Chemical Legacy:Techniques and Results of a Deep-Water Munitions AssessmentMargo Edwards, Roy Wilkens, Mark Rognstad, Chris Kelley, Eric DeCarloSchool of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawaii
Brian BinghamCollege of Engineering, University of Hawaii
Sonia Shjegstad, Christian Briggs, Shelby Koide, Lukas Sheild, Deserie Bala, Jeff SilvaEnvironet Incorporated
Chris MahSmithsonian Institution
Rich Camilli, Dan FornariWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Carter DuValUniversity of Delaware
J.C. KingHeadquarters Department of the Army, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary (ESOH)
Geoff CartonCALIBRE Systems
18 March 2015VERIFIN ChemBio 2015
History of Munitions in Hawaii
Image: National Archives
Schofield Barracks, Oahu Pre-WWII
Leakage of Mustard Agent
Sea-Disposal Around Hawaii circa 1944
HUMMA Site characteristics:
• south of Oahu, Hawaii (Pearl Harbor).• 5-26 km from shore.• water 300-600m deep.• ambient T of 5°C.• almost no coral growth• sea life limited to shrimp, anemones, starfish and other bottom dwellers with occasional visits from sharks, rays and mid-water species.
This area is not typically fished, in part because it is in an active shipping lane.
Conventional/Chemical Munitions Disposed in Deep Water: Hawaii Undersea Military Munitions Assessment
Summary of HUMMA Field Programs2007 Sonar Mapping Survey
2009 Sampling and Analysis:Human Occupied Vehicles
2011 Sonar Mapping Survey
2012 Sampling and Analysis:Human Occupied Vehicles
2014 Sampling and Analysis:Remotely Operated VehicleJASON 2 (WHOI); 21-28Oct14
Total field programs: 5Total days at sea: 45Total cost: $US 7.5M
HUMMA Instrumentation - Mapping Tools:R/V Kilo Moana Hull-Mounted 95 kHz SONAR System
IMI-120 Towed Sidescan Sonartowed at 50-75m altitude
~1.5km swath width
HMRG and R/V Kilo Moanaparticipants: Steve Tottori, Roger Davis, Les Kajiwara; Captain Gray Drewery and crew.
HUMMA Instrumentation - Sampling Tools:HURL’s Pisces IV and V Submersibles
Images: Hawaii Undersea Research Lab.
HURL and Ka'imiki-o-Kanaloa participants: Terry Kerby, Max Cremer, Steve Price, Doug Bloedorn, Colin Wollerman, Dan Greeson, Pete Townsend; Captains Ross Barnes, Clary Gutzeit and crews.
HUMMA Instrumentation - Sampling Tools:WHOI’s JASON 2 Remotely Operated Vehicle
WHOI JASON 2 participants: Tito Collasius, Jim Varnum, Casey Agee, Jon Howland, Lisa Borden, Korey Verhein, Scotty McCue, Hugh Popenoe, Scot Hansen and James Pelowski.
HUMMA Instrumentation - Woods Hole Oceanographic/Tethys
Deep Ocean Mass Spectrometer
WHOI participants: Rich Camilli and Aggelos Mallios
HUMMA Safety Procedures –Edgewood Chemical Biological Center
ECBC participants:Tim Blades, Mike Knudsen, Chris Hagler, Wendy Smith, Jim Swank, Mike Glorioso, Lou Alvano and John Schwarz
4th International Dialog on Undersea Munitions03 October 2012
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Result 3: Evidence of Chemical Munitions
Highest detection:• 15 ppb mustard• 2100 ppb 1,4-dithiane• 87 ppb 1,4-thiozane
Result 5: 2012 Detection Amounts Were Very Small
Technical Finding: Mass Spec Confirmed Spatial Distribution and Relative Amounts of Mustard/Byproducts
Ascothoracida – unusual relatives of barnacles that can enter into the body cavity of sea stars (and other echinoderms) and affix themselves to the internal body structures.
Result 9: No Mustard or Byproducts in Sea Stars
Technology Demonstration for Jason 2versus (combined) Pisces IV and V
• Over 8 hours, 2 subs and 1 ROV collect about the same number of samples, but the ROV can stay on bottom 24/7 by sending samples to the surface on elevators; the subs have to return daily.
• Jason 2 is a better at reconnaissance because the topside navigator and pilot can systematically “mow the lawn.”
• Jason 2 can carry more equipment and samples.
• Pisces IV and V move independently of ship and are less likely to get entangled.
KM1422 Preliminary Technical Findings
What We Know, Think and Need to Know
Low Detection of Mustard in HAWAII• Hydrolysis Probably Occurred During Disposal when Casings Imploded• Small Sample Size – More Data Is Needed• Shallower Disposal Sites May Have Different Results• At What Depth Did the Casings Implode?
No Evidence of Mustard Affecting Fauna• Sea Stars Can Move, but Don’t Leave Munitions Habitat• Is This Typical Faunal Behavior?• Are There Other Faunal Interactions that were Not Documented?