Recent studies have shed light on a concerning trend: the rising use of DNAN as an alternative to TNT in explosives is having harmful and lasting effects on plant life.
Environmental Impact of DNAN
In recent decades, DNAN has found its way into military applications as a substitute for traditional TNT, but until now, little was known about its environmental impact and its persistence in soil.
For over a decade, researchers at the University of York have been examining the ecological fallout from TNT, an explosive extensively utilized by armed forces around the globe.
Their research has shown that TNT tends to accumulate in plant roots, leading to detrimental effects on plant growth and overall development.
Research Findings on DNAN
A groundbreaking study led by Professor Neil Bruce, who directs the Department of Biology and the Centre for Novel Agricultural Products (CNAP) at York, confirms that DNAN not only mimics the harmful effects of TNT but also collects in various plant tissues and remains in the environment for extended periods.
Professor Bruce explains that DNAN interferes with a vital plant enzyme, leading to the production of harmful reactive superoxide, which can be devastating for plant cells.
In their ongoing research, the team has engineered plants to detoxify soils contaminated with munitions.
However, DNAN poses a unique challenge; unlike TNT, it accumulates in the upper sections of plants, hampering their ability to naturally counteract its toxicity.
As a result, these plants struggle to cope with DNAN’s harmful effects, which persist even at lower concentrations.
Broader Implications and Need for Solutions
The research team raises concerns about the widespread distribution of DNAN within plants.
This situation increases the risk of animals consuming contaminated vegetation, potentially infiltrating the broader ecosystem with this toxic compound.
Earlier studies conducted by the York researchers successfully demonstrated that genetically modified grasses could thrive on sites polluted by military explosives, breaking down these contaminants to undetectable levels.
Unfortunately, there are currently no similar methods available for addressing DNAN contamination.
In the United States, an alarming 10 million hectares of military land are estimated to be tainted with explosive residues.
Cleanup efforts for unexploded ordnance on military training grounds may cost the government anywhere from $16 billion to an eye-watering $165 billion.
Dr. Liz Rylott, a co-author of the study from York’s Biology Department, pointed out that the rise in global conflicts has led to increased use of military explosives, exacerbating environmental pollution.
This pressing issue highlights the urgent need for the development of eco-friendly, plant-based remediation techniques.
Additionally, the potential risks posed by DNAN to human health are still largely unknown.
The researchers hope that their findings will spur further investigations into its effects.
This significant research was published in the journal Nature Plants and received backing from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP).
Collaborators included experts from both the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Source: ScienceDaily