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Title: Allowable residual contamination levels of radionuclides in soil from pathway analysis

Abstract

The uncertainty regarding radionuclide distributions among Remedial Action Program (RAP) sites and long-term decommissioning and closure options for these sites requires a flexible approach capable of handling different levels of contamination, dose limits, and closure scenarios. We identified a commercially available pathway analysis model, DECOM, which had been used previously in support of remedial activities involving contaminated soil at the Savannah River Plant. The DECOM computer code, which estimates concentrations of radionuclides uniformly distributed in soil that correspond to an annual effective dose equivalent, is written in BASIC and runs on an IBM PC or compatible microcomputer. We obtained the latest version of DECOM and modified it to make it more user friendly and applicable to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) RAP. Some modifications involved changes in default parameters or changes in models based on approaches used by the EPA in regulating remedial actions for hazardous substances. We created a version of DECOM as a LOTUS spreadsheet, using the same models as the BASIC version of DECOM. We discuss the specific modeling approaches taken, the regulatory framework that guided our efforts, the strengths and limitations of each approach, and areas for improvement. We also demonstrate how the LOTUS versionmore » of DECOM can be applied to specific problems that may be encountered during ORNL RAP activities. 18 refs., 2 figs., 3 tabs.« less

Authors:
;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
OSTI Identifier:
5842827
Report Number(s):
CONF-871075-26
ON: DE88001762
DOE Contract Number:  
AC05-84OR21400
Resource Type:
Conference
Resource Relation:
Conference: 3. Oak Ridge model conference on waste problems, Oak Ridge, TN, USA, 13 Oct 1987; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; 11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS; DOSE LIMITS; FORECASTING; ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE PATHWAY; D CODES; RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION; DECOMMISSIONING; DOSE EQUIVALENTS; DRINKING WATER; INGESTION; INHALATION; MATHEMATICAL MODELS; RADIATION PROTECTION; RADIOACTIVE WASTES; REMEDIAL ACTION; SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION; USES; COMPUTER CODES; DISTRIBUTION; ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT; HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS; INTAKE; MASS TRANSFER; MATERIALS; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS; SAFETY STANDARDS; STANDARDS; WASTES; WATER; 510300* - Environment, Terrestrial- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (-1989); 054000 - Nuclear Fuels- Health & Safety; 053000 - Nuclear Fuels- Environmental Aspects

Citation Formats

Nyquist, J E, and Baes, III, C F. Allowable residual contamination levels of radionuclides in soil from pathway analysis. United States: N. p., 1987. Web.
Nyquist, J E, & Baes, III, C F. Allowable residual contamination levels of radionuclides in soil from pathway analysis. United States.
Nyquist, J E, and Baes, III, C F. 1987. "Allowable residual contamination levels of radionuclides in soil from pathway analysis". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/5842827.
@article{osti_5842827,
title = {Allowable residual contamination levels of radionuclides in soil from pathway analysis},
author = {Nyquist, J E and Baes, III, C F},
abstractNote = {The uncertainty regarding radionuclide distributions among Remedial Action Program (RAP) sites and long-term decommissioning and closure options for these sites requires a flexible approach capable of handling different levels of contamination, dose limits, and closure scenarios. We identified a commercially available pathway analysis model, DECOM, which had been used previously in support of remedial activities involving contaminated soil at the Savannah River Plant. The DECOM computer code, which estimates concentrations of radionuclides uniformly distributed in soil that correspond to an annual effective dose equivalent, is written in BASIC and runs on an IBM PC or compatible microcomputer. We obtained the latest version of DECOM and modified it to make it more user friendly and applicable to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) RAP. Some modifications involved changes in default parameters or changes in models based on approaches used by the EPA in regulating remedial actions for hazardous substances. We created a version of DECOM as a LOTUS spreadsheet, using the same models as the BASIC version of DECOM. We discuss the specific modeling approaches taken, the regulatory framework that guided our efforts, the strengths and limitations of each approach, and areas for improvement. We also demonstrate how the LOTUS version of DECOM can be applied to specific problems that may be encountered during ORNL RAP activities. 18 refs., 2 figs., 3 tabs.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5842827}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1987},
month = {Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1987}
}

Conference:
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