George W. Mushrush and Douglas G. Mose, Chemistry Department, George Mason University

The use of alternate fuels as blending stocks becomes more attractive as the price of middle distillate fuels used in normal commercial applications increases. This is also true for military applications, where middle distillate fuels must pass more stringent requirements, such as fuel storage stability. Storage instability, defined in terms of solids formation, can plug fuel injector nozzels and filters, which can degrade engine performance. Military fuels are often remain unused in storage for months and sometimes years, and during storage, middle distillate fuels can become unstable. It has now been found that soybean derived fuel, when added to presently stable and to presently unstable middle distillate fuels, improves stability and enhances storage stability significantly.

Stephen J. Rembish and Curt Burdorf, Parsons Engineering Science, Cornell Long, Ron Porter and Jody Wireman, Air Force Institute for Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health Risk Analysis

The perchlorate ion (ClO4-) is an oxidizer component used in explosives, chemical fertilizers, and as a solid propellant for rockets, missiles, emergency ejection seats, fireworks, and automobile air bag inflators. Perchlorate is a highly soluble, non-volatile, kinetically stable ion that does not adsorb readily to most minerals and can persist for many decades under typical groundwater and surface water conditions. While a number of traditional laboratory bioassays have been conducted to measure perchlorate toxicity, little is known about the occurrence of perchlorate in biological receptors in the field. This study is intended to fill data gaps identified by the Interagency Perchlorate Steering Committee. The study involved sampling of environmental media (soil, surface water, sediment) and co-located ecological receptors at sites in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, West Virginia, and Maryland. The samples were analyzed for the presence of perchlorate using ion chromatography. The data were evaluated to identify completed exposure pathways for receptors of concern, to investigate the potential for biotransport and to identify any specific food chain issues related to perchlorate exposure. Results of the study will be used by the United States Environmental Protection Agency to help characterize the potential effects of the perchlorate ion on ecosystems or ecosytem components.