Fenton oxidation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene in contaminated soil slurries

Z. M. Li, P. J. Shea, S. D. Comfort

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

47 Scopus citations

Abstract

Numerous acres of soil are contaminated with trinitrotoluene (TNT) at sites where munitions were formerly manufactured, stored, or demilitarized. Our objective was to determine the potential for remediating TNT-contaminated soil by direct Fenton oxidation of contaminated soil slurries. The Fenton reagent (Fe2+ + H2O2) effectively oxidized TNT in a soil slurry (1:5 w/v soil:H2O) containing 4200 mg TNT kg-1, but TNT destruction was affected by temperature, dissolved organic matter (DOM), and clay mineralogy. Greater TNT destruction occurred at 45°C than 23°C and when the Fenton reagent was added sequentially rather than in a single-batch addition. Experiments performed with aqueous TNT indicated little effect of DOM on total TNT destruction within 24 h, but transformation rates were affected. While the TNT transformation rate was increased by fulvic acid (20 mg C L-1), destruction rates were similar in humic acid solution and pure H2O. Although both humic and fulvic acid were shown to reduce Fe(III) to Fe(II), more Fe(II) was regenerated in the presence of fulvic acid and may explain the higher TNT destruction rate. TNT mineralization rate was not greatly affected by fulvic or humic acid in the treatment solution. Small amounts of Ca2+- montmorillonite (0.1-1.0% w/v) also increased the TNT transformation rate. Adsorption of Fe(III) and TNT by montmorillonite may have enhanced Fenton oxidation of the TNT near the montmorillonite surface. In contrast, kaolinite had little affinity for TNT or Fe(III) and TNT transformation rate decreased as kaolinite concentration was increased from 0.1 to 2.0% (w/v). Although temperature, soil, and solution variables affected the efficiency of TNT destruction, our results indicate that Fenton oxidation is an effective abiotic treatment for remediating TNT-contaminated soils.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)55-66
Number of pages12
JournalEnvironmental Engineering Science
Volume14
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1997

Keywords

  • Contamination
  • Fenton oxidation
  • Munitions
  • Remediation
  • Soil
  • TNT

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Waste Management and Disposal
  • Pollution

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Fenton oxidation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene in contaminated soil slurries'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this