range and training area contaminant management program€¦ · address priority corporate policy...

Range and Training Area Contaminant Management Program RPIC – Federal Contaminated Sites National Workshop April 2014

Stéphanie Munyal Environmental Advisor Canadian Army Environmental Programme

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Purpose

!  Inform you of

! Our Department

! Our Activities

! Our Challenges

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The Issue:

Army training activities have historically released contaminants into the environment and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future

Range & Training Area Contamination

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!  6 major Bases characterized

!   Identify key contaminants of concern and associated training activities

!  Describe contaminant behavior in the environment

!  Rank training activities based on potential impact to water resources

RTA Characterization (2000 – 2013)

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All types of ammo destroyed Energetic Materials TNT, RDX (low detonation)

RTA Characterization Findings

Demolition Range Contamination

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Energetic Materials HMX, TNT, RDX Propellants Nitroglycerin, 2,4 DNT, Perchlorate Metals Lead, Chromium, Copper, Nickel, Zinc

RTA Characterization Findings

Anti-tank & Artillery Range Contamination

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Contamination Patterns – Anti-Tank & Artillery

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Energetic RDX

Metals Antimony, Arsenic, Zinc

photo: canadiansoldiers.com

RTA Characterization Findings

Grenade Range Contamination

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Metals Lead, Antimony, Copper, Zinc

Propellants Nitroglycerin, 2,4-DNT

RTA Characterization Findings

Small Arms Range Contamination

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Contamination Patterns – Small Arms

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High explosives (TNT, RDX, HMX):

!   Crystalline solids subject to dissolution & leaching

!   Fastest to leach : 1) RDX, 2) TNT, 3) HMX.

!   Emerging constituents: DNAN, NTO

Propellants:

!   NG & 2,4-DNT : fibrous materials embedded in Nitrocellulose matrix

!   Matrix protects from dissolution = persistence in surface soils

!   Perchlorate: highly mobile when exposed to precipitation

Heavy Metals (Fe, Al, Pb, Sb, As, Cu, Zn):

!   Fate & transport depends strongly on capacity to bind to the soil

!  ↑T° & pressures do not destroy but can create unexpected compounds

Fate & Behaviour – Munitions Constituents

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!  Generally, no accepted Canadian guidelines for munitions in surface soils

!  U.S. EPA drinking water guidelines applied !  Metal concentrations compared to CCME Industrial

Soil Quality Guidelines !  Provincial guidelines applied when available

Guidelines – Munitions Constituents

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!  A complete “clean-up” of soil & groundwater in CA RTA is impractical and costly

!  Defining an “acceptable” level of risk

!   Inconsistent risk management decision-making & stakeholder engagement

!  Few tested & approved solutions

Challenges

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•  RTA Sustainment System Identification of high-risk RTA activities

•  Contaminated Sites Mgmt Framework Identification of high-risk contaminant mgmt requirements

•  CA RTA Contaminant Mgmt Program Comprehensive integrative framework for the risk management of live-fire contamination

How has the Canadian Army responded?

CA RTA Contaminant Mgmt Program Strategic focus to

continued contaminant introduction

Stakeholder Engagement

Contaminant Mgmt

Capacity Capability

Development

S&T Mitigation

Integrated Decision Making

CA RTA remain available, adaptable

& sustainable

Contaminants in CA RTA are adequately

risk managed

CA RTA Contaminant Mgmt Program

Initial Implementation

1.  Address priority corporate policy gap

2.  Targeted contaminant management activities

3.  Creation of Environmental Capabilities

4.  Defined, Issue-Based Projects

S&T Mitigation – Finding Solutions

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Risks: High concentrations of energetic materials (RDX, HMX, TNT) in soil and water

Mitigation measures:

A)  Demolition Charges

•  Modification of compounds in plastic explosives

•  Shaped Charges

B) New Range designs

•  Adsorbent (filter) or impermeable membranes

C) Remediation techniques

•  Chemical oxidation

POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS

Demolition & Grenade Range Contamination

Before  BIP  

After  BIP  

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•  Very little metal residue contamination

•  Repairable and durable

•  Ease of placement and or movement

Risks: High concentrations of energetic materials (HMX), propellants and metals

Mitigation Measure: “Green Targets”

Made of 2.5cm steel; designed to look like any target silhouette:

POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS

Anti-tank Range Contamination

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Risks: High concentrations of propellant residues at firing position

Mitigation Measures:

A)  Soil Remediation

•  In-situ burning of surface soil •  Biodegradation •  Photodegradation

B)  Burning Tables

Used to eliminate previous practice of field expedient burning of excess propellant bags

POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS

Anti-tank / Artillery Range Contamination

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Risks: Heavy metals in the stop berms

Mitigation Measure:

Green Small Arms Range Design

•  Bullet catcher

•  Amendment layers

POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS

Small Arms Range Contamination

CA RTA CMP – Next Steps

•  Continued stakeholder engagement & collaboration

•  Clear performance measurement & program evaluation strategies

•  Exposure scenarios, toxicological guidance, reference values

•  Innovative technologies, designs, mitigation measures & best management practices

QUESTIONS?