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Title: Radionuclides in bats using a contaminated pond on the Nevada National Security Site, USA

Abstract

In this study, perched groundwater percolating through radionuclide contamination in the E Tunnel Complex on the Nevada National Security Site, formerly the Nevada Test Site, emerges and is stored in a series of ponds making it available to wildlife, including bats. Since many bat species using the ponds are considered sensitive or protected/regulated and little information is available on dose to bats from radioactive water sources, bats were sampled to determine if the dose they were receiving exceeded the United States Department of Energy dose limit of 1.0E-3 Gy/day. Radionuclide concentrations in water, sediment, and flying insects were also measured as input parameters to the dose rate model and to examine trophic level relationships. The RESRAD-Biota model was used to calculate dose rates to bats using different screening levels. Efficacy of RESRAD-Biota and suggested improvements are discussed. Finally, dose to bats foraging and drinking at these ponds is well below the dose limit set to protect terrestrial biota populations.

Authors:
 [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. National Security Technologies, LLC. (NSTec), North Las Vegas, NV (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
National Security Technologies, LLC. (NSTec), Las Vegas, NV (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
OSTI Identifier:
1249211
Report Number(s):
DOE/NV/25946-1773
Journal ID: ISSN 0265-931X
Grant/Contract Number:  
AC52-06NA25946; AC08-96NV11718
Resource Type:
Journal Article: Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Journal of Environmental Radioactivity
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 129; Journal ID: ISSN 0265-931X
Publisher:
Elsevier
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.; bats; myotis; pipistrellus; RESRAD-Biota; dose; radionuclides

Citation Formats

Warren, Ronald W., Hall, Derek B., and Greger, Paul D. Radionuclides in bats using a contaminated pond on the Nevada National Security Site, USA. United States: N. p., 2014. Web. doi:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2013.11.005.
Warren, Ronald W., Hall, Derek B., & Greger, Paul D. Radionuclides in bats using a contaminated pond on the Nevada National Security Site, USA. United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2013.11.005
Warren, Ronald W., Hall, Derek B., and Greger, Paul D. 2014. "Radionuclides in bats using a contaminated pond on the Nevada National Security Site, USA". United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2013.11.005. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1249211.
@article{osti_1249211,
title = {Radionuclides in bats using a contaminated pond on the Nevada National Security Site, USA},
author = {Warren, Ronald W. and Hall, Derek B. and Greger, Paul D.},
abstractNote = {In this study, perched groundwater percolating through radionuclide contamination in the E Tunnel Complex on the Nevada National Security Site, formerly the Nevada Test Site, emerges and is stored in a series of ponds making it available to wildlife, including bats. Since many bat species using the ponds are considered sensitive or protected/regulated and little information is available on dose to bats from radioactive water sources, bats were sampled to determine if the dose they were receiving exceeded the United States Department of Energy dose limit of 1.0E-3 Gy/day. Radionuclide concentrations in water, sediment, and flying insects were also measured as input parameters to the dose rate model and to examine trophic level relationships. The RESRAD-Biota model was used to calculate dose rates to bats using different screening levels. Efficacy of RESRAD-Biota and suggested improvements are discussed. Finally, dose to bats foraging and drinking at these ponds is well below the dose limit set to protect terrestrial biota populations.},
doi = {10.1016/j.jenvrad.2013.11.005},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1249211}, journal = {Journal of Environmental Radioactivity},
issn = {0265-931X},
number = ,
volume = 129,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Jan 03 00:00:00 EST 2014},
month = {Fri Jan 03 00:00:00 EST 2014}
}

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Works referenced in this record:

Further Studies of Plutonium and Americium at Thule, Greenland
journal, January 1984


Strontium-90 and caesium-137 activity concentrations in bats in the Chernobyl exclusion zone
journal, August 2010


Evaluation of DNA damage in a population of bats (Chiroptera) residing in an abandoned monazite mine
journal, February 2004


Response of the Bat (Myotis lucifugus) to X-Irradiation
journal, June 1955


Works referencing / citing this record:

137 Cs distribution in the South Caspian region, transfer to biota and dose rate assessment
journal, July 2019