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Statistical design and analysis of environmental studies for plutonium and other transuranics at NAEG ''safety-shot'' sites

Conference ·
OSTI ID:4137718
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This paper is centered around the use of stratified random sampling for estimating the total amount (inventory) of $sup 239-240$Pu and uranium in surface soil at ten ''safety-shot'' sites on the Nevada Test Site (NTS) and Tonopah Test Range (TTR) that are currently being studied by the Nevada Applied Ecology Group (NAEG). The use of stratified random sampling has resulted in estimates of inventory at these desert study sites that have smaller standard errors than would have been the case had simple random sampling (no stratification) been used. Estimates of inventory are given for $sup 235$U, $sup 238$U, and $sup 239-240$Pu in soil at A Site of Area 11 on the NTS. Other results presented include average concentrations of one or more of these isotopes in soil and vegetation and in soil profile samples at depths to 25 cm. The regression relationship between soil and vegetation concentrations of $sup 235$U and $sup 238$U at adjacent sampling locations is also examined using three different models. The applicability of stratified random sampling to the estimation of concentration contours of $sup 239-240$Pu in surface soil using computer algorithms is also investigated. Estimates of such contours are obtained using several different methods. The planning of field sampling plans for estimating inventory and distribution is discussed. (auth)

Research Organization:
Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, Wash. (USA)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AT(45-1)-1830
NSA Number:
NSA-33-002980
OSTI ID:
4137718
Report Number(s):
BNWL-SA--5505; CONF-751105--6
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

*NEVADA TEST SITE-- RADIATION MONITORING
*PLANTS-- SAMPLING
*PLUTONIUM 239-- RADIATION MONITORING
*PLUTONIUM 240-- RADIATION MONITORING
*SAMPLING-- STATISTICAL MECHANICS
*SOILS-- SAMPLING
*TONOPAH TEST RANGE-- RADIATION MONITORING
*URANIUM 235-- RADIATION MONITORING
*URANIUM 238-- RADIATION MONITORING
510300* --Environmental Sciences
Terrestrial--Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport
ALGORITHMS
COMPUTER CALCULATIONS
DEPTH
ENVIRONMENT
N42500 --Engineering--Nuclear Explosions
N44300* --Environmental & Earth Sciences--Radioactivity Monitoring & Transport
N44340 --Environmental & Earth Sciences--Radioactivity Monitoring & Transport--Ecosystems & Food Cycles
N48730 --Life Sciences--Nuclide Kinetics & Toxicology--Plants
RADIONUCLIDE KINETICS
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
RETENTION FUNCTIONS