Concentrations of Radionuclides and Trace Elements in Soils and Vegetation Around the DARHT Facility during 2004

Fresquez, P.R.

doi:10.2172/836136

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…All of the soil and sediment samples had ratios consistent with natural U. H is based on soil moisture: a value of 6,400 is equivalent to a screening level value of 890 pCi/g 12 These data exhibited similar results to past years in terms of the concentration levels (Nyhan et al, 2002;Fresquez et al, 2004; and in that all values were far below SLs.…”

Section: A Surface Soils and Sedimentssupporting

confidence: 67%

Concentrations of Radionuclides and Trace Elements in Environmantal Media arond te Dual-Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test Facilit at Los Alamos National Laboratory during 2005

Gonzales¹,

Fresquez²,

Hathcock³

et al. 2006

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Section: A Surface Soils and Sedimentssupporting

confidence: 67%

Concentrations of Radionuclides and Trace Elements in Environmantal Media arond te Dual-Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test Facilit at Los Alamos National Laboratory during 2005

Gonzales¹,

Fresquez²,

Hathcock³

et al. 2006

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“…The few radionuclides that were above BSRLs included U isotopes, and the ratios of 234 U to 238 U in nearly 60% of the samples were consistent with depleted U. Depleted U, a metal used as a substitute for the enriched U component of atomic weapons tested at LANL firing sites, was also detected in soil and vegetation samples from around the DARHT grounds (Fresquez 2004). Although the amounts of U in some samples were just above BSRLs, and since depleted U is less soluble and less toxic (chemical and radioactive) than naturally occurring U (Hanson 1974), the very small levels in the mice collected around the DARHT grounds are unlikely to pose a threat to predators that feed upon them.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 80%

Radionuclides in Small Mammals Collected at the Dual-Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test (DARHT) Facility during 2001-- 2003

Fresquez¹

2005

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BSRLs. The few radionuclides that were above BSRLs included U isotopes; and the ratios of some samples indicated depleted U sources. Although the amounts of U in some samples were just above BSRLs, and since depleted U is less soluble and less toxic (chemical and radioactive) than naturally occurring U, the very small levels in the mice collected around the DARHT facility grounds are unlikely to pose a threat to predators that feed upon them. ________________________________

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“…The few detected 234 U and 238 U concentrations occurred mostly in birds collected in 2003, and the distribution of these radionuclides was indicative of depleted uranium. Depleted uranium, a metal used as a substitute for the enriched uranium in weapon components tested at LANL, has also been detected in soil and vegetation (Fresquez 2004), bees (Hathcock and Haarmann 2004), and small mammals (Fresquez 2005) around the DARHT facility.…”

Section: A Abundance and Composition Of Birdsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bird Surveys at DARHT Before and During Operations: Comparison of Species Abundance and Composition and Trace Element Uptake

Fresquez¹,

Keller²,

Hathcock³

2007

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The Dual-Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test (DARHT) FacilityMitigation Action Plan specifies the comparison of baseline conditions in biotic and abiotic media with those collected after operations have started. Operations at DARHT at Los Alamos National Laboratory started in 2000. In this study, the abundance and composition of birds collected near the DARHT facility from 2003 through 2006 were determined and compared to a preoperational period (1999). In addition, the levels of radionuclides and other inorganic chemicals in birds were compared to regional statistical reference levels (RSRLs). The number and diversity of bird species generally increased over preoperational levels with the greatest number of birds (412) and species (46) occurring in 2005. The most common bird species collected regardless of time periods were the chipping sparrow (Spizella passerina), the Virginia's warbler (Vermivora virginiae), the western bluebird (Sialia mexicana), the broad-tailed hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus), the sage sparrow (Amphispiza belli), and the western tanager (Piranga ludoviciana). Most radionuclides, with the exception of uranium-234 and uranium-238, in (whole body) birds collected after operations began were either not detected or below RSRLs. Uranium-234 and uranium-238 concentrations in a few samples were far below screening levels and do not pose a potential unacceptable dose to the birds. In contrast, many inorganic chemicals, particularly arsenic and silver, in birds collected before and after operations began were in higher concentrations than RSRLs. Because birds (skin plus feathers) collected in the years before operations began contained higher levels of arsenic and silver than RSRLs and because there was no evidence of these metals in soil and sediment directly around the DARHT facility, the elevated levels of these metals in birds during early operations are probably not related to DARHT operations. Arsenic and silver in birds, however, have decreased over time to near background levels in 2007.

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Concentrations of Radionuclides and Trace Elements in Soils and Vegetation Around the DARHT Facility during 2004

Abstract: ABSTRACT

Cited by 3 publications

References 4 publications

Concentrations of Radionuclides and Trace Elements in Environmantal Media arond te Dual-Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test Facilit at Los Alamos National Laboratory during 2005

Concentrations of Radionuclides and Trace Elements in Environmantal Media arond te Dual-Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test Facilit at Los Alamos National Laboratory during 2005

Radionuclides in Small Mammals Collected at the Dual-Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test (DARHT) Facility during 2001-- 2003

Bird Surveys at DARHT Before and During Operations: Comparison of Species Abundance and Composition and Trace Element Uptake

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