Strategies for treating explosives-contaminated wastewater: addressing the environmental and health challenges of yellow, pink and especially red water

Abstract. The production and handling of high explosives generates various types of wastewater such as yellow water, pink water and red water, each of which must be treated before discharge. Yellow water is produced during the manufacture of explosives and contains mainly nitroaromatic compounds and a high acid content, while pink water, which is produced during loading, assembly and packaging (LAP) processes and munition demilitarization, is contaminated predominantly with 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), cyclo-trimethylene trinitramine (RDX) and 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocane (HMX). Red water originates from the sulfonation purification processes for TNT production, is highly toxic and contains DNT-sulfonates and other nitrobodies as recalcitrant pollutants. For decades, wastewater was traditionally disposed of by evaporation in large open air concrete basins and successive incineration. However, commonly occurring leaks during the evaporation process led to serious environmental pollution problems such as surface, groundwater and soil contamination. This form of wastewater disposal is therefore an outdated concept, and a new solution must be found. This work reviews methods for wastewater treatment strategies, particularly for yellow, pink and red water, with a focus on the need for adaptable approaches that ensure environmental sustainability while mitigating the risks associated with hazardous, explosives-containing effluents.