Environmental Conditions of Surface Soils, CFB Gagetown Training Area: Delineation of the Presence of Munitions Related Residues (Phase 3, Final Report)

• Main Authors: Thiboutot, S, Ampleman, G, Marois, A, Gagnon, A, Bouchard, M, Hewitt, A, Jenkins, T, Walsh, M, Bjella, K, Ramsey, C, Ranney, T A
• Other Authors: ENGINEER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER HANOVER NH COLD REGIONS RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING LAB
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2004
• Subjects: Hydrology; Limnology and Potamology; Ammunition and Explosives; Solid Wastes Pollution and Control; *CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION; *ORDNANCE; *SOILS; FIELD TESTS; MILITARY FACILITIES; RESIDUES; SAMPLING; SURFACE SOILS; MUNITIONS RELATED RESIDUES; ENERGETIC MATERIALS; Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA609170; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA609170

Troop readiness requires live-fire training with various types of ammunitions. By better understanding the potential environmental impacts of each type of activity, the Department of National Defence will be able to mitigate potential adverse effects. This report presents data acquired at the CFB Gagetown training area, following previous studies done in 2002 and 2001. The objective of the 2003 sampling effort was to further develop our understanding of the spatial distribution of explosives and heavy metals on five live-fire ranges, to assess their vertical migration and to verify the presence of TNT in background samples observed in 2002. DRDC-Valcartier performed the surface soils study in collaboration with Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) scientists. In 2003 soil samples were collected in five specific area: The antitank range, the hand and riffle grenade ranges, one small arm range, the propellant burning pads and in the vicinity of the live firing area (background samples). In the antitank range, a new sampling pattern involving the collection of multiple increments (more than 50) in a large sampling area was evaluated to better assess the overall extent of soil contamination. Vertical profilings were also conducted to study the migration of munition related residues both in the impact area and in the firing position. Both energetic materials and metals were analyzed in all soil samples. For the samples collected in the small arms range and in the burning pads area, both total metals and leachate testing (TCLP) were conducted to obtain total concentrations and the bio-available concentrations of metals. Finally, pre- and post-blast area of two blow in place events where sampled. Results obtained for heavy metals confirmed the ones obtained in 2002 and showed a slow increase in concentration with time. Prepared in collaboration with Envirostat Inc., Fort Collins, CO, and Science and Technology Corporation, Columbia, MD.