Characterization and Fate of Gun and Rocket Propellant Residues on Testing and Training Ranges: Interim Report 2
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INTERIM REPORT Characterization and Fate of Gun and Rocket Propellant Residues on Testing and Training Ranges: Interim Report 2 ESTCP Project ER-1481 DECEMBER 2010 Michael R. Walsh Marianne E. Walsh Alan D. Hewitt Charles M. Collins Susan R. Bigl Kelsey Gagnon ERDC Guy Ampleman Sonia Thiboutot Isabelle Poulin Sylvie Brochu André Marois Annie Gagnon Denis Gilbert Defence R&D Canada Aurélie Bellavance-Godin Richard Martel Geneviève Bordeleau Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique Centre Peter Woods British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) Jeffrey N. Bryant Bering Sea Environmental LLC 13 - 10 - TR Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program ER-1481 (Phase 2) /CRREL Characterization and Fate of Gun and Rocket Propellant Residues on Testing and Training ERDC Ranges: Interim Report 2 Michael R. Walsh, Guy Ampleman, Sonia Thiboutot, Marianne E. December 2010 Walsh, Isabelle Poulin, Aurélie Bellavance-Godin, Richard Martel, Geneviève Bordeleau, Sylvie Brochu, Alan D. Hewitt, André Marois, Annie Gagnon, Charles M. Collins, Denis Gilbert, Peter Woods, Jeffrey N. Bryant, Susan R. Bigl, and Kelsey Gagnon and ter Engineer Research Engineer Cen Development Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. COVER: Night firing of 105-mm Leopard C2 Main Battle Tank at CFB Valcartier, February 2009. (Photo by Canadian Defence Forces) Strategic Environmental Research and ERDC/CRREL TR-10-13 Development Program – ER 1481 December 2010 Characterization and Fate of Gun and Rocket Propellant Residues on Testing and Training Ranges: Interim Report 2 Michael R. Walsh, Marianne E. Walsh, Alan D. Hewitt, Charles M. Collins, Susan R. Bigl, and Kelsey Gagnon Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center 72 Lyme Road Hanover, NH 03755-1290 Guy Ampleman, Sonia Thiboutot, Isabelle Poulin, Sylvie Brochu, André Marois, Annie Gagnon, and Denis Gilbert Defence R&D Canada-Valcartier 2459 Pie-XI Blvd North Québec, Quebec G3J 1X5 CANADA Aurélie Bellavance-Godin, Richard Martel, and Geneviève Bordeleau Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique Centre Eau, Terre, et Environnement 290, de la Couronne Québec, Québec G1K 9A9 CANADA Peter Woods British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) Canadian Force Base, Suffield Alberta, CANADA Jeffrey N. Bryant Bering Sea Environmental LLC 4300 B Street, Suite 402 Anchorage, AK 99503 Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. Prepared for Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program Arlington, Virginia 22203 ERDC/CRREL TR-10-13 ii Abstract: The Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory and Defence Research and Development Canada–Valcartier have partnered to improve the understanding of the distribution and fate of propellant resi- dues on military training ranges. Field studies were conducted to estimate the propellant residue mass deposited per round fired from various muni- tions as well as residues from the field disposal of excess training propel- lants. Experiments were conducted to measure the rate of release of ni- troglycerin and dinitrotoluenes after deposition. United States and Canadian installations were examined to determine the mass and distribu- tion of residue accumulation. Profile sampling was conducted to document the depth to which these residues had penetrated the ground. Column stu- dies were conducted with nitroglycerin, nitroguanidine, potassium per- chlorate, and diphenylamine from intact and expended propellants to document transport rates for solution-phase propellant constituents and to develop process descriptors for use in models to enable prediction of fate and transport for these constituents. Gaps were filled in other areas of energetics residues deposition, rounding out a holistic overview of training impacts on military ranges. Testing of propellant burn structures was be- gun, and we continue to promote multi-increment sampling for energetics. Major accomplishments are presented for Environmental Restoration Project 1481, Phase II. DISCLAIMER: The contents of this report are not to be used for advertising, publication, or promotional purposes. Citation of trade names does not constitute an official endorsement or approval of the use of such commercial products. All product names and trademarks cited are the property of their respective owners. The findings of this report are not to be construed as an official Department of the Army position unless so designated by other authorized documents. DESTROY THIS REPORT WHEN NO LONGER NEEDED. DO NOT RETURN IT TO THE ORIGINATOR. ERDC/CRREL TR-10-13 iii Contents Figures and Tables ............................................................................................................................................... ix Preface ................................................................................................................................................................... xv Nomenclature ................................................................................................................................................... xviii Contents ........................................................................................................................................................ iii Figures and Tables ....................................................................................................................................... ix Preface ..........................................................................................................................................................xvi Unit Conversion Factors .......................................................................................................................... xvii Nomenclature .............................................................................................................................................. xx 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Background ................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 The need for a holistic examination of potential contaminant sources .................. 1 1.3 Scope of project ......................................................................................................... 3 1.4 Research objectives ................................................................................................... 3 1.5 An overview of progress to date ................................................................................ 3 1.6 References ................................................................................................................. 6 2 Propellant Residues Deposition from Firing of AT4 Rockets ....................................................... 8 2.1 Abstract ...................................................................................................................... 8 2.2 Preface ....................................................................................................................... 8 2.3 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 9 2.4 Objectives ................................................................................................................. 11 2.5 Approach .................................................................................................................. 12 2.6 Field site and conditions .......................................................................................... 12 2.7 Munitions tested ...................................................................................................... 14 2.8 Rocket firing test ...................................................................................................... 15 2.9 Sampling method ..................................................................................................... 18 2.10 Propellant segment samples ................................................................................... 20 2.11 Sample processing and analysis ............................................................................. 21 2.11.1 Snow samples ................................................................................................................................. 21 2.11.2 Soil samples .................................................................................................................................... 24 2.11.3 Propellant samples.......................................................................................................................... 24 2.12 Quality control procedures ...................................................................................... 26 2.13 Results ...................................................................................................................... 27 2.14 Deposition rate ......................................................................................................... 27 2.15 May site characterization......................................................................................... 30 2.16 Analysis of propellant segments ............................................................................. 30 ERDC/CRREL TR-10-13 iv 2.17 Discussion ................................................................................................................ 32 2.18