Effect of Deposition From Static Rocket Test Fires on Corn and Alfalfa

A greenhouse study was conducted to determine the effects of deposition from static rocket test fires on corn and alfalfa. Seeds were germinated in a wide concentration range of depositional material, called test fire soil (TFS). Additionally, the impact of chloride and aluminum, two major components of test fire soil, on germination was also evaluated. Furthermore, plants were grown in packed columns and exposed to test fire soil, either in the root zone or on foliage. Tissue was weighed and analyzed to compare biomass production and plant composition. Corn and alfalfa exposed to test fire soil in the root zone produced less biomass than controls, but foliar treatment had no effect on biomass production. No kernels were produced by corn exposed to test fire soil in the root zone. Leaves of plants exposed to test fire soil in the root zone accumulated more metals and nutrients than controls, whereas plant tissue treated with test fire soil on the leaves contained only elevated levels of aluminum, although levels were still within reasonable concentrations for plants. Germination of seeds was not affected below 1% test fire soil in soil; however higher concentrations of test fire soil decreased percent germination. Addition of chloride to soil also inhibits germination, but addition of aluminum has no effect on germination percentage. Corn germination was restored in test fire soil leached with 200 mm artificial rainwater. The results of this research contribute information regarding the potential impact of test fire soil from static test fires on crop production. Test fire soil inhibits germination and growth if deposited in the root zone, and even foliar application alters tissue composition. However, plant composition is not altered significantly in terms of feed criteria, and germination can be restored by irrigating the TFS. The effects of test fire soil are attributed to high levels of chloride that induce salt stress. Crop damage may be avoided by conducting static test fires after crops are harvested or providing extra irrigation to soil impacted with the TFS

The Sky is Falling: Chemical Characterization and Corrosion Evaluation of Deposition Produced During the Static Testing of Solid Rocket Motors

Static tests of horizontally restrained rocket motors at the ATK facility in Promontory UT, USA result in the deposition of entrained soil and fuel combustion products, referred to as Test Fire Soil (TFS), over areas as large as 30–50 mile2 (80–130 km2) and at distances up to 10–12 miles (16–20 km) from the test site. Chloride is the main combustion product generated from the ammonium perchlorate–aluminum based composite propellant. Deposition sampling/characterization and a 6-month field corrosivity study using mild steel coupons were conducted in conjunction with the February 25th 2010 FSM-17 static test. The TFS deposition rates at the three study sites ranged from 1 to 5 g/min/m2. TFS contained significantly more chloride than the surface soil collected from the test site. The TFS collected during two subsequent tests had similarly elevated chloride, suggesting that the results obtained in this study are applicable to other tests assuming that the rocket fuel composition remains similar. The field-deployed coupons exposed to the TFS had higher corrosion rates (3.6–5.0 mpy) than paired non-exposed coupons (1.6–1.8 mpy). Corrosion rates for all coupon

The Sky is Falling II: Impact of Deposition Produced During the Static Testing of Solid Rocket Motors on Corn and Alfalfa

Tests of horizontally restrained rocket motors at the ATK facility in Promontory, Utah,USA result in the deposition of an estimated 1.5 million kg of entrained soil and combustion products (mainly aluminum oxide, gaseous hydrogen chloride and water) on the surrounding area. The deposition is referred to as test fire soil (TFS). Farmers observing TFS deposited on their crops expressed concerns regarding the impact of this material. To address these concerns, we exposed corn and alfalfa to TFS collected during a September 2009 test. The impact was evaluated by comparing the growth and tissue composition of controls relative to the treatments. Exposure to TFS, containing elevated levels of chloride (1000 times) and aluminum (2 times) relative to native soils, affected the germination, growth and tissue concentrations of various elements, depending on the type and level of exposure. Germination was inhibited by high concentrations of TFS in soil, but the impact was reduced if the TFS was pre-leached with water. Biomass production was reduced in the TFS amended soils and corn grown in TFS amended soils did not develop kernels. Chloride concentrations in corn and alfalfa grown in TFS amended soils were two orders ofmagnitude greater than controls. TFS exposed plants contained higher concentrations of several cations, although the concentrationswerewell belowlivestock feed recommendations. Foliar applications of TFS had no impact on biomass, but some differences in the elemental composition of leaves relative to controls were observed. Washing the TFS off the leaves lessened the impact. Results indicate that the TFS deposition could have an effect, depending on the amount and growth stage of the crops, but the impact could be mitigated with rainfall or the application of additional irrigation water. The high level of chloride associated with the TFS is the main cause of the observed impacts

The Sky is Falling: Chemical Characterization and Corrosion Evaluation of Deposition Produced During the Static Testing of Solid Rocket Motors

Static tests of horizontally restrained rocket motors at the ATK facility in Promontory UT, USA result in the deposition of entrained soil and fuel combustion products, referred to as Test Fire Soil (TFS), over areas as large as 30–50 mile2 (80–130 km2) and at distances up to 10–12 miles (16–20 km) from the test site. Chloride is the main combustion product generated from the ammonium perchlorate–aluminum based composite propellant. Deposition sampling/characterization and a 6-month field corrosivity study using mild steel coupons were conducted in conjunction with the February 25th 2010 FSM-17 static test. The TFS deposition rates at the three study sites ranged from 1 to 5 g/min/m2. TFS contained significantly more chloride than the surface soil collected from the test site. The TFS collected during two subsequent tests had similarly elevated chloride, suggesting that the results obtained in this study are applicable to other tests assuming that the rocket fuel composition remains similar. The field-deployed coupons exposed to the TFS had higher corrosion rates (3.6–5.0 mpy) than paired non-exposed coupons (1.6–1.8 mpy). Corrosion rates for all coupon