Biodegradation of the High Explosive Hexanitrohexaazaiso-wurtzitane (CL-20)

Pelin Karakaya, Christos Christodoulatos, Agamemnon Koutsospyros, Wendy Balas, Steve Nicolich and Mohammed Sidhoum
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Pelin Karakaya: Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, Elmwood Park, NJ 07407, USA
Christos Christodoulatos: Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA
Agamemnon Koutsospyros: Mechanical, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
Wendy Balas: US Army TACOM-ARDEC, Energetics & Warheads Division, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806, USA
Steve Nicolich: US Army TACOM-ARDEC, Energetics & Warheads Division, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806, USA
Mohammed Sidhoum: Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA

IJERPH, 2009, vol. 6, issue 4, 1-22

Abstract: The aerobic biodegradability of the high explosive CL-20 by activated sludge and the white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium has been investigated. Although activated sludge is not effective in degrading CL-20 directly, it can mineralize the alkaline hydrolysis products. Phanerochaete chrysosporium degrades CL-20 in the presence of supplementary carbon and nitrogen sources. Biodegradation studies were conducted using various nutrient media under diverse conditions. Variables included the CL-20 concentration; levels of carbon (as glycerol) and ammonium sulfate and yeast extract as sources of nitrogen. Cultures that received CL-20 at the time of inoculation transformed CL-20 completely under all nutrient conditions studied. When CL-20 was added to pre-grown cultures, degradation was limited. The extent of mineralization was monitored by the 14 CO 2 time evolution; up to 51% mineralization was achieved when the fungus was incubated with [ 14 C]-CL-20. The kinetics of CL-20 biodegradation by Phanerochaete chrysosporium follows the logistic kinetic growth model.

Keywords: Hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane; CL-20; biodegradation; activated sludge; Phanerochaete chrysosporium; logistic growth model; mineralization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009
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