Third Quarter 2011
INL Quarterly Site Environmental Report
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Another potential pathway for contaminants to reach humans is through the food chain. The ESER Program samples multiple agricultural products and game animals from around the INL Site and Southeast Idaho. Specifically, milk, grain, potatoes, lettuce, large game animals, and waterfowl are sampled. Milk is sampled throughout the year and large game animals are sampled whenever large game animals are killed onsite from vehicle collisions. Lettuce and grain are sampled during the third quarter, while potatoes are collected during the fourth quarter. Waterfowl are collected in either the third or fourth quarter. See Table A-1, Appendix A, for more details on agricultural product and wildlife sampling. This section discusses results from milk, grain, soil, and large game animal samples collected during the third quarter of 2011.
Milk samples were collected weekly in Idaho Falls. Monthly samples were collected at six other locations around the INL Site (Figure 10) during the third quarter of 2011. In addition, commercially-available organic milk was purchased as a control sample. All samples were analyzed for gamma emitting radionuclides.
Iodine-131 was not detected in any weekly or monthly samples collected during the third quarter. Data for 131I and 137Cs in milk samples are listed in Appendix C, Table C-7.
Lettuce sampling was completed during the third quarter and results were available for gamma-emitting radionuclides. No manmade gamma-emitting radionuclides were found in any of the 10 samples. Data for 137Cs in all lettuce samples taken during the third quarter are listed in Appendix C, Table C-8.
Grain sampling (wheat and barley) was completed during the third quarter of 2011. A total of 10 grain samples (including one duplicate) were collected from local grain growers. In addition, a commercially-available sample was obtained from outside the local area. All samples were analyzed for gamma-emitting radionuclides. No manmade gamma-emitting radionuclides were detected in any grain sample. Data for 137Cs in all grain samples taken during the third quarter are listed in Appendix C, Table C-8.
Samples of alfalfa were obtained from a grower in the Mud Lake area. Samples were divided into three subsamples and analyzed for gamma-emitting radionuclides. Cesium-137 was detected in one of the three samples on the initial count; however, a recount of the sample did not confirm the detection. Data for 137Cs in alfalfa samples are listed in Appendix C, Table C-9.
Samples were collected of elk forage (grasses and forbs) from areas known to be frequented by elk based on radio collar information. Samples were obtained from an area north of the Materials and Fuels Complex, from around the Radioactive Waste Management Complex, and from a control area near Craters of the Moon National Monument. Individual samples from ten locations along transects were composited and then split into three subsamples. These were analyzed for gamma-emitting radionuclides. No manmade radionuclides were detected. Data for 137Cs in alfalfa samples are listed in Appendix C, Table C-9.
Muscle tissue, liver, and the thyroid from one elk were sampled during the third quarter. No manmade radionuclides were detected in the samples. Results are presented in Appendix C, Table C-10.
Twelve waterfowl were collected during 2011. Six were collected from wastewater ponds located at the Advanced Test Reactor Complex (ATR Complex) and three were collected from ponds near the Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC). Three control samples were collected from an area near American Falls Reservoir. Each sample was divided into the following three sub-samples: 1) edible tissue (muscle, gizzard, heart, and liver), 2) external portion (feathers, feet, and head), and 3) all remaining tissue. All were analyzed for gamma-emitting radionuclides. Concentrations of radionuclides measured in the edible tissues of 2011 waterfowl are shown in Table C-11 (Appendix C).
Cesium-137, cobalt-60, and zinc-65 were detected in three of the six samples from ATR Complex, including the edible portions. A single detection of 137Cs occurred in an external portion of a MFC duck. No manmade gamma-emitting radionuclides were found in the control samples.
Because human-made radionuclides were found in ducks from the ATR Complex and for the most part not at MFC or control locations, it is assumed that radioactive wastewater ponds at the ATR Complex are the source of these radionuclides. The ducks were not taken directly from the two-celled hypalon-lined radioactive wastewater evaporation ponds, but rather from an adjacent sewage lagoon. However, the ducks probably also used the evaporation ponds. The maximum concentration of 137Cs in edible tissues was substantially lower than in 2010; concentrations of 60Co and 65Zn were generally similar to those found in 2010.
Third Quarter 2011
INL Quarterly Site Environmental Report
Return to Index