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Title: Passive field monitoring of plutonium and americium in soil

Abstract

The authors` progress is described in applying passive alpha track detectors (ATDS) and electret ion chambers (EICS) to in-situ field monitoring of soils contaminated with particulate plutonium and americium at a desert site. By varying the exposure times, from a few minutes to about one day, they quantitatively measured alpha activity varying between {approximately} 100 pCi/g and {approximately} 100 nCi/g. Suggested applications are definition of the boundaries of contamination zones and verification that post-remediated soils are below release limits.

Authors:
; ;  [1]
  1. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States). Health Sciences Research Div.
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
10117970
Report Number(s):
CONF-940983-5
ON: DE95006739;; TRN: AHC29508%%138
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OR21400
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Resource Relation:
Conference: 2. international symposium and exhibition on environmental contamination in Central and Eastern Europe,Budapest (Hungary),20-23 Sep 1994; Other Information: PBD: [1994]
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; 45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE; SOILS; RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION; NEVADA TEST SITE; CONTAMINATION; RADIATION DETECTORS; PERFORMANCE; PLUTONIUM; RADIATION MONITORING; AMERICIUM; IONIZATION CHAMBERS; FIELD TESTS; COMPILED DATA; 540230; 450200; RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS MONITORING AND TRANSPORT; NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS AND EXPLOSIVES

Citation Formats

Gammage, R.B., Meyer, K.E., and Dudney, C.S.. Passive field monitoring of plutonium and americium in soil. United States: N. p., 1994. Web. doi:10.2172/10117970.
Gammage, R.B., Meyer, K.E., & Dudney, C.S.. Passive field monitoring of plutonium and americium in soil. United States. doi:10.2172/10117970.
Gammage, R.B., Meyer, K.E., and Dudney, C.S.. Sat . "Passive field monitoring of plutonium and americium in soil". United States. doi:10.2172/10117970. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/10117970.
@article{osti_10117970,
title = {Passive field monitoring of plutonium and americium in soil},
author = {Gammage, R.B. and Meyer, K.E. and Dudney, C.S.},
abstractNote = {The authors` progress is described in applying passive alpha track detectors (ATDS) and electret ion chambers (EICS) to in-situ field monitoring of soils contaminated with particulate plutonium and americium at a desert site. By varying the exposure times, from a few minutes to about one day, they quantitatively measured alpha activity varying between {approximately} 100 pCi/g and {approximately} 100 nCi/g. Suggested applications are definition of the boundaries of contamination zones and verification that post-remediated soils are below release limits.},
doi = {10.2172/10117970},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 1994},
month = {Sat Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 1994}
}

Technical Report:

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  • As part of the preliminary site characterization conducted for Project 57, soils samples were collected for separation into several size-fractions using the Suspended Soil Particle Sizing System (SSPSS). Soil samples were collected specifically for separation by the SSPSS at three general locations in the deposited Project 57 plume, the projected radioactivity of which ranged from 100 to 600 pCi/g. The primary purpose in focusing on samples with this level of activity is that it would represent anticipated residual soil contamination levels at the site after corrective actions are completed. Consequently, the results of the SSPSS analysis can contribute to dosemore » calculation and corrective action-level determinations for future land-use scenarios at the site.« less
  • A primary process has been developed to reduce the volume of soil contaminated with plutonium and americium. The process consists of wet screening methods which reduce the volume of contaminated soil by approximately 65%. Investigations of secondary and tertiary processes were initiated. The processes consist of attrition scrubbing and wet screening with various dispersing agents, and calcination. The attrition scrubbing-screening yields additional soil volume reduction. Final volume reduction was obtained by calcining the contaminated fraction of the processed soil.
  • Alfalfa was grown in soil contaminated with plutonium-239 dioxide (239PuO2) at a concentration of 29.7 nanocuries per gram (nCi/g). In addition to alfalfa, radishes, wheat, rye, and tomatoes were grown in soils contaminated with americium-241 nitrate (241Am(NO3)3) at a concentration of 189 nCi/g. The length of exposure varied from 52 days for the radishes to 237 days for the alfalfa. The magnitude of plutonium incorporation by the alfalfa as indicated by the concentration ratio, 0.0000025, was similar to previously reported data using other chemical forms of plutonium. The results did indicate, however, that differences in the biological availability of plutoniummore » isotopes do exist. All of the species exposed to americium-241 assimilated and translocated this radioisotope to the stem, leaf, and fruiting structures. The magnitude of incorporation as signified by the concentration ratios varied from 0.00001 for the wheat grass to 0.0152 for the radishes. An increase in the uptake of americium also occurred as a function of time for four of the five plant species. Evidence indicates that the predominant factor in plutonium and americium uptake by plants may involve the chelation of these elements in soils by the action of compounds such as citric acid and/or other similar chelating agents released from plant roots.« less
  • The plutonium mass isotopic analysis and the Am-241 analysis of soil samples from Rocky Flats identify the contamination as Pu which was processed in 1958. The Am-241 activity in the soil will reach its maximum in 2033 and represent 18 percent of the Pu-239-240 activity. Nuclide ratios indicate that current operations at Rocky Flats contribute little to the airborne Pu concentrations which are due to resuspension of the contaminated soil. Root uptake of Pu or Am by vegetation is slight or shows no discrimination among the isotopes and nuclides studied. The relationship between Pu deposition contour and the area enclosedmore » by that contour has been verified for contour values extending over 7 orders of magnitude. This gives confidence to our calculations of the quantities of Pu released on and off the Rocky Flats plant site. (auth)« less