Stontium-90 contamination in vegetation from radioactive waste seepage areas at ORNL, and theoretical calculations of /sup 90/Sr accumulation by deer
This report describes data obtained during a preliminary characterization of /sup 90/Sr levels in browse vegetation from the vicinity of seeps adjacent to ORNL solid waste storage areas (SWSA) where deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were suspected to accumulate /sup 90/Sr through the food chain. The highest strontium concentrations in plant samples were found at seeps associated with SWSA-5. Strontium-90 concentrations in honeysuckle and/or blackberry shoots from two seeps in SWSA-5 averaged 39 and 19 nCi/g dry weight (DW), respectively. The maximum concentration observed was 90 nCi/g DW. Strontium-90 concentrations in honeysuckle and blackberry shoots averaged 7.4 nCi/g DW in a study area south of SWSA-4, and averaged 1.0 nCi/g DW in fescue grass from a seepage area located on SWSA-4. A simple model (based on metabolic data for mule deer) has been used to describe the theoretical accumulation of /sup 90/Sr in bone of whitetail deer following ingestion of contaminated vegetation. These model calculations suggest that if 30 pCi /sup 90/Sr/g deer bone is to be the accepted screening level for retaining deer killed on the reservation, then 5-pCi /sup 90/Sr/g DW vegetation should be considered as a possible action level in making decisions about the need for remedial measures, because unrestricted access and full utilization of vegetation contaminated with <5 pCi/g DW results in calculated steady-state (maximum) /sup 90/Sr bone concentrations of <30 pCi/g in a 45-kg buck.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- OSTI ID:
- 6205243
- Report Number(s):
- ORNL/TM-10453; ON: DE87013371; TRN: 87-029950
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted. Environmental Sciences Division Publication No. 2924
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Investigation of $sup 90$Sr concentration in foodstuffs and its intake by population
Elk and Deer Study, Material Disposal Area G, Technical Area 54: Source document
Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
DEER
CONTAMINATION
FOOD CHAINS
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
STRONTIUM 90
BUILDUP
OAK RIDGE RESERVATION
PLANTS
QUANTITY RATIO
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
RECOMMENDATIONS
ALKALINE EARTH ISOTOPES
ANIMALS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
ISOTOPES
MAMMALS
MANAGEMENT
MASS TRANSFER
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NUCLEI
RADIOISOTOPES
RUMINANTS
STRONTIUM ISOTOPES
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
VERTEBRATES
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
054000* - Nuclear Fuels- Health & Safety
510300 - Environment
Terrestrial- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)