Migration of explosives in soil: analysis of rdx, tnt, and tetryl from a 14c lysimeter study

Abstract

Abstract This report describes the chemical analysis results of 121 water and 24 soil samples from a 14C lysimeter study of TNT, RDX, and tetryl performed at Battelle Columbus Laboratories. Lysimeters were constructed at Battelle by pressing steel pipes into various soils. The lysimeters were withdrawn to preserve the soil columns intact. 14C ring-labeled munition compounds were than mixed into the surface layer (first 3 inches) of the soils and the lysimeters were irrigated on a regular basis over a six month period. Periodic water samples (leachate) were taken for analysis at selected intervals. The study described here was undertaken (a) to assess the environmental fate of these compounds in various soil samples - since soils within the production areas of U.S. munition plants have become contaminated with raw materials, munition compounds, as well as waste materials, and (b) to determine the persistence and movement of these compounds and their possible decomposition and/or biotransformation products ...