The binding of TNT to a soil and soil components is studied with H-2 MAS NM
R. This NMR technique clearly shows different interactions for deuterated T
NT with soil, quartz, and clays. Basically, this NMR method relies on the w
ell-defined H-2 MAS NMR characteristics of a deuterated methyl group attach
ed to an aromatic ring. Stationary rings and rings executing 2- or 3-fold j
ump motions all yield different NMR spectra. The technique has good sensiti
vity; these studies were conducted at a TNT loading of 22 mmol/kg. For the
soil sample studied, TNT showed binding similar to a TNT/K10-montmorillonit
e sample.