Table 6. Half-lives of explosives determined for a variety of soils.
Soil
Key
Temperature
Half-life
(C)
(days)
type
components
Windsor
TNB
22
0.49
(silt)
2
8.3
15
820
TNT
22
1.9
2
17
15
520
2,4-DNT
22
50
2
180
15
1100
tetryl
22
2.2
2
7.4
15
33
Charlton
TNB
22
1.7
(sandy loam)
2
2.9
15
480
TNT
22
3.5
2
20
15
5300
2,4-DNT
22
53
2
230
15
1100
tetryl
22
0.39
2
1.3
15
23
Ft. Edwards
TNB
22
0.62
(clay)
2
1.2
15
180
TNT
22
<1
2
1.4
15
170
2,4-DNT
22
1.5
2
13
15
144
tetryl
22
0.14
2
0.21
15
26
LAAP (deep
TNT
22
140
aquifer soil)
ferent components. These losses varied for each
The half-life of TNT at room temperature in Fort
compound and were subject to temperature and soil
Edwards clay was determined to be less than 1 day, in
type. In this study, we investigated the degradation
Windsor and Charlton soils it was 1.9 and 1.7 days,
rates of key components of the chemical vapor
respectively, and in deep aquifer soil from LAAP, 140
signatures from the explosive charge in land
days.
mines. We estimated the half-lives for these chemical
Our results demonstrated that the rate of degrada-
tion of the principal chemical components in the vapor
components in soil from a research minefield at Fort
signature vary significantly. TNT, DNB, and TNB have
Leonard Wood, Missouri, at several different tempera-
half-lives that are significantly shorter than those of 2,4-
tures. Half-lives at room temperature ranged from 1.4
DNT and 2,6-DNT. The results also demonstrate that
days for TNT to 26 days for 2,4-DNT. Samples stored
at lower temperatures showed longer half-lives. Deg-
these rates are subject to the effects of temperature and
radation rates were also found to vary with soil type.
soil type.
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