Range use
and extensive site evaluation and remediation than may
In order to identify contaminants of concern, we
be necessary for responsible decision-making. The
needed to know what munitions have been fired into
result is often higher-than-necessary expenditures of
the areas we planned to sample. We were given range
time and money, and insufficient data to address
records for Fort Greely from 1987 to 1999. Records of
concerns of regulators and other interested parties.
the exact types of ammunition used on the Washington
Range activities are susceptible to suspension in the
Range and Impact Area are available from 1998. These
absence of adequate scientific data to define potential
records contain the Department of Defense Identi-
affects on groundwater. For example, the possibility that
fication Code (DODIC) that facilitates retrieval of
groundwater was contaminated by training activities has
information about the various components of the
resulted in suspension of training at the Massachusetts
ammunition (i.e., explosive fillers, primers, propellants,
Military Reservation (USEPA 2000a).
etc.). Range records from 1987 to 1997 do not list
The Center for Health Promotion and Preventive
DODIC numbers, only "type of round," which does not
Medicine (USACHPPM, formerly the U.S. Army
identify the exact ammunition. From the most recent
Environmental Hygiene Agency) has sampled surface
records, and the Munitions Item Disposition Action
water on several ranges, including Fort Greely. Little
System (MIDAS) database (http://www.dac.army.mil/
or no residue of explosives has been detected in these
TD/Midas/Index.htm), we generated tables
surveys. Because of the dangers associated with
summarizing some of the ammunition components
unexploded ordnance on firing ranges, extensive soil
(Tables A1 and A2). The tables are incomplete because
sampling on ranges is a relatively recent activity (Table
several of the munitions used on the Washington Impact
1). With the exception of HMX on anti-tank ranges
Area are either of foreign origin or the nature of the
(Jenkins et al. 1997, 1998; Thiboutot et al. 1998) and
components is restricted information. Munitions not in
RDX on hand grenade ranges, explosives have either
the MIDAS database are flagged in Table A2.
been undetectable or at very low concentrations in soils
collected from impact areas. Nonetheless, the detection
Munitions
of RDX in groundwater at the Massachusetts Military
TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene) and RDX (hexahydro-
Reservation has led to questions as to the source of the
1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine) are the two most commonly
RDX. Is it from leaking unexploded ordnance, low-
used military explosives in projectiles, bombs, land
order detonations, or residue from thousands of properly
mines, or other weapons (U.S. Army Materiel
functioning projectiles? Further sampling on ranges
Command 1971, U.S. Army 1984). RDX is the
should help to answer this question.
explosive ingredient in Composition 4 (C4) that is used
Our objectives for the initial reconnaissance
to detonate unexploded ordnance during range
sampling program at Fort Greely were to
maintenance activities. HMX (octahydro-1,3,5,7-
tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine) is the explosive filler in
1. determine whether we could detect munitions
many anti-tank weapons and it is an impurity in military-
residue in the soil of the Washington Impact Area;
grade RDX. Nitroglycerin and 2,4-DNT (2,4-
2. determine what type of firing event or munition
dinitrotoluene) are ingredients in propellants. Barium
was associated with munitions residues detected;
(Ba), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), zinc
3. test sampling methods appropriate for the soils
(Zn), and antimony (Sb) are metals used in various
and site conditions present;
primers. Unlike the organic explosives listed above,
4. acquire knowledge to assist us in developing
metals have natural background concentrations.
sampling protocols to be applied in future to this
and other impact areas on Fort Greely and
Objective of sampling
elsewhere.
Testing and training ranges are key elements in
maintaining the capability and readiness of the U.S.
METHODS
Armed Forces. The potential for environmental impacts,
including contamination of drinking water supplies,
necessitates responsible management of these facilities
We focused our sampling on surface soils and
in order to continue testing and training activities.
collected both composite (multi-increment) and discrete
Guidance for evaluation of the nature and extent of
samples. Methods for forming the composite samples
contamination and the fate of residues of energetic
were tailored to each firing event as described below.
materials is inadequate to ensure sound management
Sample locations were recorded using a Trimble GPS
of ranges as sustainable resources. In the absence of
Pathfinder Pro XR system. The system uses real-time
differential GPS to determine submeter (20 cm)
guidance, facilities may be subject to more stringent
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