Characterization of insoluble fractions of TNT transformed by composting

Journal Article · Sun May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1994 · Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A: Environmental Science and Engineering; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/10934529409376063· OSTI ID:7274186

Caton, J E; Ho, C H; Williams, R T; Griest, W H ^[1]

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1. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)

Soil contaminated with explosives was supplemented with carbon-14 labelled 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene ([sup 14]C-TNT) and was composted in a field static pile composting experiment. After 90 d of composting, the distribution of carbon-14 ([sup 14]C) activity in fractions from acetonitrile extraction ([open quotes]free[close quotes] fraction, 1.2% of the initial [sup 14]C-activity) and filtration ([open quotes]insoluble-particle[close quotes] fraction, 17.9%), alkaline hydrolysis ([open quotes]insoluble-hydrolyzable[close quotes] fraction, 56.8%), and combustion of the residue ([open quotes]insoluble-nonhydrolyzable[close quotes] fraction, 4.7%) showed that the bulk of the [sup 14]C-activity, and presumably transformed product(s) of the [sup 14]C-TNT, accumulated in a nonextractable, but hydrolyzable fraction. Repetitive aqueous leaching of the compost and also ultraviolet light irradiation followed by leaching suggest that the insoluble fraction of transformed TNT should not be released appreciably by the action of acid rain or sunlight. 16 refs., 11 figs., 2 tabs.

• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 7274186
• Journal Information: Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A: Environmental Science and Engineering; (United States), Vol. 29:4; ISSN 0360-1226
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
TNT
HYDROLYSIS
SOLVENT EXTRACTION
ACETONITRILE
CARBON 14
COMBUSTION
COMPILED DATA
COMPOSTING
FILTRATION
LAND POLLUTION
LEACHING
SOILS
TRACER TECHNIQUES
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CARBON ISOTOPES
CHEMICAL EXPLOSIVES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DATA
DECOMPOSITION
DISSOLUTION
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
EXPLOSIVES
EXTRACTION
INFORMATION
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
LYSIS
MANAGEMENT
NITRILES
NITRO COMPOUNDS
NUCLEI
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXIDATION
POLLUTION
PROCESSING
RADIATIONS
RADIOISOTOPES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLVOLYSIS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
540211* - Environment
Terrestrial- Basic Studies- Radiometric Techniques- (1990-)
540220 - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)