Laboratory and analytical methods for explosives residues in soil

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Abstract
Standard analytical methods have been developed to characterize explosives residues in soil at U.S. Department of Defense installations. The laboratory analysis is conducted using RP-HPLC, and the most commonly found analytes are TNT and RDX. Other analytes commonly detected are the environmental transformation products of TNT including TNB, dinitroaniline, and the isomers of amino-DNT, and the manufacturing by-products DNB and the isomers of amino-DNT. Field methods designed to detect TNT and RDX have enhanced site characterization by providing rapid on-site results for a greater number of samples than would be economically feasible by depending solely on off-site laboratory analyses for all samples. Attempts may be made to use both laboratory and field methods to analyze treatment matrices such as incinerator ash and compost, but further analytical method development is needed to enhance extraction and minimize interferences.