Review of Explosive Contamination and Bioremediation: Insights from Microbial and Bio-Omic Approaches

Abstract

Soil pollution by TNT(2,4,6-trinitrotoluene), RDX(hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane), and HMX(octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine), resulting from the use of explosives, poses significant challenges, leading to adverse effects such as toxicity and alteration of microbial communities. Consequently, there is a growing need for effective bioremediation strategies to mitigate this damage. This review focuses on Microbial and Bio-omics perspectives within the realm of soil pollution caused by explosive compounds. A comprehensive analysis was conducted, reviewing 79 articles meeting bibliometric criteria from the Web of Science and Scopus databases from 2013 to 2023. Additionally, relevant patents were scrutinized to establish a comprehensive research database. The synthesis of these findings serves as a critical resource, enhancing our understanding of challenges such as toxicity, soil alterations, and microbial stress, as well as exploring bio-omics techniques like metagenomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics in the context of environmental remediation. The review underscores the importance of exploring various remediation approaches, including mycorrhiza remediation, phytoremediation, bioaugmentation, and biostimulation. Moreover, an examination of patented technologies reveals refined and efficient processes that integrate microorganisms and environmental engineering. Notably, China and the United States are pioneers in this field, based on previous successful bioremediation endeavors. This review underscores research's vital role in soil pollution via innovative, sustainable bioremediation for explosives.

Keywords: TNT; bio-omics; biodegradation; explosives pollution; soils microbiology; toxicity.

Figure 2

Summary scheme of metabolism of natural environment contaminated with TNT (bright green), RDX (dark green), and HMX (pale green) in soils. Derivatives, and intermediates (in brackets) [27].

Figure 1

Sistematic review using Bibliometrix. (a) Country of Scientific Production of primariy literature published in Scopus databases from 2003 to 2023, countries in blue shows higher scientific production (N° of articles higher than 90) and light blue (N° of articles lower than 24) shows average scientific production. (b) Country of Scientific Production of primariy literature published in WoS databases from 2003 to 2023. Blue (N° of articles higher than 35) and light blue (N° of articles lower than 12) shows scientific production (c) Word co-occurrence network in Scopus databases from 2003 to 2023. It shows the key concepts and relationships among them. The central keyword is “biodegradation”, with consistent presence of keywords like “soils”, “water”, and “microbiology each color represents a cluster of word coincidence difrenciating 2 groups (red related to keywords of risk, human and journal and blue, related to biodegradation, trinitotuluene and bioremediation). (d) Word co-occurrence network in Scopus databases from 2003 to 2023, three cluster of word coincidence are separated by color with nucleous off cluster been, “toxicity”, “hexohydro-1”, “trinitotulene” for blue, green and red respectively. (e) Trend topics over database research in Scopus the terms “RDX” “HMX” and “TNT” are the mos frecuent and last over time (f) Trend topics over database research in WoS the terms “bacteria” “Biodegradation” and “trinitotuluene” are the mos frecuent and last over time. Database quality and query specificity are crucial in shaping our integrated review.

Figure 3

Patent trends in bioremediation related to ammunition damage. It shows China’s increasing focus on this field, whereas the United States has shifted its emphasis from biological to chemical approaches. The United States mainly concentrates on TNT remediation which seems to be widely used for army, demolition, and others industries. Whereas, China explores degradation alternatives on various explosives and mixtures. These trends reflect evolving strategies in addressing ammunition-related environmental issues.

Figure 4

Schematic representation of a conceptual framework for an AI-based approach for addressing environmental damage caused by xenobiotic pollutants. Workflows shows metagenomics and patent processes. The diagram outlines a strategic course of action to achieve optimal results, providing an integrated graphical summary of the topics covered in this article. Ultimately, the goal is to attain sustainable remediation by selecting the most effective patented alternatives andcertified bioremediation processes for explosives bioremediation.