Actions for Characterization of the Hanford 300 area burial grounds. Task IV. Biological transport [electronic resource].

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Characterization of the Hanford 300 area burial grounds. Task IV. Biological transport [electronic resource].

Published
Columbus, Ohio : Battelle Memorial Institute, 1979.
Oak Ridge, Tenn. : Distributed by the Office of Scientific and Technical Information, U.S. Dept. of Energy.
Physical Description
Pages: 86 : digital, PDF file
Additional Creators
Battelle Memorial Institute and United States. Department of Energy. Office of Scientific and Technical Information
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Summary
The characteristics of radioactive waste burial sites at the 300 area burial grounds on the Department of Energy's Hanford Site, southeastern Washington were studied. The potential vectors of radionuclide transport studied were vegetation and animals. The overall results showed a low potential for uptake and transport of radionuclides from the 300 area sites. However, additional methods to control physical and biological mechanisms may contribute to the effectiveness of waste burial practices. From the results, the Biological Transport task recommended field studies which include reduction of soil erosion and addition of biobarriers to plants and animals. Vegetation plays a major role in reducing soil erosion, and thereby maintaining the backfill over the burial sites. Of the several species found on the 300 area sites, cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) appears to be the most desirable as a cover. Besides retarding erosion, it has a shallow root system (does not easily penetrate buried material); it has a low affinity for radionuclide uptake; and its tissues are not easily blown away. Small mammals (specifically, mice) appear to have the most potential for radionuclide exposure and uptake. Small mammals were live-trapped within 10 x 10-meter trap grids. Each animal trapped was surgically implanted with a thermoluminescent dosimeter. When the animal was recaptured, the dosimeter was removed and read for exposure. Exposures were reported in milli-Roentgens. The most consistently trapped small mammals were the Great Basin pocket mouse (Perognathus parvus) and the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus). Results from the dosimeter readings showed that some of those animals had higher than background exposures. Biobarriers to animals could be considered as a mechanism to reduce the potential for radionuclide transport.
Report Numbers
E 1.99:pnl-2774
pnl-2774
Subject(s)
Other Subject(s)
Note
Published through SciTech Connect.
10/01/1979.
"pnl-2774"
Rickard, W.H.; Rogers, L.E.; Fitzner, R.E.; Gano, K.A.
Funding Information
EY-76-C-06-1830
View MARC record | catkey: 14151790