T192 Soil Geomorphology: Deciphering Landscapes, Surficial Processes, and Quaternary History through Pedology-Based Geomorphic Study (Posters): In Honor of Pete Birkeland

Tuesday, 2 November 2010
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Hall D

A PEDOLOGICAL APPROACH TO LANDMINE AGING

Paper number: T192-14
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Authors

Abstract

Many--but not all--landmines remain capable of functioning as intended, occasionally decades after deployment. Because aging of landmines involves the breakdown of components that parallels the weathering of parent material into soils, we are developing a pedological approach to landmine aging. Classic pedological studies have relied on climosequences, chronosequences, and lithosequences to clarify soil landscape relationships. Even careful site selection, however, cannot produce sequences of a. the identical landmine type deployed simultaneously across different soil climates, b. the identical landmine type deployed at intervals across the same soil, or c. a variety of landmine types deployed simultaneously in the same soil. In fact, it is quite rare to be able to simultaneously characterize landmines and the soils in which they are found.

Here we report on 16 soil samples and mine parts from Cambodia and 10 soil samples and landmine parts from Jordan. In the field, a landmine "functionality" assessment was performed based on an evaluation of external and internal components, including the trigger system. We analyzed soils for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), soil texture, soil organic matter (SOM), and elemental composition.

Of the three landmines for which functional and non-functional samples were characterized (M14, M35, and PMN), two types (M14 and PMN) were found not to function as intended in soils that were more acid and sandier. Non-functioning M14 and M35 were found in soils with greater SOM and EC than functioning landmines of the same type. For the remaining landmines for which paired analyses were not possible (all landmines were functional or non-functional, or only a single landmine could be collected for logistical and/or safety reasons), it appeared that two of the non-functional types of landmines (PMD6 from Cambodia and a single MK5 from Jordan) were associated with relatively high-SOM soils, consistent with biological acidity catalyzing corrosion.

While our findings stem from a modest number of samples, they show promise that this type of interdisciplinary approach could help prioritize mine clearance efforts and support mine risk education efforts.