Plutonium, Am, Cm and Sr in Ducks Maintained on Radioactive Leaching Ponds in Southeastern Idaho

Abstract

Concentrations of 90Sr, 238Pu, 239,240Pu, 241Am, 242Cm and 244Cm were determined in tissues of mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) maintained for 43-145 d on radioactive leaching ponds in southeastern Idaho. Highest concentrations of transuranics occurred in the gastrointestinal tract, followed closely by feathers. Approximately 75%, 18%, 6% and 1% of the total transuranic activity in tissues analyzed were associated with the bone, feathers, GI tract and liver, respectively. Concentrations in GI tracts were similar to concentrations in vegetation and insects in the littoral area of the ponds. The calculated total dose rate to the ducks from both 90Sr and the transuranic nuclides was 0.69 mGy d-1 (69 mrad d-1), of which 99% was to the bone. The potential effective dose equivalent to a human consuming the entire muscle and liver mass of one experimental duck with average nuclide concentrations was 0.46 microSv (0.046 mrem). Based upon average concentrations in experimental ducks and on surveys of wild waterfowl using this area, a conservative estimate of transuranic activity exported by wild ducks using the ponds during one year was 11.3 kBq (305 nCi). Similarly, the total amount of 90Sr exported in muscle, bone and lung of wild ducks in one year was 2.5 MBq (68.7 microCi).

Guidance Manual for Conducting Screening Level Ecological Risk Assessments at the INEL

“…12gIin deer thyroids may be a sensitive indicator of contaminants from nuclear fuel processing plants and atmospheric nuclear tests or accidents. Markham et al (1988). Concentrations ol'90Sr, 238Pu, '91240Pu, 241 Am, '2Cm, and "Cm were determined in tissues of mallard ducks (Arias platyrhynochos) maintained for 43 to 145 days on radioactive leaching ponds at the TRA.…”

“…Doses received by individual organisms provide a basis for determining the potential for harm to populations. A number of authors have calculated or estimated doses to ecological receptors from internal and external contamination received at the INEL Fraley et al 1982;Halford 1987;Halford 1987b;Markham et al 1988;Morris et al in preparation). found that some maximally exposed small mammals inhabiting the TRA radioactive waste pond basin received doses that had been found to reduce life expectancy in earlier studies .…”

“…Several authors have calculated potential doses to humans from consuming contaminated meats (Fraley and Bowman 1982;Connelly and Markham 1983;Halford 1987;Markham et al 1988;Morris et al in preparation). In every case, the predicted potential doses have been found to be insignificant relative to DOE standards and background doses.…”

The Idaho National Engineering Laboratory Site environmental report for calendar year 1992

“…Concentrations of TCE in samples ber[14][15][16][17][18] 1992, and analyzed by the Lockheed from the Water Reactor Research Test Facility Analytical Laboratory in Las Vegas, Nevada, (WRRTF) distribution system are above the max-according to the same regulations. None of the imum contaminant level of 5 lag/L.…”