Distribution and Fate of Energetics on DoD Test and Training Ranges: Interim Report 6

• Main Authors: Pennington, J C, Jenkins, T F, Ampleman, G, Thiboutot, S, Hewitt, A D, Brochu, S, Robb, J, Diaz, E, Lewis, J, Colby, H, Martel, R, Poe, K, Groff, K, Bjella, K L, Ramsey, C A, Hayes, C A, Yost, S, Marois, A, Gagnon, A, Silverblatt, B
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ammunition and Explosives; ANTITANK RANGES; ARTILLERY; BATTLERUNS; BLOW IN PLACE; CHEMICAL PROPERTIES; CONCENTRATION(COMPOSITION); CRATERS; DEMOLITION; DETONATION RESIDUES; DETONATIONS; ENERGETIC PROPERTIES; ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT; EXPLOSIVES; FATE AND TRANSPORT OF EXPLOSIVES; FIRING TESTS(ORDNANCE); GROUND WATER; Guns; HIGH ORDER DETONATIONS; HIGH RATE; HMX; IMPACT; LOW LEVEL; LOW ORDER DETONATIONS; MORTARS; PARTICLES; Physical Chemistry; PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; PROPELLANTS; RANGES(FACILITIES); RDX; RESIDUES; RISK; SERDP COLLECTION; SERDP(STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM); SOILS; SOLIDS; TARGETS; TEST RANGES; TNT; TRAINING RANGES; TRANSPORT PROPERTIES

Understanding the potential for generation and transport of residual explosives is necessary to sustain live-fire training ranges. The objective of this study was to characterize the distribution and fate of explosive residues from various training activities. The physical and chemical properties, concentrations, and distribution of residues in soils, and the potential for transport to groundwater were defined. Surface soils associated with impact craters, target areas, and firing points on U.S. and Canadian ranges were characterized. Residues from high-order, low-order, and blow-in-place detonations were described and quantified. Parameters suitable for use in fate and transport models and environmental risk assessments were determined for constituents of concern. Results demonstrated that residues are specific to range activities. Demolition areas, low-order detonations sites, and firing positions have great potential for accumulation of residues. Demolition typically generates small areas of relatively high concentrations. Low-order detonations generate primarily large solid particles reflecting the composition of the predetonation explosive. Artillery and mortar impact areas tend to have low concentrations of widely distributed constituents. Firing positions may exhibit high concentrations of propellants. Results of this study provide a realistic evaluation of training range residues and a scientific basis for development of control measures for explosives residues. The original document contains color images.