Characterization and Fate of Gun and Rocket Propellant Residues on Testing and Training Ranges

• Main Authors: Walsh, Michael R, Thiboutot, Sonia, Walsh, Marianne E, Ampleman, Guy, Martel, Richard, Poulin, Isabelle, Taylor, Susan
• Other Authors: ENGINEER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER HANOVER NH COLD REGIONS RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING LAB
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: Logistics; Military Facilities and Supplies; Ammunition and Explosives; Rocket Propellants; Bionics; Protective Equipment; *CONTAMINANTS; *ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT; *ORDNANCE; *PROPELLANTS; *RANGES(FACILITIES); DATA ACQUISITION; DEPOSITION; DETONATIONS; DISPOSAL; LEACHING; RESIDUES; SAMPLING; UNEXPLODED AMMUNITION; CHARACTERIZATION; FATE AND TRANSPORT; LIVE FIRE TRAINING; LOW-ORDER DETONATIONS; MULTI-INCREMENT SAMPLING; Canada; Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA548745; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA548745

The Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory and the Defence Research and Development Canada Valcartier have partnered to improve the understanding of the distribution and fate of propellant residues on military training ranges. Field studies were conducted to estimate the propellant residue mass deposited per round fired from various munitions as well as residues from the field disposal of excess propellants. Experiments were conducted to measure the rate of release of energetic compounds after deposition. Training ranges were examined to determine the mass and distribution of residue accumulation. Profile sampling was conducted to document the depth to which these residues had penetrated the ground. Column studies were conducted with propellants to document transport rates for solution-phase propellant constituents and to develop process descriptors for use in models to enable prediction of fate and transport for constituents of concern. Gaps were filled in other areas of energetics residues impacts in an effort to describe all aspects of energetics impacts on range environments. Testing of propellant burn structures was begun, and we continue to promote and refine the multi-increment sampling protocol for energetics. Major accomplishments are presented for the final year and the total of Environmental Restoration Project 1481, Phase II. Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program ER-1481. Prepared in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Canada Valcartier. The original document contains color images.