Aerobic biodegradation of HMX (Octahydro-1,3,5,7-Tetranitro-1,3,5,7-Tetrazocine) with a supplemental study of RDX (Hexahydro-1,3,5-Trinitro-1,3,5-Triazine)

The Pantex facility near Amarillo, Texas, has soil and groundwater contaminated with differing combinations of high explosives (HEs), solvents, and metals. This study is concerned with the treatment of one HE, HMX in produced groundwater. Several physical and chemical treatment schemes for the treatment of HMX have been successful at other sites. These treatments include granular activated carbon adsorption, ultraviolet light radiation in combination with ozone, and alkaline hydrolysis. Successful biological treatment of HMX has been limited to anaerobic environments. Aerobic biodegradation is more desirable because of low capital and operation costs compared to those normally associated with anaerobic treatment. The objective of this work was to identify combinations of microbial consortia and amendments capable of aerobically biodegrading HMX. Once a treatment scheme was identified to breakdown HMX, a supplemental study was undertaken to determine the effects the same conditions would have on RDX, another HE contaminant of concem at Pantex.