Persistence of white phosphorus (P<sub>4</sub>) particles in salt marsh sediments

Walsh, Marianne E.; Collins, Charles M.; Racine, Charles H.

doi:10.1002/etc.5620150605

Cited by 25 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 11 publications

(24 reference statements)

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“…For example, WP detections occurred in only two aerobic soil samples at Camp Edwards (AMEC 2002b). In contrast, WP was commonly found in the anoxic soil at Eagle River Flats, Alaska (Walsh et al 2004b(Walsh et al , 1996(Walsh et al , 1995. Once soil with WP present becomes dry, the WP will combust spontaneously.…”

Section: White Phosphorus (Wp)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Conceptual Model for the Transport of Energetic Residues from Surface Soil to Groundwater by Range Activities

Clausen¹,

Korte²,

Dodson³

et al. 2006

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This report integrates and summarizes research on the fateand-transport properties of munition energetic compounds potentially migrating to groundwater. The goals of the report are to 1) review and summarize previous work; 2) identify data gaps; 3) provide research recommendations; and integrate conclusions from peer-reviewed research, results from investigations at military ranges, and consultations with explosives experts in the United States and Canada (Waterways Experiment Station, Army Environmental Center, Defence Research EstablishmentValcartier, and various universities) into a conceptual model for the transport of energetic compounds from the land surface to groundwater.

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Section: White Phosphorus (Wp)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Conceptual Model for the Transport of Energetic Residues from Surface Soil to Groundwater by Range Activities

Clausen¹,

Korte²,

Dodson³

et al. 2006

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“…The cause of the deaths was discoveted in 1990 to be white phosphorus, the elemental form of phosphorus, used in smoke-generating munitions (Racine et al 1992). Further studies (Walsh et al 1996) indicated that the white phosphorus resided in the sediments of ponded areas of the salt marsh, and that exposing the contaminant to atmosphere under the right clitnatic conditions will allow in situ remediation to occur. The.se conditions include dry weather and temperatures in excess of 15 °C.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Remediation of white phosphorus contamination in an Alaskan wetland

Walsh¹,

Zufelt²,

Collins³

2006

Journal of Environmental Engineering and Science

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Eagle River Flats, an estuarine salt marsh located on Fort Richardson near Anchorage, Alaska, has been utilized as a military impact area for almost 60 years and is contaminated with white phosphorus, a highly toxic element used as an obscurant. When munitions containing white phosphorus were fired into the cool, wet glacial sediments of the Flats, particles of the disbursed chemical became extinguished. Dabbling ducks and swans sieve the.se seed-size particles from the bottoms of ponds throughout the range. The persistence of the particles in the saturated sediments has resulted in thousands of waterfowl deaths that continue 15 years after the cessation of the munition's use. A remediation method was devised to attenuate the contaminant that will be effective in the short, cool summer season while minimally impacting the environment. Although the cold climate limits the efficiency of the remediation, we were also able to use it to our advantage.Résumé: Le marai salé estuarien Eagle River Flats, situé à Fort Richard.son près d'Anchorage, en Alaska, a servi comme zone d'impact de tir militaire pendant près de 60 ans et est contaminée par du phosphore blanc, un élément hautement toxique utilisé comme agent obscurcissant. Lorsque des munitions contenant du phosphore blanc sont tirées dans les sédiments glaciaires froids et humides de l'estuaire, les particules du produit chimique consommé s'éteignent. Les canards de surface et les cygnes filtrent ces particules de la grosseur de graines dans le fond des étangs sur tout le champ de tir. La longévité des particules dans les sédiments saturés a causé la mort de milliers de sauvagines et ce phénomène se poursuit encore, plus de 15 ans après la cessation des activités militaires. Une méthode de restauration a été conçue pour atténuer le contaminant: cette méthode sera efficace durant la courte .saison fraîche d'été tout en minimisant l'impact sur l'environnement. Bien que le climat froid limite l'efficacité de la restauration, nous pouvons l'utiliser à notre avantage.

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“…This has led to the curtailment of training activities at the Massachusetts Military Reservation after low concentrations of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) were detected in the aquifer below the range [1,2]. The discovery of the munition component white phosphorus at the Eagle River Flats impact range on Fort Richardson, Alaska, has led to a long-term cleanup effort and restriction of use of the range since 1990 [3][4][5]. General impact of training activities on various ranges has been investigated in the past through characterization studies [6][7][8][9][10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%