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

Annual radiological environmental operating report, Sequoyah Nuclear Plant, 1986

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6479586

The Sequoyah Nuclear Plant (SQN) is located in Hamilton County, Tennessee, bounded on the east by Chickamauga Reservoir. This report describes the environmental radiological monitoring conducted in 1986. The preoperational environmental radiological monitoring program established a baseline of data on the distribution of natural and manmade radioactivity in the environment near the plant site. However, seasonal, yearly, and random variations in the data were observed. In order to determine the potential increases in environmental radioactivity levels caused by the plant, comparisons were made between data for indicator stations (those near the plant) and control stations (those remote from the plant) in conjunction with comparisons with preoperational data. Dose estimates were made from concentrations of radioactivity found in samples of environmental media such as air, milk, drinking water, and fish. Doses estimated for persons at the indicator locations were similar to those determined for persons at control locations. Greater than 95 percent of those doses were contributed by the naturally occurring radionuclide K-40, and by Sr-90, and Cs-137 which are long-lived radioisotopes found in fallout from nuclear weapons testing. Increased levels of I-131 were reported in samples of air, milk, and rainwater following the Chernobyl nuclear power station accident. In addition, Ru-103, Cs-137, and Cs-134 were identified in air particulate filters.

Research Organization:
Tennessee Valley Authority, Chattanooga (USA). Radiological Control
OSTI ID:
6479586
Report Number(s):
TVA/PUB-87/17; ON: DE87900846
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English