Enhancing Biodegradation of TNT and Heterocyclic Nitroamines in Wastewater: Pretreatment with Elemental Iron

Trinitrotoluene (TNT) and heterocyclic nitroamines (RDX and HMX) are commonly present in munitions manufacturing wastewater. Biological treatment of explosive-laden wastewater is inefficient because these compounds are resistant to aerobic degradation. Direct biooxidation of these aromatic compounds is difficult due to the presence of electronwithdrawing constituents that inhibit electrophilic attack by oxygenases enzymes. The purpose of this work is to investigate the feasibility of using elemental iron pretreatment for reduction of the electron-withdrawing constituents, thus making them more amenable to aerobic biodegradation prior to entering biological treatment processes.