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

Estimating isotopic ratios, spatial distribution and inventory of radionuclides at Nuclear Sites 201, 219 and 221

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6605361

For NS201 the estimated average /sup 239/ /sup 240/Pu to /sup 241/Am ratios for vegetation and soil are 7.3 and 11.5, respectively, where the /sup 241/Am data were obtained using wet chemistry. The geometric mean /sup 90/Sr to /sup 137/Cs ratios for vegetation and soil at NS201 are estimated to be 1.1 and 1.9. These results suggest that the true (population) median /sup 239/ /sup 240/Pu to /sup 241/Am and /sup 90/Sr to /sup 137/Cs ratios are smaller for vegetation than for soil at NS201. For NS219 and NS221 the estimated average /sup 239/ /sup 240/Pu to /sup 241/Am ratios for surface soil at NS219 and NS221 are 2.8 and 0.78, respectively. There is an obvious statistical difference in the average /sup 239/ /sup 240/Pu to /sup 241/Am ratios at these sites. The geometric mean /sup 239/ /sup 240/Pu to /sup 241/Am ratios for vegetation samples at NS219 and NS221 are estimated to be 3.2 and 0.82, respectively. The data suggest there may be a difference in the /sup 239/ /sup 240/Pu to /sup 241/Am ratios for soil and vegetation at NS219, but not at NS221. The geometric mean /sup 90/Sr to /sup 137/Cs ratio for surface soil at NS219 and NS221 combined is 0.93. The geometric mean /sup 90/Sr to /sup 137/Cs ratio for vegetation for the two sites (pooled data) is estimated to be 1.8. 43 references, 42 figures, 7 tables.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC06-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
6605361
Report Number(s):
PNL-SA-12194; CONF-830610-5; ON: DE84015584
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English