A small-scale field column experiment was set up to assess the impact of a native tropical grass (Fimbrystilis Cymosa) on the transport and distribution of high explosives (TNT and DNT). Explosives powders in a membrane were embedded as a point source below 2 inches from the column surface. Three different surfaces were layered on top of the explosives layer: one column with sand, two columns with Fimbrystilis Cymosa, and one column with a mixture of (sand+clay) soil. Hydraulic differences due to surface vegetation which would affect explosives transport were monitored by measuring the amount of infiltrated rain water. For the biogeochemical parameters, explosives concentrations in the infiltrated water were quantified. At the end of the experiment, each column was sacrificed by multiple layers and distribution of explosives concentrations, soil pH, and soil dehydrogenase concentration was quantified from the layers. Plants were also analyzed for explosives concentrations in their leaves and roots.

Date Published: 4 May 2009
PDF: 7 pages
Proc. SPIE 7303, Detection and Sensing of Mines, Explosive Objects, and Obscured Targets XIV, 730307 (4 May 2009); doi: 10.1117/12.818289

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7303:
Detection and Sensing of Mines, Explosive Objects, and Obscured Targets XIV
Russell S. Harmon; J. Thomas Broach; John H. Holloway Jr., Editor(s)