Recent developments in formulating model descriptors for subsurface transformation and sorption of trinitrotoluene.

Recent published data show that transformation and sorption are key processes involved in the subsurface transport of TNT. The state-of-the-art understanding of TNT soil transformation and sorption phenomena is summarized below: There is unequivocal evidence of reductive transformation of TNT in soils. However, soil properties affecting TNT transformation are only partially understood. Edaphic factors such as redox are probably important since highest reductive transformation rates occur under anaerobic conditions. TNT transformation products include 2A-DNT, 4A-DNT, 2,4-DANT, and 2,6-DANT. Azoxytoluenes have also been reported. Triaminotoluene may be an important TNT transformation product, but this product has not been routinely measured. TNT soil sorption is rapid and can be modeled as equilibrium controlled. Poor mass balances are difficult to interpret owing to lack of information on transformation products. Various irreversible disappearance mechanisms other than transformation to elutable transformation products are possible.