2
Characterization of
Explosives Contamination
at Military Firing Ranges
Introduction
Background
Little information is currently available on explosives residues in soils at
artillery or bombing ranges. Soil contaminants at MMR include the following
explosives (highest concentration in ppm): RDX (43), HMX (10), TNT (2.1),
2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4DNT) (18), 2,6DNT (0.96), nitroglycerin (130), 2-amino-
4,6-dinitrotoluene (2ADNT) (0.8), 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene (4ADNT) (0.4)
(USEPA 2000a). The source of such explosives contamination potentially arises
from artillery firing, explosives disposed of by burial, or residues where
explosives were burned.
Some data from the MMR and results of a study conducted by the Army
Environmental Hygiene Agency at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD (Phillips and
Bouwkamp 1994), have addressed the levels of propellant residues from firing
activities near gun positions. Analysis of several soil samples collected near
firing positions at MMR showed residues of 2,4DNT (as high as 17 ppm) as well
as one of its manufacturing impurities, 2,6DNT (as high as 0.96 ppm), and
nitroglycerin (as high as 130 ppm) (USEPA 2000a). Other contaminants in
surface soils included n-nitrosodiphenylamine (0.93 ppm), pentachlorophenol
(0.18 ppm), arsenic (0.17 ppm), and di-n-butyl phthalate (16 ppm). Results from
Phillips and Bouwkamp (1994) indicated that 2,4DNT, nitroglycerin, HMX,
RDX, dibutyl phthalate, nitrosodiphenylamine, and several polyaromatic
hydrocarbons were present in surface soils in the immediate vicinity of weapons
firing positions. While propellant residues can be an isolated issue at firing
ranges, the rate of migration of the components of these formulations in the
surface soils will be very slow compared with the rate of migration of several
common components of military high explosives, particularly HMX, RDX and
ammonium picrate. Therefore, the possibility of groundwater contamination from
propellants may not be a significant compliance issue associated with ranges.
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Chapter 2 Characterization of Explosives Contamination at Military Firing Ranges
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