skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Uptake of explosives from contaminated soil by existing vegetation at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant

Abstract

This study examines the uptake of explosives by existing vegetation growing in soils contaminated with 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and 1,3,5-trinitro-3,5-triazine (RDX) in three areas at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant (IAAP). To determine explosives uptake under natural environmental conditions, existing plant materials and soil from the root zone were sampled at different locations in each area, and plant materials were separated by species. Standard methods were used to determine the concentrations of explosives, their derivatives, and metabolites in the soil samples. Plant materials were also analyzed. The compound TNT was not detected in the aboveground portion of plants, and vegetation growing on TNT-contaminated soils is not considered a health hazard. However, soil and plant roots may contain TNT degradation products that may be toxic; hence, their consumption is not advised. The compound RDX was found in the tops and roots of plants growing on RDX-contaminated soils at all surveyed sites. Although RDX is not a listed carcinogen, several of its potentially present degradation products are carcinogens. Therefore, the consumption of any plant tissues growing on RDX-contaminated sites should be considered a potential health hazard.

Authors:
; ; ; ; ;  [1]
+ Show Author Affiliations
  1. Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Argonne National Lab., IL (United States); Army Environmental Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
Department of Defense, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
78929
Report Number(s):
SFIM-AEC-ET-CR-95013
ON: DE95012998; CNN: U.S.Army Environmental Center
DOE Contract Number:
W-31-109-ENG-38
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: Feb 1995
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; 45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE; CHEMICAL EXPLOSIVES; ROOT ABSORPTION; TNT; TRIAZINES; LAND POLLUTION; MILITARY FACILITIES; IOWA; SOIL CHEMISTRY; MAIZE; GRAMINEAE; LOCUST TREES

Citation Formats

Schneider, J.F., Zellmer, S.D., Tomczyk, N.A., Rastorier, J.R., Chen, D., and Banwart, W.L.. Uptake of explosives from contaminated soil by existing vegetation at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant. United States: N. p., 1995. Web. doi:10.2172/78929.
Copy to clipboard
Schneider, J.F., Zellmer, S.D., Tomczyk, N.A., Rastorier, J.R., Chen, D., & Banwart, W.L.. Uptake of explosives from contaminated soil by existing vegetation at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant. United States. doi:10.2172/78929.
Copy to clipboard
Schneider, J.F., Zellmer, S.D., Tomczyk, N.A., Rastorier, J.R., Chen, D., and Banwart, W.L.. Wed . "Uptake of explosives from contaminated soil by existing vegetation at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant". United States. doi:10.2172/78929. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/78929.
Copy to clipboard
@article{osti_78929,
title = {Uptake of explosives from contaminated soil by existing vegetation at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant},
author = {Schneider, J.F. and Zellmer, S.D. and Tomczyk, N.A. and Rastorier, J.R. and Chen, D. and Banwart, W.L.},
abstractNote = {This study examines the uptake of explosives by existing vegetation growing in soils contaminated with 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and 1,3,5-trinitro-3,5-triazine (RDX) in three areas at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant (IAAP). To determine explosives uptake under natural environmental conditions, existing plant materials and soil from the root zone were sampled at different locations in each area, and plant materials were separated by species. Standard methods were used to determine the concentrations of explosives, their derivatives, and metabolites in the soil samples. Plant materials were also analyzed. The compound TNT was not detected in the aboveground portion of plants, and vegetation growing on TNT-contaminated soils is not considered a health hazard. However, soil and plant roots may contain TNT degradation products that may be toxic; hence, their consumption is not advised. The compound RDX was found in the tops and roots of plants growing on RDX-contaminated soils at all surveyed sites. Although RDX is not a listed carcinogen, several of its potentially present degradation products are carcinogens. Therefore, the consumption of any plant tissues growing on RDX-contaminated sites should be considered a potential health hazard.},
doi = {10.2172/78929},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1995},
month = {Wed Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1995}
}
Copy to clipboard
Technical Report:
View Technical Report (1.35 MB)
DOI:  10.2172/78929
Save / Share:
Export Metadata
Save to My Library
You must Sign In or Create an Account in order to save documents to your library.

  • ; ; ; ...
    This study examines the uptake of explosives by existing vegetation growing in TNT-contaminated soils on Group 61 at the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant (JAAP). The soils in this group were contaminated more than 40 years ago. In this study, existing plant materials and soil from the root zone were sampled from 15 locations and analyzed to determine TNT uptake by plants under natural field conditions. Plant materials were separated by species if more than one species was present at a sampling location. Standard methods were used to determine concentrations of explosives, their derivatives, and metabolites in the soil samples. Plantmore » materials were also analyzed. No. explosives were detected in the aboveground portion of any plant sample. However, the results indicate that TNT, 2-amino DNT, and/or 4-amino DNT were found in some root samples of false boneset (Kuhnia eupatorioides), teasel (Dipsacus sylvestris), and bromegrass (Bromus inermis). It is possible that slight soil contamination remained on the roots, especially in the case of the very fine roots for species like bromegrass, where washing was difficult. The presence of 2-amino DNT and 4-amino DNT, which could be plant metabolites of TNT, increases the likelihood that explosives were taken up by plant roots, as opposed to their presence resulting from external soil contamination.« less

  • ; ; ; ...
    Explosives and their degradation products may enter the animal and human food chains through plants grown on soils contaminated with explosives. Soil and plant samples were collected from the Group 61 area at the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant and analyzed to determine the extent to which 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and its degradation products are taken up by existing vegetation and crops growing on contaminated soils. Neither TNT nor its degradation products was detected in any of the aboveground plant organs of existing vegetation. Oat (Avena sativa L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) were planted on TNT-contaminated soils amended with threemore » levels of chopped grass hay. Extractable TNT concentrations in hay-amended soils were monitored for almost 1 year. Crop establishment and growth improved with increased levels of hay amendment, but TNT uptake was not affected or detected in any aboveground crop organs. Evidence was found to indicate that soil manipulation and hay addition may reduce extractable TNT concentration in soils, but the wide variations in TNT concentrations in these soils prevented development of conclusive evidence regarding reduction of extractable TNT concentrations. Results from this study suggest that vegetation grown on TNT-contaminated soils is not a major health concern because TNT and its degradation products were not detected in aboveground plant organs. However, low concentrations of TNT, 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene, and 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene were detected in or on some existing vegetation and crop roots. 21 refs., 10 figs., 26 tabs.« less

  • ; ; ; ...
    This study examines the uptake of explosives by vegetation growing on soils contaminated by 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) in Group 61 at the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant (JAAP). Plant materials and soil from the root zone were sampled and analyzed to determine TNT uptake under natural field conditions. Standard USATHAMA methods were used to determine concentrations of explosives, their derivatives, and metabolites in the soil samples. No- explosives were detected in the aboveground portion of any plant sample. However, results indicate that TNT, 2-aminodinitrotoluene (2-ADNT), and/or 4-ADNT were present in some root samples. The presence of 2-ADNT and 4-ADNT increases the likelihoodmore » that explosives were taken up by plant roots, as opposed to their presence resulting from external soil contamination.« less

  • ; ; ; ...
    Munitions material such as 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and hexahydro-1,3,5- trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) and their combustion and decomposition products can enter the environment from production activities and field usage and disposal. The purposeful use of plants for cleanup of the environment has received relatively little attention despite the fact that plants, like microorganisms, play an important role in nature in sustaining and restoring environments. The capabilities of plants to absorb, accumulate, and metabolize, directly or indirectly, various organic substances suggest their use in the remediation of contaminated environments (phytoremediation).

  • ; ; ; ...
    As an alternative to other groundwater extraction and surface treatment techniques, phytoremediation systems are currently being evaluated by civilian and military administrators for their ability to enhance removal of potentially toxic or mutagenic munitions materiel such as 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), hexahydro-1,3,5- trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), and their degradation products. To guide selection of aquatic plants for use in demonstration phytoremediation lagoons at the Milan Army Ammunition Plant (MAAP), Milan, TN, this study evaluated the relative ability of ten species to decrease levels of TNT and RDX explosives and related nitrobodies in contaminated MAAP groundwater.