Characterization of Explosives Contamination
at Military Firing Ranges
THOMAS F. JENKINS, JUDITH C. PENNINGTON, THOMAS A. RANNEY, THOMAS E. BERRY JR.,
PAUL H. MIYARES, MARIANNE E. WALSH, ALAN D. HEWITT, NANCY M. PERRON,
LOUISE V. PARKER, CHARLOTTE A. HAYES, AND ERIC G. WAHLGREN
INTRODUCTION
detected at these ranges was 3,700,000 g/kg at Range
Testing and training ranges are essential elements to
maintaining readiness for the Armed Forces of the
13 at Wainwright. HMX concentrations were much
United States. Recently, though, concerns have
lower at the other ranges due to a much lower usage of
increased over potential environmental effects from test-
these ranges.
ing and training activities at impact ranges within these
In another study, Thiboutot and Ampleman (2000)
facilities. In particular, an ongoing investigation at the
collected 87 composite soil samples at Canadian Force
Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR) has indi-
Training Range Tracadie in New Brunswick. The range
cated that the underlying groundwater aquifer below
sampled had been used for artillery, gun, and mortar
this site is contaminated with low concentrations of
firing and was heavily contaminated with unexploded
RDX (EPA 2000a). The source of this RDX is uncer-
ordnance (UXO). Nevertheless, no explosives residues
tain, but it may be related to activities on MMR's impact
were detected by RP-HPLC analysis (EPA 1994).
ranges.
Similarly, Ampleman et al. (2000) collected soil sam-
Previous research at Canadian Force Base Valcartier
ples at several ranges at Canadian Force Base Chilli-
(Jenkins et al. 1997, Thiboutot et al. 1998), and at Fort
wack in British Columbia. Areas of the Slesse Range
Ord (Jenkins et al. 1998) have indicated that explosives
were used for cratering, and another area for concrete,
residues are deposited on the surface soils at antitank
steel, and wood cutting. Low ppm concentrations of TNT
ranges because of the high usage of LAW rockets at
and RDX were found in both areas. The Vokes grenade
these sites. The main charge in the LAW rockets is octol,
range was sampled and low ppm levels of RDX and
which is 60/40 HMX/TNT. Concentrations of HMX
HMX were found. Visual characterization at a propellant
accumulated near tank targets at concentrations as high
burning area at CFAD Rocky Point, however, indicated
as 1,640,000 g/kg in surface soils at Valcartier, and as
that the site was littered with partially burned propellant
high as 587,000 g/kg in surface soils at Fort Ord. TNT,
grains. Propellant grains all contain nitrocellulose, and
however, was found at concentrations only about one-
some contain nitroglycerin and nitroguanidine, as well.
hundredth that of HMX at both sites.
Recently the U.S. Army CHPPM conducted a study
Several other investigations have been conducted in
at the artillery impact area at Camp Shelby, Mississippi
Canada on range contamination with explosives. In
(USACHPPM, in press). In this study a large number
addition to the Valcartier range, Thiboutot et al. (1998)
of surface soil samples was collected in a grid pattern
sampled four other antitank ranges, two at Western Area
over a large area at the Camp Shelby site. Analysis of
Training Center Wainwright and two at Canadian Force
soil samples indicated that there was very little detect-
Ammunition Depot (CFAD) Dundurn. The results were
able residue of explosives-related contaminants at this
similar to those reported for Valcartier: relatively high
range. However, soil samples were characterized using
levels of HMX in surface soils, but much lower con-
RP-HPLC Method 8330, which has detection limits of
about 250 g/kg.
centrations of TNT. The highest concentration of HMX
To contents
Previous Page
