Detoxification of PAX-21 ammunitions wastewater by zero-valent iron for microbial reduction of perchlorate

► Ammonium perchlorate, hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) and 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN) are the major constituents of PAX-21. ► DNAN is identified as the primary toxicant responsible for inhibiting the activity of perchlorate reducing bacteria. ► Iron treatment not only removes energetic compounds but also eliminates the toxic constituents that inhibit the subsequent microbial process.