Environmental concerns when utilizing detonation as the clearance method for dumped munitions

Common methods for clearing dumped munitions include low-order and high-order detonations. Low-order detonations produce subsonic explosions, typically leaving behind large explosive fragments, while high-order detonations involve supersonic explosions, usually destroying the entire munition. However, both methods may result in incomplete combustion and the release of explosive materials into the aquatic environment. Additional environmental impacts include noise pollution, shock waves, metal toxicity, and the spread of bomb fragments. To therefore estimate the detonation hazards further experiments were conducted under controlled conditions using six 1000L Intermediate bulk container tanks. Explosive charges were detonated at both low-order and high-order detonations. On average, the low-order detonations (Tanks A & B) left 8.76 ppm of explosive residues, while high-order detonations (Tanks C & D) left significantly less residue, averaging 1.18 ppm. These values were based on a starting explosive concentration of 115 ppm before detonation. The findings confirmed that low-order detonations leave more explosive residue, leading to a higher risk of toxicity. High-order detonations, though resulting in less explosive residue, release fragments at high velocity, posing a serious environmental threat and increasing the risk of accidental explosions.