Recent US Work Relating to

Munitions in the Underwater Environment

Geoff Carton, CALIBRE Systems, Inc

4th International Dialogue on Underwater Munitions

San Juan, Puerto Rico - October 2012

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Agenda

• Army Environmental Quality Technology

Program

• Department of Defense Identification of

Research Needs

• Strategic Environmental Research and

Development (SERDP) and Environmental

Security Technology Certification Program

(ESTCP) Research Projects

• Conclusions

Army Environmental Quality

Technology Program

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Transport and Fate of Arsenic in Marine Sediments

• Objectives:

– Determine the partitioning of arsenic between deep

sea sediments and seawater to evaluate the mobility

of As (III) derived from lewisite

– Determine potential for bioaccumulation of arsenic in

benthic macroinvertebrates exposed to contaminated

sediments

– Evaluate the ability of test organisms to excrete

accumulated arsenic when

returned to clean sediments

• University of Hawaii is

conducting bench top

experiments under

contract to the Army

Lewisite, 41%

Mustard, 52%

Nerve agent

(GB, VX, GA),

1%

Arsenic, AsCl3,

Cl2S2, 2%

Phosgene, 0%

Unspecified

agent, 3% Blood agents

(CK, AC), 1%

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• Detection software to reduce workload and increase

speed of underwater target imagery analysis (video)

• User tunable software to cue images for analysis of

imagery by human analyst

• Software reduces the video stream to frames containing candidate objects of interest – Automated mode to

generate detection list

– Interactive mode for adjustment of selection parameters

• Available to DoD and DoD contractors

Imagery Analysis Software

Prometheus Inc.Prometheus Inc.

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Assessment of Technology to Locate Legacy Munitions

• Assess existing technologies and methods for

underwater wide area assessment at two sites on

the US Atlantic coast

• Project Strategy:

– Use archival materials to establish initial survey area

– Run non-overlapping, autonomous underwater vehicle

(AUV), SONAR transects for reconnaissance survey

– Ground truth with Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)

to ensure targets of interest are munitions

– Conduct detailed survey with overlapping transects to

better define boundary and better estimate the

densities of munitions present

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Review of Aquatic Toxicology of Munitions Constituents

• Assemble existing peer reviewed and other high

quality data on aquatic ecotoxicity of energetic

munitions constituents (MC)

• Review of:

– Fate and toxicity of MC in:

Water

Sediment

– Bioconcentration, biotransformation and

dietary uptake of MC

– Exposure and effects

assessment using realistic

exposure scenarios

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Corrosion Analysis

• Develop a scientific basis for predictive modeling for corrosion of munitions in the marine environment

• Evaluate corrosion products and, if present, any calcareous deposits associated with recovered munitions

• Identify metals used in munitions and develop a corrosion profile to estimate localized and average corrosion rates

• Evaluate normal and galvanic corrosion on munitions or metallic surrogates

• Analyzing munitions recovered from Ordnance Reef (HI-06) and may add study of munitions parts from HI-05

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• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) survey (2006) obtained screening-level data to assess potential explosives safety and human health risks

• 2009 University of Hawaii conducted environmental investigation to address data gaps (in final review) – Focus on human health

– Screening level ecological risk assessment

• NOAA current monitoring and trajectory modeling (in final review)

• Technology demonstration (2011)

• Follow-up investigation (ongoing)

• Corrosion assessment (ongoing)

Ordnance Reef (HI-06) Projects

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NOAA efforts:

• Ocean current monitoring to understand fate of

contaminants

– Shallow (under 300 foot) and deep (about 8,000 foot)

sensors collected data over one year

– Model fate of potential release

– Incorporate data into circulation 3D fate and transport

models

– Report expected 2012

• Pre-removal survey completed, and relative risk of

damage determined so impacts to coral during

munitions removal were minimized

Ordnance Reef (HI-06) Projects – NOAA

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Shallow Water Site

~ 300 feet

ADCP

ADCP

ADCP

ADCP Trawl resistant platform

with ADCP

Acoustic Doppler Current

Profiler (ADCP)

NOAA Current Study and Modeling

Acoustic Release

Anchor

Deep Water Site

~ 8,000 feet

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Deep Water

Munitions

Disposal Site

HI - 01

Ordnance Reef

Munitions Disposal

Site

HI - 06

Pacific Ocean

Deep Water

ADCP Sensors

4 Ordnance Reef

ADCP Sensors

NOAA Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) Study

• Results used in trajectory model

• 4 shallow water ADCPs at

Ordnance Reef (HI-06)

• 5 deep water ADCPs on string

at HI-01 (8,000 feet deep)

• Measured currents for one year

• Report in final review

• Preliminary Ordnance Reef

(HI-06) findings: – Velocities most often between

0.3 to 0.6 knots

– High bias towards currents flowing

along-shore

– Currents are driven by tides and are asymmetrical

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NOAA Coral Avoidance and Minimization of Injury Plan

• NOAA was brought in early to aid in developing best

management practices for technology demonstration

• Pre-removal survey determined relative risk of impacts

to coral and provided baseline of condition

• Surveys led to more efficient use of field time

• Partnership with trustee allows them to protect

resources better Relative Risk to Significant Coral Resources

Coral

Relief

Majority of area

sand or

uncolonized

hard bottom

Coral colonies

present, but

substantial space

to for ROV

Coral colonies

abundant, little

space for ROV

Presence of

large coral

colonies

Little to no

relief Low Low Low to moderate High

Low vertical

relief Low Low to moderate Moderate to high High

High vertical

relief Low Low to moderate Moderate to high High

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• Army Technology Demonstrations (2011)

consisted of:

– Commercial technology adapted from oil exploration

technology for the remote recovery of sea disposed

munitions

– NOAA input used to minimize impacts of recovery

on coral

– Barge mounted technology (existing and innovative) for

destruction of recovered munitions

• Summary of demonstrations published in the Marine

Technology Society Journal (January 2012)

Ordnance Reef (HI-06) Technology Demonstrations

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2011 Ordnance Reef Technology Demonstrations

Proprietary Data Notice: This presentation shall not be disclosed outside the government and shall not be duplicated, used, or disclosed -in whole or in part -for any purpose

• Remotely Operated Underwater Munitions Recovery

System (ROUMRS)

• Explosive Hazard Demilitarization System (EHDS)

• Underwater Portable Acoustic Contraband Detector (PACD)

• In-situ trace explosive detection (Hammerhead)

• Corrosion assessment

ROUMRS

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ROUMRS Concept of Operations

ROUMRS Process Steps

Deploy ROV, document site and stage salvage basket on seafloor

Transit ROV to UWMM, tentatively identify and recover to ROV

hopper

Retract ROV hopper and transit to salvage basket

Transfer UWMM from ROV hopper to salvage basket

Once salvage basket is full, rig lift bag and towline and use ROV to

activate lift

Surface craft tows submerged salvage basket to DSV for

munitions demilitarization (EHDS)

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ROUMRS Data Collection and Management

35 Gigabytes of daily data, including: video,

pictures, GPS location, navigation, depth,

munitions description, size, coral condition,

and actions

ROUMRS Operations – Underwater Recovery

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During the HI-06 Demonstration:

• ROUMRS operated 21 straight

days with about 8 hours of

maintenance time

• Many munitions were cemented

to seafloor and could not be

recovered with tools available

• Covered approximately 10 acres – ROV Hopper malfunctioned and

needs redesign

– Both manipulators should have curved

intermeshing claw for munitions work

– Navigation and data storage

processes need improvements

ROUMRS

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EHDS Concept of Operations

EHDS Process Steps

Lift Salvage Basket on to DSV deck

Identify and inventory salvage basket contents

X-Ray and segregate munitions by size and fill

Use remotely operated, water cooled, band saw

to cut munitions

Load RCBO and heat to appropriate temperature

to degrade energetics

Inspect and certify treated materials as safe or retreat, recycle scrap

Lower salvage basket into water for reuse

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EHDS Identification and Remote Opening

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Fluffy ash from successful treatment of

50/50 TNT/Ammonium nitrate

EHDS

Fire during treatment of 19 lbs TNT

During the HI-06 Demonstration:

: • EHDS operated 16 straight days

• Remote band saw and x-ray

worked without failure.

• Saw operations constrained by

dive boats and weekends with

people in safety arcs

• Ovens operated all 16 days with

about 24 hours of down time due

to equipment failure and

maintenance

• Equipment repaired in field or

remotely via cell phone modem to

complete the project

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• ROUMRS surveyed, investigated locations and

recovered munitions

• ROV is capable of using a variety of tools and supporting

scientific research efforts

• ROUMRS recovered – 74 munitions (138 items encrusted to bottom)

– 2,300 small arms

• EHDS was successful, proving the concept is effective and

a viable tool for future use

• Recommended improving EHDS resilience and controls

• EHDS destroyed: – Munitions: 74

– Pounds of explosives 330

– Pounds of propellant 135

– Small arms 2,300

ROUMRS and EHDS Demonstration Results

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Projectile Type Fill Material Calibrated PACD in Tub at Surface

Modified PACD 21m depth

5-inch Armor Piercing

Wet Explosive D (breached)

1.32 +/- 0.50 1.10 +/- 0.46

5-inch High Explosive

TNT-based explosive

2.46 +/- 0.18 Not measured

5-inch Armor Piercing

Dry Explosive D (intact)

No signal Not measured

Portable Acoustic Contraband Detector (PACD)

• Non-invasive measurement and calculation of acoustic velocity through the contents of container

• Comparison to database to identify content

• More robust underwater membrane necessary

• Successful in identifying fill of a large munition in situ, verified at surface

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In Situ Trace Explosive Detection (Hammerhead)

• Biologically inspired fluorescent polymer sensor

array, uses preconcentration to detect at low levels

• Detection and discrimination of select explosives

with detection limits of 10 - 100 parts per

trillion (ppt)

• Prototype operable to depths of 100 feet

• Deployed on ROUMRS at Ordnance Reef (HI-06)

• Sampled water near 12 different munitions

– No detection of explosives

– Non-detects (detection limit 10-100 ppt) were confirmed

by laboratory analysis of a trap at the outlet of the sensor

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• Develop efficient and cost effective

method for characterizing sea disposal

sites at depths over 350 meters

• Conducted South of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii – SONAR survey of about 70 km2

– Manned submersibles and ROVs

– Seawater, sediment and biota analyzed

– No confirmed detections of energetics or chemical agent

• HUMMA’s 2010 report is available at (www.hummaproject.com)

• Expanded SONAR survey completed in 2011 to south

of original study area, additional 470 km2 area covered

• Sampling at chemical bombs planned for 2012/2013

Hawaii Undersea Munitions Assessment (HUMMA)

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HUMMA Photographs

DoD Identification of

Research Needs

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Strategic Environmental Research and

Development (SERDP) and Environmental

Security Technology Certification Program

(ESTCP)

• 2007 – Technology Needs for the Characterization,

Management, and Remediation of Military Munitions

in Underwater Environments

• 2009 – Munitions in the Underwater Environment:

State of the Science and Knowledge Gaps

Identifying Needs

www.serdp.org/featured-initiatives/munitions-resposne-initiatives/muniitons-in-the-

underwater-environment

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• SONAR/Acoustic Technologies

– Characterize acoustic response of munitions and

bottom clutter

– Improve understanding of environment’s acoustic

response

• Electromagnetic, Magnetic and Optical

Technologies

– Improved methods for discrimination and classification

– Enhanced methods for noise compensation

• Platform and Navigation Technologies - Study of

surf zone environment

2007 Critical Research Needs

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2007 Critical Demonstration Needs

• SONAR/Acoustic Technologies

– Data collection with existing sensors to detect munitions

that are proud on bottom

– Improve understanding of environment’s acoustic

response

• Electromagnetic, Magnetic and Optical

Technologies - Demonstration of electromagnetic

induction and magnetic sensors

• Platform and Navigation Technologies

– Demonstration sites

– Diverless platforms

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• Field work at several worst-case sites to:

– Support ecological risk assessment

– Collect water, sediment and tissue samples

– Conduct modeling

• Develop standard approach to:

– Field data collection

– Support comprehensive risk assessment

• Increase communication between organizations

conducting research through periodic meetings

2009 Priority Recommendations

SERDP/ESTCP

Research Projects

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SERDP\ESTCP Ongoing Research

Project Titles Completion

Inversion of High Frequency Acoustic Data for Sediment Properties Needed for the Detection and Classification of UXOs

Lead Organization: University of Washington

Ongoing

Ecological Risk Assessment of Munitions Compounds on Coral and Coral Reef Health

Lead Organization: NOAA

Ongoing

Photochemical Transformation of Munitions Constituents in Marine Waters

Lead Organization: U.S. Naval Academy

Ongoing

Tracking the Uptake, Translocation, Cycling, and Metabolism of Munitions Compounds in Coastal Marine Ecosystems

using Stable Isotopic Tracer

Lead Organization: University of Connecticut

Ongoing

TNT Incorporation and Mineralization by Natural Microbial Assemblages at Frontal Boundaries between Water Masses and

in Underlying Sediments in Coastal Ecosystems

Lead Organization: Naval Research Laboratory

Ongoing

Defining Munitions Constituent Source Terms in Aquatic Environments on DoD Ranges

Lead Organization: Navy SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific

Ongoing

Acoustic Response of Underwater Munitions Near a Sediment Interface: Measurement-Model Comparisons and

Classification Schemes

Lead Organization: University of Washington

Ongoing

Demonstration of ROV-Based Underwater Electromagnetic Array Technology

Lead Organization: Sky Research, Inc

Ongoing

Vortex Lattice UXO Mobility Model Integration

Lead Organization: Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Ongoing

Detection of Underwater Unexploded Ordnance in Mud

Lead Organization: TNO Defence

Ongoing

Munitions Detection Using Unmanned Underwater Vehicles Equipped with Advanced Sensors

Lead Organization: Naval Surface Warfare Center - Panama City Division

Ongoing

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Project Titles Completion

Investigation of an EMI-Based Marine Classification System

Lead Organization: SAIC

Ongoing

Data and Processing Tools for Sonar Classification of Underwater UXO

Lead Organization: Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)

Ongoing

Structural Acoustic UXO Detection and Identification in Marine Environments

Lead Organization: Naval Research Laboratory

Ongoing

Real-Time Handheld Magnetometer Array

Lead Organization: Geometrics

Ongoing

Innovative Processing, Feature Development, and Specialized Data Collection for Underwater Munitions Advanced Classifier

Design

Lead Organization: BAE SYSTEMS Advanced Information Technologies

Ongoing

Exploiting VLF/LF Electric and Magnetic Fields for Underwater Munitions Characterization

Lead Organization: Sky Research, Inc.

Ongoing

Vortex Lattice UXO Mobility Model for Reef-Type Range Environments

Lead Organization: Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Ongoing

Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Munitions and Explosives of Concern Detection System

Lead Organization: Weston Solutions, Inc

Ongoing

Defining Munitions Constituent Source Terms in Aquatic Environments on DoD Ranges

Lead Organization: Navy Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command

Ongoing

Full-Scale Measurement and Modeling of the Acoustic Response of Proud and Buried Munitions at Frequencies from 1-30 kHz

Lead Organization: University of Washington

Ongoing

Blow-in-Place Pressure Reduction (Covering Technology)

Lead Organization: Navy SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific

Ongoing

SERDP\ESTCP Ongoing Research

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Project Titles Completion

Mitigation of Underwater UXO Blow-in-Place Explosions

Lead Organization: Navy SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific

Ongoing

Underwater Acoustic Positioning Systems for MEC Detection and Reacquisition Operations

Lead Organization: U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville

Ongoing

Sonar Detection and Classification of Underwater UXO and Environmental Parameters

Lead Organization: Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)

Jul 2012

Superconducting Magnetic Tensor Gradiometer System for Detection of Underwater Military Munitions

Lead Organization: Sky Research, Inc

Jun 2012

Demonstration of the Laser Line Scan System for UXO Characterization

Lead Organization: Navy Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR)

Apr 2012

Wide Area Assessment for Marine UXO

Lead Organization: Tetra Tech EC, Inc

Mar 2012

Underwater Electric Field Sensor for UXO Detection

Lead Organization: QUASAR Federal Systems

Dec 2011

Electromagnetic Induction Modeling for UXO Detection and Discrimination Underwater

Lead Organization: Dartmouth College

Dec 2011

Demonstration of an Ultrasonic Method for Three-Dimensional Visualization of Shallow Buried Underwater Objects

Lead Organization: Navy Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR)

Jul 2011

A Low Frequency Electromagnetic Sensor for Underwater Geolocation

Lead Organization: Dartmouth College

May 2011

Belief Theoretic Multi-Sensory Data Fusion for Underwater UXO Identification

Lead Organization: University of Miami

Feb 2011

Wide-Area Detection and Identification of Underwater UXO Using Structural Acoustic Sensors

Lead Organization: Naval Research Laboratory

Feb 2011

SERDP\ESTCP Completed Research

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Project Titles Completion

Underwater Simultaneous Electromagnetic Induction and Magnetometer System

Lead Organization: U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville

Feb 2011

Buried Underwater Munitions and Clutter Discrimination

Lead Organization: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)

Oct 2010

Marine UXO Characterization Based on Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Technology

Lead Organization: Sky Research, Inc

Jul 2010

Operational Evaluation of a New Acoustic Technique for UXO Filler Identification

Lead Organization: University of Denver

Jun 2010

Efficient Shallow Underwater UXO Retrieval

Lead Organization: U.S. Naval Research Laboratory

Jun 2010

Detection and Classification of Buried UXO and Determination of Seafloor Parameters in Littoral Environments Using

Resonance Scattering Sonar

Lead Organization: Array Information Technology

Apr 2010

Deep Water Munitions Detection System

Lead Organization: SAIC

Mar 2010

UXO Detection and Characterization in the Marine Environment

Lead Organization: SAIC

Dec 2009

Sensor Phenomenology and Feature Development for Improved Sonar-Based Detection and Discrimination of Underwater

UXO

Lead Organization: BAE SYSTEMS Advanced Information Technologies

Dec 2009

Underwater UXO Multi-Sensor Data Base Collection

Lead Organization: Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)

Jul 2009

Assessing Sonar Performance Against Underwater UXO

Lead Organization: Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)

May 2009

SERDP\ESTCP Completed Research

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Project Titles Completion

Biotic and Abiotic Attenuation of Nitrogenous Energetic Compounds (NEC) in Coastal Waters and Sediments

Lead Organization: Naval Research Laboratory

Sep 2008

Characterization of Freshwater Electromagnetic Subbottom Sediment Properties and Target Responses for Detection of

UXO with Ground-Penetrating Radar

Lead Organization: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)

Sep 2008

Predicting the Mobility and Burial of Underwater UXO Using the Modified VORTEX Model

Lead Organization: Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center (NAVFAC)

May 2008

Modeling for Sensor Evaluation in Underwater UXO Test Beds

Lead Organization: Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)

Jan 2008

Dredging Equipment Modifications for Detection and Removal of Ordnance

Lead Organization: Navy SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific

Dec 2006

Seismic Imaging of UXO-Contaminated Underwater Sites

Lead Organization: Array Information Technology

Oct 2005

Broadband Electromagnetic Detection and Discrimination of Underwater UXO

Lead Organization: Geophex, Ltd.

Aug 2005

Detection of UXO in Underwater Sites Using Towed-Array Resistivity/ Induced Polarization Measurements

Lead Organization: Zonge Engineering, Inc

Apr 2004

Technology Needs for Underwater UXO Search and Discrimination

Lead Organization: SAIC

Oct 2003

Low-Order, Underwater Detonation (UNDET) Study

Lead Organization: Naval EOD Technology Division

Apr 2002

Mobile Underwater Debris Survey System (MUDSS) Apr 2000

Classification and Mapping of Underwater UXO Dec 1997

SERDP\ESTCP Completed Research

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Conclusion…

• Significant effort is being expended to improve

technologies and techniques for the detection and

discrimination of munitions in the underwater

environment

• Efforts to understand the fate, transport and

toxicity of munitions constituents are continuing

• Expansion of the body of peer reviewed literature

will aid in development of sound risk management

policy

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Geoff Carton CALIBRE Systems, Inc

Alexandria, Virginia, USA

Geoff.carton@calibresys.com