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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

HT and HTO in the environment at Chalk River

Conference · · Fusion Technol.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5767656

The release of tritium into the public environment from heavy water reactor operations at Chalk River Nuclear Laboratories is about 0.1% of the Derived Release Limit which is based on internationally accepted standards. A mean discharge of 500 TBq/a of HTO vapour to the atmosphere has resulted in concentrations in precipitation at the plant boundary of 74 Bq/L. (1 TeraBq = 10/sup 12/Bq = 27 Ci). A dilution factor of 6 x 10/sup 7/ m/sup 3//s is observed. Measurements of HT in tree leaf moisture and integrated snow cores serve to delineate the dispersal plume. Measure discharges of liquid HTO to local surface and groundwaters totaling 147 TBq/a agree reasonably well with amounts observed in the Ottawa River. Preliminary measurements have shown that minor amounts of HT are being released to the atmosphere from the Chalk River facilities.

Research Organization:
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Chalk River Nuclear Laboratories, Chalk River, Ontario
OSTI ID:
5767656
Report Number(s):
CONF-850405-
Journal Information:
Fusion Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Fusion Technol.; (United States) Vol. 8:2; ISSN FUSTE
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English