Iodine-129 in Waterfowl Muscle from a Radioactive Leaching Pond Complex in Southeastern Idaho

Abstract

Waterfowl were collected at radioactive leaching ponds, an adjacent sewage lagoon on the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory ( INEL ) and on nearby control areas to determine 129I / 127I (stable isotope) atom ratios in muscle tissue. Iodine-129/127 atom ratios in muscle tissue averaged about 1.6 X 10(-6) for wild waterfowl from the leaching pond, 1.6 X 10(-6) for waterfowl from the sewage pond, and 1.3 X 10(-6) for control samples. A group of wing-clipped waterfowl placed on the ponds for 2-156 days had average 129I / 127I atom ratios in muscle of 6.0 X 10(-6). Iodine-129/127 atom ratios in muscle were statistically higher (P less than 0.05) in the wing-clipped waterfowl than in control, sewage lagoon and wild waterfowl samples because of the extended period of time they spent on the ponds. Internal lifetime whole-body dose from 129I was estimated to be 1.0 X 10(-5) mrad for waterfowl from control areas and 3.0 X 10(-5) mrad for leaching pond waterfowl. The lifetime thyroid dose commitment to man consuming a wild duck from the leaching ponds was 1.3 X 10(-4) mrem. Liquid effluents disposed in the radioactive leaching ponds do not appear to cause an appreciable increase in 129I / 127I atom ratios in tissues of waterfowl using the ponds.

Environmental Science and Research Foundation annual technical report: Calendar year 1996

“…Previous studies reported above background levels of 1291 on and off the INEEL. These levels were found in several environmental media including vegetation (McGiff 1985), waterfowl tissues (Halford and Markham 1984), rabbit thyroids (Fraley et al 1982) and mule deer thyroids (Markham et al 1983). Concentrations in vegetation decreased with distance from the ICPP.…”

Environmental Science and Research Foundation annual technical report to DOE-ID, January , 1995--December 31, 1995

“…These levels were found in several environmental media including vegetation (McGiff 1985), waterfowl tissues (Halford and Markham 1984), rabbit thyroids (Fraley et al 1982) and mule deer thyroids (Markham et al 1983). Concentrations in vegetation decrease with distance from the ICPP.…”

A preliminary survey of the National Wetlands Inventory as mapped for the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory

“…A study by Howe (1986) showed the Argonne pond was more heavily used by mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) than were other sites in the study. Halford et al, 1976, andMillard 1978 The main river channel has been classified by the FWS as a riverine, intermittent, temporarily flooded streambed (R4SBA) from north of Highway 26 to where the channel becomes braided and widens into the sinks area (see Figure 8). Survey data for sections of the Big Lost River are summarized on Table B-1, sites 58, 60, and 70.…”