Measuring Energetics Residues on Snow

Abstract : Quantifying energetics residues resulting from firing and detonating military munitions are necessary components in developing range sustainability models and plans. Determination of the residue plume area, discrimination from previous activities, separation of the residues from the collection matrix, and processing of the samples are all difficult tasks when dealing with residues on soils. To circumvent these problems, the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory has been sampling for energetics residues on snow. At firing points, a clean snow surface allows the collection of residues from a known quantity and type of munition and testing can be performed in conjunction with a scheduled training exercise. Detonation residues from live-fire training can be sampled on a snow-covered surface in an active impact area when the area fired into has not been utilized since the last snowfall. Tests with blown-in-place munitions may be conducted on clean snow-covered surfaces on active impact areas as well. This report outlines the methods developed by CRREL over the last seven years for sampling residues on snow and deriving estimates for energetics residues on a per-round basis. Sampling, quality control, and sample processing methods are covered.