A review of toxicity and biodegradation of octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) in the environment

Abstract

Octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX), a high energy explosive, is used in various military and other applications like nuclear devices, rocket propellants, plastic explosives, rocket fuels, burster chargers construction, quarrying and mining. Generation and unselective disposal of HMX wastes from production sites, detonation fields and unexploded ordinance has resulted in significant environmental contamination of soil and water bodies. Due to its toxicity and persistence in the environment, the study of its biodegradation is highly desirable. Conventional HMX related waste management practices are neither environment friendly, nor cost effective. This work represents a consolidated up-to-date review on HMX, incorporating its production, environmental fate, conventional waste management techniques, and its toxicity and natural remediation (phytoremediation and bioremediation) potential, which may help researchers and implementers as a ready refrence to work with the high energy explosive.