Tank battery sites have historically been used for the initial processing of crude oil which separates water and sediment from the produced oil. Typically, one or more producing wells is connected to a tank battery site consisting of storage and separation tanks. Historical operating practices also included a production holding pit for increased separation of oil, water, and sediment. The sediment remaining in the pit is composed of an oily, viscous material called sludge. Under certain circumstances, this sludge may contain naturally occurring radioactive material. The methodology required for reclamation of the production holding pits consisted of removal of soil and sludge from the pits with controlled land-spreading to achieve biodegradation of the hydrocarbons. The purpose of this study was to perform a radiological characterization on representative tank battery sites that had been reclaimed in the above fashion. The average gamma radiation exposure rates encountered ranged from 2.1-7.2 pC kg-1 s-1. The average concentration of 226Ra for the tank battery sites ranged from 0.5-2.3, 0.5-2.8, and 0.3-3.2 Bq g-1 for soil depths of 0-15, 15-30, and 30-51 cm, respectively. Average radon flux measurements ranged from 29.7-211.8 mBq m-2 s-1. Measurements of the radon emanation coefficient of NORM ranged from 3-7%.
Reclamation of biosolids through land application generally meets 2 key components of Sustainable Development: environment and economics. Unfortunately, societal acceptance is the weakest part of it, despite the scientific evidence that risks with biosolids are low or lower than with farm manures. Beside unacceptable odor problems in some areas - that have to be dealt with - there is a general pre-conception that biosolids are at risk. This pre-conception has to deal with modern urban culture, beliefs, values and taboos. Communication must therefore be an important part of every biosolids strategy. However, since some actors of the private and public sectors are not always trustworthy in the minds of the general public, it is necessary to have some kind of independent organization that states that a given biosolids is safe. Therefore, third-party standardization and certifications of biosolids appear to be a key component to Sustainable Development. However, it is important that the certification label is well known and trustworthy by stakeholders. Pro's and con's of the Canadian voluntary certification of biosolids will be presented.
An Evaluation of the Radiation Health Physics Data Collected at a Commercial NORM Oilfield Waste Disposal Facility With Application to Field Production Facilities F.L. Lyon, SPE, M.B. Hebert, and S.A. Marinello, SPE, Newpark Resources, Inc. Abstract Regulations pertaining to naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) in oilfield wastes have now been promulgated in many of the major oil & gas producing states (AR, AL, LA, MS, NM, TX, etc.). This paper will evaluate the radiation exposure of workers and members of the general public to these wastes by looking at the radiation health physics data compiled at the largest NORM oilfield waste disposal facility in the country. This facility, owned by Newpark Environmental Services, has been in operation since October, 1994. In this paper, we will assume that the facility (operating under a typical worker protection plan) represents a worst case scenario for exposure to radiation when compared to oil & gas production facilities containing diffuse NORM. Monitoring methods used to determine both external and internal exposure will be described for both occupational doses (not to exceed 5000, millirem (mrem) per year) and doses to individual members of the public (not to exceed 100 mrem per year). Occupational monitoring included measurements of external dose using individual thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs), breathing zone air samples (BZA) to determine the potential intake to workers in conjunction with derived air concentration (DAC) limits, and urine bioassay samples to determine actual individual intakes in conjunction with annual limits of intake (ALI). Public monitoring included continuous external gamma monitoring using environmental TLDs at multiple locations around the facility, downwind boundary effluent air monitoring and passive radon monitoring. From these measurements, a total effective dose equivalent (TEDE) can be calculated and compared to the limits for occupational and public exposure. Though the data were analyzed over time in the paper they can be summarized, since the opening of the facility through September 30, 1996 (24 months), as follows:–The average annual TEDE for occupational dose is <5 mrem/year.–The same calculation for public exposure is <25 mrem/year. The public dose is higher because 100% occupancy must be assumed, whereas workers exposure is based on actual time on the job. Through the end of 1996 (27 months), 129,999 barrels of NORM oilfield wastes were received with an average specific activity of 131 picoCuries per gram (pCi/g) for 226Ra and 708 pCi/g total activity (the range was 3-5,865 pCi/g 226Ra and 15-28,509 pCi/g total activity). Introduction NORM has been associated with oilfield wastes since the early 1900s. Following a national survey sponsored by the American Petroleum Institute (API), several of the major oil and gas producing states began to consider regulating NORM wastes. This led to many investigations to better understand why NORM occurs. Several states, beginning with Louisiana, developed NORM regulations. As legislation has been enacted, a need developed for the disposal of NORM wastes. Many disposal options have been examined. Newpark's technology involves surface processing for particle size reduction and viscosification, followed by downhole injection into subpressured geological structures at non-fracturing pressures (typically less than 150 psi). Data presented in this paper was collected at two different facilities. Both facilities operated under similar worker protection plans. The initial facility opened in October, 1994. Operations were moved to the present facility in June, 1996. Oilfield wastes containing NORM not exceeding 6,000 pCi/g of 226Ra and 30,000 pCi/g total activity could be received at either facility. P. 93^
Columbus, Ohio approved a moratorium that prohibited development requiring extension of City-owned sewer and water into the Big Darby Creek watershed. A 208 Plan was issued by Ohio EPA restricting sewer extension without watershed planning. The actions were in response to concerns that changing the face of the land within the watershed would cause a degradation that begins with excessive pollutant loading to stream channels.A study of the watershed was launched to assess current environmental conditions, and model future land use change impacts. An environmental sensitivity analysis was performed to identify portions of the watershed that should be preserved. Modeling used to predict future impacts was based on precipitation, stream flow and pollutants conveyed in the system. A stormwater management analysis considered reduction of future stormwater impacts. The final product was a recommendation for the use of each acre of the planning area to minimize pollutants impacting main waterways.
In 2002, the Columbus City Council approved a moratorium that effectively prohibited development requiring the extension of City-owned sewer and water into the Franklin County portion of the Big Darby Creek watershed. Franklin County imposed a similar ban for unincorporated areas with the watershed. The action was in response to concerns that changing the face of the land within the watershed would cause a degradation that begins with excessive pollutant loading to stream channels and leads to a loss of aquatic habitat and other wildlife.The final product is a recommendation for the use of each acre of the planning area to minimize the pollutants impacting the main waterways. The recommendations protect highly sensitive areas and include designations of open space throughout the planning area. Varying densities of Collection Systems 2008 625 residential and non-residential development are located where they can best be served by the existing and planned infrastructure. Success is determined by the continued thriving of a vibrant aquatic ecosystem. The health of that ecosystem is the indicator for the health of the environment and the people who depend on it.
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