RDX and TNT residues from live-fire and blow-in-place detonations.
Snow was used as a collection medium to examine 1,3,5-hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitrotriazine (RDX) and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) residues post-detonation of 60-, 81-, and 120-mm mortar rounds, 105- and 155-mm howitzer rounds, M67 hand grenades, 40-mm rifle grenades, and blocks of C4. Residue-covered snow samples were collected, processed, and analyzed for explosives without cross-contamination from previous detonations and other potential matrix interferences. Detonation trials were performed following standard military live-fire and blow-in-place techniques. When possible, replicate munitions were detonated under similar conditions to provide a more reliable estimation of the mass of unconsumed high explosive residues. Overall the amount of energetic residues deposited from live-fire detonations were considerably less than the energetic residues deposited by blow-in-place detonations.
Hewitt
Alan D
AD
US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, Hanover, NH 03755-1290, USA. ahewitt@crrel.usace.army.mil
Jenkins
Thomas F
TF
Walsh
Marianne E
ME
Walsh
Michael R
MR
Taylor
Susan
S
D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D005107:Explosions; D012914:Snow / Q000737:chemistry; D014227:Triazines / Q000032:analysis*; D014303:Trinitrotoluene / Q000032:analysis*
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D014227:Triazines; D014303:Trinitrotoluene; C009160:cyclonite