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The fate and transport of RDX, HMX, TNT and DNT in the volcanic soils of Hawaii: A laboratory and modeling study by Ghasem Alavi; Mel Chung; Joseph Lichwa; Matteo D’Alessio; Chittaranjan Ray is a Environmental Science article available to read on EtoBox.

The adsorption and degradation behavior of RDX, HMX, TNT and DNT and the impact of pH, ionic strength and dissolved organic matter on sorption were examined for two volcanic soils of a former military training area on Hawaii Island, Hawaii, USA. The transport of these chemicals in the soil was also studied in small packed columns and simulated using a water-flow and solute-transport model, HYDRUS 1D. The results show that HMX and RDX are both significantly more mobile than TNT and DNT. The adsorbability of the four chemicals was ranked as: RDX < HMX < TNT RDX > DNT > TNT. No significant trend was observed for the effect of ionic strength, pH and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) on the adsorption of explosive compounds within the concentrations and pH ranges evaluated. The simulation results show that TNT and DNT would not leach beyond a depth of 30 cm soil profile whereas a significant amount of HMX and RDX would pass the 30 cm depth. It seems that the risk for contamination of groundwater is much higher for both HMX and RDX than for DNT and TNT as the substratum in this area consists of highly permeable lavas.

It is typically read by researchers, students, and practitioners in Environmental Science.

Author
Ghasem Alavi; Mel Chung; Joseph Lichwa; Matteo D’Alessio; Chittaranjan Ray
Publisher
Elsevier Science; Elsevier ; Elsevier BV (ISSN 0304-3894)
Published
2011
Language
EN
Field
Environmental Science (Physical Sciences)