Biotransformation of pink water TNT on the surface of a low-cost adsorbent pine bark

Abstract

This two-week anaerobic batch study evaluated 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) removal efficiency from industrial pink water by (1) adsorption on low-cost adsorbent pine bark, and (2) adsorption coupled with TNT biotransformation by specialised microbial communities. Samples of the supernatant and acetonitrile extracts of pine bark were analysed by HPLC, while the composition of the bacterial community of the experimental batches, inocula and pine bark were profiled by high-throughput sequencing the V6 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. Integrated adsorption and biotransformation proved to be the most efficient method for TNT removal from pink water. The type of applied inoculum had a profound effect on TNT removal efficiencies and microbial community structures, which were dominated by phylotypes belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family. The analysis of acetonitrile extracts of pine bark supported the hypothesis that the microbial community indigenous to pine bark has the ability to degrade TNT.

Biodegradation of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) with Bacteria Isolated from TNT-polluted Waste Pink Water

“…TNT contamination from TNT-containing pink water in military regions has also been reported by researchers in the literature [5,7]. Chusova et al [5] collected TNT contaminated pink water released from a treatment plant at the demilitarisation factory Nammo Vingakersverken AB and they stated that the TNT level in the pink water was 12mM after serial dilutions (5 times) and removing of the insoluble components. Eum et al [7] collected pink water from Agency for Defense Development, Daejeon, Korea for researching the effects of TNT-contaminated pink water in Zebrafish embryogenesis.…”

“…The presence of pink water is based on photolysis of dissolved TNT and the collection of complex dye-like molecules [6]. TNT and its associated explosive compounds cause pollution if this water is delivered to the soil without purification [5]. TNT contamination from TNT-containing pink water in military regions has also been reported by researchers in the literature [5,7].…”

“…However, today, TNT pollution does not originate just from tons of TNT produced in the first and second world wars. During the demilitarisation of the munitions prepared by the use of TNT as an explosive, pink water known to contain TNT and other explosives is released [5]. The presence of pink water is based on photolysis of dissolved TNT and the collection of complex dye-like molecules [6].…”

“…TNT and its associated explosive compounds cause pollution if this water is delivered to the soil without purification [5]. TNT contamination from TNT-containing pink water in military regions has also been reported by researchers in the literature [5,7]. Chusova et al [5] collected TNT contaminated pink water released from a treatment plant at the demilitarisation factory Nammo Vingakersverken AB and they stated that the TNT level in the pink water was 12mM after serial dilutions (5 times) and removing of the insoluble components.…”

Application of photo degradation for remediation of cyclic nitramine and nitroaromatic explosives

“…Contamination of surface and ground water reserves resulting from the release of energetic materials (EM) contained in pink water (generated during the demilitarisation of munitions in the factories by sinking the munitions in hot water basins) as well as in red water (generated during the production of munitions in ammunition plants) is a serious problem worldwide. [1][2][3] In 2010, more than 12 million pounds of EMs were released into waterways by the US Army's Radford Ammunition Plant. 4 Additionally, EMs contained in unexploded ordnances in warfare zones and live ring ranges were reported to inltrate into the near-surface and ground water reserves via leaching through soil.…”