BACKGROUND: This study investigated the performance of anaerobic mesophilic granular sludge for the degradation of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX). Batch tests were conducted to investigate the effects of different supplements on the RDX degradation ability of anaerobic granular sludge, as well as the contributions of both physicochemical and biological processes involved in RDX removal from aqueous solution.