title: Nitroglycerin degradation mediated by soil organic carbon under aerobic conditions.
abstract: The presence of nitroglycerin (NG) has been reported in shallow soils and pore water of several military training ranges. In this context, NG concentrations can be reduced through various natural attenuation processes, but these have not been thoroughly documented. This study aimed at investigating the role of soil organic matter (SOM) in the natural attenuation of NG, under aerobic conditions typical of shallow soils. The role of SOM in NG degradation has already been documented under anoxic conditions, and was attributed to SOM-mediated electron transfer involving different reducing agents. However, unsaturated soils are usually well-oxygenated, and it was not clear whether SOM could participate in NG degradation under these conditions. Our results from batch- and column-type experiments clearly demonstrate that in presence of dissolved organic matter (DOM) leached from a natural soil, partial NG degradation can be achieved. In presence of particulate organic matter (POM) from the same soil, complete NG degradation was achieved. Furthermore, POM caused rapid sorption of NG, which should result in NG retention in the organic matter-rich shallow horizons of the soil profile, thus promoting degradation. Based on degradation products, the reaction pathway appears to be reductive, in spite of the aerobic conditions. The relatively rapid reaction rates suggest that this process could significantly participate in the natural attenuation of NG, both on military training ranges and in contaminated soil at production facilities.
authors.affiliation: Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Eau, Terre et Environnement (INRS-ETE), 490 de la Couronne, Quebec City, QC, Canada, G1K 9A9. Electronic address: genevieve.bordeleau@ete.inrs.ca.
authors.forename: Geneviève
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bordeleau
authors.affiliation: Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Eau, Terre et Environnement (INRS-ETE), 490 de la Couronne, Quebec City, QC, Canada, G1K 9A9. Electronic address: richard.martel@ete.inrs.ca.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martel
authors.affiliation: Université Laval, Département de Géographie, Faculté de foresterie, de géographie et de géomatique, Pavillon Abitibi-Price, 2405, rue de la Terrasse, Local 3137, Quebec City, QC, Canada, G1V 0A6. Electronic address: abaham-nvaloua.bamba.1@ulaval.ca.
authors.forename: Abraham N'Valoua
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Bamba
authors.affiliation: Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Eau, Terre et Environnement (INRS-ETE), 490 de la Couronne, Quebec City, QC, Canada, G1K 9A9. Electronic address: blaisjf@ete.inrs.ca.
authors.forename: Jean-François
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Blais
authors.affiliation: Defence Research and Development Canada - Valcartier, 2459 Pie-XI Blvd. North, Quebec City, QC, Canada, G3J 1X5. Electronic address: guy.ampleman@drdc-rddc.gc.ca.
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ampleman
authors.affiliation: Defence Research and Development Canada - Valcartier, 2459 Pie-XI Blvd. North, Quebec City, QC, Canada, G3J 1X5. Electronic address: sonia.thiboutot@drdc-rddc.gc.ca.
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thiboutot
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D000332:Aerobiosis; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014867:Water; D002244:Carbon; D005996:Nitroglycerin
keywords: Military training range; Natural attenuation; Nitroglycerin; Propellant; Soil organic matter