An aerial radiological survey of the Babcock and Wilcox Nuclear Facilities and surrounding area, Lynchburg, Virginia. Date of survey: July 1988

Technical Report · Thu Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1993

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10171950· OSTI ID:10171950

Guss, P P

An aerial radiological survey was conducted from July 18 through July 25, 1988, over a 41-square-kilometer (16-square-mile) area surrounding the Babcock and Wilcox nuclear facilities located near Lynchburg, Virginia. The survey was conducted at a nominal altitude of 61 meters (200 feet) with line spacings of 91 meters (300 feet). A contour map of the terrestrial gamma exposure rate extrapolated to 1 meter above ground level (AGL) was prepared and overlaid on an aerial photograph. The terrestrial exposure rates varied from 8 to 12 microroentgens per hour ({mu}R/h). A search of the data for man-made radiation sources revealed the presence of three areas of high count rates in the survey area. Spectra accumulated over the main plant showed the presence of cobalt-60 ({sup 60}Co) and cesium-137 ({sup 137}Cs). A second area near the main plant indicated the presence of uranium-235 ({sup 235}U). Protactinium-234m ({sup 234m}Pa) and {sup 60}Co were detected over a building to the east of the main plant. Soil samples and pressurized ion chamber measurements were obtained at four locations within the survey boundaries in support of the aerial data.

• Research Organization: EG and G Energy Measurements, Inc., Las Vegas, NV (United States). Remote Sensing Lab.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC08-88NV10617
• OSTI ID: 10171950
• Report Number(s): EGG--10617-1133; ON: DE93017523
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

053000
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540230
AERIAL SURVEYING
CESIUM 137
COBALT 60
DOSE RATES
ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS
GAMMA RADIATION
MAPPING
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
PROTACTINIUM 234
RADIATION SOURCES
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS MONITORING AND TRANSPORT
RADIOMETRIC SURVEYS
URANIUM 235
VIRGINIA