Effect of environmental parameters on the vapor phase concentration of TNT and related compounds in the terrestrial environment

Author

Raghavendra Konduru

Abstract

"Improvised explosive devices [IEDs] and landmines are recognized as major menace to general public and military personnel in many parts of the world. Detection of landmines and IEDs through traditional magnetometer based landmine detectors has been found to be less than satisfactory for detection of IEDs I landmines with low metal content and mines which have been buried for long periods of times. Chemical sensor capable of detecting traces of explosives chemicals in vicinity of landmines / IEDs have also been developed. Efficacy of such a device is dependent on concentration of explosives in air near the soil surface.

To develop an understanding of the vapor phase concentration of explosives in. vicinity of surface soil, transport mechanisms of these chemicals in soils must be assessed. Transport of explosives involves leaching of chemical from landmines and subsequent migration in soil. To assess leaching and migration of explosives, soils samples were collected from an experimental minefield in which a variety of mines had been buried for over seven years. Samples were analyzed for residues of explosives, analysis showed that the migration of explosives in soil even after seven year period was very low and explosives are mainly concentrated within 10 cm depth under the mines, most of this migration can be attributed to the passive movement with water. The vapor concentration of explosives in vicinity of soil was found be dependent on the environmental parameters such as soil mineral composition, organic matter content, ambient temperature and soil moisture content. Vapor concentrations can be increased significantly with relatively small increase in temperature and soil moisture content, thus enhancing the detectability of explosives with chemical sensors"--Abstract, p. iii

Advisor(s)

Kapila, Shubhender
Forciniti, Daniel

Committee Member(s)

Ludlow, Douglas K.
Nam, Paul Ki-souk

Department(s)

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Chemical Engineering

Publisher

University of Missouri--Rolla

Publication Date

Summer 2007

Pagination

ix, 66 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 61-65)

Rights

© 2007 Raghavendra Konduru, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Restricted Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Dinitrotoluenes
Explosives, Military -- Environmental aspects
Land mines -- Detection
Mines (Military explosives) -- Detection
Soil absorption and adsorption
TNT (Chemical)

Thesis Number

T 9228

Print OCLC #

235952089

Recommended Citation

Konduru, Raghavendra, "Effect of environmental parameters on the vapor phase concentration of TNT and related compounds in the terrestrial environment" (2007). Masters Theses. 5965.
https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/masters_theses/5965