chemical properties of P4 were reviewed. Labora-
Walsh, M.E. (1993) White phosphorus: An envi-
ronmental contaminant. Master of Science, Dart-
tory studies, involving the air-drying of contami-
mouth College.
nated sediments, showed that loss of moisture
White phosphorus (P4) is the toxic agent in a
was accompanied by loss of P4 once the moisture
catastrophic waterfowl dieoff at Eagle River Flats,
content was reduced to less than 20%. After 2
a salt marsh on Cook Inlet, Alaska. The marsh was
weeks of air-drying, P4 loss was 99%.
used by the U.S. Army as an impact area for artil-
The loss of P4 was modeled. Factors that deter-
lery training. Training with smoke-producing mu-
mine the persistence of particles are hypothe-
sized to be sediment porosity, moisture, and tem-
the sediments of shallow ponds where waterfowl
perature, which interact to determine the rate at
feed. Eagle River Flats is the first Army training
which the P4 particles sublime to form P4 vapor.
area identified with P4 contamination.
Previous models and studies of P4 persistence in
To characterize the contamination and to evalu-
soil have focused on the availability of oxygen.
ate remediation strategies, analytical methodolo-
Oxidation of P4 is a vapor phase reaction. While
gy was developed to measure P4 concentration in
oxygen is important in the detoxification of P4,
saturated sediments. The P4 was found to be in the
the principal mechanism determining the persis-
form of particles that are similar in size to seeds,
tence of P4 particles is hypothesized to be the rate
at which P4 sublimes. Oxygen may slow sublima-
invertebrates, and grit ingested by waterfowl.
tion by the formation of oxidation products
ments of Eagle River Flats. To determine ways to
around the P4 particles that impose a diffusion
decontaminate the sediments, the physical and
barrier to P4 vapor.
VIDEO TAPES
L'Heureux, D.A., M.R. Walsh, and D.R. Boden
dredging remediation pilot project. USA Cold
(1998) Cooperative military operations in sup-
Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory,
port of remediation efforts: Eagle River Flats,
CRREL Video Tape #T96003.
Alaska. USA Cold Regions Research and Engi-
Gossweiler, W .A., and D.A. L'Heureux (1995)
neering Laboratory, CRREL Video Tape #T98013.
Eagle River Flats: An Army environmental rescue
Collins, C.M., L. Angell, and D.A L'Heureux
operation. USA Cold Regions Research and Engi-
(1996) Cooperative blasting operation: Eagle
neering Laboratory, CRREL Video Tape #T95003.
River Flats Racine Island Pond drainage. USA
Walsh, M.R., and D.A. L'Heureux (1995) Eagle
Cold Regions Research and Engineering Labora-
River Flats dredge control cab blast tests. USA
tory, CRREL Video Tape #T96021.
Cold Regions Research and Engineering Labora-
Walsh, M.R., and D.A L'Heureux (1996) ERF
tory, CRREL Video Tape #T95002.
WEB SITES
Mason, J., S.I. Nam, and M.R. Walsh (1998) Eagle
CRREL Met Station located at Eagle River Flats, as
River Flats Web Site (http://www. crrel. usace.mil)
well as data from test site instrumentation located
This site contains information on and links to
in ponds undergoing treatment. Meteorological
material related to the Eagle River Flats, Alaska,
data are displayed in tabular format for the previ-
remedial project. Included are images of the vari-
ous day, and in graphical format for the previous
ous projects conducted at the Flats, maps, aerial
day, as well as for the season to date. Data include
photographs, and the ERF bibliography. The site
precipitation, radiance, air temperature, evapora-
is currently under development and will be acces-
tion, and wind speed. Test site data are displayed
sible through the CRREL home page in the near fu-
in graphical format for each of the sites. Data
ture.
include average and maximum soil temperatures,
average and maximum soil moisture, soil tension,
and average water depth. This web site is evolving
McLane, M., and M.R. Walsh (1998) Eagle River
as work progresses and needs arise. It is found on
Flats meteorological and test site data.
the Eagle River Flats web site.
This site displays near-real-time data from the
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