United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Radiation and
Indoor Air
Washington, DC 20460
EPA-402-ROO-009
December 2000
&EPA
Annual Water Sampling
and Analysis at the
Salmon Test Site Area,
Lamar County, Mississippi
April 2000
-------
Annual Water Sampling and Analysis
at the Salmon Test Site Area
Lamar County, Mississippi
April 2000
by
Max G. Davis
Dennis E. Farmer
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
Prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy
under Interagency Agreement
DE-AI08-96NV11969
RADIA nON AND INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS NA TIONAL LABORATORY
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
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 (EP A) through Interagency Agreement (lAG) DE-AI08-
96NVII969 from the United States Department of Energy (DOE). It has been subjected 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
In 1964 and 1966, nuclear explosives were detonated approximately 2,700 feet (823 m)
underground in the Salmon Test Site Area located in Lamar County, Mississippi. Drilling and
clean-up activities have resulted in tritium contamination in close proximity to the surface
ground zero. The Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring Program (LTHMP), directed by the EPA,
conducts annual water sampling on and around the Salmon Test Site Area and monitors
radiological sampling equipment on the site throughout the year.
In this report the 2000 annual water sampling at the Salmon Site is described, and the
analytical results of the collected samples are given. The highest tritium concentration onsite
was 2.53 x 104 pCiIL in water from one of the new wells added in 1997, see Appendix B, page
16. No radioactivity attributable to the test site was found in any offsite water sample. The
highest tritium concentration offsite was 11 :I: 3.2 pCiIL at the Bill Ray Anderson residence.
Tritium activities <800 - 1,000 pCiIL were determined using a conventional method.
All samples, with the exception ofHMH-l through HMH-16 and the 15 new wells added
in 1998 (see Appendix B), were analyzed for presence of gamma-ray emitting radionuclides.
None were detected above the minimum detectable concentration (MDC).
111
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This page is left blank intentionally.
IV
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CONTENTS
Page
Notice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 11
Abstract. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Figures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VI
Acronyms and Abbreviations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. V11
Acknowledgments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . V11l
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
History. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Historical Monitoring Results. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Sampling Collection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Sample Analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Water Analysis Results. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Conclusions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
References. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Glossary of Terms [[[ 13
Appendices
A. Summary of Analytical Procedures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
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FIGURES
Figure Number
Page
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
General site location of Project Salmon Test Site Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Topographic map of the Salmon Test Site Area showing the Surface
Ground Zero and outline of Test Area at 2,700 feet below land surface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Test cavity and aquifers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Tritium concentration vs. Sampling year for HMH-1 (depth = 10 ft) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Tritium concentration vs. Sampling year for HMH-2 (depth = 10 ft) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Tritium concentration vs. Sampling year for HMH-5 (depth = 10 ft) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Tritium concentration vs. Sampling year for HM-S (depth = 30 ft) .................6
Tritium concentration vs. Sampling year for HM-L (depth = 200 ft) ................7
Locations on the Salmon Test Site Area sampled in 2000 """""""""""" 8
Offsite locations sampled in 2000 ........................................... 9
VI
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DCG
DOE
EPA
g
HpGe
lAG
keV
kg
kt
L
L THMP
m
MDC
MeV
mm
mL
ORIA
pCi/L
PHS
R&IE
SGZ
USGS
3H
3H+
HMH
HM-L, HM-L2
HM-S
HM-l
HM-2a
HM-2b
HM-3
HT-2c
HT-4
HT-5
REECo
SA Wells
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
Derived Concentration Guide
US. Department of Energy
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
gram
high purity germanium gamma detector
Interagency Agreement
kilo electron volts = thousand electron volts
kilogram, 1000 grams
kiloton (TNT equivalent)
liter
Long Term Hydrological Monitoring Program
meter
minimum detectable concentration
one million electron volts
minute
milliliter = one thousandth of a liter
Office of Radiation and Indoor Air
picocuries per liter = 10-12 curies per liter = 1/1,000,000,000,000 curies per
liter
US. Public Health Service
Radiation and Indoor Environments National Laboratory
surface ground zero
US. Geological Survey
Tritium
Enriched Tritium
Hydrological Monitoring Hole (1-16)
Hydrological Monitoring Well - Local Aquifer
Hydrological Monitoring Well - Surficial Aquifer
Hydrological Monitoring Well - Aquifer 1
Hydrological Monitoring Well - Aquifer 2a
Hydrological Monitoring Well - Aquifer 2b
Hydrological Monitoring Well - Aquifer 3
Hydrological Test Hole
Hydrological Test Hole
Hydrological Test Hole
Reynolds Electrical & Engineering Co
Source Area Wells
Vll
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The author would like to acknowledge Ken Giles, Richard Flotard, Pat Honsa, Rose
Houston, EP A, for their dedication to quality and their tireless work in the execution of the
sampling effort. The author would also like to thank Terry Mouck and Janet Lane for their
outstanding support in preparing the graphics and for providing the desktop publishing in the
production of this report.
V11l
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INTRODUCTION
Under an Interagency Agreement (lAG) with
the DOE, the EPA's Radiation and Indoor
Environments National Laboratory (R&IE)
located in Las Vegas, NV, conducts a
L THMP to measure radioactivity concen-
trations in water sources near the sites of
underground nuclear explosions. The results
of the L THMP provide assurance that
radioactive materials from the tests have not
migrated into drinking water supplies. This
report presents the results for samples col-
lected in April 2000, on and around the
Salmon Test Site Area, in Lamar County,
Mississippi.
History
Project Dribble, consisting of two nuclear
explosions, and Project Miracle Play,
consisting of two non-nuclear gas explosions,
were conducted in the Salmon Test Site Area
,
near Baxterville, Lamar County, Mississippi,
between 1964 and 1970. The general area is
depicted in Figure 1. The Salmon Test Site
Area (Figure 2) contains approximately 1,470
acres located in Sections 11, 12, 13, and 14,
Township 2 North, Range 16 West.
Test Date Name Type Yield
(kt)
10-22-64 Salmon Nuclear 5.3
12-03-66 Sterling Nuclear 0.38
02-02-69 Diode Tube Gas 0.32
04-19-70 Humid Water Gas 0.32
These tests were part of the Vela Uniform
Program of the U.S. Atomic Energy
Commission (a predecessor agency of the
DOE). The purpose was to measure and
evaluate the phenomena of seismic waves that
are induced from the explosions as compared
to those that occur naturally from earthquakes.
The first explosion, the Salmon Event, created
a cavity in the salt dome underlying the test
area. The top of the cavity is 1,160 feet (360
m) below the top of the salt dome which lies
1,500 feet (460 m) below the land surface
(Figure 3). The Salmon detonation cavity was
subsequently used to contain the next three
explosions.
Following each detonation, the surrounding
area was closely monitored by the U. S. Public
Health Service (PHS). Radiological
monitoring became the responsibility of the
EPA at its inception in 1970, and after the
second site cleanup operation in 1971-72, the
L THMP was instituted. In this program, all
potable aquifers, several wells, public water
supplies, and some surface waters in the
vicinity of the Salmon Test Site are sampled
and analyzed to determine the presence of
tritium and other radioactive contaminants.
Historical Monitoring Results
The disposal of drilling mud and fluids near
the surface ground zero (SGZ) is possibly
responsible for tritium eH) contamination of
the soil zone and underlying shallow aquifer.
These waters lie at depths of 4 to 10 feet (1.3
to 3 m) and 30 feet (9 m), respectively, and are
not potable. Tritium contamination is also
present in the potable water of the local
aquifer which lies at about 200 feet (62 m).
The observed 3H concentration in the local
aquifer is well below the 20,000 pCi/L
guideline specified in the National Primary
Drinking Water Regulations ( 40CFR 141), and
1
-------
Prentiss
Monticello
Brookhaven
Moselle
Eaton ville
Bunker Sumrall
Runnelstown
«
Richton
Hattiesburg
i~*
98
Beaumont
Talowah \
A Brooklyn
Pinebur
Baxterville
MISSISSIPPI
LOUISIANA
Bogalusa ^
Major Highway
Test Site, SGZ
Figure 1 General site location of Project Salmon Test Site Area.
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Wells with significant tritium contamination SALMON TEST SITE AREA
are found within this circle with a radius BOUNDARY
of 1400 feet (430m)
r Overflow
I Pond
approx. 1 1/2 miles
N
SCALE IN FEET
0 1000 2000 3000
0 500 1000
SCALE IN METERS
4000 5000
Figure 2 Topographic map of the Salmon Test Site Area showing the Surface Ground Zero and
outline of Test Area at 2,700 feet below land surface.
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CITRONELLE
AQUIFER
HALF MOON CREEK
ALLUVIAL AQUIFER
WELL
HT-2
TEST CAVITY
SALT DOME*
GROUND
SURFACE
LOCAL AQUIFER
AQUIFER 1
AQUIFER 2A
AQUIFER 28
AQUIFER 3A
AQUIFER 3B
AQUIFER 4
AQUIFER 5
HIGHLY
RADIOACTIVE
MATERIAL
FLUID LEVEL
RECRYSTALLIZED
MELT PUDDLE
LIMESTONE *Tne test cavity contains fission «nd activation products from the detonations plus
10.770 cubic yards of radioactive, contaminated soils and 1,305,000 gallons of
SANDSTONE contaminated fluids and water from surface cleanup.
Figure 3 Test cavity and aquifers.
is thought to be due to drilling activities at the
site (Fenske and Humphrey, 1980;. Fordham
andFenske, 1985).
Of the 55 wells sampled on the Salmon Site,
five regularly have tritium values above those
expected in surface water values. These include
three soil zone wells near the SGZ (wells
HMH-1, HMH-2, and HMH-5), well HM-S in
the shallow aquifer, and well HM-L in the
underlying local aquifer. Plots of tritium
concentration vs. time for these wells are shown
in Figures 4 to 8. The solid line in the graph
represents the normal radioactive decay of
tritium. Surface water collected from the Half
Moon Creek overflow pond adjacent to the
SGZ area, has tritium values above background
as does the REECo Pit drainage area which was
used for the disposal of drilling mud.
Sample Collection
According to standard operating procedures
agreed to by DOE (U.S. DOE 1981), the HMH
-------
:::J II)
G "E 50
a. ra
~II)
('I) 5 40
, .c
I I-
90
80
70
+
+ Measured
- Predicted by H.3 deca,
60
+
+
30
20
10
+
+
+
+
+
+ +
o
~~~o/~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~
Calendar Year
Figure 4 Tritium concentration ys. sampling year for HMH-1 (depth = 10ft).
:::I~
:::, c:
~ m 20
~ ::J
M 0
I ~
40
30
10
+~
+ Measured
- Predicted by H-3 decay
+
+
+
+
+ +
+
+
+
+
+
+
o
~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Calendar Year
Figure 5 Tritium concentration ys. sampling year for HMH-2 (depth = 10 ft).
5
-------
12
+
+ Measured
- Predicted by H-3 decay
10
8
:::J~
::::, c:
U !11
Co '"
~ ::J
M 0
I {:
6
+-,-~----~~~~-jo
+
4
+
2
+ +
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ +
+
+
+ +
+
o
~~~o/~~@~~#~~~o/~~~~~~~
Calendar Year
Figure 6 Tritium concentration vs. sampling year for HMH-5 (depth = 10 ft).
40
30
+~
+~""~
+ Measured
- Predicted by H-3 decay
~~
~ ~ 20
~ ::J
M 0
I {:
+ +
+
+
10
+ + + +
+ +
+
o
~~~~~**~~#~~~o/~~~~*~~
Calendar Year
Figure 7 Tritium concentration vs. sampling year for HM-S (depth = 30 ft).
6
-------
~
:~~~
"~>
>-
x ~, ,
"''' /, / --x----------- x
. -- x
x~
~< --
3000
2500
2000
~
g 1500
'"
:I:
1000
500
o
Measured - Predicted by H-3
decay
><
x
~~~~~~~~~#~~~o/~~~~~~~
Calendar Year
Figure 8 Tritium concentration vs. sampling year for HM-L (depth = 200 ft).
wells on the test site were first sampled, then If the well has no pump, a truck-mounted
pumped-dry, and sampled on the following sampling unit is used. With this unit it is
day as were the 15 new wells added in 1997. possible to collect three-liter samples from
The 15 new wells added in 1998 were purged wells as deep as 1800 meters (5,900 ft.). At
with three volumes of water and then sampled the sample collection sites, the pH,
for tritium and gamma emitters. Wells HM-1, conductivity, water temperature, and sampling
HM-2A,HM-2B,HM-3,andHM-L, which lie depth are measured and recorded when the
adjacent to SGZ, were first sampled and then sample is collected.
pumped steadily while further samples were
taken at 30 min intervals until the pH and
conductivity of the water stabilized. A final
sample was taken from each well 30 min after
stability was reached. Water samples were
taken from sources near the SGZ area (i.e.
Half Moon Creek, Half Moon Creek
Overflow, and the Pond west of SGZ) before
and after the pumping operations to identify
any resulting changes in tritium concentration.
Well HM - L2 was first sampled and then
pumped for one hour before a second sample
was taken. All other water supplies were
sampled only once.
For wells with operating pumps, the samples
are collected at the nearest convenient outlet.
Locations of all sampling sites are shown in
Figures 9 - 10. Sampling also included three
locations in Columbia, Mississippi (not
shown). Results are discussed in the
following sections.
Sam pIe Analysis
Radiochemical procedures used to analyze the
samples collected for this report are described
in Johns et al. (1979) and summarized in
Appendix A. These include standard methods
to identify natural and man-made gamma-
emitting radionuclides, tritium, plutonium,
strontium, and uranium in water samples.
7
-------
Well HM-L2
~""SA4-1-M
HMH-16H
Decontamination
SA1-8-L + SA1-9-2A
SA1-3-H J
HMH-11 /
1 HMH-2HHMH-9
SA3-8-1
S A3-11-3
SA3-10-2
SA5-2-M
Well HT-2C
SA5-5-4
LAMAR
COUNTY
Scale in Feet
1000
Surface Ground Zero
Water Sampling Locations
New Wells Added in 1998
2000 MISS SSIPPI
0 100 200 300 400 500
Scale in Meters
LOCATION MAP
This map is not to scale
Figure 9 Locations on the Salmon Test Site Area sampled in 2000.
8
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. Columbia City Little Creek #1
46-003-5
Lower Little Creek #2
. Surface Ground Zero
. Water Sampling Locations
~::~~ Tatum Dome Test Area
i
Scale in Miles
o 1 2 3
~,,~
o 1 2 3 4
Scale in Kilometers
Figure 10
Offsite locations sampled in 2000.
9
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Two type of tritium analyses were performed:
conventional and electrolytic enrichment. The
enrichment method lowers the minimum
detectable concentration (MDC) from
approximately 300 pCi/L to about 5 pCi/L.
An the upper limit of activity of800 pCi/L has
been established for the tritium enrichment
method because sample cross- contamination
becomes a problem at higher levels.
In late 1995, it was decided that a maximum
of 25 percent of all samples collected would
be analyzed by the low-level enrichment
method. This decision was based on the time
required for analysis, budgetary constraints,
and an assessment of past results. Under the
current sampling and analysis protocol for the
site, all samples are initially screened for
tritium activity by the conventional method
and selected samples enriched. At this time
only sampling locations that are in position to
show migration are selected for enrichment.
Sufficient sample is collected from new
sampling locations to perform all routine
analyses and a full-suite of other
radiochemical determinations including assays
for strontium, plutonium, and uranium.
Water Analysis Results
Gamma-ray spectral analysis results indicated
that no man-made gamma-emitting
radionuclides were detected in any onsite or
offsite samples. Tritium concentrations above
normal background values were not detected
in any offsite samples. Long-term decreasing
trends in tritium concentrations are evident for
on-site locations that have shown detectable
tritium activity since monitoring began under
the L THMP (wells HMH-1, HMH-2, HMH-5,
HM-S, and HM-L, depicted in Figures 4 thru
8).
Only four wells were above the MDC in the
samples collected from the offsite sampling
locations. Tritium activity in the offsite
samples ranged from less than the MDC to 10
pCi/L (~0.5 Bq/L), 0.06 percent of the DCG.
These results do not exceed the natural tritium
activity expected in rain water for this area.
Due to the high rainfall in the area, the
sampling procedure for selected onsite wells
was modified as follows: after collection of an
initial sample, the well is purged, and a second
sample taken after the well refills. The second
sample represents water that has infiltrated
through the soil zone, whereas the first sample
may be a mixture of direct rainwater influx at
top of the well and infiltrated or soil zone
water.
Of the 55 locations normally sampled onsite,
26 sites were sampled twice (pre-and post-
pumping), 36 yielded tritium activities greater
than the MDC in either the first or second
sample. Of these, 16 yielded results higher
than normal background (approximately 25 -
40 pCi/L [1 - 1.5 Bq/LD as shown in
Appendix B. The locations where the highest
tritium activities were measured generally
correspond to areas of known contamination.
A total of 12 wells were not sampled in April
2000, by order of DOE
In 1997 an additional 15 shallow wells were
added to the annual sampling, which range in
depth of 195' to 2100', increasing the total
wells sampled onsite to 55. Five of the
previous locations regularly have tritium
values above those expected in surface water
samples. The water in these wells is not
accessible to the public, nor suitable for
drinking due to it's brackishness.
10
-------
Conclusions
No radioactive materials from the Salmon
Test Site Area were detected in any water
samples collected offsite and tritium
concentrations of water samples collected
onsite and off site are consistent with those of
past studies at the Salmon Site. The highest
tritium concentration found in water collected
in the offsite area was 11 ::I: 3.2 pCi/L, which is
typical of background tritium levels, and is
0.12 percent of the National Interim Primary
Drinking Water Regulations (40CFR141).
The highest tritium concentration found onsite
was 20,200 pCi/L. This was detected in a
water sample collected from Well SA1-1H
which is a shallow well (40') near SGZ. The
water from this well is not available to the
public nor is it potable.
The tritium concentrations, except for Well
SA1-1H, were all well below the 20,000
pCi/L level defined in the EP A Drinking
Water Regulations (40CFR141).
All samples were analyzed for presence of
gamma-ray emitting radionuc1ides with the
exception ofHMH-1 though HMH-16. None
were detected above the MDC (see Appendix
B on page 16).
11
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REFERENCES
Code of Federal Regulations, VoL 41, title 40,
Part 141, July 9, 1976, National Interim
Primary Drinking Water Regulations.
A Guide for Environmental Radiological
Surveillance at U.S. Dept. of Energy
Installations, July 1981 ,Office of Operational
Safety Report. Las Vegas, NV:
U.S. Department of Energy; DOE/EP-0023.
Fenske, P. R.; Humphrey, T. M., Jr. The
Tatum Dome Project Lamar County,
Mississippi. Las Vegas, NV: U.S. Department
of Energy, Nevada Operations
Office; NVO-225; 1980.
Fordham, J. W. Fenske, P. R. Tatum Dome
Field Study Report and Monitoring Data
Analysis, Las Vegas, NV: U.S. Department of
Energy, Nevada Operations Office;
DOE/NV/10384-03; 1985.
Johns, F., et a1. 1979. Radiochemical and
Analytical Procedures for Analysis of
Environmental Samples. Las Vegas, NY:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency;
EMSL-L V-0539-l7-l979.
12
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GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Background Radiation
The radiation in man's environment, including
cosmic rays and radiation from naturally-
occurring and man-made radioactive elements,
both outside and inside the bodies of humans
and animals. The usually quoted average
individual exposure from background
radiation is 125 millirem per year in mid-
latitudes at sea level (Shein & Terplak, 1984).
Curie (Ci)
The basic unit used to describe the rate of
radioactive disintegration. The curie is equal
to 37 billion disintegrations per second, which
is the equivalent of 1 gram of radium. Named
for Marie and Pierre Curie who discovered
radium in 1898. One microcurie (,uCi) is one
millionth of a Ci.
Isotope
Atoms of the same element with different
numbers of neutrons in the nuclei. Thus 12C,
BC, and 14C are isotopes of the element
carbon, the numbers denoting the approximate
atomic weights. Isotopes have very nearly the
same chemical properties, but often different
physical properties (for example 12 C and 13 C
are stable, 14 C is radioactive).
Enrichment Method
A method of electrolytic concentration that
increases the sensitivity of the analysis of
tritium in water. This method is used by R&IE
in selected samples ifthe tritium concentration
is less than 700 pCi/L.
Minimum Detectable Concentration
(MDC)
The smallest amount of radioactivity that can be
reliably detected with a probability of Type I and
Type II errors at 5 percent each (DOE 1981).
Offsite
Areas exclusive of the immediate Salmon Test
Site Area.
Onsite
Refers to the immediate vicinity of the
Salmon Test Site Area.
Shallow ground water
Water found near the soil surface, caused by
precipitation infiltration of the soil. This
shallow ground water is not an aquifer.
13
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GLOSSARY OF TERMS
(Continued)
Surficial Aquifer
Post Sample
The ground water layer located closest to the
surface, generally at a depth of approximately
30 feet at SGZ.
Last sample taken from wells onsite (after
recharge).
Type I Error
Tritium
A radioactive isotope of hydrogen that decays
by beta emission. Its half-life is about 12.5
years.
The statistical error of accepting the presence
of radioactivity when none is present.
Sometimes called alpha error.
Type II Error
Pre Sample
First sample taken from wells onsite. (before
pumping).
The statistical error of failing to recognize the
presence of radioactivity when it is present.
Sometimes called beta error.
14
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APPENDIX A
Summary of Analytical Procedures
Type of
Analysis
Analytical
Equipment
Counting
Period (Min)
Analytical
Procedures
Sample
Size
Approximate
Detection Limit"
HpGe
Gammab
HpGe detector
calibrated at 0.5 ke V /
channel (0.04 to 2 MeV
range). Individual detector
efficiencies ranging from
15 to 35%.
-150
Radionuclide concen-
tration quantified from
gamma spectral data by
online computer program.
3.5L
Varies with radionuclides
and detector used, normally
counted to a MDC of
approx. 5 pCi/L for Cs-137
JH
Automatic liquid
scintillation counter
300
Sample prepared by
distillation.
5 to 10 mL
300 to 700 pCi/L
JH+ Automatic liquid
Enrichment scintillation counter
300
Sample is distilled,
followed by concentration
by electrolysis.
5mL
5 pCi/L
The detection limit is defmed as the smallest amount of radioactivity that can be reliably detected, i.e., probability
of Type I and Type II error at 5 percent each (DOE 1981).
Gamma spectrometry using a high purity intrinsic germanium (HpGe) detector.
Typical MDA Values for Gamma Spectroscopy
(100 minute count time)
Be-7
K-40
Cr-51
Mn-54
Co-57
Co-58
Fe-59
Co-60
Zn-65
Nb-95
Zr-95
4.56E+01
4.92E+01
5.88E+01
4.55E+01
9.65E+00
4.71E+00
1.07E+01
5.38E+00
1.24E+01
5.64E+00
9.06E+00
Model 430G
Density 1.0 g/m1
Units pCi/L
Isotope MDA
Ru-106 4.76E+01
Sn-113 8.32E+00
Sb-125 1.65E+01
1-131 8.28E+00
Ba-133 9.16E+00
Cs-134 6.12E+00
Cs-13 7 6.43E+00
Ce-144 7.59E+01
Eu-152 2.86E+01
Ra-226 1.58E+01
U-235 1.01E+02
Am-24 I 6.60E+01
Geometry*
Matrix
Volume
Isotope
Marinelli
Water
3.5 liter
MDA
Disclaimer
The MDA's provided are for background matrix samples presumed to contain no known analytes and no decay
time. All MDA's provided here are for one specific *Germanium detector and the geometry of interest. The
MDA's in no way should be used as a source of reference for determining MDA's for any other type of detector.
All gamma spectroscopy MDA's will vary with different types of shielding, geometries, counting times, and decay
time of sample.
15
-------
APPENDIX B
TRITIUM RESULTS FOR WATER SAMPLES COLLECTED IN APRIL. 2000
Collection Enriched Gamma
Sample Date Tritium Tritium" Spectrometry (b)
Location 2000 pCi/L :I: 2 SD (MDC) pCi/L:I: 2 SD (MDC) Comments (MDC)
BaxtervilIe, MS
Anderson, Billy Ray 4-17 10:1: 3.3 (5.1) ND (4.0)
Jim & Cathy 0' Quine 4-18 00 :I: 136 (224) ND (4.7)
Anderson Pond 4-17 -131 :I: 142 (237) ND (4.0)
Anderson, Rhonda 4-17 86 :I: 142 (237) ND (5.0)
Anderson, Robert Lowell, Jr. 4-17 15 :I: 134 (234) ND (4.7)
Anderson, Robert Lee 4-18 -30 :I: 143 (237) ND (5.0)
Anderson, Tony 4-18 No sample
Burge, Joe 4-19 -7.5 :I: 144 (237) ND (4.7)
Half Moon Creek Pre 4-17 12:1: 3.5 ND (4.9)
Post 4-18 15:1: 3.8 ND (4.7)
Half Moon Creek Pre 4-17 272 :I: 6.5 (5.3) ND (4.9)
Overflow Post 4-18 264:1: 7.4 (5.8) ND (4.8)
Hibley, Billy 4-18 -106 :I: 134 (224) ND (4.4)
Napier, Denice 4-18 6.6:1: 3.7 (5.8) ND (4.9)
Lee, Perry T., Jr. 4-18 63 :I: 145 (237) ND (5.0)
Little Creek # 1 4-18 -19 :I: 144 (237) ND (4.3)
Lower Little Creek #2 4-18 -40.3 :I: 132 (221) ND (4.5)
Mills, Roy 4-18 9.2:1: 3.6 (5.7) ND (4.9)
Mills, AC 4-19 -2.3 :I: 3.4 (5.6) City Water ND (4.2)
(a) Indicates results are less than MDC
(b) No gamma radionuc1ides detected above MDC
ND Non-detected, represents I37Cs (pCi/L)
16
-------
APPENDIX B (Continued)
TRITIUM RESULTS FOR WATER SAMPLES COLLECTED IN APRIL. 2000
Collection Enriched Gamma
Sample Date Tritium Tritium Spectrometry (b)
Location 2000 pCiIL :I: 2 SD (MDC) pCi/L :I: 2 SD (MDC) Comments (MDC)
Baxterville, MS (Cont)
Nobles Pond 4-18 -15 :I: 144 (237) ND (4.3)
Noble, Evelyn 4-18 -101 :I: 142 (237) ND (4.9)
Pond West ofGZ Pre 4-17 12.2:1: 3.5 (5.3) ND (4.3)
Post 4-18 10.5:1: 3.7 (5.7) ND (4.9)
REECo Pit Drainage-A 4-19 16.4:1: 3.5 (5.2) ND (4.7)
REECo Pit Drainage-B 4-19 247 :I: 139 (222)
REECo Pit Drainage-C 4-19 218:1:6.5 (5.3) ND (4.4)
Saucier, Dennis 4-18 42 :I: 135 (221) ND (4.8)
Well Ascot 2 4-21 Not sampled per DOE
Baxterville Well City 4-19 10:1: 3.9 (6.2) ND (1.4)
Well E-7 4-21 -0.8:1: 3.1 (0) (5.0) ND (4.8)
Well HM-1 Pre 4-17 -106 :I: 125(0) (209) ND (4.7)
1st30Min 4-17 -135 :I: 124(0) (209) ND (4.9)
2nd 30 Min 4-17 -143 :I: 124(0) (209) ND (4.9)
3rd 30 Min 4-17 -215 :I: 122(0) (209) ND (4.8)
Post 4-17 -76 :I: 125(0) (209) ND (4.3)
Well HM-2A Pre 4-18 -0.67 :I: 133(0) (222) ND (4.1)
1st 30 Min 4-18 53 :I: 135(0) (222) ND (4.1)
2nd 30 Min 4-18 63.6 :I: 132(0) (222) ND (4.3)
3rd 30 Min 4-18 0.0 :I: 134(0) (222) ND (4.7)
Post 4-18 -0.17 :I: 134(0) (222) ND (4.9)
Well HM-2B Pre 4-18 -0.17 :I: 134(0) (222) ND (4.7)
1st 30 Min 4-18 38.9 :I: 135(0) (222) ND (5.0)
Post 4-18 -3.8 :I: 134(0) (222) ND (5.0)
Well HM-3 Pre 4-17 0 :I: 134 (0) (222) ND (5.0)
1st30Min 4-17 0.14 :I: 134(0) (222) ND (4.8)
(0) Indicates results are less than MDC
(b) No gamma radionuc1ides detected above MDC
ND Non-detected, MDC for gamma represents 137CS (pCilL)
17
-------
APPENDIX B (Continued)
TRITIUM RESULTS FOR WATER SAMPLES COLLECTED IN APRIL. 2000
Sample
Location
Collection
Date
2000
Enriched
Tritium Tritium
pCi/L :J:: 2 SD (MDC) pCi/L :J:: 2 SD (MDC) Comments
Gamma
Spectrometry (b)
(MDC)
Baxterville, MS (cont.)
Well HM3 2nd 30 Min 4-17 4.5 ::I:: 134(a) (222) ND (4.7)
Post 4-17 28.3 :J:: 135(a) (222) ND (4.7)
Well HM-L Pre 4-17 1180:J:: 151 (209) ND (4.5)
1st 30 Min 4-17 831 :J:: 144 (209) ND (4.2)
2nd 30 Min 4-17 612 :J:: 140 (209) ND (4.9)
3rd 30 Min 4-17 561 ::I:: 138 (209) ND (4.9)
4th 30 Min 4-17 618 ::I:: 145 (222) ND (4.9)
Post 4-17 502 ::I:: 143 (222) ND (4.1)
Well HM-L2 Pre 4-18 1.08:J:: 3.13 (5.0) ND (5.0)
Post 4-18 -0.67::1:: 3.34 (5.6) ND (4.3)
Well HM-S Pre 4-17 1680 :J:: 160 (209) ND (5.0)
Post 4-18 1690 :J:: 160 (209) ND (5.0)
Well HMH-1 Pre 4-17 2900 :J:: 180 (209)
Post 4-18 3230 :J:: 185 (209)
Well HMH-2 Pre 4-17 561 :J:: 139 (209)
Post 4-18 561 :J:: 139 (209)
Well HMH-3 Pre 4-17 -135 :J:: 124(a) (209)
Post 4-18 -84.4 ::I:: 125 (209)
Well HMH-4 Pre 4-17 No Sample per DOE
Post 4-18 No Sample per DOE
Well HMH-5 Pre 4-17 1040 ::I:: 148 (209)
Post 4-18 1000 :J:: 147 (209)
Well HMH-6 Pre 4-17 No Sample per DOE
Post 4-18 No Sample per DOE
(a> Indicates results are less than MDC
(b) No gamma radionuclides detected above MDC
ND Non-detected, MDC for gamma represents 137Cs (pCi/L)
18
-------
APPENDIX B (Continued)
TRITIUM RESULTS FOR WATER SAMPLES COLLECTED IN APRIL. 2000
Sample
Location
Baxterville, MS (cont.)
Well HMH-7 Pre
Post
Well HMH-8 Pre
Post
Well HMH-9 Pre
Post
Well HMH-lO Pre
Post
Well HMH-11 Pre
Post
Well HMH-12 Pre
Post
Well HMH-13 Pre
Post
Well HMH-14 Pre
Post
Well HMH-15 Pre
Post
Well HMH-16 Pre
Post
SA 1-1 H Pre
Post
Collection
Date
2000
Enriched
Tritium Tritium
pCi/L :I: 2 SD (MDC) pCi/L :I: 2 SD (MDC) Comments
Gamma
Spectrometry (b)
(MDC)
4-17 No Sample per DOE
4-18 No Sample per DOE
4-17 No Sample per DOE
4-18 No Sample per DOE
4-17 -29 :I: 126 (209)
4-18 -50.6:1: 126(a) (209)
4-17 122 :I: 130 (209)
4-18 59.1 :I: 128 (209)
4-17 88 :I: 129(a) (209)
4-18 25 :I: 127(a) (209)
4-17 No Sample per DOE
4-18 No Sample per DOE
4-17 No Sample per DOE
4-18 No Sample per DOE
4-17 No Sample per DOE
4-18 No Sample per DOE
4-17 No Sample per DOE
4-18 No Sample per DOE
4-17 117 :1:128 (222)
4-18 31.8 :I: 135 (222)
4-19 20,200:1: 337 (222) ND (4.9)
4-20 19,000:1: 328 (222) ND (4.8)
(a)
(b)
Indicates results are less than MDC
No gamma radionuclides detected above MDC
Non-detected, MDC for gamma represents 137CS (pC ilL)
ND
19
-------
APPENDIX B (Continued)
TRITIUM RESULTS FOR WATER SAMPLES COLLECTED IN APRIL. 2000
Collection Enriched Gamma
Sample Date Tritium Tritium Spectrometry (b)
Location 2000 pCi/L :!: 2 SD (MDC) pCi/L:!: 2 SD (MDC) Comments (MDC)
Baxterville, MS (cont.)
SA 1- 2H Pre 4-18 2290 :!: 120 (222) ND (4.8)
Post 4-19 2.7 :!: 168 (222) ND (4.5)
SAI-3H Pre 4-18 408 :!: 795 (4.8) ND (4.9)
Post 4-19 421 :!: 820 (5.0) ND (4.7)
SAI-4H Pre 4-18 261 :!: 622 (5.0) ND (4.8)
Post 4-19 255 :!: 675 (5.0) ND (4.7)
SAI-5H Pre 4-18 950 :!: 154 (221) ND (4.3)
Post 4-19 789 :!: 151 (221) ND (4.8)
SA 1-6H Pre 4-18 170 :!: 5.8 (5.2) ND (4.8)
Post 4-19 938 :!: 150(a'{214)
SA 1-7H Pre 4-18 17.3 :!: 3.5 (5.1) ND (3.8)
Post 4-19 21 :!: 3.8 (5.6) ND (5.6)
SAI-8-L 4-19 10.4 :!:134 (221) ND (4.8)
SAI-9-2A 4-19 -1.13 :!:3.2 (5.3) ND (4.7)
SAI-I0-2B 4-19 84 :!: 136 (221 ) ND (4.6)
SAI-II-3 4-19 74.9 :!: 136 (221 ) ND (4.5)
SA2-1-L 4-20 -49.5 :!: 133 (221) ND (5.0)
SA2-2-L 4-20 -0.12 :!: 127 (214) ND (4.8)
SA2-3-L 4-20 56.5 :!: 135 (221) ND (4.9)
SA2-4-L 4-20 10.4 :!: 134 (221) ND (4.5)
(a) Indicates results are less than MDC
(b) No gamma radionuclides detected above MDC
ND Non -detected, MDC for gamma represents I37Cs (pCi/L)
20
-------
APPENDIX B (Continued)
TRITIUM RESULTS FOR WATER SAMPLES COLLECTED IN APRIL. 2000
Collection Enriched Gamma
Sample Date Tritium Tritium Spectrometry (b)
Location 2000 pCi/L :I: 2 SD (MDC) pC ilL :I: 2 SD (MDC) Comments (MDC)
Baxterville, MS (cont.)
SA2-5-L 4-19 -22 :I: 134 (221) ND (4.0)
SA3-1M Pre 4-17 7.6 :I: 3.5 (5.4) ND (4.7)
Post 4-18 7.0 :I: 3.1 (4.8) ND (4.9)
SA3-3M Pre 4-17 4.7 :I: 135 (221) ND (4.8)
Post 4-18 70.3 :I: 136 (221) ND (3.0)
SA3-4H Pre 4-18 -0.68 :I: 133 (221) ND (4.0)
Post 4-19 42.6 :I: 135 (221) ND (4.7)
SA3-5-H Pre 4-18 14.1:1: 3.7 (5.6) ND (4.9)
Post 4-19 .00 :I: 130 (214) ND (5.0)
SA3-8-1 4-20 -3.46 :I: 134 (221) ND (4.0)
SA3-10-2 4-20 8.8 :I: 13o(a) (214) ND (4.8)
SA3-11-3 4-20 -31 :I: 133(a) (221) ND (4.4)
SA4-1M Pre 4-17 28.8 :I: 135 (221) ND (4.7)
Post 4-18 0.22 :I: 134 (221) ND
SA5-1M Pre 4-17 7.0 :I: 3.7(a) (5.8) ND (5.8)
Post 4-18 7.9 :I: 3.9(a) (6.2) ND (5.0)
SA5-2M Pre 4-20 33.4 :I: 135 (221) ND (4.5)
Post 4-22 -8.0 :I: 135 (221) ND (4.5)
SA5-3M Pre 4-17 33 :I: 135 (221) ND (4.5)
Post 4-18 -026 :I: 134 (221) ND (4.8)
SA5-4-4 4-21 -3.5 :I: 134 (221) ND (4.6)
SA5-5-4 4-20 42.2 :1:135 (221) ND (4.9)
(a) Indicates results are less than MDC
(b) No gamma radionuclides detected above MDC
ND Non -detected, MDC for gamma represents I37Cs (pCi/L)
21
-------
APPENDIX B (Continued)
TRITIUM RESULTS FOR WATER SAMPLES COLLECTED IN APRIL. 2000
Collection Enriched Gamma
Sample Date Tritium Tritium Spectrometry (b)
Location 2000 pCi/L :!: 2 SD (MDC) pCiIL :!: 2 SD (MDC) Comments (MDC)
Baxterville, MS (cant.)
Well HT-2C 4-20 No Sample per DOE
Well HT-4 4-20 No Sample per DOE
Well HT-5 4-20 No Sample per DOE
Colum bia, MS
Well 46-003-5 4-17 5.3 :!: 3.4 (5.4) ND (1.8)
Lumberton, MS
Anderson, Arleene 4-18 -53 :!: 135(a) (224) ND (4.9)
Thompson, Store 4-18 48.8 :!: 145 (237) ND (4.2)
James Lowe 4-19 120 :!: 126(a) (224) ND (4.5)
Crawfish Pond 4-19 14 :!: 13 6(a) (224) ND (5.0).
Powell, Shannon 4-18 8.0:!: 3.6(a) (5.7) ND (5.0)
Smith, Howard Pond 4-18 -77.7 :!: 134(a) (224) ND (4.8)
Thompson, Mike 4-18 -0.95:!: 3.8(a) (2.2) ND (4.9)
Thompson, Roswell 4-18 11 :!: 3.4(a) (5.2) ND (3.4)
Well 2 City 4-17 -56.5 :!: 135(a) (224) ND (4.3)
Burge, Willie 4-18 24 :!: 135(a) (221) ND (4.9)
Kiffe, Richie & Patsy 4-18 -0.24 :!: 138(a) (224) ND (4.8)
Purvis, MS
City Supply Purvis 4-19 -81 :!: 134(a) (224) ND (5.0)
Rain Sample IT Compound 4-21 No sample - no rain
(aJ
(b)
Indicates results are less than MDC
No gamma radionuclides detected above MDC
Non -detected, MDC for gamma represents 137Cs (pCi/L)
ND
22
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