Aquatic studies of Gable Mountain Pond

Abstract

This publication represents a summary report on the aquatic studies a t Gable Mountain Pond from [1972][1973][1974] Native goldfish had maximum and average 1 3 7~s concentrations of about 340 and 170 pCi/g dry w t , respectively. Algae, macrophytes, and d e t r i t u s comprised the main food items of the goldfish, and the 1 3 7~s levels in the plants were usually higher than the 1 3 7~s concentration in the f i s h . Uncontaminated goldfish r e s t r i c t e d t o areas of relatively high and low levels of radioa c t i v i t y attained quasi-equil ibrium levels of 1 3 7~s a t different r a t e s , time, and magnitude, w i t h f i s h in the higher area accumulating nearly twice the amounts of 1 3 7~s as f i s h i n the lower area. The former population attained peak concentrations in about 3 months as compared t o about 2 months in the l a t t e r . Both populations exhibited decreasing concentrations i n winter as metabolic rates decreased.The 3 7~s concentrations of wi ld experimental ducks restricted t o Gable Mountain Pond were approximately the same a s resident coots, but significantly higher than transient wild ducks.Neither the goldfish nor the waterfowl inhabiting the pond attained concentrations of 3 7~s exceeding acceptable 1 imi t s . Sediment, however, could be a source of high concentrations of radioactivity or radioactive contamination concern i f (a) the concentration of radiocontaminants increased and/or ( b ) the pond dries u p , and the contaminated sediments become windborne.

200-BP-5 operable unit treatability test report

“…Sorptiondesorption is probably the primary control for %Sr and 137Cs migration at the 216-A-25 Gable Mountain Pond. Cushing and Watson (1974) noted that I3?Cs appears to be strongly held in the sediments immediately below the pond. The same is not expected for ' %r; it is thought to occur at the top of the aquifer (Serkowski and Jordan 1989).…”

“…In 1971 and 1972, PNNL personnel conducted a study of Gable Mountain Pond (Cushing and Watson 1974). Cushing and Watson (1974) found that 137Cs accounted for 90% of the radioactivity at the pond, and 90% of 137Cs occurred in the top 5 cm (2 in.)…”

“…Cushing and Watson (1974) found that 137Cs accounted for 90% of the radioactivity at the pond, and 90% of 137Cs occurred in the top 5 cm (2 in.) of pond sediment.…”

“…of pond sediment. In contrast to 137Cs, the specific sample intervals and dimensions of the cores were not published (Cushing and Watson 1974).…”

Transuranic Contamination in Sediment and Groundwater at the U.S. DOE Hanford Site

“…Cushing and Watson (1974) analyzed radionuclides in sediment samples collected from the bottom of the pond with sediment coring tubes and Ekman dredges. The maximum concentrations measured for plutonium and americium were 1.5 pCi/g plutonium-239/240, less than 0.08 pCi/g plutonium-238, and 1.4 pCi/g americium-241.…”