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ERDC/CRREL TR-02-1
mean of the discrete samples also lowers analytical cost. More detailed infor-
mation regarding the procedures that should be used for surface and subsurface
soil sampling can be found in Appendix B.
As discussed above, explosives will slowly solubilize and then migrate
toward the groundwater, leading to the formation of a subsurface plume. There-
fore, subsurface sampling on the range should be conducted following the detec-
tion of a potential surface source region (hot spot, e.g., >10% to 0.1% EM) and
after obtaining clearance for unexploded ordnance. One exception to this proto-
col is when historical records indicate that EM was buried. In this circumstance,
surface source regions may not exist, and subsurface sampling will have to be
based on existing information. Once EM has been detected in the groundwater, it
will be necessary to determine the size and the direction of the contaminant
plume to evaluate the potential for impact on domestic water supplies. When
groundwater sampling is being performed to monitor spatial and temporal trends
within a contaminant plume, the sampling requirements need to be more stringent
than those that could be used initially to screen for the presence of EM. That is,
samples taken throughout a groundwater-monitoring program should be collected
using a protocol that is designed to obtain groundwater that is representative of
the formation. Currently, low-flow (or low stress) groundwater sampling is
recommended to meet this more stringent objective (U.S. EPA Region 1 1996,
Pennington 1996). Appendix C provides additional information related to
groundwater sampling procedures, and Appendix D addresses subsurface drilling
operations.
Other Co-contaminants
Sites contaminated with explosives often contain other pollutants. Munitions
testing and firing may cause the dispersion of other contaminants in the environ-
ment, particularly metals, which form part of the ammunition casing, the ignition
system, or the target. Ideally, the characterization of metals (e.g., lead, chromium,
cadmium, and zinc) should be conducted in parallel with explosives at ranges
where metallic shrapnel is generated and dispersed. In addition, certain munitions
also contain mercury, and activities such as open burning of obsolete ammunition
may lead to the accumulation of polyaromatic compounds. Consequently, based
on a historical review of the range records, it may be necessary to monitor for
additional analytes.
Atmospheric Impact
The atmospheric impact caused by firing munitions in training exercises or
destroying EM by open burning/open demolition (OB/OD) will not be covered in
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