An environmental analysis of metal particle dispersion from an explosive test at Tonopah Test Range

Technical Report · Tue Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1988

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5002383· OSTI ID:5002383

Shinn, J H

The purpose of this report is to estimate the potential environmental effects resulting from a single explosive release of metal aerosols. The source of metal aerosols was a test-unit of an artillery projectile known as the XM785, which was detonated on the ground at Tonopah Test Range, Nevada, on August 6, 1987. The XM785 contained small amounts of beryllium (Be) and depleted uranium (DU) which formed particles in the smoke and stem of the cloud following explosion. The test unit was detonated in the middle of a barren dry lake (playa) known as Antelope Lake. The area surrounding Antelope Lake is sparsely vegetated with the Great-Basin type of shrub-chapparal of sage brush and grass species. The vegetation is lightly grazed by wild horses. Rodents are common and the major predator is the coyote. There are no aquatic biological resources in the area. The test was conducted under carefully controlled and monitored conditions to provide data in preparation for a proposed test series. Of chief environmental concern are the effects of Be and DU as potential agents of toxicity, resulting from exposure to the airborne metal particles or from their deposition. Data concerning the downwind concentration and deposition of Be and DU have been obtained from previous tests of a larger projectile, the XM753. The XM785 contained about one-half the Be and DU found in the XM753. 40 refs., 3 figs., 6 tabs.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5002383
• Report Number(s): UCID-21355; ON: DE88008410
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
BERYLLIUM
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
DEPLETED URANIUM
PROJECTILES
TESTING
AEROSOLS
AIR QUALITY
ANIMALS
CHEMICAL EXPLOSIONS
DEPOSITION
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
HUMAN POPULATIONS
MAXIMUM INHALATION QUANTITY
METEOROLOGY
PARTICLES
PLANTS
SOILS
TONOPAH TEST RANGE
TOXICITY
WIND
ACTINIDES
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
EXPLOSIONS
MASS TRANSFER
METALS
POPULATIONS
SAFETY STANDARDS
SOLS
STANDARDS
TEST FACILITIES
URANIUM
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
510500 - Environment
Terrestrial- Site Resource & Use Studies- (-1989)
053000 - Nuclear Fuels- Environmental Aspects