Use of Organic Substrates as a Best Management Practice for Active Ranges
Abstract
Ongoing use of firing ranges and open burn/open detonation area can result in accumulation of high explosive (HE) and propellant residues that can be transported to groundwater in high permeability soils. However, leaching is much more limited in high organic carbon soils due to a combination of enhanced sorption and degradation. Organic materials can enhance explosive degradation by stimulating anaerobic biodegradation of the target contaminants and reducing naturally occurring Fe(III) to Fe(II), providing a reservoir of reducing power to maintain anoxic conditions in the soil and enhance abiotic degradation. Humic materials slowly biodegrade, consuming oxygen, enhancing hydrophobic sorption and covalent binding, and may potentially serve as electron shuttles, enhancing abiotic degradation by Fe(II). ESTCP Project "Generation of Biodegradation-Sorption Barriers for Munitions Constituents" (ER-201123) is developing a process to reduce leaching of explosives and propellants by spray application of an amendment solution containing a soluble, easily biodegradable organic substrate and a soluble humic material on the soil surface, followed by irrigation to carry the amendments deeper into the soil profile. Irrigation and transport of the amendments into the soil profile will reduce fire hazards, generate more strongly reducing conditions, and increase treatment longevity.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 30, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA554412
Entities
People
- Bilgen Yuncu
- Ed Alperin
- Robert C. Borden
- Stewart Farling
- Tony Lieberman
Organizations
- North Carolina State University