Fate and Transport of Colloidal Energetic Residues

ER-1689

Objective

Military training activities at operational ranges result in the production and dispersal of munition constituents (MC). These compounds are persistent in the environment and can serve as a source of contamination of groundwater and surface water. While the larger residues (greater than 1 mm) produced from high- and low-order detonations are being studied with regard to their dispersal and dissolution, the production, transport, and fate of the smaller MC residues (less than 1 mm, especially the less than 10 µm colloidal-sized material) has not been extensively examined. These colloidal and near-colloidal MC residues have the potential to be transported by percolation and surface runoff during precipitation events and serve as a mobile and fast dissolving source of explosive compounds (i.e., HMX, RDX, TNT) that can facilitate migration to groundwater and surface water receptors.

The key objectives of this project are to (1) assess the formation of these small-sized MC residues during controlled detonations and during weathering of larger residue particles and (2) measure and model the transport (infiltration and surface runoff) and dissolution of these particles.

Back to Top

Technical Approach

Composition B (Comp B) will be used as the model MC for this research, given its widespread use and that it contains the widely detected explosive compounds TNT and RDX (HMX also is present as a co-product of RDX manufacture). Residues from controlled detonations of Comp B (both standard and tagged) will be collected and characterized, with special attention given to the size distribution and structure of particles less than 1 mm. The adhesion and dissolution of the colloidal residues will be examined in batch experiments. Transport and dissolution of colloidal residues also will be examined in glass micromodels, vertical soil columns, and horizontal soil flumes under various saturated and unsaturated flow conditions. The data generated from these experiments will be incorporated into existing fate and transport models.

Back to Top

Benefits

This research will provide data that will allow the mass loading of explosive residues at active training ranges to be more accurately estimated, as the impact of colloidal MC migration and dissolution will be quantified. The modeling effort will also allow for improved assessment of the on- and off-range migration of detonation residues into the vadose zone, groundwater, and surface water. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2012)

Back to Top

Points of Contact

Principal Investigator

Dr. Mark Fuller

CB&I

Phone: 609-895-5348

Fax: 609-895-1858

Program Manager

Environmental Restoration

SERDP and ESTCP

Document Types

  • Fact Sheet - Brief project summary with links to related documents and points of contact.
  • Final Report - Comprehensive report for every completed SERDP and ESTCP project that contains all technical results.
  • Cost & Performance Report - Overview of ESTCP demonstration activities, results, and conclusions, standardized to facilitate implementation decisions.
  • Technical Report - Additional interim reports, laboratory reports, demonstration reports, and technology survey reports.
  • Guidance - Instructional information on technical topics such as protocols and user’s guides.
  • Workshop Report - Summary of workshop discussion and findings.
  • Multimedia - On demand videos, animations, and webcasts highlighting featured initiatives or technologies.
  • Model/Software - Computer programs and applications available for download.
  • Database - Digitally organized collection of data available to search and access.