HR: 0800h
AN: OS31B-0409    [Abstracts]
TI: Small Scale Characterization of the Presence of the Explosive Octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro- 1,3,5,7 tetrazocine (HMX) Near Former Naval Sites on Vieques Island, Puerto Rico
AU: * Simmons, C C
EM: csimmons@marine.usf.edu
AF: College of Marine Science University of South Florida, 140 7th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, United States
AU: Carvalho-Knighton, K M
EM: carvalho@stpt.usf.edu
AF: Department of Environmental Science University of South Florida St. Petersburg, 140 7th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, United States
AU: Pyrtle, A J
EM: apyrtle@marine.usf.edu
AF: College of Marine Science University of South Florida, 140 7th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, United States
AB: Octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7 tetrazocine (HMX) is a synthetic energetic compounds that has been commonly used in military munitions. The presence and movement of HMX through the environment is of growing concern because of potential civilian exposure and impacts on human health. HMX remains in the environment unreactive with little degradation. It can be transported great distances in water thus having the possibility for migrating into groundwater. The former naval sites in Vieques were used for weapons training and housed several disposal sites. Previous studies around these sites indicate the presence of radioactive materials produced through thermal fission, such as Cs-137. Since HMX was primarily used to implode fissionable materials in nuclear devices, evaluating the release of HMX and consequent movement through the environment at these sites is essential. Surface water and soil samples as well as core and pore water samples were collected from two sites in Vieques; Kiani Lagoon and Mosquito Bay. All samples were extracted using EPA method 8330 and analyzed using RP-HPLC analysis with a C-18 column. HMX was undetected in samples collected from both Kiani Lagoon and Mosquito Bay. The development of a model that studies the flow rates and fate of water runoff in these areas of interest, coupled with data on groundwater testing inside the actual former naval facilities, is being explored for further sample collection and analysis.
DE: 4203 Analytical modeling and laboratory experiments
DE: 4251 Marine pollution (0345, 0478)
DE: 4803 Analytical chemistry
SC: Ocean Sciences [OS]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting