Environmental Impact of Energetics on Test Ranges

Abstract

In recent years, pollution of environmental components onsite training and test ranges has drawn attention of governments and defence ministries. In a great number of NATO and EU countries, measures have been taken including an assessment of test ranges status and their pollution content. A number of researches have been conducted in this area and their results have been published. Most of them comprise disturbing data on the measured contamination levels of explosives and heavy metals in soil and groundwater. This qualifies the problem on management of sites contamination with munitions constituents as a serious one and of international concern.

Environmental Impact of Energetics on Test Ranges

“…Al arge percentage of the fired munitions functionsa sd esigned and generates high-order deto-nations.Afraction of rounds generate low-order detonations, defined as ad etonation thatd oes not reach the maximum detonation velocity,p ressurea nd temperature. While high-order detonationsd eposit mgo ff ine explosived ust, low-order detonationsd eposit gram quantities of explosives from fine dust to large chunks [2,5].T able 2p resents deposition results measured from low-order detonations or mortar and artillery shells.…”

“…Army ranges have live-fire training areas. Often these areas are complex and include manyt ypes of ranges for several weapon systems.E ach weapon system contains various environmentally hazardous compoundst hat can be released to the environment.I ti s, therefore, essential to have an idea of the identity and distribution of munitions residues in ordert od evelop ap roper monitoring strategy [ 3].T he cost of takings amples and doingc hemical analyses can be reduced if we are awarew hat and where to look for.T he range staff can provide important information about what kind of munitions have been used as well as their location and quantity.A ny maps or aerial photos can also be very helpful for providing important informationo nt he probable areas of contamination [1,2,5]. Any malfunction of ammunitiona nd production of related UXOs represent short-and long-terms risks.…”

“…The detonation process involves high pressure and temperature and under this condition the deposition pattern can be very complex to assess. Various trials have been conducted and led to the development of as et-up involving detonation on pristine snow which enables an easier delineation of the deposition plume [2,5].T able 1d epicts representative high-order results obtained with mortars, hand grenade, and artillery rounds.…”

“…In contrast to other environmental componentst he soils have al ess pronouncedd ynamicity. The soil pollution will lead to ad isruption of its natural functions and properties as ab uffer systemb etweent he other componentso ft he ecosystem and the environment as aw hole [2].…”

“…In contrast to other environmental componentst he soils have al ess pronouncedd ynamicity. The soil pollution will lead to ad isruption of its natural functions and properties as ab uffer systemb etweent he other componentso ft he ecosystem and the environment as aw hole [2].In recenty ears, the problem with pollutiono fe nvironmental components onsite training and test ranges calls for the attentiono fg overnments and defence ministries. A number of researches have been conductedi nt his area and their results have beenp ublished.…”