Determination of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene surface contamination on M107 artillery projectiles and sampling method evaluation

Abstract

Given current conditions, the Army has an interest in developing advanced explosive detection technologies and in characterizing explosive signatures emanating from munitions ranging from landmines to artillery projectiles. While significant efforts have been devoted to determining the explosive signatures of landmines, relatively little has focused on signatures generated by artillery projectiles. Realizing this, the work presented here details efforts to measure the levels of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) existing on the exterior surface of M107 artillery projectiles. These efforts were based on the hypothesis that there may be detectable levels of TNT on projectile surfaces as a result of manufacturing processes and storage conditions. It is believed that such surface contamination might provide one source of TNT that could be detected by sensitive vapor sensing devices. It is the goal of this research to determine whether or not projectiles that are manufactured and stored in a similar fashion will exhibit a predictable range of TNT concentrations. This data could then be used to predict the level of environmental contamination that would occur if the projectile were present. The preliminary work reported here addresses the problem of sample collection. Specifically, quantifying the collection efficiency of a particular sampling technique is investigated, as this information is crucial in determining the total quantity of TNT found of the surfaces of the projectiles. Considerations such as total amount of TNT removed compared to total amount of TNT present (on control samples) as well as the method's ease of use in the field are addressed. Data collected from M107 projectiles being stored at an Army test facility is then analyzed and discussed.