Influences on Phytoremediation of Perchlorate-Contaminated Water

Abstract

Ammonium perchlorate is an oxygen-adding component in propellants for rockets, missiles and fireworks. To ensure that rockets and missiles operate effectively and safely, old propellant mixes must be continuously replaced in rockets and missiles with fresh supplies. High-pressure washout of solid propellant generates large volumes of perchlorate contaminated wastewater. Perchloric acid and perchlorate salts are also used extensively in many commercial and industrial processes, such as wet digestions, organic syntheses, and electropolishing of metals; animal feed additives, explosives, pyrotechnics, and herbicides. As a result, perchlorate manufacturers and users have disposed of large amounts of this chemical, since the 1950s. In addition, perchlorate has been found as a contaminant in certain fertilizers and bulk water treatment chemicals.^1–2

This work was presented at the 218th national meeting of the American Chemical Society as part of the Environmental Division symposium Perchlorate in the Environment, held August 22–24,1999,in New Orleans.