Development of a biodegradable ethylene glycol dinitrate-based explosive.

Area of Science:

• Environmental microbiology
• Bioremediation
• Explosives chemistry

Background:

• Ethylene glycol dinitrate (EGDN) is an explosive compound.
• Contamination of soil and rivers with EGDN poses environmental risks.
• Developing methods for EGDN degradation and creating safer explosives is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To isolate and identify bacteria capable of degrading EGDN.
• To assess the efficiency of bacterial degradation of EGDN and its toxicity reduction.
• To develop environmentally friendly biodegradable explosives using EGDN-degrading bacteria.

Main Methods:

• Isolation of EGDN-degrading bacteria from contaminated environments under specific conditions.
• Monitoring EGDN degradation using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and UV-Vis spectrophotometry.
• Assessing EGDN toxicity reduction using Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence.
• Incorporating Bacillus subtilis GN spores into explosive formulations and evaluating explosive properties.

Main Results:

• Bacillus subtilis GN demonstrated efficient degradation of 6.6 mM EGDN within 72 hours, releasing nitrite and EGMN.
• EGDN toxicity was reduced by 80% following complete degradation.
• Incorporating B. subtilis GN spores into explosives did not significantly alter detonation velocity, autoignition temperature, or sensitivity tests.
• Degradation of explosive residues was rapid upon exposure to air and moisture.

Conclusions:

• Bacillus subtilis GN is a highly effective EGDN-degrading bacterium.
• The development of "biodegradable explosives" using B. subtilis GN is feasible and environmentally beneficial.
• This approach offers a promising solution for managing explosive contamination and reducing environmental impact.