The characterization and risk assessment of the `Red Forest` radioactive waste burial site at Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant
- AN Ukrainskoj SSR, Kiev (Ukraine). Inst. Geologicheskikh Nauk
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
The `Red Forest` radioactive waste burials created during emergency clean-up activities at Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant represent a serious source of radioactive contamination of the local ground water system with 9OSr concentration in ground water exceeding the drinking water standard by 3-4 orders of magnitude. In this paper we present results of our hydrogeological and radiological `Red Forest` site characterization studies, which allow us to estimate 9OSr subsurface migration parameters. We use then these parameters to assess long terrain radionuclide transport to groundwater and surface water, and to analyze associated health risks. Our analyses indicate that 9OSr transport via ground water pathway from `Red Forest` burials to the adjacent Pripyat River is relatively insignificant due to slow release of 9OSr from the waste burials (less than 1% of inventory per year) and due to long enough ground water residence time in the subsurface, which allows substantial decay of the radioactive contaminant. Tins result and our previous analyses indicate, that though conditions of radioactive waste storage in burials do not satisfy Ukrainian regulation on radiation protection, health risks caused by radionuclide migration to ground water from `Red Forest` burials do not justify application of expensive countermeasures.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- OSTI ID:
- 402279
- Report Number(s):
- SAND--96-2290C; CONF-9609272--1; ON: DE96014888
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
CHERNOBYLSK-4 REACTOR
CONTAMINATION
DRINKING WATER
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
GROUND DISPOSAL
GROUND WATER
HEALTH HAZARDS
MELTDOWN
RADIATION HAZARDS
RADIATION PROTECTION
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
SOILS
SOLID WASTES
STRONTIUM 90