NSWC/WOL/TR 75-3 5 



remaining visible in a surface pool of blackened water. The 

 unconsumed explosives which are insoluble in water, can also disperse 

 in the pool as suspended solids. 



Although the disturbed bottom material is part of the suspended 

 solids generated during the explosion, it will not be considered 

 chemically as an explosion product because it does not originate 

 from the explosive. 



2.2.3 Sediment 



The chemical composition of the explosion products in the 

 sediment will be similar to that of the suspended solids in water. 

 The concentrations, however, are expected to be higher because of 

 localization and accumulation. The amount of solid explosion pro- 

 ducts deposited on the bottom depends on particle size of the solids, 

 water current, physical characteristics of the sediment, and the 

 depth of the explosion. 3 



2.2.4 Dissolved Constituents 



Some of the other explosion products are soluble in water. In 

 PBXW-104, 15% hydrochloric acid (HCl) is produced during the explo- 

 sion, and HCl is readily soluble in water. Other soluble explosion 

 products include nitrates, perchlorates , chlorides, and a complex 

 of metallic ions such as Al, Pb, Zr, Li, and Hg, which are 

 incorporated in various explosive compositions. 



Most of the explosives have low solubilities in water; therefore, 

 the concentration of soluble explosives after the explosion are 

 expected to be small. The toxicity levels of various explosives in 

 water are currently being investigated. 



Ill 



SAMPLING AND PRESERVATION 



3 . 1 WATER SAMPLING 



3.1.1 General Concepts of Water Sampling 



There is no universal procedure for sampling applicable to all 



3 



Young, G. A., op cit, pg 9 



13 



