Tritium in Surface Waters of the Western United States

Abstract

The tritium content of streams, lakes and springs in Alaska, Nevada and Colorado was measured over the last decade. The tritium content of these waters has declined approximately 50% to a present maximum of up to 70 pCi/1. This decline is a continuation of the decreasing trend that started shortly after the atmospheric nuclear test ban treaty of the early 1960's. The present concentration of tritium in these natural waters is approaching the concentration expected from the natural production of tritium in the environment.

Report on the feasibility of using isotopes to source and age-date groundwater in Orange County water district`s Forebay region

“…7). The further inland a surface water is sampled, though, the higher the 3H concentration will be, and in Figure 7 the approximate modem value of 3H in Colorado River was shown for comparison (Holloway, 1993). Over the past 35 years 3H concentrations have varied nearly a factor of 100 along the southern California coast.…”

“…Over the past 35 years 3H concentrations have varied nearly a factor of 100 along the southern California coast. The Colorado River has varied nearly a factor of 3 over the past 10 years (Holloway, 1993).…”

Final report on isotope tracer investigations in the Forebay of the Orange County groundwater basin.

“…3). Tritium concentrations measured in Lake Mead, Nevada (impounded Colorado River) varied from 220 to 60 pCi/L between 1983 and 1991 (Holloway, 1993), which was approximately three times greater concentration in than Santa Maria precipitation. .0 -----A-22 6/3/1997 -7.76 -62.3 --------A-26 8/29/1997 -7.82 ---------A-26 10/22/1997 -7.85 ---------A-26 11/24/1997 -7.96 --------…”