Improving post-detonation energetics residues estimations for the Life Cycle Environmental Assessment process for munitions. (March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Walsh, Michael; Gullett, Brian; Walsh, Marianne; Bigl, Matthew; Aurell, Johanna
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 194(2018)
• Page Start: 622
• Page End: 627
• Publication Date: 2018-03
• Subjects: Life Cycle Environmental Assessment -- Munitions -- Energetics -- Detonation residues -- Combustion products -- Emission factors; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.11.072
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: The Life Cycle Environmental Assessment (LCEA) process for military munitions tracks possible environmental impacts incurred during all phases of the life of a munition. The greatest energetics-based emphasis in the current LCEA process is on manufacturing. A review of recent LCEAs indicates that energetics deposition on ranges from detonations and disposal during training is only peripherally examined through assessment of combustion products derived from closed-chamber testing or models. These assessments rarely report any measurable energetic residues. Field-testing of munitions for energetics residues deposition has demonstrated that over 30% of some energetic compounds remain after detonation, which conflicts with the LCEA findings. A study was conducted in the open environment to determine levels of energetics residue deposition and if combustion product results can be correlated with empirical deposition results. Energetics residues deposition, post-detonation combustion products, and fine aerosolized energetics particles following open-air detonation of blocks of Composition C4 (510 g RDX/block) were quantified. The deposited residues amounted to 3.6 mg of energetic per block of C4, or less than 0.001% of the original energetics. Aerial emissions of energetics were about 7% of the amount of deposited energetics. This research indicates that aerial combustion products analysis can provide a valuable supplement to energetics deposition data in the LCEA process but is insufficient alone to account for total residual energetics. This study demonstrates a need for the environmental testing of munitions to quantify energetics residues from live-fire training. Graphical abstract: Air sampling instruments (Flyers) suspended above detonation residues on snow. Highlights: Life Cycle Environmental Assessments report no significant post-detonation residue. Field testing of munitions indicates gram quantities or more of detonation residues. Detonation tests were conducted to compare aerial residues with residues deposition. Aerial residues data account for <10% of total post-detonation energetics residues. Live-fire detonation residues deposition data is needed for accurate assessments.