United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Radiation and
Indoor Air
Washington, DC 20460
EPA
April 1997
EPA-402-R-97-009
Animal Investigation Program (AIP)
A.I.P. Summary Report On and
Around The Nevada Test Site From
1982 -1995
EPA
402
R
97
009
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EPA-402-R-97-009
Animal Investigation Program (AIP)
A.LP. Summary Report On and Around
The Nevada Test Site From
1982 -1995
by
Kenneth R. Giles
The photos on the front and back cover were copied from
Widlife Management Techniques Manual
Prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy
under Interagency Agreement
DE-A108-91 NV 10963
RADIATION AND INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS NATIONAL LABORATORY
OFFICE OF RADIATION AND INDOOR AIR
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
P.O. BOX 98517
LAS VEGAS, NV 89193-8517
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NOTICE
The information in this document has been funded wholly or in part by the United States
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through Interagency Agreement DE-A108-91NV 10963
from the United States Department of Energy (DOE). It has been subject to the Agency's peer
and administrative review, and it has been approved for publication as an EPA document.
Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or
recommendation for use.
11
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Abstract
This report describes the Animal Investigation Program conducted from 1982 - 1995 by the
Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's), Radiation and Indoor Environments National
Laboratory (R&IE), formerly Radiation Sciences Laboratory-Las Vegas. This laboratory
operates an environmental radiation monitoring program in the region surrounding the Nevada
Test Site. The surveillance program was designed to measure levels and trends of radionuclides
in animals on and around the Nevada Test Site to ascertain whether world-wide fallout, current
radiation levels, and associated doses, to the general public were in compliance with existing
radiation protection standards. The surveillance program additionally had the responsibility to
take action to protect the health and well-being of the public in the event of any accidental release
of radioactive contaminants.
Comparison of the measurements and sample analysis results indicated that no significant amounts
of biological radionuclides had been detected in the near offsite areas or on the NTS, except in
animals drinking water that drains from tunnels in Area 12.
ui
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This page left blank intentionlly
IV
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Table of Contents
Notice ii
Abstract iii
List of Figures vi
Abbreviations and Acronyms vii
Acknowledgments viii
Introduction 1
Sample Collection Procedures 1
Quality Assurance/Quality Control 4
Special Sampling 5
Histopathology . . . 6
Claims Investigation 6
Summary 6
References 9
Appendix A (Tables) 11
Appendix B (Figures) 18
Appendix C (Announced U.S. Nuclear Tests) 23
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List of Figures
1. Locations of summer and winter collection of mule deer 2
2. Total number of bighorn sheep collected during annual hunt from 1981 - 1992 3
3. Locations of cattle sampled near the NTS 7
VI
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Abreviations and Acronyms
ACE
AIP
EMSL-LV
EPA
MDC
NTS
QA
QC
R&IE
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
Animal Investigation Program
Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory-Las Vegas
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
minimum detectable concentration
Nevada Test Site
quality assurance
quality control
Radiation and Indoor Environments National Laboratory
VII
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Acknowledgments
The external peer reviews were provided by D.D. Smith, D.V. M, USPHS retired, of Las Vegas,
Nevada, and Mr. R.A. Brechbill, DOE retired, of Wibaux, Montana. The contributions of these
reviewers in production of this final report are gratefully acknowledged.
The author would like to thank Anita A. Mullen and Colleen F. Petullo for their advice and
assistance in the preparation of this report. The author would like to extend his appreciation to
Christopher A. Fontana for his technical assistance, Rose-Marie Chelhot for her computer
graphics, and to Angela B. Haag for literature research. The author would like to thank Terry L.
Mouck for her skill and dedication in word processing and desktop publishing support which was
crucial to the production of this report.
vui
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Introduction
In November 1955, the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) estabb'shed a program to
investigate claims of injury to domestic animals alleged to be caused by nuclear tests at the
Nevada Proving Grounds. The Nevada Proving Grounds was renamed the Nevada Test Site
(NTS) and the original program was expanded to develop the Animal Investigation Program
(AIP).
The AIP began in 1957 (Ref. BER-6) with the purchase of a herd of beef cattle which were
allowed to graze on the NTS. This herd was maintained on the NTS until 1981. In the fall of
1981 the herd was rounded up and transferred to the University of Nevada in Reno, Nevada. This
terminated a 25-year study of a single herd which had lived in an area contaminated by nuclear
testing activities. The animal-sampling portion of the AIP was continued through 1995 with the
semiannual sampling from commercial beef herds, quarterly sampling of the NTS deer herd,
annual sampling of the bighorn sheep, and annual sampling of food crops grown on farms and
ranches adjacent to the NTS. Veterinarian services was provided by the U.S. Army from 1955 to
1964 until being assigned to the U.S. Public Health Service. The U.S. Public Health Service
provided veterinarian services until the program was terminated in 1995.
Sample Collection Procedures
Beginning in 1982 cattle were purchased from the ranchers that lived in close proximity to
the Nevada Test Site (NTS). Each spring and fall, four beef animals were selected that lived in
open range areas for most of their lives. These animals were transported by the Environmental
Protection Agency from the Farm Facility to Area 15, where they were necropsied.
Each necropsied animal was sampled for radionuclides in muscle, lung, liver, bone, blood,
kidney, thyroid and fetus if available. Each animal was also given an examination for gross
pathological condition. Samples for histopathology studies included adrenal glands, eye, heart,
kidney, lung, muscle, liver, spleen, gonads, thyroids, and any gross lesions found.
Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) were collected on a quarterly basis on the NTS. They
were generally collected in the Pahute Mesa, Rainier Mesa area in the summer and from the areas
on the south of these mesas in the winter. For locations, see Figure 1 (for past migration patterns
Ref. EPA 600/4-85-030). The same type samples were taken on the mule deer and the same
analysis performed as on the cattle. During 1993 - 1994 one mule deer a year was collected
offsite in Nye County near Adaven, NV to be used as a control.
Bighorn sheep were collected by licensed hunters with the cooperation of the Nevada
Department of Wildlife. For locations, see Figure 2. Sample kits were provided to hunters during
annual hunter indoctrination classes. Hunters were asked to provide age, location, and date of the
kill. Also, they were asked to provide hock bone and kidneys for radionuclide analysis. Bighorn
sheep sampling was discontinued in 1993 due to lack of hunter response and budgetary
constraints.
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KILOMETERS
vl Winter Collection
Summer Collection
Figure I Locations of summer and winter collection of mule deer.
2
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Nyala
.Adaven
Queen City Summit
Tempiute
Coyote Hike
mrt £x -
j Hancock Smt.
(Alamo
DESERT
NATIONAL.
WILDLIFE
RANGE
NELLIS AFB
' RANGE COMPLEX
Cactus Indian
Springs springs
General locations of Bighorn Sheep
collected by hunters during annual
hunt.
Figure 2 Total number of bighorn sheep collected during annual hunt from 1981 - 1992.
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Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC)
Standard operating procedures detailed sample collection, preparation, storage, analysis, and
data review procedures to ensure comparability among operators. Field personnel completed a
standardized necropsy protocol form to ensure that all relevant information was recorded, such as
date and location of collection, history and condition of the animals and tissues, sample weights,
and assigned identification numbers. Standardized forms accompanied each shipment of samples
sent to the contract laboratory for ashing and were also used for analyses conducted in the
Radioanalysis Laboratory. All information entered into the data base management system by
Sample Control and the radioanalysis chemists were checked and verified for analytical precision
and accuracy by the Group Leader and assigned media expert.
An estimate of system precision was obtained from results of duplicate samples. Matrix
spike samples were used to verify analytical accuracy. Matrix blank samples monitored any
contamination resulting from sample preparation and analysis. The entire sample set analyzed in
any given year was quite small (usually four or five sample batches) and, consequently, the
QA/QC sample result set contained fewer values than was considered minimal for statistical uses.
Therefore, the results of QA/QC samples were considered to provide only an indication or
estimate of true precision and accuracy. This was considered adequate because the Animal
Investigation Program itself was not statistically based.
Before 1991, analyses of animal tissue samples were performed by a contract laboratory.
The EPA Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory-LV, Radioanalysis Branch assumed
responsibility for sample analysis beginning with the results contained in this report. The change
of laboratories raised concerns about comparability of analyses, so a special QA review was
conducted. The procedures used by each laboratory were comparable, as were results of matrix
spike samples. Generally, the result ranges obtained in 1991 were similar to those obtained in
previous years when samples were analyzed by the contract laboratory. Finally, results of QA/QC
samples, with the exception of one routine duplicate pair, were within established control limits.
Although a direct comparability study was not undertaken (ie., analysis of replicate samples by
both laboratories), the results of the QA review indicated the data obtained for 1992 analyses
were comparable to data obtained in previous years (EPA 1990, EPA 1991, and EPA 1992).
The QA review also resulted in recommendations for some changes in the animal
investigation program that were implemented in 1992. These recommendations included
preparation of a large stock of matrix spike and blank sample material and addition of a system
blank. The single stock of matrix spike sample material permited an additional estimate of
precision, in this case analytical precision, to be obtained. The system blank was a bone sample
known to contain no detectable concentrations of radionuclides (with the possible exception of
strontium). It was processed with each tissue sample batch to provide a check of possible
contamination during the ashing and sample preparation processes.
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Special Sampling
Following the Mighty Oak Test (April 1986), mule deer were collected that had been
drinking water draining from the T-tunnel complex in Area 12 on the NTS. A total of three deer
were collected (on June 17, September 9, and October 23, 1986). A wide variety of fresh fission
products (ml, '"-Ru, lf)6Ru, 95Zr, 3H and 89Sr) were detected in the soft tissue and ingesta samples.
Iodine-131 was still detectable in the thyroid of deer collected on September 9, 1986, 152 days
after the nuclear detonation. The results are shown in Appendix A. Appendix C lists the
Announced United States Nuclear Tests conducted at the NTS during the period covered by this
report.
During June 1987, one horse was sampled in Area 18 at the NTS. This animal had an ocular
squama cell carcinoma that involved the entire left side of the head. Muscle and bone samples
were taken for radioanalysis. Only naturally occurring 40K was detected in the muscle.
Radionuclide concentrations of 239+240Pu in ashed bone were 0.013 ±0.005 pCi/g ash and
radionuclide concentrations of 90Sr in ashed bone were 5.0 ± 0.17 pCi/g ash.
A female mountain lion (Felis concolor) that had been menacing Area 12 personnel on
the NTS was killed by an authorized NTS hunter in the spring of 1991. The lion was in extremely
poor physical condition. The animal appeared to have been starved into a very weakened
condition. The necropsy revealed no injury or physical problems. Gamma analyses were
performed on samples taken from the mountain lion's kidney, lung, muscle, blood, and liver. The
analyses on these samples found only naturally occurring 40K. Tritium analysis on the animal's
blood resulted in 71,300 ± 400 pCi/L - indicating she drank from the Area 12 ponds. Plutonium
and Strontium analyses were performed on ashed bone samples. Muscle and bone samples were
ashed and analyzed for plutonium isotopes; the bone sample was also analyzed for 90Sr in bone,
with a result of 1.09 ± 0.07 pCi/g ash, and 23M40pu in muscle, with a result of 0.018 ± 0.009 pCi/g
ash. For mountain lion sighting see Appendix B, Figure 1.
During the summer of 1993, a request was made by the Nevada Department of Wildlife
personnel to trap chukar (Alectoris chukar) on the NTS. Several chukar's were collected in areas
adjacent to T-tunnel, Tub Spring, Tippipah Spring and Tonopah Spring. In addition, one quail
was collected at White Rock Spring. Gamma, tritium and plutonium and strontium analyses were
performed on the chukars. The gamma analyses found naturally occurring 40K and l37Cs. The
137Cs was found in the Tippipah Spring chukar(s) at 0.030 ± 0.009 pCi/g and in the Tub Spring
chukar(s) at 0.19 ± 0.02 pCi/g. Tritium was detected in chukar samples collected near T-tunnel
and Tub Spring. Tritium results ranged from 0.61 to 38,700 pCi/L in internal organs and 1.33 to
32,800 pCi/L in muscle. Plutonium and strontium analyses were performed on bone samples of
three of the chukars collected at Tippipah Spring. The 23^240pu results on these bone samples
ranged from 8.7 to 490 pCi/g ashed bone and the ^Sr results ranged from 0.24 to 3.5 pCi/g ashed
bone.
In 1994, two chukars were collected in Esmeralda County by Nevada Department of Wildlife
personnel. The chukar were used as controls for the NTS chukar sampling. Only naturally
occurring 40K was found in the muscle. No tritium was detected in the muscle above the MDC
-------
(450 x l(r pCi/mL). No strontium was found in the bone ash above the MDC (S9Sr .25 pCi/g and
90Sr .37 pCi/g). The one bone sample with plutonium slightly above the MDC (238-239'240pu .008 -
.02 pCi/g) was 3.5 pCi/g ash of 239*240Pu. See Appendix A Table 3, for 90Sr concentrations for
miscellaneous wildlife on the NTS.
During the summer of 1994, an aged Hereford bull was killed in Area 18. This was the last
surviving animal from the original NTS beef herd and had spent his entire life on the NTS
(14 plus-years). This animal had a squamous cell carcinoma that had spread to both his kidneys
and lungs. Only naturally occurring 40K was detected in soft tissue samples. Some 23?+240pu was
detected in the liver, lungs, rumen content, and bone which ranged from 0.018 ± 0.06 pCi/g ash
with the median of 0.023 pCi/g ash. The bone contained 1.42 ± 0.446 pCi/g of '"Sr per gram
ashed and 0.019 ± 0.007 pCi/g of 238Pu per gram of rumen content ash.
Histopathology
From 1981 through 1995 all beef animals and mule deer were necropsied and tissue samples
were collected. Histopathology revealed no significant lesions in the mule deer tissue on the
NTS. In addition, there were only an occasional ocular squamous cell carcinoma found in beef
cattle tissue. This squamous cell carcinoma is commonly found in cattle breeds with white hair
and poorly pigmented skin around the mucous membranes of the eye ( Ref. Merck vet. Manual
7th Edition).
Claims Investigation
The history of the Animal Investigation Program (AIP) has been well documented (Ref.
Smith, Black 1957 - 1981). From 1981 - 1996 the AIP received no requests for investigation of
alleged damage to domestic or wild animals in the NTS area.
Summary
During the 14-year period covered in this report the AIP sampled various commercial beef
herds, mule deer, and bighorn sheep, that existed adjacent to the NTS (see Figure 3).
Out of a possible 388 soft tissue samples from cattle lung, liver, muscle, and rumen content,
only 14 samples were above the MDC of 1.27 ± 10'2 pCi/g for I37Cs. The samples ranged from
14.0 to 30 pCi/g wet weight. The results from mule deer were in the same range as the beef cattle
for l37Cs with the exception of animals collected near T-tunnel in Area 12. Radionuclide values
for these animals are shown in Appendix A.
Cesium-137 was found in the kidney samples of bighorn sheep. Of the 195 samples
collected, five had values greater than MDC (1.27 ± 10'2 pCi/g), ranging from 23 pCi/g to 97
pCi/g wet weight. A special effort was made to sample mule deer around T- tunnel in Area 12.
The results of that sampling are shown in Appendix A.
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Nyala
Adaven
Hancock Smt.
Alamo
DESERT
NATIONAL
WILDUFE
RANGE
NELLIS AFB
RANGE COMPLEX
Location of cattle sampled
near NTS.
I
Figure 3 Locations of cattle sampled near the NTS.
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Strontium-90 in bone ash of all species sampled follows a similar decline, and levels appear to
follow worldwide fallout; results are shown in Appendix A. The graphs in Appendix B shows the
decline in 90Sr from 1963 to 1995.
Tritium concentration in beef cattle and wildlife were within the range present in the general
environment. Mule deer and chukar exposed to specific sources of tritium, (e.g., the ponds near
T-tunnel in Area 12) had elevated concentrations as expected. See Appendix B, Figure 5 for
tritium levels in mule deer.
Iodine-131 was detected in four beef cattle from the Rachel, Nevada area following the
Chernobyl accident and thought to be associated with worldwide fallout from the accident.
Iodine-131 concentrations in the thyroid ranged from 1.5 to 27 pCi/g. Iodine-131 was detected in
the thyroid of mule deer collected at T- tunnel during 1989 and their concentrations ranged from
12to2.0xl06pCi/g.
Several ad hoc studies were conducted at the NTS, e.g., horse, chukar, and mountain lion
sampling. The surveillance conducted at the NTS since 1982 suggested no significant amounts of
radionuclides in biota have been detected in the near offsite areas or on the NTS except in animals
drinking water from ponds near Area 12 tunnels.
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References
S.C. Black, R.F. Grossman, A.A. Mullen, G.D. Potter, and D.D. Smith, 1982. Offsite
Environmental Monitoring Report: Radiation Monitoring Around United States Nuclear Test
Areas, Calendar Year 1982, EPA-600/4-83-083. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Las
Vegas, NV.
R.G. Patzer, C.A. Fontana, R.F. Grossman, S.C. Black, R.E. Dye, D.D. Smith, D.J. Thome", and
A.A. Mullen, 1986. Offsite Environmental Monitoring Report: Radiation Monitoring Around
United States Nuclear Test Areas, Calendar Year 1986, EPA/600/4-87/017. U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Las Vegas, NV.
C.A. Fontana, N.R. Sunderland, S.C. Black, B.B. Dicey, A.N. Jarvis, D.D. Smith, D.J. Thome,
and A. A. Mullen, 1987. Offsite Environmental Monitoring Report: Radiation Monitoring
Around United States Nuclear Test Areas, Calendar Year 1987, EPA/600/4-88/021. U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Las Vegas, NV.
C.A. Fontana, N.R. Sunderland, S.C. Black, B.B. Dicey, A.N. Jarvis, K.S. Moroney, A.A.
Mullen, V.E. Niemann, D.D. Smith and E.A, Thompson, 1988. Offsite Environmental
Monitoring Report: Radiation Monitoring Around United States Nuclear Test Areas, Calendar
Year 1988, EPA/600/4-89/019. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Las Vegas, NV.
C.F. Costa, C.A. Fontana, N.R. Sunderland, S.C. Black, M.W. Chilton, B.B. Dicey, W.G.
Phillips, R.W. Holloway, C.K. Liu, A.A. Mullen, V.E. Niemann, C.J. Rizzardi, D.J. Thome, D.D.
Smith and E.A. Thompson, 1989. Offsite Environmental Monitoring Report: Radiation
Monitoring Around United States Nuclear Test Areas, Calendar Year 1989, EPA/600/4-90/016.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Las Vegas, NV.
C.F. Costa, N.R. Sunderland, S.C. Black, M.W. Chilton, B.B. Dicey, W.G. Phillips, C.A.
Fontana, R.W. Holloway, C.K. Liu, A.A. Mullen, V.E. Niemann, C.J. Rizzardi, D.D. Smith, D.J.
Thome, E.A. Thompson, 1990. Offsite Environmental Monitoring Report: Radiation
Monitoring Around United States Nuclear Test Areas, Calendar Year 1989, EPA/600/4-90/016.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Las Vegas, NV.
D.J. Chaloud, B.B. Dicey, A.A. Mullen, D.G. Easterly, C.A. Fontana, R.W. HoUoway, W.G.
Phillips, V.E. Niemann, D.D. Smith, N.R. Sunderland, and D.J. Thome". Offsite Environmental
Monitoring Report: Radiation Monitoring Around United States Nuclear Test Areas, Calendar
Year 1990, EPA 600/4-91/030. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Las Vegas, NV.
D.J. Chaloud, B.B. Dicey, A.A. Mullen, A.C. Neale, A.R. Sparks, C.A. Fontana, L.D. Carroll,
W.G. Phillips, D.D. Smith, and D.J. Thom6 . Offsite Environmental Monitoring Report:
Radiation Monitoring Around United States Nuclear Test Areas, Calendar Year 1991, EPA
600/R-93/141. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Las Vegas, NV.
9
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D.J. Chaloud, A.A. MuUen, A.C. Neale, C.A. Fontana, L.D. Carroll, D.M. Daigler, D.J. Thome"
and M.G. Davis. Off site Environmental Monitoring Report: Radiation Monitoring Around
United States Nuclear Test Areas, Calendar Year 1992, EPA 600/R-94/209. U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Las Vegas, NV.
D.J. Chaloud, D.M. Daigler, M.G. Davis, A.A. Mullen, A.C. Neale, B.B. Dicey, C.A. Fontana,
S.H. Faller, K.R. Giles, P.A. Huff, F.Novieffi and M.D. Sells . Offsite Environmental Monitoring
Report: Radiation Monitoring Around United States Nuclear Test Areas, Calendar Year 1993,
EPA 402-R-96-007. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Las Vegas, NV (In print).
K.R. Giles and J. Cooper. Characteristics and Migration Patterns of Mule Deer on the Nevada
Test Site, EPA 600/4-85-030.
U.S. Department of Energy, Nevada Operations Office, Annual Site Environmental Report -
1994, DOE/NV/11432-175. U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, D.C.
U.S. Department of Energy, Nevada Operations Office, Annual Site Environmental Report -
1994, DOE/NV/11432-175. U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, D.C. (In Draft)
The Merck Veterinary Manual 7th Edition,\99\. Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., U.S.A. 1991.
Radiation Surveillance in Wildlife, 1967 (BER-6). Ronald E. Engel and Raymond A. Brechbill.
10
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Appendix A
Table 1. Radionuclide concentration from Mule Deer collected at T-tunnel.
Table 2. Nevada Test Site Mule Deer (Strontium-90 Concentration in Hock Bones)
Table 3. Nevada Test Site Miscellaneous Wildlife (Strontium-90 Concentration in Bones)
Table 4. Nevada Test Site Bighorn Sheep (Strontium-90 Concentration in Hock Bones)
Table 5. Nevada Test Site Beef Cattle (Strontium-90 Concentration in Femur Bones)
11
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a Aqueous portion of ti ssue sampled.
b Rumen contents from Mule deer 1 also contained "Zr (3,6 ±0.1 pCi/g) and 9SNb (0.14 ±0.03 pCi/g).
c Rumen contents from Mule deer 2 contained "Na (0.03 ± 0.01).
d Kidney contents from Mule deer 2 also contained M3Hg (0.09 ± 0.02 pCi/g) and 22Na (0.03 ± 0.02 pCi/g).
e Muscle contents from Mule deer 2 contained 20JHg (90.03 ± 0.01).
f Liver contents from Mule deer 4 also contained 124Sb (0.08 ± 0.04 pCi/g) and 1ISSb (0.7 ± 0.07 pCi/g).
g Rumen contents from Mule deer 4 also contained 124 Sb (6 ± 0.02 pCi/g), l25Sb (0.6 ± 0.1 pCi/g) and
"5N (0.4 ±0.1).
Table 2. Nevada Test Site Mule Deer (Strontium-90 Concentration in Hock Bones)
1982
1.3- 1.4
1.35
1983
No Deer Collected
1984
No Deer Collected
1985
No Deer Collected
1986
1.2-2.8
1.1
1987
0.5 - 0.7
0.7
1988
0.5 - 2.2
1.2
1989
1.0-1.4
1.2
1990
0.45 -1.0
0.92
1991
0.5-0.9
0.7
1992
0.37 - 2.7
1.0
1993
0,59-1.6
0.85
1994
0.30 - 0.34
0.32
1995
Note: All data in the tables is reported in 2 sigma.
14
-------
Table 3. Nevada Test Site Miscellaneous Wildlife (Strontium-90 Concentration in Bones)
Year
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
Number
of
Samples
l
2
1
3
1
1
Number of
Samples
GtCflter
ihwMDC
1
2
1
3
1
1
Range of
Positive
Samples
pCi/g Ask
5.0
0,18-0.23
1.1
0.24 - 3.5
0.64
0.64
Median of
Results Greater
thanMDC
pO/g Ast>
5.0
0.21
I.I
2.2
0.64
0.64
Remarks
Horse Bone
Duck bone provided by N.D.W. to
check for Chernobyl Fallout
Lion killed area 12 NTS
Chukar NTS
Chukar NTS
Chukar Esmeralda Co.
Note: All data in the tables is reported in 2 sigma.
15
-------
Table 4. Nevada Test Site Bighorn Sheep (Strontium-90 Concentration in Hock Bones)
Year
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
Nttwfeer
of
Samples
18
20
24
19
19
20
14
16
13
16
4
Numbers?
Samples
Greater
thanMDC
18
20
24
19
19
20
14
16
13
16
4
Ranged -
Positive
Samples
pCi/feAsb
0.47-4.3
0.8 - 4.3
0.32 - 3.2
1.0-9.6
0.6 - 12
5.0-6.7
0.06- 1.8
0.3-1.7
0.5 - 2.0
0.37 - 2.7
0.67- 1.9
Median of
Result* Greater
thanMDC
pG/gAsil
1.55
1.8
1.26
2.1
1.6
1.8
0.9
1.1
1.4
1.0
1.25
Remarks
No Bighorn Sheep Collected
No Bighorn Sheep Collected
No Bighorn Sheep Collected
Note: All data in the tables is reported in 2 sigma.
16
-------
Table 5. Nevada Test Site Beef Cattle (Strontium-90 Concentration in Femur Bones)
Year
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
Number
of
Samples
4
2
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
4
4
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
1
Number of
Samples
Greater
thanMDC
4
2
4
4
4
4
4
4
0
4
5
4
4
3
4
4
4
4
4
3
4
4
4
3
4
1
Range of
Positive
Samples
pG/gAsh
0.7- 1.3
1.8-2.2
0.97-1.8
1.6-2.2
1.4- 1.9
1.6-2.2
0.14-2.4
1.4-2.5
Samples lost
0.33- 1.0
0.93- 1.3
0.06 - 0.6
0.16-0.75
0.83-1.0
0.40 - 0.76
0.26- 1.2
0.74- 1.9
0.29 - .99
0.62 - 2.4
0.44 - 0.75
0.34 - 0.88
0.29 - 0.85
0.93- 1.6
0.16-0.49
0.45 - 0.90
1.4
MMianof :
Results Greater
thagMDC :
pQ%.Asb
0.75
2.0
1.4
1.6
1.6
1.9
1.2
2.0
0.57
1.3
0.41
0.64
0.96
0.43
0.75
1.2
0.55
0.66
0.66
0.43
0.72
1.0
0.19
0.67
1.4
Remarks
Medlin's Ranch (Tikaboo Valley) (Spring)
NTS (Fall)
Not Sampled (Spring)
Medlin's Ranch (Fall)
Nash Ranch (Hiko, NV) (Spring)
Nash Ranch (Hiko, NV) (Fall)
Nash Ranch (Hiko, NV) (Spring)
Wright Ranch (Hiko, NV) (Fall)
Agee Ranch (Rachel, NV) (Spring)
Medlin's Ranch (Tikaboo Valley) (Fall)
Sharp's Ranch (Nyala, NV) (Spring)
Medlin's Ranch (Tikaboo Valley) (Fall)
Coffer's Ranch (Beatty, NV) (Spring)
Coffer's Ranch (Beatty, NV) (Fall)
Nash Ranch (Hiko, NV) (Spring)
Coffer's Ranch (Beatty, NV) (Fall)
Agee Ranch (Rachel, NV) (Spring
Medlin's Ranch (Tikaboo Valley) (Fall)
Dahl Ranch (Delmar Valley) (Spring)
Agee Ranch (Rachel, NV) (Fall)
Coffer's Ranch (Beatty, NV) (Spring)
Dahl Ranch (Delmar Valley) (Spring)
Medlin's Ranch (Tikaboo Valley) (Spring)
Nash Ranch (Hiko, NV) (Fall)
Coffer's Ranch (Beatty, NV) (Spring)
Sharp's Ranch (Nyala, NV) (Fall)
NTS Bull Area 18 (Last of NTS Bull herd)
Note: All data in the tables is reported in 2 sigma.
17
-------
Appendix B
Figure 1. Mountain lion sightings on the NTS.
Figure 2. Average strontium levels in bighorn sheep from 1955 - 1994.
Figure 3. Average strontium levels in cattle from 1955 - 1994.
Figure 4. Average strontium levels in deer from 1955 - 1994.
Figure 5. Tritium levels in mule deer from 1982 - 1995.
18
-------
KILOMETERS
A Lion
sightings by Ken Giles
Figure I Mountain lion sightings on the NTS.
19
-------
35
^ 30
:§»
& 25
U)
<
o>
o
CD
20
15
-E 10
o
5
0
55 ' 59 63_ 67 71 75 79 83 87 91
57 61 65 69 73 77 81 85 89 92
Year
Figure 2 Average strontium-90 levels in bighorn sheep from 1955-1992.
35
30
S 25
Q.
< 20
CD
O
CO
.s 15
I 10
55
J
55 59
lllirtlll....,,,..
63 67 71 75 79 83 87 91 94
57 61 65 69 73 77 81 85 89 93
Year
Figure 3 Average strontium-90 levels in cattle from 1955 - 1994.
20
-------
Strontium 90 in BoneAsh (pCi/g)
"1
{/>
1
o
Figure 4 Average strontium-90 levels in mule deer from 1955 - 1995.
21
-------
1000000000
I Minimum
> Maximum
100000000 !!!"*!!!"""
4 Median
looooooo ^ I J ! !
i
1000000 j j
: : «
j i :
100000
a.
10000
i : : *
1000 H : : : : A : : : : \ '_ !
: : i : *
« tii lit
100
10
,. I t I I I t t t I I i I I i
1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
Yeats
Figure 5 Tritium levels in mule deer from 1982 - 1995.
22
-------
Appendix C
Announced United States Nuclear Tests
' 5:" " ; 'i^iilKPf t-
Tarko
Norbo
Liptauer
Pyramid
Colwick
Canfield
Flora
Kash
Huron King
Tafi
Verdello
Bonarda
Rioia
Dutchess
Miners Iron
Dauphin
Serpa
Baseball
Clairette
Seco
Vide
Aligote
Harzer
Niza
:^1SiifeV;^« :
02/28/80
03/08/80
04/03/80
04/16/80
04/26/80
05/02/80
05/22/80
06/12/80
06/24/80
07/25/80
07/31/80
09/25/80
09/25/80
10/24/80
10/31/80
11/14/80
12/17/80
01/15/81
02/05/81
02/25/81
04/30/81
05/29/81
06/06/81
07/10/81
':-7:i>&«li|
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
^;^}:-:^^f^lj9y^
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Joint US-UK
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Effects
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Joint US-UK
Weapons Effects
Weapons Related
Joint US-UK
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
23
Continued
-------
Pineau
Harvard
Islay
Trebbiano
Cernada
Paliza
Tilci
Rousanne
Akavi
Caboc
Jornada
Molbo
Hosta
Tenaja
Gibne
Kryddost
Bouschet
Kesti
Nebbiolo
Monterey
Atrisco
Queso
Cerro
Huron Landing
Diamond Ace
Frisco
Borrego
Seyval
07/16/81
08/05/81
08/27/81
09/04/81
09/24/81
10/01/81
11/11/81
11/12/81
12/03/81
12/16/81
01/28/82
02/12/82
02/12/82
04/17/82
04/25/82
05/06/82
05/07/82
06/16/82
06/24/82
07/29/82
08/05/82
08/1 1/82
09/02/82
09/23/82
09/23/82
09/23/82
09/29/82
11/12/82
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Joint US-UK
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Joint US-UK
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Effects
Weapons Effects
Weapons Rekted
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
24
Continued
-------
Manteca
Coalora
Cheedam
Cabra
Turquoise
Armada
Crowdie
Mini Jade
Fahada
Danablu
Laban
Sabado
Chancellor
Tomme/Midnight Zephyr
Techado
Romano
Gorbea
Midas Myth/Milagro
Tortugas
Agrini
Mundo
Caprock
Duoro
Kappeli
Correo
Dolcetto
Breton
Villita
12/10/82
02/1 1/83
02/17/83
03/26/83
04/14/83
04/22/83
05/05/83
05/26/83
05/26/83
06/09/83
08/03/83
08/11/83
09/01/83
09/21/83
09/22/83
12/16/83
01/31/84
02/15/84
03/01/84
03/31/84
05/01/84
05/31/84
06/20/84
07/25/84
08/02/84
08/30/84
09/13/84
11/10/84
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Joint US-UK
Weapons Related
Weapons Effects
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Effects
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Effects
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Joint US-UK
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
25
Continued
-------
Egmont
Tierra
Vaughn
Cottage
Hermosa
Misty Rain
Towanda
Salut
Ville
Maribo
Serena
Chamita
Ponil
Mill Yard
Diamond Beech
Roquefort
Kinibito
Goldstone
Glencoe
Mighty Oak
Jefferson
Panamint
Tajo
Darwin
Cybar
Cornucopia
Aleman
Labquark
12/09/84
12/15/84
03/15/85
03/23/85
04/02/85
04/06/85
05/02/85
06/12/85
06/12/85
06/26/85
07/25/85
08/17/85
09/27/85
10/09/85
10/09/85
10/16/85
12/05/85
12/28/85
03/22/86
04/10/86
04/22/86
05/21/86
06/05/86
06/25/86
07/17/86
07/24/86
09/11/86
09/30/86
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
Joint US-UK
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Effects
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Effects
Weapons Effects
Weapons Related
Joint US-UK
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Effects
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Joint US-UK
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
26
Continued
-------
Belmont
Gascon
Bodie
Hazebrook
Tornero
Middle Note
Delamar
Presidio
Hardin
Brie
Mission Ghost
Panchuela
Midland
Tahoka
Lockney
Borate
Waco
Mission Cyber
Kernville
Abilene
Schellbourne
Laredo
Comstock
Rhyolite
Nightingale
Alamo
Kearsarge
Bullfrog
10/16/86
11/14/86
12/13/86
02/03/87
02/11/87
03/18/87
04/18/87
04/22/87
04/30/87
06/18/87
06/20/87
06/30/87
07/16/87
08/13/87
09/24/87
10/23/87
12/01/87
12/02/87
02/15/88
04/07/88
05/13/88
05/21/88
06/02/88
06/22/88
06/22/88
07/07/88
08/17/88
08/30/88
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Effects
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Effects
Weapons Related
Joint US-UK
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Effects
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Safety Experiment
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
27
Continued
-------
Dahlhart
Misty Echo
Texarkana
Kawich
Ingot
Palisade
Tulia
Contact
Amarillo
Disko Elm
Hornitos
Muleshoe
Bamwell
Whiteface
Metropolis
Bullion
Austin
Mineral Quarry
Sundown
Ledoux
Tenabo
Houston
Coso
Bexar
Montello
Floydada
Hoya
Distant Zenith
10/13/88
12/10/88
02/10/89
02/24/89
03/09/89
05/15/89
05/26/89
06/22/89
06/27/89
09/14/89
10/31/89
11/15/89
12/08/89
12/20/89
03/10/90
06/13/90
06/21/90
07/25/90
09/20/90
09/27/90
10/12/90
11/14/90
03/08/91
04/04/91
04/16/91
08/15/91
09/14/91
09/19/91
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
Weapons Related
Weapons Effects
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Effects
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Joint US-UK
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Effects
Weapons Related
Weapons Effects
Weapons Related
Joint US-UK
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Effects
28
Continued
-------
Lubbock
Bristol
Junction
Diamond Fortune
Victoria
Galena
Hunters Trophy
Divider
10/18/91
11/26/91
03/26/92
04/30/92
06/19/92
06/23/92
09/18/92
09/23/92
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Joint US-UK
Weapons Effects
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Effects
Weapons Related
29
-------
-------
-------
' /;»? \ - v ;, * vv ,
' i V| ^-;j*!3*?*?*$*
, i f 2 A , ' « *"..< "2*i,
------- |