Environmental Conditions of Surface Soils and Biomass Prevailing in the Training Area at CFB Gagetown, New Brunswick

• Main Authors: Thiboutot, S, Ampleman, G, Lewis, J, Faucher, D, Marois, A, Martel, R, Ballard, J M, Downe, S, Jenkins, T, Hewitt, A
• Other Authors: COLD REGIONS RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING LAB HANOVER NH
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2003
• Subjects: Hydrology; Limnology and Potamology; Logistics; Military Facilities and Supplies; Environmental Health and Safety; *BIOMASS; *GROUND WATER; *MILITARY FACILITIES; *SOILS; RANGES(FACILITIES); SAMPLING; WATER WELLS; BG(BACKGROUND SAMPLES); Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA609178; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA609178

Troop readiness requires live fire training with various types of ammunitions. More than 99.99 % of the Canadian ammunition stockpile is used in our Country in training exercises. By better understanding the potential environmental impacts of each type of live firing activity, the Department of National Defence (DND) will be able to mitigate potential adverse effects by adapting the practices to minimize such adverse impacts. In this context, the Director Land Environment (OLE) tasked DRDC-Val to initiate a R&D program invoMng the environmental characterization of their main training areas to improve the knowledge on the impacts of many types of live firing training activities. DRDC-Valcartler managed the overall work and performed the surface soils and biomass studies in collaboration with Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) scientists. The second site selected for the study was CFB Gagetown based on its intensive use by our force and allied forces and based on its geological and geographical context. In 2001, hydrogeological work was conducted in the northern half of the CFB Gagetown. This first phase involved the sampling of 42 wells to characterize the underlying groundwater flow dynamics as well as the chemical characterization of the groundwater quality. In 2002, a second phase was undertaken, including the drilling of more wells mostly in the southern half of the base and the collection of surface soils and biomass at selected locations over the entire base. This report details the surface soils and biomass characterisation of Gagetown main training ranges while a second report will be published on the hydrogeological context of the training area. Both energetic materials and metals were analysed in surface soil samples while only metals were analysed in the biomass samples. Various types of ranges were sampled including, antiarmour, antitank, grenade and rifle ranges as well as artillery Impact areas. Prepared in collaboration with INRS-Eau, Terre et Environnement and CFB Gagetown.