Field trial demonstrating phytoremediation of the military explosive RDX by XplA/XplB-expressing switchgrass.

The explosive hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), a major component of munitions, is used extensively on military training ranges. As a result, widespread RDX pollution in groundwater and aquifers in the United States is now well documented. RDX is toxic, but its removal from training ranges is logistically challenging, lacking cost-effective and sustainable solutions.

Identity and distribution of residues of energetic compounds at army live-fire training ranges.

Environmental investigations have been conducted at 23 military firing ranges in the United States and Canada. The specific training facilities most frequently evaluated were hand grenade, antitank rocket, and artillery ranges. Energetic compounds (explosives and propellants) were determined and linked to the type of munition used and the major mechanisms of deposition.

Molecular genetic linkage maps for allotetraploid Leymus wildryes (Gramineae: Triticeae).

Molecular genetic maps were constructed for two full-sib populations, TTC1 and TTC2, derived from two Leymus triticoides x Leymus cinereus hybrids and one common Leymus triticoides tester. Informative DNA markers were detected using 21 EcoRI-MseI and 17 PstI-MseI AFLP primer combinations, 36 anchored SSR or STS primer pairs, and 9 anchored RFLP probes. The 164-sib TTC1 map includes 1069 AFLP markers and 38 anchor loci in 14 linkage groups spanning 2001 cM.

Root growth and metal uptake in four grasses grown on zinc-contaminated soils.

Depth and area of rooting are important to long-term survival of plants on metal-contaminated, steep-slope soils. We evaluated shoot and root growth and metal uptake of four cool-season grasses grown on a high-Zn soil in a greenhouse. A mixture of biosolids, fly ash, and burnt lime was placed either directly over a Zn-contaminated soil or over a clean, fine-grained topsoil and then the Zn-contaminated soil; the control was the clean topsoil.