title: Dissolution kinetics of high explosives particles in a saturated sandy soil.
abstract: Solid phase high explosive (HE) residues from munitions detonation may be a persistent source of soil and groundwater contamination at military training ranges. Saturated soil column tests were conducted to observe the dissolution behavior of individual components (RDX, HMX, and TNT) from two HE formulations (Comp B and C4). HE particles dissolved readily, with higher velocities yielding higher dissolution rates, higher mass transfer coefficients, and lower effluent concentrations. Effluent concentrations were below solubility limits for all components at superficial velocities of 10-50 cm day(-1). Under continuous flow at 50 cm day(-1), RDX dissolution rates from Comp B and C4 were 34.6 and 97.6 microg h(-1) cm(-2) (based on initial RDX surface area), respectively, significantly lower than previously reported dissolution rates. Cycling between flow and no-flow conditions had a small effect on the dissolution rates and effluent concentrations; however, TNT dissolution from Comp B was enhanced under intermittent-flow conditions. A model that includes advection, dispersion, and film transfer resistance was developed to estimate the steady-state effluent concentrations.
authors.affiliation: University of Nebraska Lincoln, Department of Civil Engineering, W348 Nebraska Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0531, USA. mmorley2@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Matthew C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Morley
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: Gerald E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Speitel
authors.forename: Jay
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Clausen
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D053834:Explosive Agents / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D006573:Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D007700:Kinetics; D010316:Particle Size; D012378:Rodenticides / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D012995:Solubility; D014227:Triazines / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D014303:Trinitrotoluene / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D014872:Water Movements
chemical_list: D053834:Explosive Agents; D006573:Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring; D012378:Rodenticides; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014227:Triazines; D014303:Trinitrotoluene; C009160:cyclonite