Range Design Considerations Based on Behavior of Antimony and Lead under Dynamic Loading Conditions

Migration potential of metal(loids) associated with small-arms ammunition fired into range berms under dynamic loading conditions was assessed using pilot-scale and field-scale live-fire lysimeters. Experimental impact media at both scales was sand or sand plus a commercial heavy metal sorption amendment. After firing, artificial rainwater was applied weekly to the pilot-scale system; the field-scale system received natural rainfall. Leachate collected from both systems was analyzed for total suspended solids, hydrogen ion concentration, antimony, and lead. In pilot-scale lysimeters, antimony constituted 0.52% of the total bullet mass, but comprised 91.5 and 17% of the dissolved leachate metal from control and amended lysimeters, respectively. Lead constituted 52% of the total bullet mass but made up only 8.5 and 5% of the total dissolved leachate metal from the control and amended lysimeters, respectively. Use of the live-fire lysimeters under dynamic loading conditions provided support for range design recommendations. Impact areas should be constructed using pure sand (low fines) along with antimony and lead sorbing amendment(s) in order to provide maximum protection from heavy metal transport off range. (C) 2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.