Bioremediation of RDX-contaminated soil: A preliminary field trial

Conference · Wed Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1997

OSTI ID:353557

Dubois, C; Ampleman, G; Thiboutot, S ^[1]; Greer, C W; Hawari, J; Sunahara, G ^[2]

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1. Defence Research Establishment, Val-Belair, Quebec (Canada)
2. National Research Council of Canada, Montreal, Quebec (Canada)

The biotreatability of a clay soil contaminated with of 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) and octahydro1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) at nominal 2000 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, respectively, was examined in small scale biopiles. These piles were prepared from concentrated soils having RDX and HMX contamination levels of 100,000 mg/kg and 25,000 mg/kg, respectively. The overall soil composition of the piles was a mixture of clay, sand and black earth. The 4 m{sup 3} biopiles were set up in wooden forms having impermeable plastic liners, and were equipped with a spray irrigation system allowing a closed-loop recirculation of the aqueous leachate from the pile. Lime and alfalfa were used as soil amendments. The physical and chemical parameters of the piles were monitored over a period of 4 months. The analysis of soil samples for the determination of RDX and HMX concentrations was carried out by acetonitrile extraction and high performance liquid chromatography. The results showed a rapid decrease in contaminants concentrations with no significant lag time. The biopile with amended soil achieved a complete degradation of explosives contaminants. Finally, scale-up aspects of this bioremediation process will be discussed.

• OSTI ID: 353557
• Report Number(s): CONF-970677--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BIODEGRADATION
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
FIELD TESTS
NITRO COMPOUNDS
REMEDIAL ACTION
SOILS