1
|
Yuan X, Huang Y, Zhang S, Gou R, Zhu S, Guo Q. Multi-aspect simulation insight on thermolysis mechanism and interaction of NTO/HMX-based plastic-bonded explosives: a new conception of the mixed explosive model. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:20951-20968. [PMID: 37496442 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp00494e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Reactive molecular dynamics (RMDs) calculations were used to determine, for the first time, the process of thermolysis of the mixed explosives, including 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazoline (HMX). Significantly, this is the first time that a layered model for mixed explosives, which is an extreme innovation of mixed explosive models was adopted. It is shown that a large amount of NO2 in the HMX and OH groups generated by the decomposition of HNO2 has a favorable effect on the thermolysis of NTO, as further validated by a reduction in the activation energy of NTO/HMX. The amount of H2O and N2 in the resulting products increased significantly, but the amount of NH3 changed slightly. The analysis results correspond to the change in chemical bonds. Whenever there is an increase in temperature, the time for the maximum number of clusters to appear is shortened accordingly. In addition, the acidity of NTO has been considered. An independent gradient model based on Hirshfeld partition (IGMH) and atoms in molecule (AIM) analysis of NTO/HMX was implemented. The relatively strong hydrogen bonds indicate that HMX can inhibit the acidity of NTO and is beneficial for the wide application of NTO/HMX-based plastic-bonded explosives (PBXs).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Yuan
- School of Environment and Safety Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, Shanxi, China.
| | - Ying Huang
- School of Environment and Safety Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, Shanxi, China.
| | - Shuhai Zhang
- School of Environment and Safety Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, Shanxi, China.
| | - Ruijun Gou
- School of Environment and Safety Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, Shanxi, China.
| | - Shuangfei Zhu
- School of Environment and Safety Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, Shanxi, China.
| | - Qianjin Guo
- School of Environment and Safety Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, Shanxi, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yu Y, Root RA, Sierra-Alvarez R, Chorover J, Field JA. Treatment of the insensitive munitions compound, 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO), in flow-through columns packed with zero-valent iron. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:64606-64616. [PMID: 37071366 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26922-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The need for effective technologies to remediate the insensitive munitions compound 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) is emerging due to the increasing use by the US Army and environmental concerns about the toxicity and aqueous mobility of NTO. Reductive treatment is essential for the complete degradation of NTO to environmentally safe products. The objective of this study is to investigate the feasibility of applying zero-valent iron (ZVI) in a continuous-flow packed bed reactor as an effective NTO remediation technology. The ZVI-packed columns treated an acidic influent (pH 3.0) or a circumneutral influent (pH 6.0) for 6 months (ca. 11,000 pore volumes, PVs). Both columns effectively reduced NTO to the amine product, 3-amino-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (ATO). The column treating the pH-3.0 influent exhibited prolonged longevity in reducing NTO, treating 11-fold more PVs than the column treating pH-6.0 influent until the breakthrough point (defined as when 85% of NTO was removed). The exhausted columns (defined as when only 10% of NTO was removed) regained the NTO reducing capacity by reactivation using 1 M HCl, fully removing NTO. After the experiment, solid-phase analysis of the packed-bed material showed that ZVI was oxidized to iron (oxyhydr)oxide minerals such as magnetite, lepidocrocite, and goethite during NTO treatment. This is the first report on the reduction of NTO and the concomitant oxidation of ZVI in continuous-flow column experiments. The evidence indicates that treatment in a ZVI-packed bed reactor is an effective approach for the removal of NTO.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Youngjae Yu
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Arizona, P.O. Box 210011, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Robert A Root
- Department of Environmental Science, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85719, USA
| | - Reyes Sierra-Alvarez
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Arizona, P.O. Box 210011, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Jon Chorover
- Department of Environmental Science, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85719, USA
| | - Jim A Field
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Arizona, P.O. Box 210011, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Murillo-Gelvez J, Hickey K, Di Toro DM, Allen HE, Carbonaro RF, Chiu PC. Electron Transfer Energy and Hydrogen Atom Transfer Energy-Based Linear Free Energy Relationships for Predicting the Rate Constants of Munition Constituent Reduction by Hydroquinones. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:5284-5295. [PMID: 36961098 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c08931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
No single linear free energy relationship (LFER) exists that can predict reduction rate constants of all munition constituents (MCs). To address this knowledge gap, we measured the reduction rates of MCs and their surrogates including nitroaromatics [NACs; 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN), 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene (2-A-DNT), 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene (4-A-DNT), and 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT)], nitramines [hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) and nitroguanidine (NQ)], and azoles [3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) and 3,4-dinitropyrazole (DNP)] by three dithionite-reduced quinones (lawsone, AQDS, and AQS). All MCs/NACs were reduced by the hydroquinones except NQ. Hydroquinone and MC speciations were varied by controlling pH, permitting the application of a speciation model to determine second-order rate constants (k) from observed pseudo-first-order rate constants. The intrinsic reactivity of MCs (oxidants) decreased upon deprotonation, while the opposite was true for hydroquinones (reductants). The rate constants spanned ∼6 orders of magnitude in the order NTO ≈ TNT > DNP > DNT ≈ DNAN ≈ 2-A-DNT > DNP- > 4-A-DNT > NTO- > RDX. LFERs developed using density functional theory-calculated electron transfer and hydrogen atom transfer energies and reported one-electron reduction potentials successfully predicted k, suggesting that these structurally diverse MCs/NACs are all reduced by hydroquinones through the same mechanism and rate-limiting step. These results increase the applicability of LFER models for predicting the fate and half-lives of MCs and related nitro compounds in reducing environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jimmy Murillo-Gelvez
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Kevin Hickey
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Dominic M Di Toro
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Herbert E Allen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Richard F Carbonaro
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Manhattan College, Riverdale, New York 10471, United States
- Mutch Associates LLC, Ramsey, New Jersey 07446, United States
| | - Pei C Chiu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhou T, Gong J, Xie M, Wang B, Jiang Y, Wang J, Zhou J, Zhong L, Dai Y. Purification, Crystal Structure and Properties of azoxytriazolone (AZTO). FIREPHYSCHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fpc.2022.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
|
5
|
Gutierrez-Carazo E, Dowle J, Coulon F, Temple T, Ladyman M. Predicting the transport of 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN) and 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) in sandy and sandy loam soils. Heliyon 2022; 8:e11758. [DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
|
6
|
Rios-Valenciana EE, Menezes O, Niu XZ, Romero J, Root RA, Chorover J, Sierra-Alvarez R, Field JA. Reductive transformation of the insensitive munitions compound nitroguanidine by different iron-based reactive minerals. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 309:119788. [PMID: 35843454 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Nitroguanidine (NQ) is an emerging contaminant being used by the military as a constituent of new insensitive munitions. NQ is also used in rocket propellants, smokeless pyrotechnics, and vehicle restraint systems. Its uncontrolled transformation in the environment can generate toxic and potentially mutagenic products, posing hazards that need to be remediated. NQ transformation has only been investigated to a limited extent. Thus, it is crucial to expand the narrow spectrum of NQ remediation strategies and understand its transformation pathways and end products. Iron-based reactive minerals should be investigated for NQ treatment because they are successfully used in existing technologies, such as permeable reactive barriers, for treating a wide range of organic pollutants. This study tested the ability of micron-sized zero-valent iron (m-ZVI), mackinawite, and commercial FeS, to transform NQ under anoxic conditions. NQ transformation followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. The reaction rate constants decreased as follows: commercial FeS > mackinawite > m-ZVI. For the assessed minerals, the NQ transformation started with the reduction of the nitro group forming nitrosoguanidine (NsoQ). Then, aminoguanidine (AQ) was accumulated during the reaction of NQ with m-ZVI, accounting for 86% of the nitrogen mass recovery. When NQ was reacted with commercial FeS, 45% and 20% of nitrogen were recovered as AQ and guanidine, respectively, after 24 h. Nonetheless, NsoQ persisted, contributing to the N-balance. When mackinawite was present, NsoQ disappeared, but AQ was not detected, and guanidine accounted for 11% of the nitrogen recovery. AQ was ultimately transformed into cyanamide, whose dimerization triggered the formation of cyanoguanidine. Alternatively, NsoQ was transformed into guanidine, which reacted with cyanamide to form biguanide. This is the first report systematically investigating the NQ transformation by different iron-based reactive minerals. The evidence indicates that these minerals are attractive alternatives for developing NQ remediation strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erika E Rios-Valenciana
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, P.O. Box 210011, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Osmar Menezes
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, P.O. Box 210011, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Xi-Zhi Niu
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, P.O. Box 210011, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Jonathan Romero
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, P.O. Box 210011, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Robert A Root
- Department of Environmental Science, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Jon Chorover
- Department of Environmental Science, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Reyes Sierra-Alvarez
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, P.O. Box 210011, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Jim A Field
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, P.O. Box 210011, AZ, 85721, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Liu Z, Dang K, Gao J, Fan P, Li C, Wang H, Li H, Deng X, Gao Y, Qian A. Toxicity prediction of 1,2,4-triazoles compounds by QSTR and interspecies QSTTR models. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 242:113839. [PMID: 35816839 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
1,2,4-triazole derivatives exhibit various biological activities, including antibacterial and antifungal properties. On the other hand, these chemicals may have unique cumulative and harmful effects on living organisms. The goal of this work is to use quantitative structure-toxicity relationship (QSTR) and interspecies quantitative toxicity-toxicity relationship (iQSTTR) models to predict the acute toxicity of 1,2,4-triazole derivatives. The QSTR models were generated by multiple linear regression (MLR) following the OECD recommendations for QSAR model development and validation. The iQSTTR models were constructed using data on acute oral toxicity in rats and mice, as well as the 2D descriptor. The application domain (AD) analysis was used to identify model outliers and determine if the forecast was credible. Six QSTR models were successfully constructed in rats and mice using various delivery methods, and the scatter plots demonstrated excellent consistency across training and test sets. According to external and internal validation criteria, all six QSTR models may be broadly accepted; however, the orally administered mice model was the optimum one among the six species. Several chemicals with leverage values above the requirements were identified as response or structural outliers in the training sets for six QSTR and two iQSTTR models. All outliers, however, fell slightly outside the threshold or had low prediction errors, which may have had little impact on the capacity to forecast and were therefore preserved in the final models. In fact, neither the QSTR nor the iQSTTR test sets contained any response outliers. Additionally, all external and internal validation results for the iQSTTR models were approved, with the iQSTTR models outperforming the comparable QSTR models, which are deemed more dependable. The QSTR and iQSTTR models performed well in predicting toxicity using test sets, which would be beneficial in evaluating and synthesizing newly discovered 1,2,4-triazoles derivatives with low toxicity and environmental hazard.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyong Liu
- Lab for Bone Metabolism, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Special Medicine and Health Engineering, Key Lab for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, Research Center for Special Medicine and Health Systems Engineering, NPU-UAB Joint Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710072, China; Toxicology Research Center, Institute for Hygiene of Ordnance Industry, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710065, China
| | - Kai Dang
- Lab for Bone Metabolism, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Special Medicine and Health Engineering, Key Lab for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, Research Center for Special Medicine and Health Systems Engineering, NPU-UAB Joint Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710072, China
| | - Junhong Gao
- Toxicology Research Center, Institute for Hygiene of Ordnance Industry, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710065, China
| | - Peng Fan
- Toxicology Research Center, Institute for Hygiene of Ordnance Industry, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710065, China
| | - Cunzhi Li
- Toxicology Research Center, Institute for Hygiene of Ordnance Industry, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710065, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Toxicology Research Center, Institute for Hygiene of Ordnance Industry, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710065, China
| | - Huan Li
- Toxicology Research Center, Institute for Hygiene of Ordnance Industry, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710065, China
| | - Xiaoni Deng
- Lab for Bone Metabolism, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Special Medicine and Health Engineering, Key Lab for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, Research Center for Special Medicine and Health Systems Engineering, NPU-UAB Joint Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710072, China
| | - Yongchao Gao
- Toxicology Research Center, Institute for Hygiene of Ordnance Industry, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710065, China
| | - Airong Qian
- Lab for Bone Metabolism, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Special Medicine and Health Engineering, Key Lab for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, Research Center for Special Medicine and Health Systems Engineering, NPU-UAB Joint Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710072, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Tran D, Weidhaas J. Ion exchange for effective separation of 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) from wastewater. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 436:129215. [PMID: 35739737 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The explosive 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) presents a physiochemical challenge for treatment of munitions wastewater. Leveraging NTO's ionic character in neutral pH wastewater allows for expanded treatment options. Four commercial drinking water anion exchange resins specific for NO3- and ClO4- were evaluated for NTO adsorption extent, adsorption kinetics, and regeneration potential. Batch studies demonstrated NTO adsorption to all resins tested (max 690 mg NTO/g resin) and that resins were regenerable with 6% NaCl. Adsorption capacities (88-99%) and desorption efficiencies (80-85%) of NTO from the resins remained stable over three loading cycles. Perchlorate selective resins adsorbed more NTO, with larger desorption efficiencies, than nitrate selective resins. Kinetic experiments demonstrated that equilibrium adsorption between NTO and resins occurs within 120 min of exposure, following the pseudo second-order model (K2 range 9.8 × 10-5 to 15 × 10-5 g resin/mg NTO/min). Intraparticle diffusion modeling suggested that boundary-layer diffusion was the predominant sorption mechanism in NTO adsorption to the resins compared to intraparticle diffusion. In synthetic wastewater mixtures of NTO, 2-4-dinitroanisole (DNAN), nitroguanidine (NQ), and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), only NTO was exchanged to any great extent. This work suggests that perchlorate anion exchange resins may be a viable segregation technology for NTO from munitions wastewater as compared to activated carbon.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dana Tran
- University of Utah, 110 Central Campus Drive, Suite 2000, Salt Lake City, UT 84122, USA
| | - Jennifer Weidhaas
- University of Utah, 110 Central Campus Drive, Suite 2000, Salt Lake City, UT 84122, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Menezes O, Kocaman K, Wong S, Rios-Valenciana EE, Baker EJ, Hatt JK, Zhao J, Madeira CL, Krzmarzick MJ, Spain JC, Sierra-Alvarez R, Konstantinidis KT, Field JA. Quinone Moieties Link the Microbial Respiration of Natural Organic Matter to the Chemical Reduction of Diverse Nitroaromatic Compounds. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:9387-9397. [PMID: 35704431 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c01329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Insensitive munitions compounds (IMCs) are emerging nitroaromatic contaminants developed by the military as safer-to-handle alternatives to conventional explosives. Biotransformation of nitroaromatics via microbial respiration has only been reported for a limited number of substrates. Important soil microorganisms can respire natural organic matter (NOM) by reducing its quinone moieties to hydroquinones. Thus, we investigated the NOM respiration combined with the abiotic reduction of nitroaromatics by the hydroquinones formed. First, we established nitroaromatic concentration ranges that were nontoxic to the quinone respiration. Then, an enrichment culture dominated by Geobacter anodireducens could indirectly reduce a broad array of nitroaromatics by first respiring NOM components or the NOM surrogate anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS). Without quinones, no nitroaromatic tested was reduced except for the IMC 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO). Thus, the quinone respiration expanded the spectrum of nitroaromatics susceptible to transformation. The system functioned with very low quinone concentrations because NOM was recycled by the nitroaromatic reduction. A metatranscriptomic analysis demonstrated that the microorganisms obtained energy from quinone or NTO reduction since respiratory genes were upregulated when AQDS or NTO was the electron acceptor. The results indicated microbial NOM respiration sustained by the nitroaromatic-dependent cycling of quinones. This process can be applied as a nitroaromatic remediation strategy, provided that a quinone pool is available for microorganisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Osmar Menezes
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Kumru Kocaman
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Stanley Wong
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Erika E Rios-Valenciana
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Eliot J Baker
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Janet K Hatt
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Jianshu Zhao
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30318, United States
| | - Camila L Madeira
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Mark J Krzmarzick
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078, United States
| | - Jim C Spain
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
- Center for Environmental Diagnostics & Bioremediation, University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida 32514, United States
| | - Reyes Sierra-Alvarez
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Konstantinos T Konstantinidis
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Jim A Field
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Menezes O, Owens C, Rios-Valenciana EE, Sierra-Alvarez R, Field JA, Spain JC. Designing bacterial consortia for the complete biodegradation of insensitive munitions compounds in waste streams. Biotechnol Bioeng 2022; 119:2437-2446. [PMID: 35706349 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Insensitive munitions compounds (IMCs), such as 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN) and 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO), are replacing conventional explosives in munitions formulations. Manufacture and use of IMCs generate waste streams in manufacturing plants and load/assemble/pack facilities. There is a lack of practical experience in executing biodegradation strategies to treat IMCs waste streams. This study establishes a proof-of-concept that bacterial consortia can be designed to mineralize IMCs and co-occurring nitroaromatics in waste streams. First, DNAN, 4-nitroanisole (4-NA), and 4-chloronitrobenzene (4-CNB) in a synthetic DNAN-manufacturing waste stream were biodegraded using an aerobic fluidized-bed reactor (FBR) inoculated with Nocardioides sp. JS 1661 (DNAN degrader), Rhodococcus sp. JS 3073 (4-NA degrader), and Comamonadaceae sp. LW1 (4-CNB degrader). No biodegradation was detected when the FBR was operated under anoxic conditions. Second, DNAN and NTO were biodegraded in a synthetic load/assemble/pack waste stream during a sequential treatment comprising: (i) aerobic DNAN biodegradation in the FBR; (ii) anaerobic NTO biotransformation to 3-amino-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (ATO) by an NTO-respiring enrichment; and (iii) aerobic ATO mineralization by an ATO-oxidizing enrichment. Complete biodegradation relied on switching redox conditions. The results provide the basis for designing consortia to treat mixtures of IMCs and related waste products by incorporating microbes with the required catabolic capabilities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Osmar Menezes
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Cameron Owens
- Center for Environmental Diagnostics and Bioremediation, University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida, USA
| | - Erika E Rios-Valenciana
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Reyes Sierra-Alvarez
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Jim A Field
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Jim C Spain
- Center for Environmental Diagnostics and Bioremediation, University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida, USA.,School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Compton P, Dehkordi NR, Knapp M, Fernandez LA, Alshawabkeh AN, Larese-Casanova P. Heterogeneous Fenton-Like Catalysis of Electrogenerated H2O2 for Dissolved RDX Removal. FRONTIERS IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 2022; 4. [DOI: 10.3389/fceng.2022.864816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
New insensitive high explosives pose great challenges to conventional explosives manufacturing wastewater treatment processes and require advanced methods to effectively and efficiently mineralize these recalcitrant pollutants. Oxidation processes that utilize the fundamental techniques of Fenton chemistry optimized to overcome conventional limitations are vital to provide efficient degradation of these pollutants while maintaining cost-effectiveness and scalability. In this manner, utilizing heterogeneous catalysts and in-situ generated H2O2 to degrade IHEs is proposed. For heterogeneous catalyst optimization, varying the surface chemistry of activated carbon for use as a catalyst removes precipitation complications associated with iron species in Fenton chemistry while including removal by adsorption. Activated carbon impregnated with 5% MnO2 in the presence of H2O2 realized a high concentration of hydroxyl radical formation - 140 μM with 10 mM H2O2 - while maintaining low cost and relative ease of synthesis. This AC-Mn5 catalyst performed effectively over a wide pH range and in the presence of varying H2O2 concentrations with a sufficient effective lifetime. In-situ generation of H2O2 removes the logistical and economic constraints associated with external H2O2, with hydrophobic carbon electrodes utilizing generated gaseous O2 for 2-electron oxygen reduction reactions. In a novel flow-through reactor, gaseous O2 is generated on a titanium/mixed metal oxide anode with subsequent H2O2 electrogeneration on a hydrophobic microporous-layered carbon cloth cathode. This reactor is able to electrogenerate 2 mM H2O2 at an optimized current intensity of 150 mA and over a wide range of flow rates, influent pH values, and through multiple iterations. Coupling these two optimization methods realizes the production of highly oxidative hydroxyl radicals by Fenton-like catalysis of electrogenerated H2O2 on the surface of an MnO2-impregnated activated carbon catalyst. This method incorporates electrochemically induced oxidation of munitions in addition to removal by adsorption while maintaining cost-effectiveness and scalability. It is anticipated this platform holds great promise to eliminate analogous contaminants.
Collapse
|
12
|
Elijah Akanbi O, Kim I, Cha DK, Attavane AA, Hubbard BP, Chiu PC. A Synergistic Nano‐Zerovalent Iron‐Hydrogen Peroxide Technology for Insensitive Munitions Wastewater Treatment. PROPELLANTS EXPLOSIVES PYROTECHNICS 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/prep.202100300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Inyoung Kim
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering University of Delaware Newark DE 19716 USA
| | - Daniel K. Cha
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering University of Delaware Newark DE 19716 USA
| | - Adithya A. Attavane
- U. S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center Picatinny Arsenal NJ 07806 USA
| | - Brian P. Hubbard
- U. S. Army Joint Program Executive Office Armaments & Ammunition Picatinny Arsenal NJ 07806 USA
| | - Pei C. Chiu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering University of Delaware Newark DE 19716 USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Xin D, Girón J, Fuller ME, Chiu PC. Abiotic reduction of 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) and other munitions constituents by wood-derived biochar through its rechargeable electron storage capacity. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2022; 24:316-329. [PMID: 35050280 DOI: 10.1039/d1em00447f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The environmental fate of 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) and other insensitive munitions constituents (MCs) is of significant concern due to their high water solubility and mobility relative to legacy MCs. Plant-based biochars have been shown to possess a considerable electron storage capacity (ESC), which enables them to undergo reversible electron transfer reactions. We hypothesized biochar can act as a rechargeable electron donor to effect abiotic reduction of MCs repeatedly through its ESC. To test this hypothesis, MC reduction experiments were performed using wood-derived biochars that were oxidized with dissolved oxygen or reduced with dithionite. Removal of aqueous NTO, an anion at circumneutral pH, by oxidized biochar was minimal and occurred through reversible adsorption. In contrast, NTO removal by reduced biochar was much more pronounced and occurred predominantly through reduction, with concomitant formation of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (ATO). Mass balance and electron recovery with ferricyanide further showed that (1) the amount of NTO reduced to ATO was relatively constant (85-100 μmol per gram of biochar) at pH 6-10; (2) the fraction of biochar ESC reactive toward NTO was ca. 30% of that toward ferricyanide; (3) the NTO-reactive fraction of the ESC was regenerable over multiple redox cycles. We also evaluated biochar transformation of other MCs, including nitroguanidine (NQ), 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN), and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX). While mass and electron balances could not be established due to sorption, DNAN and RDX reduction by reduced biochar was confirmed via detection of multiple reduction products. In contrast, NQ was not reduced under any of the conditions tested. This study is the first demonstration of organic contaminant degradation through biochar's rechargeable ESC. Our results indicate biochar is a regenerable electron storage medium and sorbent that can remove MCs from water through concurrent reduction and sorption, and is thus potentially useful for pollution control and remediation at military facilities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danhui Xin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA.
| | - Julián Girón
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA.
| | - Mark E Fuller
- Aptim Federal Services, 17 Princess Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA.
| | - Pei C Chiu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Huang L, Jin S, Bao F, Tang S, Yang J, Peng K, Chen Y. Construction of a physically cross-linked carrageenan/chitosan/calcium ion double-network hydrogel for 3-Nitro-1, 2, 4-triazole-5-one removal. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 424:127510. [PMID: 34879513 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
3-Nitro-1, 2, 4-triazole-5-one (NTO) is an important insensitive explosive. The discharge of NTO wastewater not only pollutes the environment but also causes the economic loss of the valuable explosive. Currently, the NTO wastewater in industrial production is often treated with activated carbon adsorbents. There are no green, efficient and specific adsorption materials for the NTO treatment yet. In the present work, polymer materials suitable for NTO adsorption were screened by molecular dynamics simulation. With the optimized materials, a carrageenan/chitosan/calcium ion physically cross-linked double network hydrogel (KC/CTS/Ca2+ PCDNH) was successfully prepared by the semi-soluble-acidified sol-gel conversion method. The structure and NTO adsorption performance of the hydrogel were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The NTO adsorption kinetics, isotherm, and thermodynamics were further studied to understand the adsorption behavior and mechanism. In addition, the adsorbed NTO was successfully released and recovered by soaking the hydrogel in NaOH solution. Our work has provided an environmentally friendly and targeted preparation method of NTO adsorbent materials for NTO wastewater treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lun Huang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, PR China
| | - Shaohua Jin
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, PR China
| | - Fang Bao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, PR China
| | - Shuxian Tang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, PR China
| | - Jueying Yang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, PR China
| | - Kelin Peng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, PR China
| | - Yu Chen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Persico F, Temple T, Ladyman M, Gilroy‐Hirst W, Guiterrez‐Carazo E, Coulon F. Quantitative Environmental Assessment of Explosive Residues from the Detonation of Insensitive High Explosive Filled 155 mm Artillery Shell. PROPELLANTS EXPLOSIVES PYROTECHNICS 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/prep.202100220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Federica Persico
- Centre for Defence Chemistry Cranfield University Defence Academy of the United Kingdom Shrivenham SN6 7LA UK
| | - Tracey Temple
- Centre for Defence Chemistry Cranfield University Defence Academy of the United Kingdom Shrivenham SN6 7LA UK
| | - Melissa Ladyman
- Centre for Defence Chemistry Cranfield University Defence Academy of the United Kingdom Shrivenham SN6 7LA UK
| | - William Gilroy‐Hirst
- Centre for Defence Chemistry Cranfield University Defence Academy of the United Kingdom Shrivenham SN6 7LA UK
| | - Encina Guiterrez‐Carazo
- Centre for Defence Chemistry Cranfield University Defence Academy of the United Kingdom Shrivenham SN6 7LA UK
| | - Frederic Coulon
- School of Water Energy and Environment Cranfield University Cranfield MK43 0AL UK
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Menezes O, Yu Y, Root RA, Gavazza S, Chorover J, Sierra-Alvarez R, Field JA. Iron(II) monosulfide (FeS) minerals reductively transform the insensitive munitions compounds 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN) and 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO). CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 285:131409. [PMID: 34271466 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
As military applications of the insensitive munitions compounds (IMCs) 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN) and 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) increase, there is a growing need to understand their environmental fate and to develop remediation strategies to mitigate their impacts. Iron (II) monosulfide (FeS) minerals are abundant in freshwater and marine sediments, marshes, and hydrothermal environments. This study shows that FeS solids can reduce DNAN and NTO to their corresponding amines under anoxic ambient conditions. The reactions between IMCs and the FeS minerals were surface-mediated since they did not occur when only dissolved Fe2+(aq) and S2-(aq) were present. Mackinawite, a tetragonal FeS with a layered structure, reduced DNAN mainly to 2-methoxy-5-nitroaniline (MENA), which in turn was partially reduced to 2-4-diaminoanisole (DAAN). The layered structure of mackinawite provided intercalation sites likely responsible for partial adsorption of MENA and DAAN. Mackinawite entirely reduced NTO to 3-amino-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (ATO). The reduction of IMCs showed concurrent oxidation of mackinawite to goethite and elemental sulfur. A commercial FeS product, composed mainly of pyrrhotite and troilite, reduced DNAN to DAAN and NTO to ATO. At pH 6.5, DNAN and NTO transformation rates were 667 and 912 μmol h-1 m-2, respectively, on the mackinawite surface and 417 and 1344 μmol h-1 m-2, respectively, on the commercial FeS surface. This is the first report of the reduction of a nitro-heterocyclic compound (NTO) by FeS minerals. The evidence indicates that DNAN and NTO can be rapidly transformed to their succeeding amines in anoxic subsurface environments and aquatic sediments rich in FeS minerals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Osmar Menezes
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA; Laboratório de Saneamento Ambiental, Departamento de Engenharia Civil e Ambiental, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, 50740-530, Brazil
| | - Youngjae Yu
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Robert A Root
- Department of Environmental Science, The University of Arizona, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Savia Gavazza
- Laboratório de Saneamento Ambiental, Departamento de Engenharia Civil e Ambiental, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, 50740-530, Brazil
| | - Jon Chorover
- Department of Environmental Science, The University of Arizona, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Reyes Sierra-Alvarez
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Jim A Field
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Murillo-Gelvez J, Di Toro DM, Allen HE, Carbonaro RF, Chiu PC. Reductive Transformation of 3-Nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) by Leonardite Humic Acid and Anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:12973-12983. [PMID: 34533928 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c03333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
3-Nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) is a major and the most water-soluble constituent in the insensitive munition formulations IMX-101 and IMX-104. While NTO is known to undergo redox reactions in soils, its reaction with soil humic acid has not been evaluated. We studied NTO reduction by anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS) and Leonardite humic acid (LHA) reduced with dithionite. Both LHA and AQDS reduced NTO to 3-amino-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (ATO), stoichiometrically at alkaline pH and partially (50-60%) at pH ≤ 6.5. Due to NTO and hydroquinone speciation, the pseudo-first-order rate constants (kObs) varied by 3 orders of magnitude from pH 1.5 to 12.5 but remained constant from pH 4 to 10. This distinct pH dependency of kObs suggests that NTO reactivity decreases upon deprotonation and offsets the increasing AQDS reactivity with pH. The reduction of NTO by LHA deviated continuously from first-order behavior for >600 h. The extent of reduction increased with pH and LHA electron content, likely due to greater reactivity of and/or accessibility to hydroquinone groups. Only a fraction of the electrons stored in LHA was utilized for NTO reduction. Electron balance analysis and LHA redox potential profile suggest that the physical conformation of LHA kinetically limited NTO access to hydroquinone groups. This study demonstrates the importance of carbonaceous materials in controlling the environmental fate of NTO.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jimmy Murillo-Gelvez
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Dominic M Di Toro
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Herbert E Allen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Richard F Carbonaro
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Manhattan College, Riverdale, New York 10471, United States
- Mutch Associates LLC, Ramsey, New Jersey 07446, United States
| | - Pei C Chiu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Qin C, Abrell L, Troya D, Hunt E, Taylor S, Dontsova K. Outdoor dissolution and photodegradation of insensitive munitions formulations IMX-101 and IMX-104: Photolytic transformation pathway and mechanism study. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 280:130672. [PMID: 33964749 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
New munition compounds have been developed to replace traditional explosives to prevent unintended detonations. However, insensitive munitions (IM) can leave large proportion of unexploded charge in the field, where it is subjected to photodegradation and dissolution in precipitation. The photolytic reactions occurring on the surfaces of IMX-101 and IMX-104 formulations and the subsequent fate of photolytic products in the environment were thoroughly investigated. The constituents of IMX-101 and IMX-104 formulations dissolve sequentially under rainfall in the order of aqueous solubility: 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) > nitroguanidine (NQ) > 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN) > 1,3,5-hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX). A linear relationship between DNAN dissolution and rainwater volume was observed (r2: 0.86-0.99). It was estimated that it would take 16-228 years to completely dissolve these formulation particles under natural environmental conditions in Oracle, AZ. We used LC/MS/MS and GC/MS to examine the dissolution samples from IMX-101 and 104 particles exposed to rainfall and sunlight and found six DNAN photo-transformation products including 2-methoxy-5-nitrophenol, 4-methoxy-3-nitrophenol, 4-methoxy-3-nitroaniline, 2-methoxy-5-nitroaniline, 2,4-dinitrophenol, and methoxy-dinitrophenol, which are in good agreement with computational modeling results of bond strengths. The main DNAN photodegradation pathways are therefore proposed. Predicted eco-toxicity values suggested that the parent compound DNAN, methoxy-nitrophenols, methoxy-nitroanilines and the other two products (2,4-dinitrophenol and methoxy-dinitrophenol) would be harmful to fish and daphnid. Our study provides improved insight about the rain dissolution and photochemical behavior of IM formulations under natural conditions, which helps to form target-oriented strategies to mitigate explosive contamination in military training sites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chao Qin
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China; Biosphere 2, University of Arizona, Oracle, AZ, 85721-0158, United States.
| | - Leif Abrell
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721-0038, United States
| | - Diego Troya
- Department of Chemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, United States
| | - Edward Hunt
- Biosphere 2, University of Arizona, Oracle, AZ, 85721-0158, United States
| | - Susan Taylor
- U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Hanover, NH, 03755-1290, United States
| | - Katerina Dontsova
- Biosphere 2, University of Arizona, Oracle, AZ, 85721-0158, United States; Department of Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721-0038, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Affiliation(s)
- Jai Prakash Agrawal
- Department of Defence R & D Defence R & D Organization, DRDO Bhavan New Delhi India
| | - Vishal S. Dodke
- High Energy Materials Research Laboratory Defence R & D Organization Sutarwadi Pune India
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Lotufo GR, Boyd RE, Harmon AR, Bednar AJ, Smith JC, Simini M, Sunahara GI, Hawari J, Kuperman RG. Accumulation of Insensitive Munition Compounds in the Earthworm Eisenia andrei from Amended Soil: Methodological Considerations for Determination of Bioaccumulation Factors. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:1713-1725. [PMID: 33646621 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The present study investigates the bioaccumulation of the insensitive munition compounds 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN) and 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO), developed for future weapons systems to replace current munitions containing sensitive explosives. The earthworm Eisenia andrei was exposed to sublethal concentrations of DNAN or NTO amended in Sassafras sandy loam. Chemical analysis indicated that 2- and 4-amino-nitroanisole (2-ANAN and 4-ANAN, respectively) were formed in DNAN-amended soils. The SumDNAN (sum of DNAN, 2-ANAN, and 4-ANAN concentrations) in soil decreased by 40% during the 14-d exposure period. The SumDNAN in the earthworm body residue increased until day 3 and decreased thereafter. Between days 3 and 14, there was a 73% decrease in tissue uptake that was greater than the 23% decrease in the soil concentration, suggesting that the bioavailable fraction may have decreased over time. By day 14, the DNAN concentration accounted for only 45% of the SumDNAN soil concentration, indicating substantial DNAN transformation in the presence of earthworms. The highest bioaccumulation factor (BAF; the tissue-to-soil concentration ratio) was 6.2 ± 1.0 kg/kg (dry wt) on day 3 and decreased to 3.8 ± 0.8 kg/kg by day 14. Kinetic studies indicated a BAF of 2.3 kg/kg, based on the earthworm DNAN uptake rate of 2.0 ± 0.24 kg/kg/d, compared with the SumDNAN elimination rate of 0.87 d-1 (half-life = 0.79 d). The compound DNAN has a similar potential to bioaccumulate from soil compared with trinitrotoluene. The NTO concentration in amended soil decreased by 57% from the initial concentration (837 mg NTO/kg dry soil) during 14 d, likely due to the formation of unknown transformation products. The bioaccumulation of NTO was negligible (BAF ≤ 0.018 kg/kg dry wt). Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1713-1725. © 2021 SETAC. This article has been contributed to by US Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G R Lotufo
- Environmental Laboratory, Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army, Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA
| | - R E Boyd
- Environmental Laboratory, Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army, Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA
| | - A R Harmon
- Environmental Laboratory, Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army, Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA
| | - A J Bednar
- Environmental Laboratory, Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army, Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA
| | - J C Smith
- Environmental Laboratory, Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army, Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA
| | - M Simini
- US Army Chemical Biological Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, USA
| | - G I Sunahara
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada
| | - J Hawari
- Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, Polytechnique Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - R G Kuperman
- US Army Chemical Biological Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Madeira CL, Menezes O, Park D, Jog KV, Hatt JK, Gavazza S, Krzmarzick MJ, Sierra-Alvarez R, Spain JC, Konstantinidis KT, Field JA. Bacteria Make a Living Breathing the Nitroheterocyclic Insensitive Munitions Compound 3-Nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:5806-5814. [PMID: 33835790 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c07161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The nitroheterocyclic 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) is an ingredient of insensitive explosives increasingly used by the military, becoming an emergent environmental pollutant. Cometabolic biotransformation of NTO occurs in mixed microbial cultures in soils and sludges with excess electron-donating substrates. Herein, we present the unusual energy-yielding metabolic process of NTO respiration, in which the NTO reduction to 3-amino-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (ATO) is linked to the anoxic acetate oxidation to CO2 by a culture enriched from municipal anaerobic digester sludge. Cell growth was observed simultaneously with NTO reduction, whereas the culture was unable to grow in the presence of acetate only. Extremely low concentrations (0.06 mg L-1) of the uncoupler carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone inhibited NTO reduction, indicating that the process was linked to respiration. The ultimate evidence of NTO respiration was adenosine triphosphate production due to simultaneous exposure to NTO and acetate. Metagenome sequencing revealed that the main microorganisms (and relative abundances) were Geobacter anodireducens (89.3%) and Thauera sp. (5.5%). This study is the first description of a nitroheterocyclic compound being reduced by anaerobic respiration, shedding light on creative microbial processes that enable bacteria to make a living reducing NTO.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Camila L Madeira
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721-0011, United States
| | - Osmar Menezes
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721-0011, United States
- Laboratório de Saneamento Ambiental, Departamento de Engenharia Civil e Ambiental, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco 50740-530, Brazil
| | - Doyoung Park
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0355, United States
| | - Kalyani V Jog
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721-0011, United States
| | - Janet K Hatt
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0355, United States
| | - Savia Gavazza
- Laboratório de Saneamento Ambiental, Departamento de Engenharia Civil e Ambiental, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco 50740-530, Brazil
| | - Mark J Krzmarzick
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078, United States
| | - Reyes Sierra-Alvarez
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721-0011, United States
| | - Jim C Spain
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0355, United States
- Center for Environmental Diagnostics & Bioremediation, University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida 32514, United States
| | - Konstantinos T Konstantinidis
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0355, United States
| | - Jim A Field
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721-0011, United States
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Jog KV, Sierra-Alvarez R, Field JA. Rapid biotransformation of the insensitive munitions compound, 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO), by wastewater sludge. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 36:67. [DOI: 10.1007/s11274-020-02843-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
|
23
|
Madeira CL, Jog KV, Vanover ET, Brooks MD, Taylor DK, Sierra-Alvarez R, Waidner LA, Spain JC, Krzmarzick MJ, Field JA. Microbial Enrichment Culture Responsible for the Complete Oxidative Biodegradation of 3-Amino-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (ATO), the Reduced Daughter Product of the Insensitive Munitions Compound 3-Nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:12648-12656. [PMID: 31553579 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b04065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
3-Nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) is one of the main ingredients of many insensitive munitions, which are being used as replacements for conventional explosives. As its use becomes widespread, more research is needed to assess its environmental fate. Previous studies have shown that NTO is biologically reduced to 3-amino-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (ATO). However, the final degradation products of ATO are still unknown. We have studied the aerobic degradation of ATO by enrichment cultures derived from the soil. After multiple transfers, ATO degradation was monitored in closed bottles through measurements of inorganic carbon and nitrogen species. The results indicate that the members of the enrichment culture utilize ATO as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen. As ATO was mineralized to CO2, N2, and NH4+, microbial growth was observed in the culture. Co-substrates addition did not increase the ATO degradation rate. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that the organisms that enriched using ATO as carbon and nitrogen source were Terrimonas spp., Ramlibacter-related spp., Mesorhizobium spp., Hydrogenophaga spp., Ralstonia spp., Pseudomonas spp., Ectothiorhodospiraceae, and Sphingopyxis. This is the first study to report the complete mineralization of ATO by soil microorganisms, expanding our understanding of natural attenuation and bioremediation of the explosive NTO.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Camila L Madeira
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering , University of Arizona , Tucson , Arizona 85721-0011 , United States
| | - Kalyani V Jog
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering , University of Arizona , Tucson , Arizona 85721-0011 , United States
| | - Erica T Vanover
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering , University of Arizona , Tucson , Arizona 85721-0011 , United States
| | - Matthew D Brooks
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering , Oklahoma State University , Stillwater , Oklahoma 74078 , United States
| | - David K Taylor
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering , Oklahoma State University , Stillwater , Oklahoma 74078 , United States
| | - Reyes Sierra-Alvarez
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering , University of Arizona , Tucson , Arizona 85721-0011 , United States
| | - Lisa A Waidner
- Center for Environmental Diagnostics & Bioremediation , University of West Florida , Pensacola , Florida 32514 , United States
| | - Jim C Spain
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering , Georgia Institute of Technology , Atlanta , Georgia 30332-0355 , United States
- Center for Environmental Diagnostics & Bioremediation , University of West Florida , Pensacola , Florida 32514 , United States
| | - Mark J Krzmarzick
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering , Oklahoma State University , Stillwater , Oklahoma 74078 , United States
| | - Jim A Field
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering , University of Arizona , Tucson , Arizona 85721-0011 , United States
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Simão FCP, Martínez-Jerónimo F, Blasco V, Moreno F, Porta JM, Pestana JLT, Soares AMVM, Raldúa D, Barata C. Using a new high-throughput video-tracking platform to assess behavioural changes in Daphnia magna exposed to neuro-active drugs. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 662:160-167. [PMID: 30690351 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.01.187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in imaging allow to monitor in real time the behaviour of individuals under a given stress. Light is a common stressor that alters the behaviour of fish larvae and many aquatic invertebrate species. The water flea Daphnia magna exhibits a vertical negative phototaxis, swimming against light trying to avoid fish predation. The aim of this study was to develop a high-throughput image analysis system to study changes in the vertical negative phototaxis of D. magna first reproductive adult females exposed to 0.1 and 1 μg/L of four neuro-active drugs: diazepam, fluoxetine, propranolol and carbamazepine. Experiments were conducted using a custom designed experimental chamber containing four independent arenas and infrared illumination. The apical-located visible light and the GigE camera located in front of the arenas were controlled by the Ethovision XT 11.5 sofware (Noldus Information Technology, Leesburg, VA). Total distance moved, time spent per zone (bottom vs upper zones) and distance among individuals were analyzed in dark and light conditions, and the effect of different intensities of the apical-located visible light was also investigated. Results indicated that light intensity increased the locomotor activity and low light intensities allowed to better discriminate individual responses to the studied drugs. The four tested drugs decreased the response of exposed organisms to light: individuals moved less, were closer to the bottom and at low light intensities were closer each other. At high light intensities, however, exposed individuals were less aggregated. Propranolol, carbamazepine and fluoxetine induced the most severe behavioural effects. The tested drugs at environmental relevant concentrations altered locomotor activity, geotaxis, phototaxis and aggregation in D. magna individuals in the lab. Therefore the new image analysis system presented here was proven to be sensitive and versatile enough to detect changes in diel vertical migration across light intensities and low concentration levels of neuro-active drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fátima C P Simão
- Centre for Environmental and Marine studies (CESAM), Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal; Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), Spanish Research Council (IDAEA, CSIC), Jordi Girona 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fernando Martínez-Jerónimo
- Instituto Politecnico Nacional, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas,-Lab. de Hidrobiología Experimental, Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
| | - Victor Blasco
- Institut de Robòtica i Informàtica Industrial (CSIC-UPC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesc Moreno
- Institut de Robòtica i Informàtica Industrial (CSIC-UPC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep M Porta
- Institut de Robòtica i Informàtica Industrial (CSIC-UPC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - João L T Pestana
- Centre for Environmental and Marine studies (CESAM), Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Amadeu M V M Soares
- Centre for Environmental and Marine studies (CESAM), Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Demetrio Raldúa
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), Spanish Research Council (IDAEA, CSIC), Jordi Girona 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos Barata
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), Spanish Research Council (IDAEA, CSIC), Jordi Girona 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Gong P, Donohue KB, Mayo AM, Wang Y, Hong H, Wilbanks MS, Barker ND, Guan X, Gust KA. Comparative toxicogenomics of three insensitive munitions constituents 2,4-dinitroanisole, nitroguanidine and nitrotriazolone in the soil nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. BMC SYSTEMS BIOLOGY 2018; 12:92. [PMID: 30547801 PMCID: PMC6293504 DOI: 10.1186/s12918-018-0636-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ecotoxicological studies on the insensitive munitions formulation IMX-101 and its components 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN), nitroguanidine (NQ) and nitrotriazolone (NTO) in various organisms showed that DNAN was the main contributor to the overall toxicity of IMX-101 and suggested that the three compounds acted independently. These results motivated this toxicogenomics study to discern toxicological mechanisms for these compounds at the molecular level. METHODS Here we used the soil nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, a well-characterized genomics model, as the test organism and a species-specific, transcriptome-wide 44 K-oligo probe microarray for gene expression analysis. In addition to the control treatment, C. elegans were exposed for 24 h to 6 concentrations of DNAN (1.95-62.5 ppm) or NQ (83-2667 ppm) or 5 concentrations of NTO (187-3000 ppm) with ten replicates per treatment. The nematodes were transferred to a clean environment after exposure. Reproduction endpoints (egg and larvae counts) were measured at three time points (i.e., 24-, 48- and 72-h). Gene expression profiling was performed immediately after 24-h exposure to each chemical at the lowest, medium and highest concentrations plus the control with four replicates per treatment. RESULTS Statistical analyses indicated that chemical treatment did not significantly affect nematode reproduction but did induce 2175, 378, and 118 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in NQ-, DNAN-, and NTO-treated nematodes, respectively. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that the three compounds shared both DEGs and DEG-mapped Reactome pathways. Gene set enrichment analysis further demonstrated that DNAN and NTO significantly altered 12 and 6 KEGG pathways, separately, with three pathways in common. NTO mainly affected carbohydrate, amino acid and xenobiotics metabolism while DNAN disrupted protein processing, ABC transporters and several signal transduction pathways. NQ-induced DEGs were mapped to a wide variety of metabolism, cell cycle, immune system and extracellular matrix organization pathways. CONCLUSION Despite the absence of significant effects on apical reproduction endpoints, DNAN, NTO and NQ caused significant alterations in gene expression and pathways at 1.95 ppm, 187 ppm and 83 ppm, respectively. This study provided supporting evidence that the three chemicals may exert independent toxicity by acting on distinct molecular targets and pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ping Gong
- Environmental Laboratory, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS, 39180, USA.
| | - Keri B Donohue
- Environmental Laboratory, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS, 39180, USA
| | - Anne M Mayo
- Environmental Laboratory, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS, 39180, USA
| | - Yuping Wang
- Division of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, 72079, USA
| | - Huixiao Hong
- Division of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, 72079, USA
| | - Mitchell S Wilbanks
- Environmental Laboratory, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS, 39180, USA
| | - Natalie D Barker
- Bennett Aerospace Inc., 1249 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary, NC, 27511, USA
| | - Xin Guan
- Bennett Aerospace Inc., 1249 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary, NC, 27511, USA
| | - Kurt A Gust
- Environmental Laboratory, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS, 39180, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Lotufo GR, Stanley JK, Chappell P, Melby NL, Wilbanks MS, Gust KA. Subchronic, chronic, lethal and sublethal toxicity of insensitive munitions mixture formulations relative to individual constituents in Hyalella azteca. CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 210:795-804. [PMID: 30041157 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.07.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2017] [Revised: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Insensitive munitions (IMs) are replacing conventional munitions, improving safety from unintended detonation. IMs are deployed in mixture formulations but little is known about their mixture toxicology. We characterized mixture effects of the IM formulations IMX-101 (mixture of 2,4-dinitroanisole [DNAN], 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one [NTO], and nitroguanidine [NQ]) and IMX-104 (DNAN, NTO, and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine [RDX]) in subchronic (10 d) and chronic (35 d) water-only tests in Hyalella azteca assessing impacts on survival, growth and reproduction. In 10-d single chemical exposures, DNAN was the most potent constituent, eliciting an LC50 of 16.0 mg/L; the LC50s for NTO and NQ were 891 and 565 mg/L, respectively. RDX did not elicit significant mortality up to 29.5 mg/L, a concentration near its solubility limit. Based on toxic-units (TUs), the toxicity of IMX-101 was driven by the effective concentration of DNAN; however, the presence of NTO, RDX, or both elicited interactive effects causing an approximately 2-fold decrease in lethality for IMX-104. Growth reduction was observed in 10-d exposures to DNAN, IMX-101 and IMX-104, but not for NQ, NTO, or RDX. Longer exposure duration (35 d) to IMX-101, IMX-104, and DNAN resulted in 3-6 times higher sensitivity for lethality and resulted in the most sensitive endpoint for DNAN, RDX, and IMX-101 exposures, decreased reproduction. Slight, but statistically significant, antagonistic responses among IMX-101 constituents were observed for survival and reproduction at 35d. Overall, the results support response-additive summation as a sufficient method to provide conservative hazard assessments of subchronic, chronic, and sublethal IMX-101 and IMX-104 mixture impacts in H. azteca.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme R Lotufo
- U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Environmental Laboratory, Vicksburg, MS, USA.
| | - Jacob K Stanley
- U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Environmental Laboratory, Vicksburg, MS, USA; Stanley Environmental Consulting, Waynesboro, MS 39367, USA
| | | | - Nicolas L Melby
- U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Environmental Laboratory, Vicksburg, MS, USA
| | - Mitchell S Wilbanks
- U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Environmental Laboratory, Vicksburg, MS, USA
| | - Kurt A Gust
- U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Environmental Laboratory, Vicksburg, MS, USA
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Jackovitz AM, Koistinen KA, Lent EM, Bannon DI, Quinn MJ, Johnson MS. Neuromuscular anomalies following oral exposure to 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) in a one-generation study with Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2018; 81:718-733. [PMID: 29939830 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2018.1485123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Substances used as explosives in munitions by the military often result in environmental releases through manufacturing, testing, training, and combat activities. The toxicity of 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (nitrotriazolone or NTO) was evaluated following oral exposure in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) to determine if environmental releases result in unacceptable risks to avian populations. In an acute test at the limit dose (2000 mg/kg), one female was ataxic, exhibited tremors, and showed signs of neurological toxicity approximately 24 h after dosing. In a subsequent one-generation study, parental generation (F0) birds were exposed orally to 1000, 500, 100, or 20mg/kg-day NTO suspended in corn oil. After 5 consecutive days of dosing, 2-week-old birds receiving 1000 mg/kg-day displayed ataxia, convulsions, backward arching of the neck (opisthotonos), and alternated between prostrate inactivity and ataxic wing activity. Birds in the 500 mg/kg-day group exhibited neuromuscular anomalies after 17 days exposure. Ultimately, all of the 1000 mg/kg-day birds and all but one of the 500 mg/kg-day birds met euthanasia criteria and were humanely euthanized prior to behavioral and reproductive evaluation. As such, first-generation (F1) birds were exposed to 100 or 20 mg/kg-day NTO. Mild neuromuscular anomalies occurred in 10% of F1 birds from the 100 mg/kg-day group, but not in birds from 20 mg/kg-day or controls in either generation. Vacuolization of cerebellum and/or the brainstem was observed on histopathologic examination in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, brain vacuoles and neuromuscular anomalies were identified as critical endpoints in this study. A mean Benchmark Dose (BMD) for brain vacuoles of 62 mg/kg-day was derived for male and female F0-generation quail, which corresponded to a Benchmark Dose Low (BMDL10) of 35 mg/kg-day.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Emily M Lent
- a Toxicology Directorate, Army Public Health Center , MD , USA
| | | | - Michael J Quinn
- a Toxicology Directorate, Army Public Health Center , MD , USA
| | - Mark S Johnson
- a Toxicology Directorate, Army Public Health Center , MD , USA
| |
Collapse
|