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Biodegradation of Military Explosives RDX and HMX

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Microbial Degradation of Xenobiotics

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Abstract

Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) are important military explosives. They are toxic anthropogenic compounds and persist as environmental pollutants as a result of weapon manufacture, deployment, and decommissioning. Production, testing and use of these compounds has resulted in numerous acres of contaminated soils and groundwater near many munitions facilities. Therefore, economical and efficient methods for treatment of wastewater and clean-up of soils or groundwater containing RDX and HMX are needed.

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Acknowledgments

Authors express sincere gratitude to Dr. Narendra Kumar, Director, Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur for the support and encouragement.

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  1. Defence Laboratory, Defence Research and Development Organization, Jodhpur, 342 011, INDIA

    Rita Singh & Antaryami Singh

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  1. Rita Singh
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    Shree Nath Singh

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Singh, R., Singh, A. (2012). Biodegradation of Military Explosives RDX and HMX. In: Singh, S. (eds) Microbial Degradation of Xenobiotics. Environmental Science and Engineering(). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-23789-8_9

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