Airborne Magnetometry Surveys for Detection of Unexploded Ordnance
Abstract
Unexploded ordnance (UXO) contamination is a high-priority problem for the Department of Defense (DoD). As used here, UXO refers to explosive, propellant, or chemical-containing munitions that are armed, fired, and remain unexploded because of malfunction. Approximately 1,400 DoD sites, comprising about 10 million acres, are known to or are suspected of containing UXO. A typical site is thousands of acres; many exceed 10,000 acres, a few are several hundred thousand acres. Most of these sites are Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) for which the DoD retains liability for ordnance. Remediation of such large areas would cost tens of billions of dollars. However, according to some estimates, no more than 20 percent of those 10 million suspected acres are actually contaminated with UXO. Thus, identifying a technology or combination of technologies to accurately delineate the contaminated areas on each site would significantly reduce the actual area that would require a site investigation and response. This would allow limited cleanup resources to be used more effectively.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA515639
Entities
People
- Herbert H. Nelson
- Jim R. McDonald
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory