BIO-GEOCHEMICAL FACTORS THAT AFFECT RDX DEGRADATION

Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) is a secondary high explosive that has been identified as a contaminant of concern in groundwater and soil as a result of military training activities (Wani et al., 2002). Remediation technologies that have been proposed for use on these training ranges include in situ techniques. An obstacle to using in situ approaches for the treatment of RDX contaminated soils and groundwater is the lack of information concerning the biogeochemical factors that influence transformation. This research compares paired (biotic and poised abiotic systems) RDX degradation experiments in which Eh-pH conditions conducive to RDX degradation were established. Degradation of RDX under iron-reducing conditions was studied in biological and chemical systems. The redox conditions created by the biological systems were simulated by poised chemical systems in order to compare RDX transformation. Th