Microbial Degradation of Explosive Manufacturing Facility Wastewater in a Bioreactor

• Published in: International Journal of Environmental Research 2023-08, Vol.17 (4), Article 49
• Main Authors: Sharma, Kirty, Sangwan, Pritam, Sharma, Praveen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anthropogenic factors; Bacteria; Biodegradation; Bioreactors; Byproducts; Cyclonite; Degradation; Diamines; Earth and Environmental Science; Environment; Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology; Environmental Management; Geoecology/Natural Processes; Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine; HMX; Landscape/Regional and Urban Planning; Manufacturing; Manufacturing industry; Mass spectrometry; Mass spectroscopy; Metabolites; Microbial degradation; Microorganisms; Military operations; Natural environment; Natural Hazards; Paenibacillus; Pollution; Remediation; Research Paper; s-triazines; Tetrazocine; Triazine; Wastewater treatment
• ISSN: 1735-6865; 2008-2304
• DOI: 10.1007/s41742-023-00540-y

High explosive compounds like Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) and Octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) also known as Cyclonite and Octogen respectively, are generally employed for military operations as well as for civil purposes. These anthropogenic compounds can enter into our natural environment and can cause pollution during their production, usage and disposal. Conventional Cyclonite and Octogen remediation methods are not economical and result in toxic byproducts. Microbial remediation of Cyclonite and Octogen is becoming popular as an eco-friendly and cost effective option to solve problem of environmental pollution resulted due to these high energetic compounds. In this research work, wastewater from an explosive manufacturing facility was treated in a continuously stirred bioreactor with Cyclonite and Octogen degrading bacteria Paenibacillus aestuarii (MTCC No. 12854, Isolate name—S4-TSB-1), isolated from an explosive contaminated site. Paenibacillus aestuarii was able to degrade 83.4% Cyclonite and 70.66% Octogen in simulated wastewater and 78.89% Cyclonite and 65.15% Octogen in actual wastewater of explosive manufacturing facility in a time period of 30 days. The formation of major degradation byproduct, i.e. nitrite, was also monitored. The metabolites generated during the degradation of Cyclonite and Octogen in bioreactor were identified by mass spectrometry analysis as bishydroxymethylnitramine, methylenedinitramine (MEDINA), 5-Nitro-1,3,5-triazinane-1,3-diamine, 1,3,5-trinitroso-1,3,5-triazinane (TNX), and N -methyl- N , N ′-dinitromethanediamine. The results showed that a continuous stirred bioreactor could be an effective explosive wastewater treatment method for explosive remediation. Highlights Bacteria isolated from the explosive contaminated site degraded Cyclonite and Octogen Microbial remediation of wastewater containing Cyclonite and Octogen in a continuously stirred bioreactor Growth of bacteria in explosive wastewater Degradation up to 83.4% Cyclonite and 70.66% Octogen achieved in 30 days Nitrite released during biodegradation was monitored Identified 5-Nitro-1,3,5-triazinane-1,3-diamine (diamino derivative of Cyclonite), 1,3,5-trinitroso-1,3,5-triazinane (TNX), bishydroxymethylnitramine, methylenedinitramine (MEDINA), and N -methyl- N , N ′-dinitromethanediamine as degradation metabolites