Distribution of long-lived radionuclides in an abandoned reactor cooling reservoir

Journal Article · Sat Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · Ecological Monographs; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/1943017· OSTI ID:6217973

Whicker, F W; Pinder, III, J E; Bowling, J W; Alberts, J J; Brisbin, Jr, I L ^[1]

---

1. Savannah River Ecology Lab., Aiken, SC (USA)

The distribution of {sup 137}Cs, {sup 90}Sr, {sup 238}Pu, {sup 239,240}Pu, {sup 241}Am, and {sup 244}Cm was studied in the biotic and abiotic components of an abandoned reactor cooling impoundment, Pond B. The impoundment is located at the US Department of Energy's Savannah River Plant in South Carolina, USA. It received radioactive contaminants via cooling water discharges from R Reactor from September 1961 to June 1964. The radionuclde inventories were estimated in water, seston, sediments, and biotic components after 20 yr of equilibration. Chemical, physical, and biological relationships to the radionuclide distribution patterns were investigated. Biotic components contained some of the highest radionuclide concentration ratios observed to date. However, most of the radioactivity resides in sediments. The principal mechanisms of loss from the system are radioactive decay and periodic outflow of water and suspended materials; biotic export and seepage appear to be inconsequential. Strontium-90 was much more mobile in the system than the other radionuclides. Aquatic macrophytes dominated the biotic component radionuclide inventories and their dynamics exert a strong influence on the spatial distribution and turnover of radioactivity in the ecosystem. Pond B supports a diverse and productive flora and fauna. Cleanup of the system is not indicated. Use of Pond B for recreation is feasible with adequate attention to monitoring and radiological health guidelines.

• OSTI ID: 6217973
• Journal Information: Ecological Monographs; (USA), Journal Name: Ecological Monographs; (USA) Vol. 60:4; ISSN ECMOA; ISSN 0012-9615
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

053000* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Environmental Aspects
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540330 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
ACTINIDES
ALKALI METAL ISOTOPES
ALKALINE EARTH ISOTOPES
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
AMERICIUM 241
AMERICIUM ISOTOPES
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CESIUM 137
CESIUM ISOTOPES
COOLING PONDS
CURIUM 244
CURIUM ISOTOPES
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
FEDERAL REGION IV
HEAVY NUCLEI
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
ISOTOPES
MASS TRANSFER
METALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
PLUTONIUM
PONDS
RADIOISOTOPES
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
SAVANNAH RIVER PLANT
SOUTH CAROLINA
STRONTIUM 90
STRONTIUM ISOTOPES
SURFACE WATERS
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS
US AEC
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
USA
WATER RESERVOIRS
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES