An aerial radiological survey of the Wolf Creek Generating Station and surrounding area, Burlington, Kansas, October 1987

Technical Report · Sat Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988

OSTI ID:6500842

Hobaugh, Jr, J L

An aerial radiological survey was performed over the area surrounding the Wolf Creek Generating Station during the period of October 5 to 12, 1987. The survey covered a 256-square-kilometer (100-square-mile) area centered on the station. The survey was conducted at an altitude of 91 meters (300 feet) above ground level (AGL) with line spacings of 152 meters (500 feet). The highest exposure rates, up to a maximum of 0.14 milliroentgen per hour (mR/h), were inferred from the data measured directly over the station. This radiation was primarily due to the presence of cobalt-58 and cobalt-60 which was consistent with normal station operations. For the remainder of the survey area, the inferred radiation exposure rates varied from 7 to 14 microroentgens per hour (..mu..R/h), which was found to be due to the naturally occurring uranium, thorium, and radioactive potassium gamma emitters. The reported exposure rate values included an estimated cosmic ray contribution of 3.7 ..mu..R/h. Ground-based measurements, conducted concurrently with the aerial survey, were compared to the inferred aerial results. Pressurized ionization chamber readings and a group of soil samples were acquired at four locations within the survey area. Soil samples were also acquired at two locations on the banks of Wolf Creek, one to the north of the station and one to the south of the station. The exposure rate values obtained from these ground-based measurements were in agreement with the corresponding inferred aerial values. No evidence was found of any radioactive contamination which might have occurred as a result of station operations. This conclusion was supported by the results of the aerial survey. 7 refs., 5 figs., 1 tab.

• Research Organization: EG and G, Inc., Las Vegas, NV (USA). Remote Sensing Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: AC08-88NV10617
• OSTI ID: 6500842
• Report Number(s): EGG-10617-1002; ON: DE89007338
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

510300* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
510500 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AERIAL SURVEYING
BACKGROUND RADIATION
DOSIMETRY
EQUIPMENT
EVALUATION
FEDERAL REGION VII
GAMMA DOSIMETRY
KANSAS
MAPPING
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MONITORING
NAI DETECTORS
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
PORTABLE EQUIPMENT
POWER GENERATION
POWER PLANTS
RADIATION DETECTORS
RADIATIONS
REMOTE SENSING
SCINTILLATION COUNTERS
SITE SURVEYS
SOLID SCINTILLATION DETECTORS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
USA