Aquatic Toxicity of Evaporator Condensate Produced from the VX Super Critical Water Oxidation Process

摘要

The U. S. Army at Aberdeen Proving Ground has investigated an alternative method for disposing of VX (O-ethyl-S(2-isoprop ylaminoethyl)methyl phosphonothiolate), a chemical warfare agent under the chemical stockpile disposal program. VX was hydrolyzed with sodium hydroxide and placed into a vessel where it was super heated to combustion. The solution was then evaporated to separate the salt from the water. The water produced from the evaporator (evaporator condensate) was subjectedto Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) testing to determine the effects on Selenastmm capricomutum (green algae), Cedodaphnia dubia (cladoceran), and Pimephales pmmelas (fathead minnow). Studies were conducted by adding salt to the evaporator condensate and also to distilled water forcomparison. The toxicity associated with the evaporator effluent was dueto the lack of dissolved solids. The salts needed for osmotic and ionic regulation were not present in sufficient quantities to maintain normal physiological functions.