Identification of oxidized TNT metabolites in soil samples of a former ammunition plant

Water extracts of soil samples of the former ammunition plant "Tanne" near Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Lower Saxony, Germany, were investigated for highly p olar oxidized 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) metabolites. 0.4 to 9.0 mg/kg dry soil 2,4,6-trinitrobenzoic acid (TNBA) and 5.8 to 544 mg/kg dry soil 2-ami no-4,6-dinitrobenzoic acid (2-ADNBA) were found. In addition to the oxidize d metabolites, TNT, 4- and 2-aminodinitrotoluene (4- and 2-ADNT), and 2,4-d initrotoluene (2,4-DNT) were extractable with water. Most interestingly, in one sample, 2-ADNBA represented the main contaminant. The origin of the oxidized nitroaromatics is unknown at this rime. They mig ht be generated chemically or photochemically. Furthermore, a biological sy nthesis seems possible.