Fixation and long-term accumulation of tritium from tritiated water in an experimental aquatic environment
The accumulation of tritium in selected freshwater biota was studied in a 10 m diameter concrete-lined pond at the Hanford Atomic Energy Works. Tritium as tritiated water was introduced for 8 months continuously in the replacement water at a concentration of $mu$Ci per liter; and water, biota (carp, clams, crayfish, periphyton, pondweed), and sediments were sampled on a predetermined schedule. The pond was maintained on uncontaminated replacement waters for an additional 8 months to determine the rate of elimination from the ecosystem. After the first day, tissue-free-water tritium in all biota approached an equilibrium with pond water. Final concentration factors of 0.89, 0.87, 0.82, 0.92, 0.77, 0.88 were calculated for carp, clam, crayfish, snail, periphyton, and pondweed. Although highly variable, analyses of pond sediments suggested an initial rapid uptake by the loose water fraction, attaining 0.30 of the pond equilibrium level in three days. There was evidence to suggest a secondary slower rate of uptake that accounted for 0.65 of the pond equilibrium level as determined at seven months. Tissue-bond tritium initially increased rapidly in all biota sampled, but slowed with time. Equilibrium conditions were not reached. Final concentration factors for carp, clam, crayfish, snail, periphyton, and pondweed were calculated to be 0.49, 0.10, 0.53, 0.54, 0.15, and 0.62. Analyses of sediments after removal of the loose water fraction revealed little or no organically bound tritium. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, Wash. (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- E(45-1)-1830
- NSA Number:
- NSA-33-007303
- OSTI ID:
- 4164677
- Report Number(s):
- BNWL-SA--5416; CONF-751026--31
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
*TRITIUM-- RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
520302* --Environmental Sciences
Aquatic--Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport--Aquatic Ecosystems & Food Chains
CRUSTACEANS
FISHES
MOLLUSCS
N44340* --Environmental & Earth Sciences--Radioactivity Monitoring & Transport--Ecosystems & Food Cycles
N48720 --Life Sciences--Nuclide Kinetics & Toxicology--Animals
N48730 --Life Sciences--Nuclide Kinetics & Toxicology--Plants
PLANTS
PONDS
RADIONUCLIDE KINETICS
RETENTION
SAMPLING
SEDIMENTS