Dissolution of NTO, DNAN, and Insensitive Munitions Formulations and Their Fates in Soils
ER-2220
Objective
New explosive compounds that are less sensitive to shock and high temperatures are being tested as replacements for TNT and RDX. Two of these explosives, DNAN (2,4-dinitroanisole) and NTO (3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one), have good detonation characteristics and are the main ingredients in a suite of explosive compositions that are being, or soon will be, fielded. Both compounds, however, are more soluble than either TNT or RDX and have been shown to have some human and environmental toxicity. Data on their fate and transport is needed to determine if DNAN and NTO have the potential to reach groundwater and be transported off base. The objective of this project is to measure the dissolution, photodegradation, and soil adsorption properties of DNAN, NTO, and insensitive munitions formulations that contain them (IMX-101, 102, 104, PAX-21, 41 and 48).
Technical Approach
Particles of DNAN, NTO, other IM formulations, and detonation residues will be characterized using light and electron microscopy. Their dissolution when exposed to simulated rainfall will be measured. Dissolution in batch tests under different temperature, pH, and ionic strength conditions will be measured. Data from these efforts will be used to model the dissolution mechanics of DNAN and NTO and how these change when the compounds are in IM formulations. The photodegradation of DNAN and NTO both in solid and aqueous forms will be measured to help determine if these compounds degrade in sunlight either before or after dissolution. Adsorption behavior of IM compounds in a range of soils will be determined. The transport behavior of DNAN and NTO in representative soils will be characterized. Data will be used to determine how DNAN and NTO interact with the soil and to correlate transport and fate behavior to soil properties. Together, these data will be used to develop and validate the predictive capability of a mathematical model (HYDRUS) for simulating the environmental fate of IM explosives.
Benefits
The U.S. military is interested in replacing TNT and RDX with insensitive munitions, namely DNAN and NTO, which have similar explosive characteristics but are less likely to detonate unintentionally. Although these replacements are good explosives, basic information about their fate and transport is needed to evaluate their environmental impact and life-cycle management. This project will measure their dissolution, photodegradation, and how aqueous solutions interact with soils, data critical to determining exposure potential and, consequently, risk. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2015)
Points of Contact
Principal Investigator
Dr. Katerina Dontsova
University of Arizona
Phone: 520-626-1300
Fax: 520-626-0793
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.