Bioremediation and advanced treatment strategies for rocket propellant contamination: Microbial, enzymatic, and hybrid approaches

Title: Bioremediation and advanced treatment strategies for rocket propellant contamination: Microbial, enzymatic, and hybrid approaches

Abstract:

Rocket propellant contaminants such as unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDHM) and perchlorate (ClO4?) represent a new group of hazardous pollutants that have emerged due to aerospace applications, military missions, and industrial practices. These contaminants pose significant ecological and human health hazards following their contamination of soils and water bodies, given their inherent stability, endocrine-disruptive effects, and ability to form additional harmful transformation byproducts. The current literature review provides an in-depth analysis of available information organized around six key topics: (1) environmental dynamics, transformations, and toxicity of UDMH and perchlorates; (2) biological decontamination approaches using unique bacteria strains and microbial communities; (3) biochemical pathways governing microbial degradation processes, specifically focusing on chlorite dismutase and hydrazine-degrading enzymes; (4) bio-inspired and physicochemical detoxification techniques, including biochar adsorption, phytoextraction, and wetlands ecosystems; (5) innovative oxidation procedures (AOPs), especially microwaves and manganese oxides for UDMH; and (6) hybrid bio-physical methods combining bioreactors with membrane technology for perchlorates.Considering the evaluation of costs associated with the various technologies and their applicability, the choice of the optimum technology could depend on the scale of application, concentration of contaminants, and local conditions, including water quality. Overall, the presented information is indicative of a need for the promotion of new approaches to water treatment through the integration of biological treatment and physico-chemical methods, based on complementarity of advantages. Consequently, future studies will require the design of hybrid treatment pilot plants, improvement of microbial consortia for high concentration contamination cases, and technoeconomic models suitable for limited resources availability.

Biography:

Deepika is a B.Tech Biotechnology student at Delhi Technological University, India. Her academic interests include environmental biotechnology, bioremediation, microbial technologies, and sustainable water treatment approaches. Her current research focuses on the remediation of rocket propellant contaminants such as UDMH and perchlorate using microbial, enzymatic, and hybrid physicochemical strategies. She is particularly interested in developing sustainable and integrated treatment technologies for hazardous environmental pollutants.