendment of Fe{sup 0} in a static soil microcosm, more than 60% of the initial {sup 14}C-RDX was recovered as {sup 14}CO{sub 2} after 112 d. Treating surface and subsurface soils containing 3,600 mg RDX kg{sup {minus}1} with 50 g Fe{sup 0} kg{sup {minus}1} at a constant soil water content resulted in a 52% reduction in extractable RDX following 12 mo of static incubation. A second Fe{sup 0} addition at 12 mo further reduced the initial extractable RDX by 71% after 15 mo. These results support the use of zero-valent iron for in situ remediation of RDX-contaminated soil.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 290132
• Journal Information: Journal of Environmental Quality, Journal Name: Journal of Environmental Quality Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 27; ISSN JEVQAA; ISSN 0047-2425
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CHEMICAL EXPLOSIVES
GROUND WATER
IRON
NITRO COMPOUNDS
REMEDIAL ACTION
SOILS