Analysis of TNT and related compounds in vapor and solid phase in different types of soil

Ann H. Kjellstrom; Lena M. Sarholm

doi:10.1117/12.396276

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22 August 2000 Analysis of TNT and related compounds in vapor and solid phase in different types of soil

Ann H. Kjellstrom; Lena M. Sarholm

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Proceedings Volume 4038, Detection and Remediation Technologies for Mines and Minelike Targets V; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.396276
Event: AeroSense 2000, 2000, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

Trinitrotoluene (TNT) explosives contain small amounts of dinitrotoluene (DNT). DNT exhibit a higher vapor pressure than TNT which indicates higher concentration of DNT than of TNT in the vapor phase of the explosive. Analysis of soil samples reveal extended information compared to air samples and thereby increases the probability for chemical detection. Detected substances in soil samples are TNT and related compounds. Therefore, sampling of DNT in vapor phase near the ground or soil solid phase may be an efficient approach to detect buried land mines or unexploded ordnance (UXO) containing TNT. Charges of TNT has been placed both in desiccators ane in a set of different types of soil in the laboratory. Analysis of air samples repeatedly taken in desiccators during a period of 299 days shows a perpetually higher concentration of DNT than of TNT. TNT was also placed in outdoor test beds where the presence of DNT in vapor phase near to the ground were confirmed, as well as TNT and related compounds in soil samples. In mine affected areas, air sample near to the ground over buried miens and soil sampling near the same miens were performed.

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Ann H. Kjellstrom and Lena M. Sarholm "Analysis of TNT and related compounds in vapor and solid phase in different types of soil", Proc. SPIE 4038, Detection and Remediation Technologies for Mines and Minelike Targets V, (22 August 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.396276

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