Performance of mesophilic anaerobic granules for removal of octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) from aqueous solution

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials Vol. 179; no. 1; pp. 526 - 532
• Main Authors: An, Chun-jiang, He, Yan-ling, Huang, Guo-he, Liu, Yong-hong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 15.07.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adsorption; Anaerobic conditions; Anaerobiosis; Applied sciences; Azocines - isolation & purification; Bacteria; Biomass; Bioreactors; Biotransformation; Chemical engineering; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Culture Media; Degradation; Electrons; Enrichment culture; Exact sciences and technology; Explosive Agents - isolation & purification; General purification processes; Granular materials; Granules; HMX; Indicators and Reagents; Inhibitors; Mesophilic anaerobic granules; Metabolic inhibitor; Octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX); Pollution; Powders; Solutions; Thermodynamics; Waste Disposal, Fluid; Waste water; Wastewaters; Water; Water treatment and pollution; Degradation; Octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX); Mesophilic anaerobic granules; Metabolic inhibitor; Enrichment culture; Nitrates; Sulfates; Waste water; Octogen; Adsorption; Batchwise; Anaerobe; Methanogenic bacteria; Biotransformation; Mesophily; Explosives; Granule; Aqueous solution; Electron donor; Octa hydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX)
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2010.03.035

The performance of mesophilic anaerobic granules to degrade octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) was investigated under various conditions. The results of batch experiments showed that anaerobic granules were capable of removing HMX from aqueous solution with high efficiency. Both biotic and abiotic mechanisms contributed to the removal of HMX by anaerobic granules under mesophilic conditions. Adsorption appeared to play a significant role in the abiotic process. Furthermore, HMX could be biodegraded by anaerobic granules as the sole substrate. After 16 days of incubation, 99.04% and 96.42% of total HMX could be removed by 1 g VSS/L acclimated and unacclimated granules, respectively. Vancomycin, an inhibitor of acetogenic bacteria, caused a significant inhibition of HMX biotransformation, while 2-bromoethanesulfonic acid, an inhibitor of methanogenic bacteria, only resulted in a slight decrease of metabolic activity. The presence of the glucose, as a suitable electron donor and carbon source, was found to enhance the degradation of HMX by anaerobic granules. Our study showed that sulfate had little adverse effects on biotransformation of HMX by anaerobic granules. However, nitrate had significant inhibitory effect on the extent of HMX removal especially in the initial period. This study offered good prospects of using high-rate anaerobic technology in the treatment of munition wastewater.