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Title: An In Situ Radiological Survey of Three Canyons at the Los Alamos National Laboratory

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/785789· OSTI ID:785789

An in situ radiological survey of Mortandad, Ten Site, and DP Canyons at the Los Alamos National Laboratory was conducted during August 19-30, 1996. The purpose of this survey was to measure the quantities of radionuclides that remain in the canyons from past laboratory operations. A total of 65 in situ measurements were conducted using high-resolution gamma radiation detectors at 1 meter above the ground. The measurements were obtained in the streambeds of the canyons beginning near the water-release points at the laboratories and extending to the ends of the canyons. Three man-made gamma-emitting radionuclides were detected in the canyons: americium-241 ({sup 241}Am), cesium-137 ({sup 137}Cs), and cobalt-60 ({sup 60}Co). Estimated contamination levels ranged from 13.3-290.4 picocuries per gram (pCi/g)for {sup 241}Am, 4.4-327.8 pCi/g for {sup 137}Cs, and 0.4-2.6 pCi/g for {sup 60}Co.

Research Organization:
Bechtel Nevada Corporation (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
US Department of Energy (US)
DOE Contract Number:
AC08-96NV11718
OSTI ID:
785789
Report Number(s):
DOE/NV/11718-141
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 1 Jun 1999
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English