Cyclic nitramine explosives RDX, HMX, and CL-20 are commonly synthesized as
most widespread conventional explosives. Their use in military munitions largely
for the protection of national boundaries and mining operations, has resulted in
widespread contamination of soil and water reservoirs. Residual explosives have
the potential to move into soils as well as surface and ground water and affect
various ecological and human receptors. Therefore, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (USEPA) has included seven nitro-substituted explosives including TNT
and RDX as priority pollutants. Labscale studies have revealed that TNT, RDX,
and HMX are toxic to a wide spectrum of organisms including bacteria, algae,
plants, earthworms, mammals, and humans. No doubt, traditional treatments of
ammunition wastes, like open detonation and burning, adsorption onto activated
carbon, photo-oxidation, etc., are not only costly, but also damaging the environment.
Therefore, scientists are interested to develop an alternative technology
based on microbes and plants which will be not only cost-effective, but also
environment friendly.