Annual report 2005 on environmental studies (Armed Forces)

This report summarises the results of the research program Environmental studies during 2005. A pilot study has been performed concerning environmental aspects that have to be considered in international operations. Sweden has initiated the establishment of an LOI R&T Environmental Group with the task to coordinate environmental research. A project for developing sampling strategies for environmental risk assessments has begun. The aim is to create knowledge and networks in order to support the Armed Forces with sampling strategies in order to answer a wide area of questions covering traditional sampling and analysis as well as fast operative tasks and forensic sampling. A study has shown that in Pressurized Solvent Extraction, PLE, water is as good a solvent as acetonitril for explosives. This means that an extract with water directly can be used both for chemical analysis and for toxicological tests which saves both cost and time. The research concerning regaining of explosives has been finished. The result shows that it clearly is possible to regain the explosive compositions of tomorrow. The research concerning the use of life cycle assessment methods in the procurement of military material is conducted in a three year project. A conceptual model of an LCA database for ammunition has been. We have been able to conclude life cycle data for a great number of defence related chemicals are missing. Studies of Life cycle cost (LCC) have begun. The focus is on how it is used and how environmental data is taken care of.