Radionuclide Uptake and Growth of Barn Swallows Nesting by Radioactive Leaching Ponds

Abstract

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.

Department of Energy Programmatic Spent Nuclear Fuel Management and Idaho National Engineering Laboratory Environmental Restoration and Waste Management Programs draft environmental impact statement. Volume 1, Appendix B: Idaho National Engineering Laboratory Spent Nuclear Fuel Management Program

“…However, they can attribute no population or community-level impacts to such exposures (Halford and Markham 1978;Evenson 1981;Arthur et al 1986;Millard et. al 1990).…”

Method for Simultaneous 90sr and 137cs in-Vivo Measurements of Small Animals and Other Environmental Media Developed for the Conditions of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

“…Soon after the nuclear accident that occurred at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (ChNPP) Cs content have been conducted for the whole body of animals, specifically, in fish (Hadderingh et al 1996;Belyaev 2001), birds (Brisbin et al 1973;Straney et al 1975;Levy et al 1976;Domby et al 1977;Fendley et al 1977;Craig et al 1979;Halford et al 1983;George et al 1990;Millard et al 1990;Kennamer et al 1993;Moss and Horrill 1996), and mammals (Richmond 1980). For this purpose, gamma spectrometric systems (or pulse counting devices) were developed and thoroughly calibrated, Sr and 137 Cs in-vivo measurements in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone 3 which was a feasible but not necessarily easy task.…”