Abiotic transformation of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) by green rusts

The rate and extent of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) transformation was measured in the presence of carbonate and sulfate green rust suspended in solutions containing common groundwater anions. Formaldehyde (HCHO), nitrous oxide gas (N2O(g)), and ammonium (NH4+) were the major end products, accounting for about 70% of the carbon mass balance and about half of the nitrogen mass balance. Results from experiments with both 14C-RDX and LC-MS analysis indicate that the remaining carbon products are soluble and most likely small (< 50 Da). The transient appearance of 1,3-dinitro-5-nitroso-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (MNX), 1,3-dinitroso-5-nitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (DNX), and 1,3,5-trinitroso-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (TNX) indicate that some nitro-group reduction occurred. The kinetics of RDX transformation was rapid with a half-life of less than an hour in a pH 7.0 KBr solution. Little difference in rates of RDX transformation or product distribution was observed between carbonate and sulfate green rust, and an apparent reaction order of 1.0 was measured with respect to Fe(II) in both green rusts. Phosphate anions completely inhibited RDX reduction, and carbonate and sulfate anions resulted in slower kinetics, and in some cases, an initial lag period, compared to bromide and chloride. Our results suggest that green rusts may contribute to abiotic natural attenuation of RDX in Fe-rich subsurface environments, but that it will be important to consider groundwater composition when assessing rates of attenuation.