Third Quarter 2011
INL Quarterly Site Environmental Report
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Gonzales-Stoller Surveillance, LLC
Environmental Surveillance, Education, and Research Program
ISSN NUMBER 1089-5469
GSS-ESER-154
Idaho National Laboratory Offsite Environmental
Surveillance Program Report:
Third Quarter 2011
February 2012
Contributors:
Marilyn Case, Russ Mitchell
Program conducted for the U.S. Department of Energy, Idaho Operations Office
Under Contract DE-NE0000300
By Gonzales-Stoller Surveillance, LLC,
Environmental Surveillance, Education and Research Program
Douglas K. Halford, Program Manager
120 Technology Drive, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402
www.gsseser.com
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None of the radionuclides detected in samples collected during the third quarter of 2011 could be directly linked with INL Site activities, with the exception of waterfowl taken from wastewater ponds. No remaining impacts were detected from the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan. Levels of detected radionuclides were no different than values measured at other locations across the western United States. All detected radionuclide concentrations were well below guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and regulatory standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for protection of the public. |
This report for the third quarter of 2011 contains results from the Environmental Surveillance, Education, and Research (ESER) Program’s monitoring of the Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Site’s offsite environment, July 1 through September 30, 2011. All sample types (media) and the sampling schedule followed during 2011 are listed in Appendix A. Specifically, this report contains the results for the following:
Table E-1. Summary of Results for the Third Quarter of 2011.
Media |
Sample Type |
Analysis |
Results |
Air |
Filters |
Gross alpha, gross beta |
No statistical differences were noted in either gross alpha or gross beta data on quarterly comparisons. In August, there was statistical difference between sample groups for gross beta, but INL Site and boundary locations were lower than distant locations. During two weeks, gross alpha concentrations were statistically higher at distant locations than boundary locations. During one weeks, gross beta concentrations were statistically higher at boundary locations than distant locations. These differences appeared to be normal variations in the data. No result exceeded the DCG for gross alpha or gross beta activity in air. |
|
|
Gamma-emitting radionuclides |
No manmade gamma-emitting radionuclides were detected. Final 90Sr and actinide results were not yet available. |
|
Charcoal Cartridge |
Iodine-131 |
No Iodine-131 was found on any third quarter charcoal cartridges. |
Atmospheric Moisture |
Liquid |
Tritium |
Only three results were available and all three had tritium results greater than the 3s uncertainty. No sample result exceeded the DCG for tritium in air. Results were consistent with historical measurements. |
Precipitation |
Liquid |
Tritium |
Nine samples were collected. All of the results were greater than the 3s uncertainty. The concentrations were consistent with those reported across the region by the Environmental Protection Agency and with previous results. |
Surface Water |
Liquid |
Tritium |
Samples were collected from the Big Lost River on the INL Site on two occasions. All three analytes were detected in all samples. Concentrations were similar to those measured historically in surface water. |
Milk |
Liquid |
Iodine-131, other gamma-emitting radionuclides |
Thirty-two samples, including a duplicate, were collected. No Iodine-131 or other manmade gamma-emitting radionuclides were detected. |
Lettuce |
Vegetation |
Gamma-emitting radionuclides |
No manmade gamma-emitting radionuclides were detected in any of the ten samples. |
Grain |
Vegetation |
Gamma-emitting radionuclides |
No manmade gamma-emitting radionuclides were detected in any of the ten samples. |
| Alfalfa | Vegetation | Gamma-emitting radionuclides | Cesium-137 was found in one of the three samples but a recount of this sample failed to confirm the detection. |
| Elk Forage | Vegetation | Gamma-emitting radionuclides | Samples of grasses and forbs were collected from two areas on the INL Site and one control location where elk have been located. No gamma-emitting radionuclides were found in any samples. |
| Large Game Animals | Tissue | Gamma-emitting radionuclides | One elk was sampled. No manmade gamma-emitting radionuclides were detected. |
| Waterfowl | Tissue | Gamma-emitting radionuclides | Samples were collected from wastewater ponds at ATR Complex and the Materials and Fuels Complex and at a distant location. Cesium-137, Cobalt-60, and Zinc-65 were detected in some of the ATR Complex birds. These detections included edible tissue. Concentrations were similar to or lower than samples collected in prior years. |
Third Quarter 2011
INL Quarterly Site Environmental Report
Return to Index