Defining Munition Constituent (MC) Source Terms in Aquatic Environments on DoD Ranges

The objectives of this study were to develop a basic understanding of the release rate and subsequent fate and transport of munition constituent (MC) in water and in sediment. The ability to characterize, assess, and predict potential MC source loading and distribution has significant implications for Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Navy (DoN) range sustainability initiatives. DoD will gain critical information for making scientifically defensible risk management decisions about underwater ordnance leave-in-place (LIP) mitigation and blow-in-place (BIP) vs. removal options. In addition to explosive blast (safety) considerations, future regulatory emphasis will likely require an assessment of potential underwater ordnance contamination and mitigation efforts that could include water and sediment quality issues. A basic understanding of processes and governing factors for the release rate and fate/transport of MC in marine environment was developed. Predictive modeling capabilities were also developed for these processes, which will help DoD scientifically address the MC issues mentioned above. With the data developed from this study, DoD will be better equipped to make technically defensible managerial decisions for sites with underwater ordnance.
Prepared in collaboration with University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Department of Civil Engineering and Mechanics, Milwaukee, WI.