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Research Project: Understanding Ecological, Hydrological, and Erosion Processes in the Semiarid Southwest to Improve Watershed Management

Location: Southwest Watershed Research Center

Title: Movement of TNT and RDX from composition B detonation residues in solution and sediment during runoff

Author
item CUBELLOI, F. - University Of Arizona
item Polyakov, Viktor
item MEDING, S.M. - University Of Arizona
item KADOYA, W. - Us Army Corp Of Engineers (USACE)
item BEAL, S/ - Us Army Corp Of Engineers (USACE)
item DONTSOVA, K. - University Of Arizona

Submitted to: Chemosphere
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/20/2023
Publication Date: 2/1/2024
Citation: Cubelloi, F., Polyakov, V.O., Meding, S., Kadoya, W., Beal, S., Dontsova, K. 2024. Movement of TNT and RDX from composition B detonation residues in solution and sediment during runoff. Chemosphere. 350. Article 141023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.141023.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.141023

Interpretive Summary: This study explores transport of munition energetics on landscape under rainfall. These energetics are the residues of low order detonations on military training grounds and present environmental hazard. The study examined the effect of rainfall intensity and residue particle size on infiltration, runoff, erosion, and transport of Composition B constituents 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: Energetics used in military exercises can potentially contaminate ground and surface waters. This study was conducted to evaluate the movement of Composition B, a formulation that includes TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene), RDX (hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine), and HMX (octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine), in runoff. Mechanisms of transport we examined include movement of energetics dissolved in runoff, as particles and adsorbed to suspended sediment, and in infiltration. Rainfall simulations were conducted under controlled conditions with two rainfall rates (approximately 30 and 50 mm h-1), two soils with different infiltration capacities, and four energetic particle sizes (4.75–9.51 mm, 2.83–4.75 mm, 2–2.83 mm, and <2 mm). Particles remaining on the soil surface after rainfall were measured as well as energetics dissolved in runoff, in suspended sediment, and in infiltration. Greater concentrations of TNT than RDX and HMX were found dissolved in runoff due to its higher solubility and dissolution rates. We also found that particle transport in runoff increased with decrease in particle size. Smaller particle sizes also led to greater transport dissolved in solution. Relationships were found relating runoff and sediment yield to the transport of RDX and TNT. The results of this study allow improved prediction of Composition B transport in runoff and therefore its contamination potential.