Open AccessSurvey of radiological contaminants in the near-shore environment at the Hanford Site 100-N Area reactor
Author(s) -
S.P. Van Verst,
C.L.M. Albin,
Gregory W. Patton,
M.L. Blanton,
Ted M. Poston,
A.T. Cooper,
Ernest J. Antonio
Publication year - 1998
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/676900
Subject(s) - hanford site , shore , environmental science , savannah river site , hydrology (agriculture) , contamination , radiological weapon , groundwater , geology , radioactive waste , waste management , oceanography , ecology , radiochemistry , engineering , geotechnical engineering , chemistry , biology
Past operations at the Hanford Site 100-N Area reactor resulted in the release of radiological contaminants to the soil column, local groundwater, and ultimately to the near-shore environment of the Columbia River. In September 1997, the Washington State Department of Health (WDOH) and the Hanford Site Surface Environmental Surveillance Project (SESP) initiated a special study of the near-shore vicinity at the Hanford Site`s retired 100-N Area reactor. Environmental samples were collected and analyzed for radiological contaminants ({sup 3}H, {sup 90}Sr, and gamma/ emitters), with both the WDOH and SESP analyzing a portion of the samples. Samples of river water, sediment, riverbank springs, periphyton, milfoil, flying insects, clam shells, and reed canary grass were collected. External exposure rates were also measured for the near-shore environment in the vicinity of the 100-N Area. In addition, samples were collected at background locations above Vernita Bridge