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Detection and Decontamination of Residual Energetics from Ordnance and Explosives Scrap

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Abstract

Extensive manufacturing of explosives in the last century has resulted in widespreadcontamination of soils and waters. Decommissioning and cleanup of these materialshas also led to concerns about the explosive hazards associated with residual energeticsstill present on the surfaces of ordnance and explosives scrap. Typically, open burningor detonation is used to decontaminate ordinance and explosive scrap. Here the use ofan anaerobic microbiological system applied as a bioslurry to decontaminate energeticsfrom the surfaces of metal scrap is described. Decontamination of model metal scrapartificially contaminated with 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene and of decommissioned mortar rounds still containing explosives residue was examined. A portable ion mobility spectrometer was employed for the detection of residual explosives residues on the surfaces of the scrap. The mixed microbial populations of the bioslurries effectively decontaminated both the scrap and the mortar rounds. Use of the ion mobility spectrometer was an extremely sensitive field screening method for assessing decontamination and is a method by which minimally trained personnel can declare scrap clean with a high level of certainty.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, 83844-3052, USA

    Carina M. Jung, David A. Newcombe, Don L. Crawford, Ronald L. Crawford & Ronald L. Crawford

Authors
  1. Carina M. Jung
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  2. David A. Newcombe
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  3. Don L. Crawford
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  4. Ronald L. Crawford
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Correspondence to Ronald L. Crawford.

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Jung, C.M., Newcombe, D.A., Crawford, D.L. et al. Detection and Decontamination of Residual Energetics from Ordnance and Explosives Scrap. Biodegradation 15, 41–48 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:BIOD.0000009961.03463.a6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:BIOD.0000009961.03463.a6

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