Tritium concentrations in the Columbia River at Richland
The concentrations of tritium in the Columbia River, which are measurable using special analytical techniques, have been decreasing during recent years. Tritium levels are significantly greater at the Richland Pumphouse downstream of the Hanford Site than upstream at Priest Rapids Dam. Tritium is known to enter the river along the Hanford Site as direct effluent discharges, which have been virtually eliminated, and through the seepage of ground water contaminated as a result of past operations. The seepage of contaminated ground water has continued, expanding over time to encompass a larger portion of the Hanford shoreline nearer to the downstream Columbia River monitoring station. Cross-sectional sampling of the river was conducted to determine the distribution of tritium across the river and evaluate the relationship between average tritium concentrations in the river and those measured by the downstream river sampling system.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 10131087
- Report Number(s):
- PNL-SA--21080; CONF-930130--8; ON: DE93007874
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Columbia River monitoring: Distribution of tritium in Columbia River water at the Richland Pumphouse
Columbia River monitoring: Distribution of tritium in Columbia River water at the Richland Pumphouse