Preliminary evaluation of the potential for plutonium release from burial grounds at Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory
An analysis was made of a number of natural phenomena which could result in the release of plutonium from radioactive wastes buried at the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL). Background information concerning the history and practice of radioactive waste disposal at LASL is provided. The potential impact of buried radioactive wastes on the environment is addressed through the mechanisms and rates by which the radionuclides can enter the environment. Only mechanisms independent of human activity are considered. They are divided into two classes, acute and chronic. The acute release mechanisms considered are earthquakes, meteorite impacts, and tornadoes. These have been typified by low occurrence probabilities (10/sup -6/ to 10/sup -7//yr). The chronic mechanisms that have been considered are release through uptake by plant roots, exposure by soil erosion, and transport by soil water. The rates of these processes are low, but may result in radionuclide release over long time periods. The analysis of uptake by plant roots was made using an environmental model currently under development; the model is discussed in some detail.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- OSTI ID:
- 7223104
- Report Number(s):
- LA-6694-MS; TRN: 77-009320
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
LASL
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
PLUTONIUM
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
RADIOISOTOPES
ROOT ABSORPTION
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
BIOLOGICAL MODELS
EARTHQUAKES
ENVIRONMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
EROSION
HEALTH HAZARDS
METEORITES
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
SOILS
SURFACE WATERS
TORNADOES
ACTINIDES
DISASTERS
ELEMENTS
HAZARDS
ISOTOPES
MANAGEMENT
MASS TRANSFER
METALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
SEISMIC EVENTS
STORMS
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS
UPTAKE
US AEC
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
WIND
510300* - Environment
Terrestrial- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
500500 - Environment
Atmospheric- Site Resource & Use Studies- (-1989)
052000 - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Management
510302 - Environment
Terrestrial- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- Terrestrial Ecosystems & Food Chains- (-1987)