| Summary: | Field and laboratory studies were conducted to assess the effect, if any, of residuals of ammonium nitrate fuel oil (ANFO) detonation on ground-water quality of a portion of Planet Valley, Arizona. Preliminary soil samples were taken near detonation sites to characterize background levels of NO₃-N. Laboratory experiments were performed to determine the mass of NO₃-N removed from soils exposed and unexposed to the products of ANFO detonation. Ground-water samples were taken from eight wells to monitor changes of NO₃-N. Preliminary soil samples showed that considerable NO₃-N existed at some depths near detonation sites. Laboratory study showed no significant difference between the mass of NO₃-N leached from exposed soil and that eluted from unexposed surface soil. Analyses of water samples from all wells, except one, showed NO₃-N levels to he similar to background values. The source of NO₃-N which occurred in the one well, either natural soil NO₃-N or NO₃-N introduced as a residual of ANFO detonation, could not be determined. The effect of ANFO residuals on water quality was no more than would occur if natural soil NO₃-N were leached to the ground water.
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