Uranium studies in the Tims Branch and Steed Pond system

Technical Report · Thu Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1984

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10160239· OSTI ID:10160239

Hayes, D. W. ^[1]

---

1. Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)

During the weekend of September 2--3, 1984, a part of the wooden spillway for Steed Pond gave way and the pond slowly drained. Consideration is being given to leaving Steed Pond dry. Steed Pond has accumulated some of the uranium discharged from 300 Area operations and past surveys have shown that the uranium concentration in the sediments ranges between 20 and 531 pCi/gm. The recently completed aerial survey of the exposed area of Steed Pond showed that the uranium was widely spread in the sediments of Steed Pond. Until ground cover is established over the exposed pond sediments, they will be subject to erosion. As much as 90 tons of sediment could be eroded from the exposed sediments in Steed Pond the first year, but the erosion could be reduced to 5--15 tons by establishing a ground cover such as rye grass. Only about 40% of the eroded sediment would be delivered to Upper Three Runs Creek, because most of the eroded sediment deposited before it reaches Upper Three Runs Creek. Less than 20 mCi of uranium would be transported downstream the first year from erosion of Steed Pond sediments, and this could be reduced to 2-- 5 mCi/year if ground cover is established.

• Research Organization: Westinghouse Savannah River Co., Aiken, SC (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-76SR00001; AC09-89SR18035
• OSTI ID: 10160239
• Report Number(s): DPST--84-847; ON: DE92016895
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540250
ALPHA-BEARING WASTES
CONTAMINATION
DEPOSITION
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
EROSION
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
RADIATION TRANSPORT
RADIOMETRIC SURVEYS
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
SAVANNAH RIVER PLANT
SEDIMENTS
SITE RESOURCE AND USE STUDIES
SURFACE WATERS
TOXICITY
URANIUM