Table 2 (cont'd). Masses of the various explosives identified in
residues from the 81-mm mortar rounds detonated with C4 at
Camp Ethan Allen, Vermont.
b. Detonation number 2.
Sample
M2-S4
M2-S3
M2-S2
M2-S1
Distance from crater (m)
4.25.0
6.97.7
10.611.4
14.915.6
Area sampled (m2)
1.16
1.16
1.86
1.86
Analytes detected:
RDX
Mass-aqueous (g)
401
3540
1260
722
Mass-soot (g
27.5
1600
354
187
Mass-total (g)
428
5140
1610
909
Concentration (g/m2)
369
4430
865
489
HMX
Mass-aqueous (g)
9.2
79
30
21
Mass-soot (g)
81
615
283
144
Mass-total (g)
90
693
313
165
Concentration (g/m2)
77
597
168
89
NG
Mass-aqueous (g)
35.6
1730
855
312
Mass-soot (g)
7.8
117
146
22.9
Mass-total (g)
43
1850
1000
335
Concentration (g/m2)
37
1590
539
180
TNT
Mass-aqueous (g)
<d*
37.5
1.8
1.1
Mass-soot (g)
0.3
9.1
0.8
0.5
Mass-total (g)
0.3
47
2.6
1.6
Concentration (g/m2)
0.3
40
1.4
0.9
2,4-DNT
Mass-total (g)
21.3
9.3
6.9
11.8
Concentration (g/m2)
18.3
8.0
3.7
6.3
2,6-DNT
Mass-total (g)
10.1
<d
21.2
26.4
Concentration (g/m2)
8.7
<d
11.3
14.1
2A-DNT
Mass-total (g)
7.7
<d
<d
<d
Concentration (g/m2)
6.6
<d
<d
<d
4A-DNT
Mass-total (mg)
5.9
<d
<d
<d
Concentration (g/m2)
5.1
<d
<d
<d
* Below detection.
1.0 to 12.4 g/m2 for RDX, from 0.1 to 1.8 g/m2 for
These results are similar to those observed on an anti-
HMX, from 119 to 1530 g/m2 for NG, and from below
tank firing range, where TNT residue concentrations
detection to 0.05 g/m2 for TNT.
were two orders of magnitude lower than HMX, even
The main charge of the mortar round, together with
though the explosive used (Octol) was 70:30 HMX:TNT
(Jenkins et al. 1997). At the time, the differences in
the C4 used to detonate it, initially contained a total of
residue concentrations were attributed to differences in
about 1.1 kg of RDX. RDX was also present in the
booster and fuse in this mortar round (Fig. 1). There-
rates of dissolution and biotransformation. Apparently,
fore, it is not surprising that RDX was detected in all of
a higher percentage of the TNT is consumed in detona-
these snow samples. HMX is always present in mili-
tions of Composition B, leaving higher concentrations
tary-grade RDX, generally at about 10% of the RDX.
of RDX and HMX in the post-blast residue.
It was present in the residues at concentrations that
Before the mortar rounds were detonated, the propel-
ranged from 9 to 19% of the RDX concentration.
lant bags were removed. Therefore, the high concentra-
Although there is about 0.38 kg of TNT in 81-mm mor-
tions of NG found in the snow samples were surprising.
tar rounds, the residues of TNT in these surface sam-
NG has been detected at high concentrations in the paint
ples were always less than 3% of the RDX present.
that coats 81-mm mortar rounds (Phelan et al., in prep.)
8
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