Laboratory Column Evaluation of High Explosives Attenuation in Grenade Range Soils

High explosives (HEs) deposited on military ranges can leach through the soil and contaminate groundwater. We examined the transport and fate of HEs in laboratory columns containing soils from two hand grenade bays (Bays C and T) and the impact of organic amendments on biodegradation. Soil characteristics were similar; however, Bay C had somewhat higher clay and organic C. Experimental treatments included addition of crude glycerin and lignosulfonate, and parallel control columns. Experimental results showed extensive 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene (TNT) degradation with minimal leaching, consistent with prior batch microcosm results. Amendment addition enhanced TNT degradation in both Bays C and T compared with controls. Although hexahydro‐1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazine (Royal Demolition Explosive, or RDX) did not biodegrade in prior aerobic batch microcosms, 64 to 77% of RDX biodegraded in untreated soil columns with O2 present in the mobile soil gas. The RDX biodegradation was likely associated with short‐term anoxic conditions or anoxic micro‐niches. In nearly saturated Bay C columns, RDX removal increased to >92%. Amendment addition to unsaturated Bay T columns increased RDX removal to >86%. In one column, the soil remained anoxic (O2 < 5% by volume) for about a year after amendment addition, significantly reducing RDX leaching. Nitroso degradation products were produced equivalent to 9 to 39% of the RDX degraded, with most retained in the soil (9–37%) and 0 to 3% in the effluent. These results demonstrate that RDX biodegradation can occur in soils with measurable O2, and that amendment addition can reduce RDX leaching by stimulating anaerobic biodegradation. Core Ideas TNT extensively degraded in soil under both aerobic and anoxic conditions. RDX degradation was enhanced under anoxic soil conditions. There was significant RDX degradation in soil columns that were sometimes aerobic. Organic substrate addition generated anoxic conditions enhancing RDX degradation.