Chemistry of explosives: biodegradation of nitro-aromatic compounds

Abstract

The use of nitroaromatic compounds in Ukraine in various spheres of industry and their accumulation in critical volumes in the war zone and in the adjacent territories require the development of modern methods of their destruction in order to minimize the harmful effects on human health and the environment. Aim. Analysis of modern biological methods of disposal of explosives using the example of biodegradation of nitroaromatic compounds. Materials and Methods. The results of scientific research and data from open sources of scientific information highlighting the issue of developing biological methods for the disposal of explosives. The methods of content analysis, system and comparative analysis were used. Results. Summarized modern trends in the development of methods of biodegradation of nitroaromatic compounds. Using TNT as an example, the aerobic and anaerobic mechanisms of decomposition of nitroaromatic compounds by bacteria and biodegradation by fungi are highlighted. The peculiarities of the metabolism of nitroaromatic compounds with the participation of various microorganisms are revealed. Modern methods of biodegradation of ammunition waste are considered, such as: bioremediation, phytoremediation, composting and the use of bioreactors. Emphasis is placed on the relevance of the search for enzymes involved in the degradation of nitroaromatic compounds, among which bacterial nitroreductases have special biotechnological prospects, which are catalysts of the process of sequential transfer of electron pairs to the nitro groups of aromatic compounds with the subsequent formation of nitroso-, hydroxylamine-, and amine derivatives. Conclusions. Scientific research and modern military experience show that bioremediation and phytoremediation are promising methods of eliminating the negative impact on the environment of nitroaromatic compounds, toxic industrial waste and ammunition components. Keywords: explosives, ammunition, disposal, biodegradation.