The transport, dispersion, and cycling of tritium in the environment. [Contains Bibliography]

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

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6324878· OSTI ID:6324878

Murphy, Jr, C E

The processes which determine transport, dispersion, and cycling of tritium are identified for atmospheric, terrestrial, aquatic, and groundwater systems. The processes are discussed in terms of the storage capacity for tritium in each component of each system and ranges of residence times are derived. The residence times of each component of the systems are discussed in terms of the residence time of the whole system for transient releases of tritium into different components of the systems. The role of the ocean as a sink for tritium is described. The concentration of tritium in the system at steady state is described in terms of the inputs and outputs to the components of the systems. The analysis indicates that the key residence time for a specific release of tritium into the environment is dependent on both the residence time of the components and the means of introduction into the environment. The initial concentration ad residence time of tritium in the terrestrial system after an exposure to tritiated water vapor are determined by the atmospheric and vegetative conditions at the time of the release. The dominant residence time is that of the vegetation. On the other hand, the initial concentration and residence time of tritium in the terrestrial system after an exposure to tritiated hydrogen are determined by the atmospheric and soil conditions at the time of the release. The dominant residence time is that of the soil. The initial concentration and residence time after a liquid release to the soil surface are determined by the diluting soil water content and the residence time for water in the rooting zone of the soil. Little tritium enters the organic fraction of terrestrial systems from transient releases of gases or liquid water. 102 refs., 19 figs., 2 tabs.

• Research Organization: Westinghouse Savannah River Co., Aiken, SC (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/DP
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-89SR18035
• OSTI ID: 6324878
• Report Number(s): WSRC-RP-90-462; ON: DE91002547
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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ANIMALS
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BIBLIOGRAPHIES
DISPERSIONS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ECOSYSTEMS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE PATHWAY
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FORESTS
GLOBAL ASPECTS
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN ISOTOPES
IDAHO NATIONAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY
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LAKES
LIGHT NUCLEI
MANAGEMENT
MASS TRANSFER
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ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
PONDS
RADIATIONS
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RADIOISOTOPES
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
SAVANNAH RIVER PLANT
SEAS
SOILS
SURFACE WATERS
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
TRITIUM
US AEC
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WATER
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES