The effect of subsurface military detonations on vadose zone hydraulic conductivity, contaminant transport and aquifer recharge

Lewis, J; Burman, J; Edlund, C; Simonsson, L; Berglind, R; Leffler, P; Qvarfort, U; Thiboutot, S; Ampleman, G; Meuken, D; Duvalois, W; Martel, R; Sjöström, J

HERO ID

2772949

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2013

Language

English

PMID

23353636

HERO ID 2772949
In Press No
Year 2013
Title The effect of subsurface military detonations on vadose zone hydraulic conductivity, contaminant transport and aquifer recharge
Authors Lewis, J; Burman, J; Edlund, C; Simonsson, L; Berglind, R; Leffler, P; Qvarfort, U; Thiboutot, S; Ampleman, G; Meuken, D; Duvalois, W; Martel, R; Sjöström, J
Journal Journal of Contaminant Hydrology
Volume 146
Page Numbers 8-15
Abstract Live fire military training involves the detonation of explosive warheads on training ranges. The purpose of this experiment is to evaluate the hydrogeological changes to the vadose zone caused by military training with high explosive ammunition. In particular, this study investigates artillery ammunition which penetrates underground prior to exploding, either by design or by defective fuze mechanisms. A 105 mm artillery round was detonated 2.6 m underground, and hydraulic conductivity measurements were taken before and after the explosion. A total of 114 hydraulic conductivity measurements were obtained within a radius of 3m from the detonation point, at four different depths and at three different time periods separated by 18months. This data was used to produce a three dimensional numerical model of the soil affected by the exploding artillery round. This model was then used to investigate potential changes to aquifer recharge and contaminant transport caused by the detonating round. The results indicate that an exploding artillery round can strongly affect the hydraulic conductivity in the vadose zone, increasing it locally by over an order of magnitude. These variations, however, appear to cause relatively small changes to both local groundwater recharge and contaminant transport.
Doi 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2012.12.007
Pmid 23353636
Wosid WOS:000318824600002
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English