Over 3 100 ducks, geese, swans and American coots (Fulica arnericana) were censused at the Test Reactor Area (TRA) radioactive leaching ponds on the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) Site from January 1974 through March 1978. Twenty-six ducks and two American coots were collected from the TRA ponds from January 1974 through December 1977, and tissues were analyzed for y-emitting radionuclides. Duck tissues contained up to 29 radionuclides. Total average and maximum radionuclide concentrations were highest in gut followed by feathers. liver, muscle and skin. Chromium-51 had the highest relative radionuclide concentration identified (130,000 pCi/g-gut and 37,500 pCi/g-feathers). Cesium-137 was the predominant radionuclide in muscle with a maximum concentration of 4070 pCi/g. Edible duck tissues (muscle, liver and skin) had lower radionuclide concentrations than non-edible tissues (gut and feathers). The total amount of radioactivity being exported from the TRA environs during the 4-yr study period was estimated to be 5 x Ci. Cesium-137, 134Cs, and I3'I contributed 98% of the calculated potential radiation dose equivalent to man. The potential whole-body and thyroid dose commitment to man from consuming one waterfowl that was contaminated with the average radionuclide concentrations observed would be 12 and 7 mrem, respectively.
Populations of barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) nested seasonally near the Test Reactor Area (TRA) radioactive leaching ponds on the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL). These birds utilized leaching pond arthropods as a food source and contaminated mud for nest construction and thus accumulated radioactive materials. Over 20 fission and activation products were detected in immature and adult TRA birds. The radionuclide exhibiting the highest mean concentration in adult birds was 51Cr, with 16.1 Bq g-1 (435 pCi g-1). Mean concentrations of detectable radionuclides were used to calculate internal dose rates. Approximately 72% of the total dose rate of 219 microGy d-1 (22 mrad d-1) for adult birds was due to 24Na. Swallow thyroids contained a mean 131I concentration of 3330 Bq g-1. An average dose rate to the thyroid was calculated to be 4300 microGy d-1 or 450 mGy (45 rad) for the entire breeding season. Data from LiF-700 thermoluminescent dosimeters in swallow nests indicated that average dose rates were 840 microGy d-1 for eggs and 2200 Gy d-1 for nestlings, for a total of 54 mGy (5.4 rad) during the nesting period. The breeding biology and growth rate were investigated for TRA swallows and comparison group located 15 km and 100 km away. Total mortality rates for the comparison group vs. 1976 and 1977 TRA populations were not found to be significantly (p greater than 0.9) different. Nonlinear regression was used to fit individual growth curves and estimate parameters using a logistic model. First clutch TRA swallows were found to have a significantly (p less than 0.05) lower mean growth rate compared to either the first clutch comparison group or the second clutch of TRA birds. Mean asymptotic weights achieved by immature TRA birds were also found to be significantly (p less than 0.05) lower than those achieved by comparison group birds. Both growth rate and asymptotic weights for TRA birds were within the normal range reported in the literature. The cause for the statistical difference in growth rate between the comparison group and TRA first clutch populations could not be determined.
The nonuniform distribution of 226Ra and other radiological contamination of cobbly soil encountered on several Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Project sites is presented and discussed, and the concomitant challenges to the intent and implementation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's soil cleanup standards are noted. In response to technical assessments and information presented to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has recently resolved the dilemma by concluding that compliance with Environmental Protection Agency soil cleanup standards for cobby soil at Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Project sites would be adequately attained using bulk radionuclide concentrations, instead of requiring that the radionuclide concentration of the finer soil fraction passing a #4 mesh sieve met the standards. A Nuclear Regulatory Commission-approved procedure developed for cobbly soil remediation is outlined and discussed. The site-specific implementation of this procedure at Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Project sites containing cobbly soil is estimated to save millions of dollars.
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