The Army is interested in determining the explosive signatures of different types of munitions ranging from landmines to artillery projectiles. While a significant amount of work has been performed to determine the explosive signature of landmines, a relatively little amount of research has focused on artillery projectiles. This paper focuses on determining the levels of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) existing on the exterior surface of M107 artillery projectiles. The hypothesis is that there will be detectable levels of TNT on the surfaces of these projectiles due to their manufacture as well as their storage conditions. It is believed that this surface contamination provides one source of TNT that can then contaminate the surrounding environment. It is the goal of this research to determine whether or not projectiles that are manufactured and stored in similar fashions will exhibit a predictable range of TNT concentrations. This data can then be used to predict the level of environmental contamination that would occur if the projectile were present.
Initially, the problem of sample collection is addressed. Specifically, quantifying the collection efficiency of different sampling techniques is investigated. This experimental aspect is crucial in determining the total quantity of TNT found of the surfaces of the projectiles. Considerations such as total amount of TNT removed compared to total amount of TNT present (on control samples) as well as the method's ease of use in the field are addressed.
Data collected from M107 projectiles being stored at an Army test facility will then be analyzed and discussed.
Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is an atomic emission spectroscopic technique that utilizes a pulsed laser to create a microplasma on the target together with an array spectrometer to capture the transient light for elemental identification and quantification. LIBS has certain important characteristics that make it a very attractive sensor technology for military uses. Such attributes include that facts that LIBS (1) is relatively simple and straightforward, (2) requires no sample preparation, (3) generates a real-time response, and (4) only engages a very small sample (pg-ng) of matter in each laser shot and microplasma event, (5) has inherent high sensitivity, and (6) responds to all forms of unknowns, and, therefore, is particularly suited for the sensing of dangerous materials. Additionally, a LIBS sensor system can be inexpensive, configured to be man-portable, and designed for both in-situ point sensing and remote stand-off detection with distances of up to 20-25 meters. Broadband LIBS results covering the spectral region from 200-970 nm acquired at the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) under laboratory conditions for a variety of landmine casings and explosive materials. This data will illustrate the potential that LIBS has to be developed into a hand-deployable device that could be utilized as a confirmatory sensor in landmine detection. The concept envisioned is a backpack-size system in which an eyesafe micro-laser is contained in the handle of a deminer's probe and light is delivered and collected through an optical fiber in the tapered tip of the probe. In such a configuration, analyses can be made readily by touching the buried object that one is interested in identifying.
The United States Army has expressed an interest in developing sensors that are capable of detecting explosives found in buried landmines. Techniques under development often detect explosive molecules that have migrated out of buried landmines, through the soil, and to the soil’s surface. Since the success of detectors using the above method depends on the presence of explosives at the soil surface, it is critical to have an understanding of the nature of the explosive signature that is being detected. Many factors affect the migration of explosives from the landmine through the soil. These factors include, but are not limited to, soil moisture, terrain, mine type, and explosive type. This is a complex system to study. The experiment presented here attempts to monitor the explosive signature above twenty-seven landmines that have been buried for a number of years in a temperate environment. There are nine mine types represented in the experiment. Five of the mine types are anti-tank mines and four of the mine types are anti-personnel mines. Soil samples have been collected above and around these twenty-seven mines and analyzed using gas chromatography coupled with an electron capture detector (GC-ECD). Samples were collected in June 2001, October 2001, February 2002, and June 2002. Results of the GC-ECD analysis of these samples are presented in this paper.
Night Vision Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD) has initiated a program for land mine sensor development based upon explosives-related chemical (ERC) detection. As part of the NVESD ERC sensor program, we have sampled soils surrounding buried land mines at the experimental mine lanes, U.S. Army Test Site, with the assistance of the Army Corps of Engineers, Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory. Our goal has been to quantify concentrations of explosive related chemicals found in surface soils above and around nine types of buried land mines and to study their fate over time. This paper will describe the field tests conducted post-DARPA Dog Nose Program, the sampling and analysis protocol and the conclusions drawn from these tests.
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