Cost-effective explosive compounds bioremediation by windrow composting Hawthorne Army Depot

Windrow composting is an effective method for mitigating explosive compounds in soil. Past engineering practices made treating soil moderately high but cost-competitive. During a pilot study at HWAD, explosive compounds in soil were remediated successfully by combining standard composting techniques with cost-saving practices and by using local resources. At the same time, on-site workers and off-site receptors and the environment were protected. The soil was treated using less expensive environmental controls and local low-cost additives and the premixing process was eliminated, thereby minimizing materials handling. To keep costs down, the windrows were composted on a compacted soil pad, remediation took place outside of an enclosed building, and water was applied to the windrows to control dust and to maintain a proper bioremediation environment. Monitoring data showed no impact to the treatment area either during or after the remediation treatment. Low-cost additives included recycled wood from HWAD that normally would be considered solid waste. All of the explosive compounds were remediated successfully to less than the treatment goal in approximately three weeks. Treated compounds included the common explosives TNT, RDX, and HMX and the less common ammonium picrate or "yellow-D," which had not previously been bioremediated by composting.