Radionuclide concentrations in soils and vegetation at Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Area G during the 1998 growing season (with a cumulative summary of {sup 3}H and {sup 239}Pu over time)

Fresquez, P.R.; Ebinger, M. H.; Wechsler, Richard J.; Naranjo, L.

doi:10.2172/751946

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Also, the non-transformed pelt concentrations were relatively close in total U concentration for the treatment (0.69 pCi/g ash) and control site (0.66 pCi/g ash). This is consistent with conclusions in other studies that natural deposits of U are the predominant source of U levels at LANL (Fresquez et al, 1999).…”

Section: Uraniumsupporting

confidence: 93%

Source Document: The Relationship Between Pocket Gophers (Thomomys bottae) and the Distribution of Buried Radioactive Waste at the Los Alamos National Laboratory

Gonzales¹,

Budd²,

Fresquez³

et al. 2000

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Material Disposal Area G at the Los Alamos National Laboratory is a lowlevel radioactive waste storage facility. The noticeable presence of pocket gopher mounds and cast soil on closed waste burial sites of various types resulted in the need to understand possible interactions between gophers and radioactive waste at Area G. In our study, pocket gophers, mound soil, off-mound surface soil, and vegetation were collected at Area G and at off-site background locations. The samples were analyzed for 241 Am, 238 Pu, 239 Pu, 3 H, and total U. A comparison of radionuclide concentrations in mound soil to surface soil and in gophers to soil and vegetation implied that gopher activity is generally not resulting in the upward transport of radionuclides. Concentrations of 241 Am, 238 Pu, 239 Pu, and 3 H in some of the gopher, soil, and vegetation samples were higher than background at some of the sites, however, gophers at only one site within Area G had 3 H concentrations that resulted in an estimated dose to gophers that could impact their health. Relationships in radionuclide concentrations between the four media (pocket gophers, mound soil, off-mound surface soil, and vegetation) were examined by conducting correlation tests. Correlations were highest for Am 241 and 238 Pu, however, only the 238 Pu relationship may be accurate enough to be used in predicting concentrations. The relationship in radionuclide concentration between pelts and carcasses was highly variable-carcasses, including the gastrointestinal tract, contained between 51% and 575% of the radionuclide concentration on pelts. Data generated by this study are valuable for ecological risk assessments. Further investigation through modeling and monitoring may be necessary to determine if the 3 H shafts are a source of environmental 3 H levels that are of ecological concern. Future research should include modeling the transport of radionuclides through ecological receptors within and around Area G. This should include investigations of transfer to high-level carnivores, especially raptors. w3z-tGp-0~6 w-i fWw I!os Wd t 12 B85 t 'L 1 J~4uJOOOa 'hpsmy~. This report has been reproduced directly from the best available copy. It is available electronically on the Web (httn:l/www.doe.govlbridge).

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Section: Uraniumsupporting

confidence: 93%

Source Document: The Relationship Between Pocket Gophers (Thomomys bottae) and the Distribution of Buried Radioactive Waste at the Los Alamos National Laboratory

Gonzales¹,

Budd²,

Fresquez³

et al. 2000

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“…In addition, transuranic wastes have been stored on pads in the northeast portion of the site. As part of the Laboratory's Environmental Surveillance Program, the Ecology Group has sampled media at Area G, including soils/sediments (Fresquez et al , 1999Nyhan et al 2000Nyhan et al , 2001, vegetation (Fresquez et al , 1999Nyhan et al 2000Nyhan et al , 2001, and small mammals (Biggs et al , 1997 Area G Gonzales et al 2000). These sampling and analytical activities have revealed elevated levels of several radionuclides in these media.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimating Radiological Doses to Predators Foraging in a Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Area

Soholt¹,

Gonzales²,

Fresquez³

et al. 2003

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Since 1957, Los Alamos National Laboratory has operated Area G as its lowlevel, solid radioactive waste management and disposal area. Although the waste management area is developed, plants, small mammals, and avian and mammalian predators still occupy the less disturbed and revegetated portions of the land. For almost a decade, we have monitored the concentrations of selected radionuclides in soils, plants, and small mammals at Area G. The radionuclides tritium, plutonium-238, and plutonium-239 are regularly found at levels above regional background in all three media. Based on radionuclide concentrations in mice collected from 1994 to 1999, we calculated doses to higher trophic levels (owl, hawk, kestrel, and coyote) that forage on the waste management area. These predators play important functions in the regional ecosystems and are an important part of local Native American traditional tales that identify the uniqueness of their culture. The estimated doses are compared to Department of Energy's interim limit of 0.1 rad/day for the protection of terrestrial wildlife. We used exposure parameters that were derived from the literature for each receptor, including Environmental Protection Agency's exposure factors handbook. Estimated doses to predators ranged from 9E-06 to 2E-04 rad/day, assuming that they forage entirely on the waste management area. These doses are greater than those calculated for predators foraging exclusively in reference areas, but are still well below the interim dose limit. We believe that these calculated doses represent upper-bound estimates of exposure for local predators because the larger predators forage over areas that are much greater than the 63-acre waste management area. Based on these results, we concluded that predators foraging on this area do not face a hazard from radiological exposure under current site conditions.

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Radionuclide concentrations in soils and vegetation at Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Area G during the 1998 growing season (with a cumulative summary of {sup 3}H and {sup 239}Pu over time)

Cited by 2 publications

References 8 publications

Source Document: The Relationship Between Pocket Gophers (Thomomys bottae) and the Distribution of Buried Radioactive Waste at the Los Alamos National Laboratory

Source Document: The Relationship Between Pocket Gophers (Thomomys bottae) and the Distribution of Buried Radioactive Waste at the Los Alamos National Laboratory

Estimating Radiological Doses to Predators Foraging in a Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Area

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