A detailed article in The Conversation on the Beirut tragedy, by Gabriel da Silva:
What is ammonium nitrate, the chemical that exploded in Beirut? <https://theconversation.cmail20.com/t/r-l-jkhtuhul-uidlgxn-m/> Gabriel da Silva, University of Melbourne For combustion to occur, oxygen must be present. Ammonium nitrate prills provide a much more concentrated supply of oxygen than the air around us. https://theconversation.cmail20.com/t/r-l-jkhtuhul-uidlgxn-m/ The video is horrific https://twitter.com/i/status/1290672351844196352 Among other things, it makes the point that: Ammonium nitrate has the chemical formula NH₄NO₃. Produced as small porous pellets, or “prills”, it’s one of the world’s most widely used fertilisers... Here in Australia, we produce and import large amounts of ammonium nitrate, mostly for use in mining. It is made by combining ammonia <https://www.britannica.com/science/ammonia> gas with liquid nitric acid, which itself is made from ammonia." See this report by Vijay DeSouza on the seizure of ammonium nitrate in Goa. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/A-truck-containing-huge-consignment-of-explosive-material-including-gelatin-sticks-bags-of-ammonium-nitrate-headed-for-Valpoi-Sattari-in-Goa-was-seized-by-Maharashtra-police-at-Sasoli-Dodamarg-Friday-Two-persons-one-from-Kudal-Maharashra-and-the-other-from-Rajasthan-were-arrested-by-the-police-Recently-tremors-were-felt-in-the-mining-belt-in-Sanguem-where-villagers-felt-explosives-were-used-in-mining-explorations-/articleshow/7287679.cms -- FN* फ्रेड्रिक नोरोन्या * فريدريك نورونيا +91-9822122436
