Elution of Energetic Compounds from Propellant and Composition B Residues

摘要

Surface soils from two firing points, an artillery impact range, and soils fortified with propellants were evaluated in column elution experiments assessing the release of energetic compounds from melt-cast crystalline explosives and nitrocellulose-based polymeric propellant formulations. Soils obtained from active military ranges were collected at locations identified as potential source zones for energetic residues. The laboratory columns contained 30 g of a silty-sand loam beneath 5.0 g of soil laden with energetic compounds. For 10 or 12 consecutive days, 10 mL of water was eluted through each of the columns. HMX, RDX, and TNT were quickly leached from a soil laden with Composition B residues that had been obtained where an artillery projectile had partially detonated. In contrast, neither 2,4-DNT nor NG were readily released from surface soils laden with propellant residues deposited from the firing of 105-mm howitzers and Light Anti-Armor Weapons (LAW), respectively. A soil prepared by grinding pieces of 105-mm howitzer and LAW rocket propellants with a sand matrix released much greater concentrations of 2,4-DNT and NG than residue-laden soils from firing points. Both the composition of energetic formulations (crystalline vs. polymeric) and physical state of propellant residues deposited at firing points play important roles in the fate and transport of energetic compounds.