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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Tucson, Arizona » SWRC » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #419375
Research Project: Understanding Ecological, Hydrological, and Erosion Processes in the Semiarid Southwest to Improve Watershed Management

Location: Southwest Watershed Research Center

Title: Detachment and transport of composition B detonation particles in rills

Author
item CUBELLO, F - University Of Arizona
item KARLS, B. - University Of Arizona
item KADOYA, W. - Us Army Corp Of Engineers (USACE)
item BEAL, S, - Us Army Corp Of Engineers (USACE)
item Polyakov, Viktor
item DONTSOVA, KATERINA - University Of Arizona

Submitted to: Frontiers in Environmental Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/18/2024
Publication Date: 10/3/2024
Citation: Cubello, F., Karls, B., Kadoya, W., Beal, S., Polyakov, V.O., Dontsova, K. 2024. Detachment and transport of composition B detonation particles in rills. Frontiers in Environmental Science. 12. Article 1433379. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1433379.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1433379

Interpretive Summary: This study explores transport of munition energetics in concentrated flow. These energetics are the residues of low order detonations on military training grounds and present environmental hazard. The study examined the effect of flow rate and residue particle size on transport of Composition B constituents (TNT and RDX) in runoff and infiltration. Movement of energetics in solution and suspended sediment, as well as change in contribution from both mechanisms over time were examined. The results will be useful for risk assessment and environmental modeling.

Technical Abstract: The partial detonation of munitions used in military exercises leaves behind energetic particles on the surface of soil. Energetic particles deposited by incomplete detonations can then dissolve and be transported by overland flow and potentially contaminate ground and surface waters. The objective of this study was to evaluate the mechanisms of transport of Composition B, a formulation that includes TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene) and RDX (hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine) during overland flow. The transport of Composition B was examined using a rill flume with three flow rates (165-, 265-, and 300-mL min¬-1) and four energetic particle sizes (4.75–9.51 mm, 2.83–4.75 mm, 2–2.83 mm, and <2 mm). After each erosion simulation, energetic particles remaining on the soil surface were measured along with energetics dissolved in runoff, in suspended sediment, and in infiltration. Smaller particle sizes led to greater transport in both solution and sediment. The properties of the energetic compounds also influenced transport. More TNT was transported in runoff than RDX, likely due to TNT’s higher solubility and dissolution rates, however, overall, dissolved energetics in runoff and infiltration accounted for very little of the total transport. Most transport of Composition B was the result of the physical movement of energetic particles and flakes by erosion forces. This study’s results allow for improved prediction of Composition B transport during overland flow.