Effect of iron(III), humic acids and anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate on biodegradation of cyclic nitramines by Clostridium sp. EDB2

Abstract

Aims: To determine the biodegradation of cyclic nitramines by an anaerobic marine bacterium, Clostridium sp. EDB2, in the presence of Fe(III), humic acids (HA) and anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS).

Methods and results: An obligate anaerobic bacterium, Clostridium sp. EDB2, degraded RDX and HMX, and produced similar product distribution including nitrite, methylenedinitramine, nitrous oxide, ammonium, formaldehyde, formic acid and carbon dioxide. Carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) mass balance for RDX products were 87% and 82%, respectively, and for HMX were 88% and 74%, respectively. Bacterial growth and biodegradation of RDX and HMX were stimulated in the presence of Fe(III), HA and AQDS suggesting that strain EDB2 utilized Fe(III), HA and AQDS as redox mediators to transfer electrons to cyclic nitramines.

Conclusions: Strain EDB2 demonstrated a multidimensional approach to degrade RDX and HMX: first, direct degradation of the chemicals; second, indirect degradation by reducing Fe(III) to produce reactive-Fe(II); third, indirect degradation by reducing HA and AQDS which act as electron shuttles to transfer electrons to the cyclic nitramines.

Significance and impact of the study: The present study could be helpful in determining the fate of cyclic nitramine energetic chemicals in the environments rich in Fe(III) and HA.