Preoperational radiation surveillance of the WIPP (Waste Isolation Pilot Plant) Project by EEG, 1985--1988

Technical Report · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1990

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5162208· OSTI ID:5162208

Kenney, J; Shenk, K ^[1]; Rodgers, J ^[2]; Chapman, J ^[3]

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1. Environmental Evaluation Group, Carlsbad, NM (USA)
2. Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
3. Nevada Univ., Las Vegas, NV (USA). Desert Research Inst.

Since the beginning of the preoperational radiation monitoring program in late 1985, the EEG has collected 815 air particulate samples, 123 water samples, 12 biota samples and three sediment samples. Analysis of the majority of these samples have provided 3749 specific radionuclide concentrations in the WIPP environment and in surrounding communities. As would be expected, analyses of air particulates frequently indicated a detectable presence of naturally occurring Ra-226, Ra-228, Th-228, Th-230, and Th-232. Cs-137 was detected in air samples collected during the calendar quarter of the Soviet disaster at Chernobyl. Fallout from this event was detected by air surveillance networks worldwide. Radionuclide data from the analyses of water samples were consistent with other published findings for water from this area. Observed concentration of naturally occurring decay products of U-238 were not in equilibrium with the parent. This is consistent with differential radionuclide mobility in the environment. Ra-226 and Ra-228 were detected in a large number of samples with a high chloride content. 27 refs., 21 figs., 24 tabs.

• Research Organization: Environmental Evaluation Group, Carlsbad, NM (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/DP
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-89AL58309
• OSTI ID: 5162208
• Report Number(s): DOE/AL/58309-43; EEG--43; ON: DE90006141
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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