An Overview of 137Cs Contamination in a Southeastern Swamp Environment

Abstract

In the early 1960's, an area of privately owned swamp adjacent to the Savannah River Site was contaminated by site operations. Studies conducted in 1974 estimated that approximately 925 GBq of Cs and 37 GBq of Co were deposited in the swamp. Subsequently, a series of surveys was initiated to characterize the contaminated environment. These surveys-composed of 52 monitoring locations-allow for continued monitoring at a consistent set of locations. Initial survey results indicated maximum Cs concentrations of 19.5 Bq g in soil and 8.7 Bq g in vegetation. By the 2004-2005 surveys, maximum concentrations had declined to 1-2 Bq g in soil and 0.4 Bq g in vegetation.

Changes in 137Cs concentrations in soil and vegetation on the floodplain of the Savannah River over a 30 year period

“…1). Approximately 10.35 TBq of 137 Cs were discharged down Steel Creek from 1954 to 1974, mostly from P Reactor in the early 1960s (Fledderman et al, 2007). Water from Steel Creek flowed through the floodplain swamp when river levels were high, resulting in the deposition of radioactive materials between Steel Creek Landing and Little Hell Landing (Fig.…”

“…1). Contamination of the floodplain occurred when the Savannah River stage exceeded 27.5 m mean sea level, which occurred approximately 21.5% of the time during 1954-1974(Fledderman et al, 2007.…”