Environmental contamination at small arms ranges.
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Authors
Edmonds, Antonio Michael
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Advisors
Date of Issue
1993-12
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Language
en_US
Abstract
During the normal operation of a small arms range, a substantial quantity of lead bullets is accumulated in a relatively small volume of soil. Geochemical processes result in the dissolution of these bullets and the release of lead species capable of migrating into the surrounding environment. The lead contamination emitted from small arms ranges has not been extensively studied and is not clearly regulated or understood. In this document, the major factors influencing the speciation, partitioning, and fate of lead in the natural environment are examined. Data providing the concentrations of three metals in the soils and vegetation in the vicinity of a small arms range was obtained and analyzed. The observed lead concentrations exceeded 6000 ppm in the soil near the base of an impact berm at the range. The soil lead content was found to decline, although not uniformly, with distance from the berm. However, soil lead levels of almost 2000 ppm and greater than 100 ppm were found at distances of more than 100 feet and 200 feet from the berm, respectively. The concentrations of the other metals, copper and zinc, were not comparable to lead and did not warrant detailed analysis. Key technologies and management actions available to control or remediate the lead contamination at small arms ranges are discussed and evaluated.
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Thesis
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Department
Civil and Environmental Engineering
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Format
61 leaves.