Novel Technology for Wide-Area Screening of ERC-Contaminated Soils

摘要

Long-term use of high explosives (HE) on DoD training ranges and other defense installations has in some cases resulted in contamination of soil and groundwater with residues of HE and explosive-related compounds (ERCs). The vast majority of the millions of acres of DoD lands are likely free of contamination, or are contaminated at levels that cause little concern. Nevertheless, virtually all lands on all defense sites have become subject to more rigorous environmental monitoring and regulation. There is an urgent need for technologies that can rapidly detect, quantify, and delineate soils that contain contaminants associated with the use of energetic compounds. These technologies will give site managers the ability to perform cost-effective screening of large areas for possible contamination and to pinpoint specific areas of high contamination.