Environmental contamination at small arms ranges

Lead contamination, Firing rangers Abstract: In this document, the major factors influencing the specification, partitioning, and fate of lead in the natural environment are examined. Data providing the concentrations of three metals in the soils and vegetation in the vicinity of a small arms range was obtained and analyzed. The observed lead concentrations exceeded 6000 ppm in the soil near the base of an impact berm at the range. The soil lead content was found to decline, although not uniformly, with distance from the berm. However, soil lead levels of almost 2000 ppm and greater than 100 ppm were found at distance of more than 100 feet and 200 feet from the berm, respectively. The concentrations of the other metals, copper and zinc were not comparable to lead and did not warrant detailed analysis.