Comparative ecology of nuclear waste ponds and streams on the Hanford Site

Technical Report · Sun Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1978

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6552316· OSTI ID:6552316

Emery, R M; McShane, M C

Limnological and radiological parameters were investigated in ponds and streams on the Hanford Site to develop comprehensive radioecological profiles. While Hanford ponds and streams can be grouped into three categories of nuclide content, only one system (100-N trench) has dose rates exceeding 1 R/week. However, maximum ..cap alpha.. concentrations in Z-19 ditch water and maximum ..beta..-..gamma.. concentrations in 100-N trench water both exceeded 10/sup 4/ pCi/l. These aquatic environments support populations of commonly occurring algae, macrophytes, invertebrates, and in some cases, fish. Although the variety in algal populations is reduced in 100-N trench and Z-19 ditch, variety in other types of biota are not apparently associated with amounts of radioactivity. The productivity rates of plant life, invertebrates and fish in these systems resemble those in aquatic environments not associated with nuclear activities. Only 100-N trench contains enough radioactivity to be potentially harmful to some aquatic organisms and terrestrial communities. 7 figures, 7 tables.

• Research Organization: Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, WA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-06-1830
• OSTI ID: 6552316
• Report Number(s): PNL-2499; TRN: 79-001793
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
HANFORD RESERVATION
RADIOECOLOGY
PONDS
STREAMS
ALGAE
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONTAMINATION
PRODUCTIVITY
RADIOACTIVITY
ECOLOGY
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
PLANTS
SURFACE WATERS
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
053000* - Nuclear Fuels- Environmental Aspects
520300 - Environment
Aquatic- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (1989)