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Katerina Dontsova |
2022 |
Evaluating potential for ground and surface water contamination from new and traditional munitions |
Insensitive munitions
Groundwater contamination
Soil
Microbial communities
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Contamination from military training presents significant concern across different environments. We are proposing a research project that examines potential for contamination from the new energetic compounds, that are part of insensitive munitions. While transport of traditional explosives like 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and 1,3,5-hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) have been extensively studied, fate of new munitions formulations that are being introduced now, like IMX - 104, containing 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO), and 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN) in addition to RDX are less known. However, higher solubility of NTO and DNAN, and negative charge of NTO in at environmentally-relevant pHs range indicate greater potential for their transport in soils into groundwater and surface waters, than traditional TNT and RDX.
Here we are proposing studies across two locations with contrasting climatic conditions, an arid one in Arizona, USA, in close vicinity of the Human-Environment Observatory (OHM) Pima County and one in Moselle region of France, location of OHM Bitche County observatory, with wetter conditions and the occurrence of organic soils.
We are proposing a combination of laboratory experiments using soils collected on or close to the training ranges at the two locations – Bitche in France and Fort Huachuca in USA –and predictive modeling that would evaluate potential for contamination on both sites from insensitive munitions deposition during training. We will evaluate several alternative climatic scenarios that represent a range of predicted changes in climate for each location. Military installations are important source of income for the local communities, but their sustainability critically depends on ability to maintain environmental quality under changing use. |
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