Ecological studies of small vertebrates in Pu-contaminated study areas of NTS and TTR
- eds.
Ecological studies of vertebrates in plutonium-contaminated areas of the Nevada Test Site (NTS) were initiated in March 1972, and have continued to date. In September 1973, standard census methods were also employed to derive a qualitative and quantitative inventory of vertebrate biota of four Nevada Applied Ecology Group (NAEG) study areas of the Tonopah Test Range (TTR). A checklist of vertebrates of NAEG study areas of NTS and TTR is presented. Data are presented on vertebrate composition, relative abundance, and seasonal status in the study areas. Concentrations of $sup 239$Pu and $sup 241$Am were determined in pelt or skin, GI tract, and carcass of 13 lizards and 16 mammals resident on Clean Slate 2, TTR, and Area 11, NTS. A total of 71 animals were collected for radioanalysis. However, the data were not available at the time this report was written. Pu tissue burdens were highest in lizards from Area 11 GZ. Maximum values obtained in nCi/g ash were 30.9, 42.2, and 0.43 for the pelt, GI tract, and carcass, respectively. Maximum $sup 239$Pu values in tissues of small rodents from Area 11 (not from GZ) were 11.4, 6.49, and 0.20 nCi/g ash for pelt, GI tract, and carcass, respectively. Pu/Am ratios were relatively consistent in tissue samples of lizards and small mammals from Area 11 (approximately 6:1, Pu/Am). Pu/Am ratios were not consistent in vertebrates of Clean Slate 2, TTR, and appeared to be lower in carcass (28:1, Pu/Am in mammals) than GI tract (9:1, Pu/Am in mammals). Although this trend was more conspicuous in mammals, it was also evident in reptiles. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Nevada, Las Vegas; Energy Research and Development Administration, Las Vegas, Nev. (USA). Nevada Operations Office
- NSA Number:
- NSA-33-000645
- OSTI ID:
- 4144411
- Report Number(s):
- NVO-153
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 30-JUN-76; Related Information: Radioecology of plutonium and other transuranics in desert environments. Nevada Applied Ecology Group progress report as of January 1975
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
N44420 -Environmental & Earth Sciences-Radiometric Techniques-Soil
N48720 -Life Sciences-Nuclide Kinetics & Toxicology-Animals
N44500 -Environmental & Earth Sciences-Site Surveys
510302* -Environmental Sciences
Terrestrial-Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-Terrestrial Ecosystems & Food Chains
*AMERICIUM 241- BODY BURDEN
*NEVADA TEST SITE- RADIOECOLOGY
*PLUTONIUM 239- BODY BURDEN
*TONOPAH TEST RANGE- RADIOECOLOGY
BODY
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
HAIR
LIZARDS
POPULATION DENSITY
RADIOMETRIC ANALYSIS
RADIONUCLIDE KINETICS
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
RODENTS
SAMPLING
SKIN
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
VARIATIONS
VERTEBRATES
WILD ANIMALS