Recent studies have shown that using DNAN as a replacement for TNT in explosives may have a lasting, negative impact on plant life.
While TNT has traditionally been used in explosive devices, its replacement, DNAN, has not been studied extensively for its environmental effects, particularly its long-term presence in soil.
For over a decade, researchers at the University of York have focused on the environmental impact of TNT. Their research revealed that TNT, commonly used in military explosives worldwide, remains in plant roots and disrupts their growth and development.
Toxicity Concerns
Similar to TNT, DNAN interacts with an essential plant enzyme, creating reactive superoxide, which harms plant cells. However, according to Neil Bruce, a professor at the University of York, DNAN behaves differently from TNT. “Unlike TNT, DNAN accumulates in the above-ground parts of the plant. While plants can naturally break down TNT, our research shows that plants have no such defense against DNAN, making it toxic even in lower concentrations,” Bruce explained.
The study also highlighted that DNAN’s presence throughout the entire plant increases the risk of animals consuming contaminated plants, which could introduce the toxin into the food chain.
Contaminated Land and the Need for Remediation
In earlier studies, the University of York team successfully engineered grass to detoxify soil polluted with explosives, bringing contaminants to undetectable levels in plant tissues. However, no similar approach has been found for DNAN.
With more than 10 million hectares of US military land contaminated by explosive components, the financial cost of cleaning up unexploded ordnance is estimated to range between $16 billion and $165 billion. As military conflicts around the world have led to a rise in explosive use, the scale of contamination has grown, raising concerns about environmental and health risks.
Dr. Liz Rylott, co-author of the study, emphasized the urgency of the situation. “Given the large-scale pollution and the unknown risks of DNAN to humans, it’s critical that we develop effective, plant-based solutions for remediation and further research to understand the full impact of DNAN,” she said.
Funding and Collaboration
This research, published in Nature Plants, was funded by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) and involved collaboration with the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
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