Emma Wilson
In 2020, a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, caused by 2750 tons of ammonium nitrate, resulted in a giant mushroom cloud that towered over the city. While mushroom clouds are often associated with nuclear detonations, they can also be caused by other types of explosions or impacts, such as the one that occurred in Beirut. Ammonium nitrate is a solid white crystal that is commonly used as a fertilizer and in explosives for mining. When contaminated by fuel or subjected to high temperatures, ammonium nitrate can become highly dangerous and lead to catastrophic explosions. In the Beirut explosion, the reddish smoke and shock wave seen are telltale signs of ignited ammonium nitrate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does Ammonium Nitrate create a mushroom cloud? | Yes, an explosion involving ammonium nitrate can create a mushroom cloud. |
| Ammonium Nitrate explosion in Beirut | An explosion involving 2700-2750 tons of ammonium nitrate in Beirut in 2020 created a mushroom cloud that dwarfed the city. |
| Other instances of Ammonium Nitrate explosions | Galveston Bay, Texas (1947); Tianjin, China (2015); Oppau, Germany (1921); Cyprus (2011) |
| Conditions for Ammonium Nitrate explosion | Ammonium Nitrate does not burn on its own. It acts as an accelerator for the combustion of other materials. At high temperatures, it can decompose violently on its own. |
| Dangers of Ammonium Nitrate | It is a common solid fertilizer that is relatively safe by itself. However, it is highly dangerous when contaminated by fuel (oil, organic material) or other chemicals. |
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What You'll Learn
Ammonium nitrate is a solid fertiliser
Ammonium nitrate is a crystal-like white solid that is made in large industrial quantities. Its biggest use is as a source of nitrogen for fertiliser, but it is also used to create explosives for mining and construction. It is relatively cheap to buy and simple to make, but it can be dangerous when contaminated by any kind of fuel, such as oil or organic material. In the presence of heat, such a mixture can easily lead to catastrophic outcomes.
The production of ammonium nitrate is relatively simple: ammonia gas is reacted with nitric acid to form a concentrated solution and considerable heat. Prilled fertiliser forms when a drop of concentrated ammonium nitrate solution (95% to 99%) falls from a tower and solidifies. Manufacturers typically coat the solid fertiliser with an anti-caking compound to prevent sticking and clumping. Small quantities of carbonate minerals are sometimes added prior to solidifying, which eliminates ammonium nitrate's explosive properties.
Ammonium nitrate is found as the natural mineral gwihabaite in the driest regions of the Atacama Desert in Chile. It was mined there until the Haber-Bosch process made it possible to synthesise nitrates from atmospheric nitrogen, rendering nitrate mining obsolete. The ammonia required for this process is obtained by the Haber process from nitrogen and hydrogen.
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It's highly dangerous when contaminated by fuel
Ammonium nitrate is a chemical compound with the formula NH4NO3. It is predominantly used in agriculture as a high-nitrogen fertiliser. Its other major use is as a component of explosive mixtures used in mining, quarrying, and civil construction. On its own, ammonium nitrate is relatively safe to handle. However, it is highly dangerous when contaminated by fuel.
Ammonium nitrate is an oxidiser, which means that it can increase the amount of oxygen available to a fire. For ammonium nitrate to ignite, it must come into contact with an open flame or another ignition source. If contaminated with a combustible substance, such as oil or fuel oil, the burning process is accelerated, and it becomes highly explosive. This is because fuel oil has surplus oxygen.
When exposed to intense heat, large quantities of ammonium nitrate can trigger an explosion. Storing the chemical near large fuel tanks or in a poorly-ventilated facility could cause a massive blast. The Beirut explosion in 2020, which killed at least 100 people and injured nearly 4,000, was caused by 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that had been stored for six years without safety measures. Experts noted the mushroom cloud seen in footage of the blast as characteristic of ammonium nitrate explosions.
Ammonium nitrate has been responsible for several other deadly explosions, including the 1921 Oppau plant explosion in Germany, which killed over 500 people, and the 1947 Texas City disaster, where a fire detonated around 2,300 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, causing a tidal wave. In 2015, explosions at a warehouse storing ammonium nitrate and other chemicals in the Chinese port of Tianjin killed at least 116 people.
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It's been linked to several explosions
Ammonium nitrate has been linked to several explosions, including the 2020 Beirut explosion, which resulted in a mushroom cloud. The explosion was caused by the ignition of about 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate that was stored in a warehouse in the port area of Beirut, killing at least 78 people and injuring thousands more. The blast sent a shock wave across the city, shattering windows, knocking down doors, and shaking buildings.
Ammonium nitrate is a solid, crystal-like white substance that is commonly used as a fertiliser and in explosives for mining. While it is usually stable and safe, it can become highly dangerous when contaminated by fuel or organic material. When heated, ammonium nitrate can decompose explosively, creating a large explosion and a mushroom cloud.
Ammonium nitrate has been linked to other deadly explosions worldwide. In 1921, about 4,500 tons of ammonium nitrate caused an explosion in Oppau, Germany, resulting in over 500 fatalities. In 1947, the Texas City disaster occurred when more than 2,000 tons of ammonium nitrate detonated on a ship docked in Galveston Bay, Texas, killing at least 581 people. More recently, in 2015, an explosion involving ammonium nitrate and other chemicals in Tianjin, China, claimed the lives of 173 individuals.
These incidents highlight the hazardous nature of ammonium nitrate when improperly stored or handled. Large stockpiles can pose a significant fire risk and may lead to catastrophic explosions. The Beirut explosion, in particular, brought attention to the dangers of ammonium nitrate and the need for safe storage and management to prevent future disasters.
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It's relatively safe by itself
In 2020, a massive explosion rocked Lebanon's capital, Beirut, creating a mushroom cloud that towered over the city. The explosion was caused by approximately 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate that had been stored unsecured in a warehouse for six years. While ammonium nitrate is often associated with danger and has been linked to several deadly explosions, it is relatively safe by itself.
Ammonium nitrate is a solid, crystal-like white substance commonly used as a fertilizer due to its high nitrogen content. It is also used in mining explosives when mixed with oil or other fuels. By itself, ammonium nitrate does not burn; it acts as a source of oxygen that can accelerate the combustion of other materials. This property makes it useful for creating explosive mixtures, such as ammonium nitrate fuel oil (ANFO), commonly used in quarry blasting and improvised explosive devices.
However, ammonium nitrate is not inherently dangerous on its own. It is classified as a "dangerous good," and its storage and use are tightly regulated in many countries. Properly managed, ammonium nitrate can be produced, stored, and used safely, as evidenced by Australia's decades-long track record without a major incident involving the substance.
The danger of ammonium nitrate arises when it is contaminated by fuel or other combustible materials. Even a small percentage of contamination can significantly increase the risk of an accidental explosion. Additionally, if ammonium nitrate is exposed to high temperatures or an intense fire, it can undergo rapid decomposition, releasing gases like nitrogen oxides and water vapour, which can lead to a powerful explosion.
In the case of the Beirut explosion, the presence of a nearby fire and the improper storage of ammonium nitrate likely contributed to the disaster. The combination of these factors with a substantial amount of the substance resulted in the catastrophic outcome that claimed lives, injured thousands, and caused widespread destruction.
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It's used in quarry blasting and explosives for mining
Ammonium nitrate is a chemical compound with the chemical formula N H4 N O3. It is a white crystalline solid that is predominantly used as a source of nitrogen for fertiliser. However, it also has other significant uses, including in the creation of explosives for mining, quarry blasting, and civil construction.
Ammonium nitrate is a key ingredient in ANFO (ammonium nitrate/fuel oil), a type of explosive. ANFO is composed of 94% ammonium nitrate and 6% fuel oil. It is widely used in the mining and quarrying industries due to its low cost, relative safety, and ease of use. Compared to conventional industrial explosives, ANFO is less expensive, safer to handle, and simpler to detonate. These advantages make it a popular choice for applications where factors like water resistance and detonation velocity are less critical, such as coal mining, metal mining, and construction.
The use of ANFO in quarry blasting and mining explosives is based on its ability to generate powerful explosions. When initiated with a detonator or blasting cap, ANFO undergoes a rapid exothermic reaction, releasing a large volume of gas and energy. This gas expansion and energy release create a shock wave that fractures and displaces rock, facilitating controlled blasts in mining operations and quarry sites.
Safety is a critical concern when using ammonium nitrate in blasting and explosives. While ammonium nitrate is stable under typical ambient conditions, it can be sensitive to certain factors. For example, molten ammonium nitrate is highly sensitive to shock and detonation, especially when contaminated with incompatible materials like combustibles, flammable liquids, or certain chemicals. Therefore, strict adherence to safety guidelines is essential to prevent accidental detonation and ensure the safe handling and storage of ammonium nitrate in these industrial applications.
Accidental explosions involving ammonium nitrate have resulted in numerous fatalities throughout history. Notable incidents include the 1921 Oppau, Germany, explosion, the 1947 Galveston Bay, Texas, disaster, and the 2015 Tianjin, China, explosion. The 2020 Beirut explosion, which involved approximately 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, also serves as a stark reminder of the catastrophic consequences of improper storage and the potential dangers associated with ammonium nitrate when contaminated by fuel or other combustible materials.
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Frequently asked questions
Ammonium nitrate is a crystal-like white solid made in large industrial quantities. Its biggest use is as a source of nitrogen for fertiliser, but it is also used to create explosives for mining.
Yes, an ammonium nitrate explosion can create a mushroom cloud. In 2020, an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, caused by 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, created a large mushroom cloud over the city.
A mushroom cloud is the result of a large explosion that creates a very hot bubble of gas with a lower density than the surrounding air. This bubble rises high enough that it's no longer less dense than the surrounding air, causing gas, debris, and vapour to spill out and create the "head" of the mushroom cloud.
