Identifying the Technical Basis for Technical Impracticability Waivers for Recalcitrant Radionuclides at Department of Energy Sites - 19055

Conference · Mon Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 2019

OSTI ID:23002886

Freedman, Vicky; Rockhold, Mark; Downs, Janelle; Yonkofski, Catherine; Waichler, Scott; Fang, Yilin ^[1]

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1. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354 (United States)

Injection wells are currently used to hydraulically contain the leading edge of a radioactive iodine-129 ({sup 129}I) groundwater plume that underlies the Hanford Site's 200-UP-1 Operable Unit within the Central Plateau. Hydraulic containment has been implemented because to date, no viable treatment technologies have been identified that can achieve the federal drinking water standard of 1 pCi/L. The large spatial extent of the {sup 129}I plume limits the practical implementation of readily available remedy options, and the presence of large amounts of natural stable {sup 127}I as well as multiple iodine species (iodate, iodide, and organic-iodine complexes) in the groundwater present challenges for remedy performance. As evaluations of potential remediation technologies proceed, risk-informed remediation endpoints and alternatives- such as applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements technical impracticability (TI) waivers-are being evaluated as specified in the interim Record of Decision. A TI waiver may be necessary for {sup 129}I at 200-UP-1 to achieve a plume condition that is still protective of human health and the environment. Nearly 100 TI waivers have been granted at sites across the U.S.; however, a TI waiver has not yet been granted for a radionuclide nor has one been granted for a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)-managed site. This situation underscores the importance of developing a methodology for risk-based decision-making for iodine and other contaminants of concern at DOE sites. (authors)

• Research Organization: WM Symposia, Inc., PO Box 27646, 85285-7646 Tempe, AZ (United States)
• OSTI ID: 23002886
• Report Number(s): INIS-US--21-WM-19055
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
CONTAINMENT
DECISION MAKING
DRINKING WATER
GROUND WATER
HYDRAULICS
IMPLEMENTATION
INJECTION WELLS
IODATES
IODIDES
IODINE
IODINE 127
IODINE 129
IODINE COMPLEXES
PLUMES
RADIATION HAZARDS
RECOMMENDATIONS
REMEDIAL ACTION