Chemical methods for the detection of mines and explosives

Up to now landmine detection and clearance is a time consuming and dangerous process. The most time consuming step is the detection and location of the mines. One of the most successful mine and explosive detection systems are the so called ‘sniffer’ dogs. It is known that noses of dogs are much more sensitive compared to the noses of human beings. Therefore dogs are able to find mines despite the low concentrations of the vaporizing explosives. Until today there is a controversial discussion if dogs are able to smell the pure explosives or the odor bouquet of the mines.