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PubMed · 11337885

Potential of activated carbon to decrease 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene toxicity and accelerate soil decontamination.

G K Vasilyeva·V D Kreslavski·B T Oh·P J Shea
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Abstract

Activated carbon can be used to decrease 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) toxicity and promote bioremediation of highly contaminated soil. Adding activated carbon at 0.25, 0.75, and 1.0% (w/w) to Sharpsburg soil contaminated with 500, 1,000, and 2,000 mg TNT/kg decreased concentrations of TNT and its transformation products in soil solution to 5 mg/L or less, resulting in low toxicity to corn plants (Zea mays L.) and soil microorganisms. As much as 50% of the added TNT was rapidly bound to the soil-activated carbon matrix. Simultaneous accumulation of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzaldehyde (TNBAld) indicated that the activated carbon promoted oxidation of TNT. Some of the TNBAld was further oxidized to 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene, followed by reduction to 3,5-dinitroaniline. Reversibly bound TNT was gradually transformed to 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene and 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene, and both were bound to the soil-activated carbon matrix. The transformation and binding of TNT to soil were further promoted by incorporating shredded corn plants after growing for 52 d in the activated carbon-amended soil. After 120 d, these amendments reduced extractable TNT and transformation products by 91% in soil containing 2,000 mg TNT/kg, compared to 55% in unamended soil. These results demonstrate the potential use of activated carbon in combination with plants to promote in situ bioremediation of soils highly contaminated with explosives.

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CarbonPlantsSoil MicrobiologySoil PollutantsTrinitrotolueneJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

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G K Vasilyeva, V D Kreslavski, B T Oh, P J Shea. 2001. Potential of activated carbon to decrease 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene toxicity and accelerate soil decontamination.. https://doi.org/10.1897/1551-5028(2001)020%3C0965%3Apoactd%3E2.0.co%3B2

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