Abstract ▼ AI-Helper

Explosive chemicals have been major soil and groundwater contaminants especially in the nations with active military activities. Of these explosives, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) is the most refractory one due to its structural characteristics. Although its efficient reduction by Fe(0) is well-known,...

Explosive chemicals have been major soil and groundwater contaminants especially in the nations with active military activities. Of these explosives, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) is the most refractory one due to its structural characteristics. Although its efficient reduction by Fe(0) is well-known, the reduction products - mainly aminotoluenes - still possess toxicities to terrestrial biota, and are resistant to biological degradation. In this study, therefore, abiotic transformation of TNT reduction products via oxidative-coupling reaction was evaluated using Mn oxide which is ubiquitous in natural soils. The transformation efficiency is increased with the number of amino groups. Considering the very efficient reduction rate of TNT by Fe(0), Mn oxide can be successfully used for the removal of TNT reduction products.