Dataset for - Environmental Fate of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) in Marine Environments - Dissolution and Remediation Strategies - Persico, Federica; Temple, Tracey; Mai, Nathalie; Kadansky, Evie (Cranfield University, 2024)
This study demonstrates that the dissolution behaviour of TNT in seawater compared to distilled water differs, where TNT dissolved slower in the presence of salts compared to freshwater systems. The slower dissolution rate observed in seawater suggests that TNT may persist longer in marine environments, albeit with a heightened risk of generating degradation products that could pose secondary environmental challenges over time. Furthermore, our investigation into ACs and biochar for adsorption-based remediation revealed NORIT 1240 and ground rice husk as highly effective materials, capable of reducing TNT concentrations by more than 90% in both distilled and seawater scenarios. Ground rice husk, in particular, emerges as a sustainable alternative to conventional ACs, highlighting its potential for future applications in marine environmental clean-up efforts. These findings not only contribute to our understanding of how TNT interacts with different water matrices but also offer practical insights into effective remediation strategies. Moving forward, continued research into the behaviour of TNT in complex marine environments and the development of sustainable remediation technologies will be crucial for mitigating the long-term impacts of munition residues on marine ecosystems.
Keywords: TNT; Underwater munitions; remediation; solubility