Quantifying the Fate and Transport of Energetic Compounds through Bench Scale Experiments, Field Scale Observations, and Modeling

Abstract

Energetic materials are used around the world in training operations and combat. When energetics munitions function as designed, most of their constituent compounds are expended leaving small amounts of residue on the soil surface. However, occasional low order detonations, also known as failed or incomplete detonations, can result in significant deposition of energetic material. The deposition of explosive contaminants in particulate form onto the soil surface during low-order detonations and continual regular use can lead to ground and surface water contamination. The understanding of the fate and transport of these potentially toxic compounds is needed to predict their environmental impacts. The recent introduction of insensitive munitions (IMX-104 and IMX-101), which are safer in handling than legacy munitions (Comp B and TNT), have resulted in the need to examine the environmental fate and transport of their constituent compounds. This dissertation presents a comprehensive approach to this problem by showcasing bench scale experiments, field scale observation, and modeling to quantify and predict their environmental behavior. In Chapter 2, I present an experimental study that explores the impact of overland flow and rill erosion on the transport of IMX-104 constituent compounds 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO), 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN), hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX). In Chapter 3, I present a review that summarizes the current available information about factors affecting fate and transport of both legacy munitions (TNT [2,4,6-trinitrotoluene] and Comp B [TNT, RDX, and HMX]) and newer insensitive munitions (IMX-101 [DNAN, NTO, and NQ (nitroguanidine)] and IMX-104 [DNAN, NTO, and RDX]). This chapter suggests approaches for predicting site-specific parameters for their fate and transport in soils and in overland flow. Chapter 4 combines field observations of energetic compound deposition and transport in overland flow with modeling that predicts their fate and transport. The training range we worked with was Florence Military Reservation (FMR) in Florence, Arizona. By picking this field site we were able to explore the fate and transport of energetic compounds in arid environments, which is challenging to predict due to limited information and understanding.