ERDC/CERL TR-08-3, Anaerobic Treatment of Wastewaters Containing Perchlorate from Munitions Handling and Production

Perchlorate, an oxidizer routinely used in solid rocket motors, is easily washed out of old motors. The washout operation, however, leads to wastewater containing perchlorate. Royal Demolition Explosive (RDX), a major component of military high explosives, is transferred to Army industrial wastewaters during assembly of new munitions and during demilitarization of old munitions. New high explosives contain perchlorate, commingling perchlorate and RDX for the first time. In addition to their damaging effect to the environment, perchlorate and RDX can also be detrimental to human health. This study focused on determining the effectiveness of removing perchlorate and RDX individually and when commingled, using ethanol as an electron donor at steady-state conditions. Three laboratory-scale anaerobic fluidized bed reactors were monitored. A fourth reactor, located at McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, currently used to treat pinkwater, was also tested. The experimental results demonstrated that the biodegradation of perchlorate and RDX was more effective in bioreactors receiving a single contaminant than in the bioreactor fed both contaminants. However, the results also show that perchlorate and RDX can be treated in a single reactor to levels below discharge limitations. Results from perturbation experiments revealed that competition within the microbial consortia for substrate played a major role in determining the structure of that community. DISCLAIMER: The contents of this report are not to be used for advertising, publication, or promotional purposes. Citation of trade names does not constitute an official endorsement or approval of the use of such commercial products. All product names and trademarks cited are the property of their respective owners. The findings of this report are not to be construed as an official Department of the Army position unless so designated by other authorized documents. DESTROY THIS REPORT WHEN NO LONGER NEEDED. DO NOT RETURN IT TO THE ORIGINATOR. ERDC/CERL TR-08-3 iii