The effect of subsurface military detonations on vadose zone hydraulic conductivity, contaminant transport and aquifer recharge

• Published in: Journal of contaminant hydrology 2013-03, Vol.146, p.8-15
• Main Authors: Lewis, Jeffrey, Burman, Jan, Edlund, Christina, Simonsson, Louise, Berglind, Rune, Leffler, Per, Qvarfort, Ulf, Thiboutot, Sonia, Ampleman, Guy, Meuken, Denise, Duvalois, Willem, Martel, Richard, Sjöström, Jan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anticoagulation; aquifers; Bleeding; Cystatin C; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Environmental Monitoring; Exact sciences and technology; Explosions; fires; Groundwater - analysis; groundwater contamination; Hydraulic conductivity; Hydrogeology; Hydrology. Hydrogeology; Kidney function; mathematical models; Military Personnel; Military training; Models, Theoretical; Mortality; Soil; Sweden; Vadose zone; Water Movements; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
• ISSN: 0169-7722; 1873-6009; 1873-6009
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2012.12.007

Live fire military training involves the detonation of explosive warheads on training ranges. The purpose of this experiment is to evaluate the hydrogeological changes to the vadose zone caused by military training with high explosive ammunition. In particular, this study investigates artillery ammunition which penetrates underground prior to exploding, either by design or by defective fuze mechanisms. A 105mm artillery round was detonated 2.6m underground, and hydraulic conductivity measurements were taken before and after the explosion. A total of 114 hydraulic conductivity measurements were obtained within a radius of 3m from the detonation point, at four different depths and at three different time periods separated by 18months. This data was used to produce a three dimensional numerical model of the soil affected by the exploding artillery round. This model was then used to investigate potential changes to aquifer recharge and contaminant transport caused by the detonating round. The results indicate that an exploding artillery round can strongly affect the hydraulic conductivity in the vadose zone, increasing it locally by over an order of magnitude. These variations, however, appear to cause relatively small changes to both local groundwater recharge and contaminant transport. ► Munitions that detonate underground can impact the local hydraulic conductivity. ► These measured changes were incorporated into numerical models. ► The modeled results suggest minimal effects on recharge or contaminant transport.