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U.S. Department of Energy
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Assessment of risks of military smokes and obscurants to threatened and endangered species

Conference ·
OSTI ID:201214

Smokes and obscurants are released to fulfill various training scenarios, such as to send messages, cover small areas, or cover large areas. A literature review of environmental effects of smokes and obscurants that are used by the military for field training exercises for military preparedness was completed. A mathematical model has been developed in a GIS context to predict the distribution of the released smokes. The primary smoke/obscurant currently being assessed is aerosolized fog oil. A first level (Tier 1) risk assessment has been completed for fog oil. Field studies have been initiated at a military installation in the southeastern US for a Tier 2 risk assessment with a focus on the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker (RCW) and associated longleaf pine habitats. Environmental samples are being collected and analyzed for residues to verify exposure levels. To assess effects, observations and measurements are being made prior to, during, and following field releases. A surrogate species is being used to estimate effects to RCW.

OSTI ID:
201214
Report Number(s):
CONF-9511137--; ISBN 1-880611-03-1
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English