The assessment of the energetic compound 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8, 10,12-Hexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20) degradability in soil

Nikolay Strigul, Washington Braida, Christos Christodoulatos, Wendy Balas, Steven Nicolich

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

CL-20 is a relatively new energetic compound with applications in explosive and propellant formulations. Currently, information about the fate of CL-20 in ecological systems is scarce. The aim of this study is to evaluate the biodegradability of CL-20 in soil environments. Four soils were used where initial CL-20 concentrations (above water solubility) ranged from 125 to 1500 mg of CL-20 per kg dry soil (corresponding to the concentrations derived from unexploded ordnance, low order detonation, or manufacturing spills). CL-20 appears to be biodegradable in soil under anaerobic conditions, and additions of organic substrates can substantially accelerate this process. However, CL-20 is not degraded in soil under aerobic conditions kept in the dark at temperatures up to 30°C without organic amendments. Additions of starch or cellulose promote the biodegradation of CL-20 under aerobic conditions. Soil microbial community mediated biodegradation and plant uptake appears to enhance CL-20 biodegradation, the latter suggesting a possible route for CL-20 to entry in the food chain.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)353-361
Number of pages9
JournalEnvironmental Pollution
Volume139
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2006

Keywords

  • Aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation
  • CL-20
  • Plant uptake
  • Soil

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