United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Environmental Monitoring
Systems Laboratory
P.O. Box 15027
Las Vegas NV89114
EPA-600/3-81 -004
DOE/DP/0059-039
January 1981
Research and Development
v>EPA
Preliminary Grazing Studies
with Rumen-Flstulated
Steers at Selected
Nuclear Sites
prepared for the
Nevada Operations Office
U.S. Department of Energy
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EPA-600/3-81-004
DOE/DP/0059-039
January 1981
PRELIMINARY GRAZING STUDIES WITH RUMEN-FISTULATED
STEERS AT SELECTED NUCLEAR-TEST SITES
by
D. D. Smith
Nuclear Radiation Assessment Division
and K. W. Brown
Exposure Assessment Division
Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Las Vegas, Nevada 89114
prepared for the
U.S. Department of Energy
under Memorandum of Understanding
Number DE-A108-76PD00539
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING SYSTEMS LABORATORY
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89114
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DISCLAIMER
This report has been reviewed by the Environmental Monitoring Systems
Laboratory--Las Vegas and approved for publication. Mention of trade names or
commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
ii
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ABSTRACT
Rumen-fistulated steers (steers with a capped tube inserted into a
permanent surgical opening into the stomach) were allowed to graze the fallout
zones of six selected nuclear-test sites on the Nevada Test Site and Tonopah
Test Range. Ingesta samples were analyzed for radionuclide and botanical
content to provide information on the inventory of radionuclides present and
on the condition of the range at each site.
The greatest variety and concentrations of gamma-emitting radionuclides
were present in the ingesta from the Cabriolet-Palanquin Site. The highest
levels of plutonium-238 and -239 were found at the Clean Slate II Site.
Strontium-90 levels were highest at the Smoky Site while tritium levels were
highest at the Schooner Site.
Each site's carrying capacity for grazing animals was determined. Food
habit analyses were also performed for each animal. These data plus the
radionuclide data were considered in the recommendation that the
Cabriolet-Palanquin Site be selected for any future long-term grazing studies.
i i i
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract.
i i i
List of Figures
vi
List of Tables.
vii
Introduction.
1
Range Survey Methods.
4
Experimental Design.
5
General procedures.
Radiation safety procedures.
Sample preparation, storage and
Quality assurance procedures.
transportation procedures.
5
5
6
7
Analytical Methods.
8
Results and Discussion.
9
Nuclear-site vegetation.
Food habits of the grazing steers.
Quality assurance data.
Gamma-emitting radionuclides.
St ro nt i um-90 .
Tritium.
Plutonium and americium.
9
9
10
10
12
12
17
Conclusions.
20
References.
21
Appendix.
24
v
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Number
FIGURES
1.
Approximate locations of nuclear-event sites grazed by
rumen-fistulated steers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.
Tritium and Plutonium-238 concentrations in ingesta from
two rumen-fistulated steer~ that grazed six nuclear sites.
Plutonium-239 concentrations in ;'ngesta from two rumen-
fistulated steers that grazed six nuclear sites. . . .
3.
4.
Americium-241 concentrations in ingesta from two rumen-
fistul ated steers that grazed six nuclear sites. . . .
vi
. . . . . . .
. . . .
......
. . . . . .
Page
2
16
18
19
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TABLES
Number
Page
1.
Nuclear-Event Sites Selected for the Rumen-Fistulated
Steer Study. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
2.
Nuclear-Site Grazing Information. . . . . . . . . . .
.......
3
6
3. Gamma-emitting Radionuclide Concentrations in Rumen Contents
from Rumen-Fistulated Steers Grazing Selected Nuclear-Sites. . . .
11
~ .
Plutonium, Strontium, and Tritium Concentrations in Ingesta
Collected from Rumen-Fistulated Steers Grazing the Clean
51 ate I I Si te. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . .
13
5. Plutonium, Americium, Strontium, and Tritium Concentrations
in Ingesta Collected from Rumen-Fistulated Steers Grazing
the Smoky Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
6. Plutonium, Americium, Strontium, and Tritium Concentrations
in Ingesta Collected from Rumen-Fistulated Steers Grazing
the Cabriolet-Palanquin Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
7. Plutonium, Americium, Strontium, and Tritium Concentrations
in Ingesta Collected from Rumen-Fistulated Steers Grazing
the Danny Boy Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
8. Plutonium, Americium, Strontium, and Tritium Concentrations
in Ingesta Collected from Rumen-Fistulated Steers Grazing
the Buggy Si te . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
9.
Plutonium, Americium, Strontium, and Tritium Concentrations
in Ingesta Collected from Rumen-Fistulated Steers Grazing
the Schooner Site. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . .
15
vii
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I NTRODUC TI ON
The Nevada Applied Ecology Group (NAEG) is an assembly of scientific and
technical personnel organized by the Department of Energy (DOE) to carry out
an integrated applied research program to inventory and study the movements of
radionuclides in the Nevada Test Site (NTS) environment. Primary interest is
in the transuranics with special emphasis on plutonium.
One facet of the NAEG program was to determine the types and quantities of
radionuclides available to grazing animals at a number of nuclear-event sites
on the NTS and Tonopah Test Range (TTR). Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) range scientists surveyed the sites to determine their suitability for
long-term grazing studies similar to that conducted in Area 13 (Smith, 1979).
Six nuclear event sites (see Figure 1 and Table 1) were selected for further
investigation and preliminary grazing studies were made with rumen-fistulated
steers (steers with a capped tube inserted into a permanent surgical opening
into the stomach). Ingesta from the steers were coll ected and analyzed for
radionuclide content and botanical composition.
1
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.' 1
- '" Nyala I
-~ . ~
, J. Adaven
I 'T,
, )
./
-'"
,..-'
(a.c. Smt.
Tempiute
25. Hiko
,
I
,
,
I
~
~
,
~
I
I
NTS
Figure 1~ Approximate locations of nuclear-event sites (8) grazed by
rumen-fistulated steers.
2
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TABLE 1. NUCLEAR-EVENT SITES SELECTED FOR THE RUMEN-FISTULATED STEER STUDY
Event Name Date Location Type Purpose Yield Remarks
Smoky 08/31/57 Area 2, NTS 700 ft. Weapons 44 kt
tower related
Danny Boy 03/05/62 Buckboard Mesa Crater Weapons 0.42 kt In basalt.
Area 8, NTS effects
Clean 05/31/63 Tonopah Test Surface Storage and Zero Non-nuclear detonation of
Sl ate II Range transport a plutonium-bearing
w weapon. Plutonium was
dispersed.
Cabri 01 et- 01/26/68 Area 20, NTS Crater Plowshare 2.3 kt Fallout patterns from
Palanquin 04/14/65 Area 20, NTS Crater Plowshare 4.3 kt both events overlapped.
Buggy 03/12/68 Chuka r Mesa, Crater Plowshare 5.4 kt Rowcharge experiment in
Area 30, NTS basalt. Simultaneous
detonations.
Schooner 12/08/68 Area 20, NTS Crater Plowshare 35 kt In layered tuffaceous
medium.
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RANGE SURVEY METHODS
The vegetation within and adjacent to each grazing area, with the
exception of the Buggy and Schooner sites, was identified by, species and
described as outlined in the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's Ocular
Reconnaissance Forage Survey Handbook (1963). The survey methods used were
based on existing correlations between vegetative growth and local soil
conditions. This system involves the identification of specific plant groups
by structural features, taxonomic unity, and life forms.
Within each of the four grazing sites surveyed the percentage ground cover
and the percentage species composition were determined. The measurements of
these two parameters were accomplished by using line transects in which plant
species were identified and tabulated as they occurred along a line. This
method was rapid and gave accurate information provided the vegetation had the
same growth form and the same general crown diameter. It was particularly
useful in dense stands of scrubby vegetation.
A 100-foot steel tape measure was used as the line. The tape was
suspended 2 inches above the crown height of the vegetation by the use of
pre-cut wooden stakes driven into the -ground at the tape ends. Sampling
points were located at 1-inch intervals along this tape. At each interval
plant species were tabulated if touched by a line perpendicular from the tape
at each sampling point.
In addition to the vegetative descriptions, "the investigators calculated
year-long carrying capacity for cattle and sheep within the vicinity of each
grazing site. Carrying capacities were obtained by using the percentage
composition and ground cover values obtained from the line transects. Also, a
forage value was assigned for each identified species. These forage values
reflect a particular species palatability, its nutritive value per animal
type, and the stem-leaf utilization ratio per season of use. Additional
information concerning this method of rangeland livestock inventory is
presented by Stoddart and Smith (1955).
4
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EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
General Procedures
During the late spring and early summer months of 1978, two rumen-
fistulated steers were allowed to graze at each of the selected nuclear-event
sites (Table 2). Prior to leaving the Area 15 Farm where they were normally
kept, the steers' rumens were completely emptied of all ingesta and the rumens
were washed at least twice. The steers were then taken to the study site and
either released to graze freely within a fenced area or were tethered on
100-ft ropes staked to the ground. The grazing sites were on the hot line as
determined by radiation surveys by the Reynolds Electrical and Engineering
Company (REECo) RAD-Safe organization. After a sufficient grazing period
(4-25 hours) the steers were corraled and all ingesta removed.
The ingesta was separated jnto fluid and solid components by straining
through cheese cloth and any reticulum sediment collected. The fractions were
then divided into various samples and handled as described below. Any surplus
ingesta (in excess of 1 kilogram for each of the solid and fluid components)
was discarded at the site. The steers were then returned to Area 15 for
decontamination procedures.
Rumen solid samples were analyzed by gamma spectrometry for gamma-emitting
radionuclides and by microscopy for botanical composition. All three ingesta
fractions were analyzed by radiochemical techniques for plutonium, americium
and strontium. Rumen fluid samples were analyzed for tritium.
Radiation Safety Procedures
All personnel i nvol ved in the handl i ng and sampl i ng of the steers at the
nuclear site were accompanied by a certified monitor. Appropriate protective
clothing (anti-contamination coveralls, gloves, rubber boots, etc.) were worn.
Disposable obstetrical sleeves and rubber gloves were worn to remove the
ingesta. .
All contaminated clothing was placed in plastic bags and returned to the
REECo RAD-Safe laundry facility for decontamination. Solid wastes from the
sample collection and preparation procedures were placed in plastic-lined
55-gallon dr.ums and disposed of as radioactive waste. Upon return to the Area
15 farm the steers and any contaminated equipment were repeatedly washed with
a high-pressure spray in pens that drained into a liquid radioactive waste
5
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TABLE 2.
NUCLEAR SITE GRAZING INFORMATION
Site Name
Date and Hours Grazed
Sampling Notes*
Clean Slate II
1200 hours 5/4/78
to
1200 hours 5/5/78
Palanquin-Cabriolet 1000 to 1400 hours
5/30/78
Smoky
1000 to 1400 hours
06/08/78
Da nny Boy
1230 hours 6/21/78
to
1330 hours 6/22/78
1130 hours 6/28/78
to
1230 hours 6/29/78
Buggy
Schooner
1200 hours 7/5/78
to
1300 hours 7/6/78
Released in fenced area
around ground zero. Water
available. Trouble catching
steers. Good samples, no
reticulum sediment samples.
Tied with 100-ft ropes to
corner post and gate post of
fenced fallout area - good
samples. No reticulum sediment
sampl es.
Tied with 100-ft ropes to
tower posts. Mostly dry
cheat grass. Poor sample #912
Tied to 100-ft ropes. Had water
available.. #913 sample was
very dry.
Tied to 100-ft ropes, water
available. Good samples with
much Indian Rice Grass.
Tied to 100-ft ropes. Water
available. #912 had poor
sampl e, #913 had a very dry
sample. No reticulum sediment
sampl es.
* #912 and #913 were rumen-fistulated steers.
tank. The adequacy of decontamination procedures was determined by certified
monitors under the direction of the Radiation Safety Office of the
Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory-Las Vegas (EMSL-LV).
Sample Preparation, Storage and Transportation Procedures
While in, the field, approximately I-kilogram portions of rumen fluid and
of rumen solids selected for plutonium, americium, and strontium analyses were
each sealed in a I-gallon paint can lined with a plastic bag. Reticulum
6
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sediment samples, when available, were sealed in 200-ml containers. These
samples were then stored in freezers at the Area 15 Farm until transported to
the analytical laboratories.
Un preserved 200-ml samples of rumen fluid were collected for tritium
analyses. Samples of the rumen solids for gamma analyses were preserved with
10 percent buffered formaldehyde and sealed in 200-ml cans. Samples of rumen
solids for botanical analyses were placed in 400-ml containers and preserved
by freezing. All final sample preparations were done within the controlled
zone of the Area 15 Farm facility. Equipment was decontaminated and wastes
disposed of in accordance with the radiation safety procedures.
Prior to shipment to the analytical laboratory all 200-ml sample
containers were placed in plastic bags within I-gallon paint cans. All the
paint cans were double-bagged and each bag was individually heat sealed. The
cans were then sealed in boxes filled with vermiculite. The boxes were
labeled and shipped to the analytical laboratory in accordance with Department
of Transportation (DOT) regulations and in coordination with REECo Ramatrol.
Quality Assurance Procedures
The ingesta or rumen contents result from the grazing by the study steers
over a fairly wide territory which is contaminated to varying degrees.
Individual steers show a decided preference in their grazing habits. Much of
the radionuclide contamination results from the ingestion of relatively few
highly radioactive or "hot" particles .which are not randomly distributed.
Therefore, side-by-side samples of ingesta may vary widely in radionuclide
content. The "hot" particle contamination, plus the coarseness of the
vegetation ingested prevent homogenization of the samples by standard
laboratory methods. To provide samples for quality assurance analyses,
samples of rumen fluid and rumen solids were collected from rumen-fistulated
steers that were eating alfalfa hay at the Area 15 Farm. Several samples of
each ingesta fraction were submitted for plutonium, americium, and strontium
analyses to the analytical laboratory as blank samples to determine background
levels and as a check on the consistency of analysis by the laboratory. Other
samples of each type were spiked with a specified amount of plutonium-239,
americium-241, and strontium-90. Rumen fluid samples were also collected for
blank samples and for spiking with tritium. These samples served to check the
proficiency of the laboratory for these types of analyses.
All of these quality assurance samples were labeled and handled in the
same manner as the field samples. Approximate activity levels were indicated
to the analytical laboratory. The results are presented in Appendix Table 1.
7
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ANALYTICAL METHODS
Samples from Clean Slate II were analyzed for tritium and gamma-emitting
radionucl ide concentrations by the EMSL-LV. The analyses of all other samples
were performed by the Albuquerque laboratory of the Eberline Instrument
Corporation (EIC). As a proficiency crosscheck, both laboratories performed
gamma analyses on the same rumen solid samples collected from the other five
sHe s.
Samples submitted to EMSL-LV for detection of gamma-emitting
radionuclides were analyzed for 1,200 minutes on lithium drifted germanium
detectors calibrated to approximately 0.5 kiloelectronvolts (KeV) per channel
in the 40-KeV to 2-megael ectronvolt (MeV) range. The detectors were connected
to a computer based gamma spectrometry system for spectral data accumulation
and analyses. Those sampl es analyzed by EIC were counted for 100, 400 or
1,000 minutes, on a gamma spectrometry system with an energy range of 30-KeV
to 2. I-Me V .
Samples for plutonium, americium, and strontium analyses were prepared by
ashing. Plutonium and americium were analyzed by alpha spectrometry using
plutonium-236 and americium-243 as internal tracers. Details of the
analytical procedures have been published by Talvitie (1971, 1972), Wish and
Rowell (1956), Mitchel (1960), Hagen and Arrhenius (1963), Major et ale
(1975), Sills et ale (1979) and Filer (1974). Analytical procedures used for
strontium and tritium analyses are described by Johns et ale (1979).
The activity values for plutonium-239 listed in this report actually are
the sum of the individual isotopic activities of plutonium-239 and 240. The
alpha emissions of these two isotopes cannot be separately identified
(resolved) by alpha spectrometric analysis (Bernhardt, 1976).
All data are reported with the 95 percent confidence level counting
error and are decay corrected to time of sample collection. Results which
show a net sample activity less than the miniumum detectable activity are so
reported. The minimum detectable activities are defined by Johns et ale
(1979) .
Botanical analyses of the rumen-content samples were done by washing
random aliquots of the ingesta with water. After washing, the samples were
placed in a shallow pan and suspended in approximately 200 ml of water.
Identification of the vegetation was completed by examining each fragment with
the aid of a binocular microscope. Following the identification, a visual
estimate of the percentage composition for each species was made and recorde4.
The shrubs and forbs were identified according to Munz and Keck (1965) and
McMinn (1964) and the grasses according to Hitchcock (1950).
8
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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Nuclear Site Vegetation
All of the grazing sites shown on Figure 1 lie within the Great Basin
Desert of southern and central Nevada. All are situated extremely close to
the vegetative transition between the hot Mojave Desert to the south and the
cold Great Basin desert to the north. This is especially true of the Clean
Sl ate II Site.
This transition zone, as described by Beatley (1975) and Wallace and
Romney (1972), lies just south of Beatty on the western edge of the NTS and
runs in a northeast direction, exiting the NTS near the midpoint of the
eastern boundary. Numerous investigations have been conducted concerning the
floral and fauna distributions in the vicinity of this vegetational transition
zone. Most notable of these include studies by Meyer (1978), Beatley (1976),
Wallace and Romney (1972), and Bradley (1967). Such studies have been
summarized by O'Farrell and Emery (1976). Because of the close proximity of
these grazing sites to this zone, floristic elements of each area exist on all
of the grazing sites.
The vegetative descriptions and carrying capacities of the Clean Slate
II, Smoky, Cabriolet-Palanquin, and Danny Boy Site vicinities are shown in
Appendix Tables 2-5. With the exception of the Clean Slate II Site, which was
dominated by grasses (Appendix Table 2), all were dominated by shrubs. In
the vicinity of each site a fairly diverse annual flora existed as exhibited
by the numerous grass and forb species. The species abundance of these two
vegetative types was enhanced by the soil-surface disturbance caused by the
nuclear detonations. .
Forty-nine different plant species were observed and identified on the
surveyed grazing sites. These species and their corresponding common name are
shown in Appendix Table 6. The greatest number of species per plant type
observed was forbs, which accounted for 21 species. Shrubs, the second most
populous group, were represented by 20 species, followed by grasses with 8
species. These species were observed during the summer months of June, July,
and August. As a result, a number of plants native to the site, primarily
winter annuals, forbs, and grasses are not included in this list. One forb,
Epodium sp. and one shrub, Pupshia glandalosa were found in ingesta but were
not identified in range surveys.
Food Habits of the Grazing Steers
The results of the botanical analyses of the rumen ingesta collected from
each steer after grazing each nuclear site are shown in Appendix Table 7.
These data are similar to previously reported food habit investigations by
9
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Smith et aZ. (1972) and Smith et aZ. (1968), and show that during the summer
months, especially during June and July, grasses are the preferred forage.
Indian Rice Grass, which exceeded 50.0 percent of the diet for seven of the
twelve grazing animal days, contributed 47.7 percent of the total average
ingested diet. Other important grasses included squirrel tail and cheat grass
which contributed 28.1 and 11.1 percent of the diet, respectively.
Forbs, which can be a significant portion of a grazing animal's diet,
depending upon available moisture and the stages of vegetative growth (Smith
et aZ. 1972), were not a major constituent of the diet for any of the steers
during this study. The dominant identified forb was buckwheat followed by
thistle, which contributed 0.4 and 0.3 percent of the total average diet.
Shrubs contributed 4.2 percent of the ingested vegetation and included
identified species. The dominant species was 4-winged saltbush, which
contributed only 3.0 percent of the diet and was found in ingesta at only
three of the six grazing sites.
six
Quality Assurance Data
Gamma spectrometry data (Table 3) from samples analyzed by both EMSL-LV
and EIC show exceptionally close agreement. The quality assurance data
(Appendix 1) indicate that EIC's strontium-90 and tritium analyses were
generally reliable. The percent deviations (defined as the percent difference
between activity detected and activity added) for tritium analyses ranged from
0%-19% while those for strontium-90 analyses ranged from 6.6%-39% with one
exception of 171%. However, the percent deviations for plutonium-239 analyses
of rumen fluids and for americium-241 analyses in rumen solids were in poor
agreement. The plutonium-239 percent deviations ranged from 0% to 175% (43%
average) and for the americium-241 deviations ranged from 0% to 155% (average
51%). These deviations may be explained in part by the fact that the quality
assurance samples were analyzed in EIC's intermediate-level laboratory,
although most of the spiked samples actually contained low-level concentra-
tions. These apparent deviations in the consistency of analyses had no
significant effect on the basic conclusions of this report.
Gamma-Emitting Radionuclides
The gamma-emitting radionuclides detected in the ingesta from rumen-
fistulated steers that grazed each of the six nuclear sites are listed in
Table 3. Other than the naturally-occurring potassium-40, cesium-137 was the
radionuclide most consistently detected. Potassium-40 was the only.
radionuclide found in the ingesta from the Clean Slate II Site. However, this
was not unexpected as no nuclear detonation had occurred at that site.
Ingesta from the Cabriolet-Palanquin Site contained the greatest variety
and concentrations of gamma-emitting radionuclides. This was the only site
from which rhodium-102 and -102m, cobalt-60, and europium-152 were reported in
10
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TABLE 3. GAMMA-EMITTING RADIONUCLIDE CONCENTRATIONS* IN RUMEN CONTENTS FROM
RUMEN-FISTULATED STEERS GRAZING SELECTED NUCLEAR-SITES
STEER ANALYTICAL Rh-l02
NUMBER SITE LABORATORY Cs-137 Co-60 K-40 Co-57 Rh-l02m Eu-152 Eu-155 Ce-144 Eu-154
912 Clean
Slate II EPA 5.7t0.2
913 Clean
Sl ate II EPA 5.5tO.5
912 Cabriolet- EPA 0.hO.02 0 .3:!:0 .03 2.8tO.02 0.05tO.02 0.05:!:0.02 0.07:!:0.06
Palanquin £IC 0.3:!:0.1 0.5:!:0.1 2 .6:!:0.4 0.06tO.Ol 0.05:!:0.01 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1
913 Cabriolet- EPA 0.99:!:0.05 4.3:!:O.1 3.2:!:O.4 0.hO.05 0.4:!:O.04 0.hO.02 0.4:!:0.07 0.36tO.14
Palanqui n EIC 1.0tO.l 4 .4tO.4 2.3tO.2 <0.1 0.4tO.l 1.0tO.l 0.3tO.l <0.1 <0.1
912 Smoky EPA 0.09tO.02 0.06tO.02 0.6tO.2 0.05tO.04 0.6tO.06
EIC 0.10tO.Ol 0.05tO.Ol 1.0tO.l <0.1 <0.1 0.6tO.l <0.1 <0.1 <0.1
913 Smoky EPA 0.04:!:0.01 2.0tO.2 ---
EIC 0.07:!:O.01 <0.1 1. 7:!:O.2 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1
-
-
912 Danny Boy EPA 0.10tO.02 2.3:!:0.2
EIC 0 .09:!:O.01 <0.1 1.0:!:0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1
913 Danny Boy EPA D .07:!:O .05 2.8tO.3
£IC 0.2tO.l <0.1 3 .4tO.3 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1
912 Buggy EPA 0.05:!:0.02 3.2tO.3 0.38:!:O.22
£IC 0.04tO.Ol <0.1 1.6:!:O.2 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.20tO.04 <0.1
913 Buggy EPA 0 .05:!:O .01 3.3:!:0.3
EIC <0.1 <0.1 2.5tO.3 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1
912 Schooner EPA 0.04tO.03 0.15:!:0.04 4.5:!:0.4 0.25tO.05 0.12:!:O.05 0.06tO.04 0.18tO.13
£IC 0.04:!:O.01 0.08:!:O.01 2.0tO.2 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.08tO.Ol <0.1 0.17tO.02
913 Schooner EPA 0.025tO.017 0 .09:!:0 .03 3.6tO.3 0.23tO.04
£It <0.1 0 .12:!:O .02 3.3tO.3 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1
* Results are reported in pCi/g of wet weight as of collection date.
--- Not detected
EPA Analyses by EHSL-LV
EIC Analyses by Eberline Instrument Corporation
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all ingesta samples. Rhodium-102 and rhodium-102m were not reported in
samples collected from any other site. Ingesta samples from the Schooner Site
also contained a variety of radionuclldes. Cerium-144 was reported from one
ingesta sample collected at the Buggy Site.
The Smoky Site samples did not include a very wide inventory of
radionuclides, despite its being the only site studied that had been exposed
to an atmospheric nuclear detonation. However, 21 years had elapsed between
detonation and sampling, and most of the radionuclides originally present had
gone through a sufficient number of half-lives so as to be no longer
detectable.
Strontium-90
Strontium-90 concentrations in the ingesta (rumen fluid, rumen solids,
and reticulum sediment samples) collected from the two steers that grazed the
six nuclear sites are listed in Tables 4-9.
Reticulum sediment samples are essentially samples of soil ingested by
the steers during the grazing process. Therefore, it is not surprising that
the reticulum sediment samples contain concentrations of strontium and other
radionuclides that are several orders of magnitude greater than those detected
in the rumen solids (primarily plant materials) or rumen fluids (a mixture of
water, saliva and digestive juice). Strontium-90 levels were consistently
greater in the rumen solid samples than in the rumen fluid samples. The
highest concentrations were reported in samples collected from the Smoky
atmospheric nuclear detonation site. "
Tritium
Samples of rumen fluid collected from each of the steers that grazed the
six " nuclear sites were analyzed for tritium content. The analytical data are
listed in Tables 4-9 and are depicted graphically in Figure 2.
There was little variation in the tritium content between the two samples
collected at each site. The values for samples from each site ranged from
approximately 400 picocuries per liter (pCi/l) for Clean Slate II to around
3,000 pCi/l in the Schooner Site samples. Levels in the samples from the
other sites were generally around 1,000 pCi/l. EIC's minimum detection limit
is 1000 pCi/l without tritium enrichment by electrolysis.
Only the Schooner Site samples and one of the Buggy Site samples contained
tritium concentrations that exceeded the range of <300 to 1,900 pCi/l of
atmospheric moisture found in air samples collected at Beatty, Nevada for the
Noble Gas and Tritium Surveillance Network (Nuclear Radiation Assessment
Division, ~979). The five highest values came from the Schooner, Buggy, and
Cabriolet-Palanquin Sites, which were also the most recent nuclear events
(see Table 1).
12
-------
TABLE 4. PLUTONIUM*, STRONTIUM*, AND TRITIUM** CONCENTRATIONS IN
IN INGESTA COLLECTED FROM RUMEN-FISTULATED STEERS GRAZING THE
CLEAN SLATE II SITE
Steer No. 912 Steer No. 913
Nuc 1 ide
Rumen Rumen Rumen Rumen
Fluid Solids Fluid Solids
238pu 15:t2.1 200:t23 36:t4.9 34:t8.8
239pu 1,700:t120 13,000:t700 2,800:t90 3,800:t470
90Sr <18 <41 29:t9.2 <48
% ASH 0.95 2.8 1.1 2.8
3H 430:t240 NA <380 NA
* Results reported in pCi/kg (wet weight)
** Results reported in pCi/l
NA Not analyzed
TABLE 5. PLUTONIUM*, AMERICIUM*, STRONTIUM*, AND TRITIUM** CONCENTRATIONS
IN INGESTA COLLECTED FROM RUMEN-FISTULATED STEERS GRAZING THE
SMOK Y S ITE
Steer No. 912 Steer No. 913
Nucl ide
Rume n Rumen Reticulum Rumen Rumen Reticulum
Fluid Solids Sediment Fluid Solids Sediment
238pu 1. 0:t0. 26 7 0:t4 . 2 1,600:t100 <0. 19 120:t4. 0 2,200:t180
239pu 41:t1.3 420:t13 4,800:t220 30:t1.5 1l0:t4.0 8,500:t390
241Am 4.2:t1.8 20:t5.8 48:t30 3.6:t1.3 8.7:t2.1 <26
90Sr 20:t4.9 610:t29 360:t66 18:t4.4 88:t6.2 860:t160
% ASH 2.6 3.2 37 1.9 1.8 65
3H 1,200:t1,100 NA NA <1,000 NA NA
* Results reported in pCi /kg (wet weight)
** Results reported in pCi/l
NA Not analyzed
13
-------
TABLE 6. PLUTONIUM*, AMERICIUM*, STRONTIUM*, AND TRITIUM** CONCENTRATIONS
IN INGESTA COLLECTED FROM RUM£N-FISTULATED STEERS GRAZING THE
CABRIOLET-PALANQUIN SITE
Steer No. 912 Steer No. 913
Nucl ide
Rumen Rumen Rumen Rumen
Fluid Solids Fluid Solids
238pu 13:t1. 5 9.8:t1.5 1. 9:t0 . 4 12:t1.1
239pu 58:t3.2 55:t3.3 13:t1.0 58:t2.4
241Am 23:t4.6 23:t3.3 3.1:t1.2 23:t3.4
90Sr 50:t7.4 97:t8.3 <3.4 <13
% ASH 1.9 3.0 1.3 2.6
3H l,300:t1,200 NA <1,000 NA
* Results reported in pCi/kg (wet weight)
** Results reported in pCi/l
NA Not analyzed
TABLE 7. PLUTONIUM*, AMERICIUM*, STRONTIUM*, AND TRITIUM** CONCENTRATIONS
IN INGESTA COLLECTED FROM RUMEN-FISTULATED STEERS GRAZING THE
DANNY BOY SITE
Steer No. 912 Steer No. 913
Nucl ide
Rumen Rumen Reticulum Rumen Rumen Reticulum
Fluid Solids Sediment Fluid Solids Sediment
238pu 2.4:t0.24 17:t1.4 650:t90 2.6:t1.7 9. 4:t1.1 310:t61
239pu 16:t0.71 55:t2.3 7,600:t350 140:t13 78:t2.9 4,500:t270
241Am 6.3:t1.4 13:t2.4 130:t50 30:t8.3 18:t6.8 100:t40
90Sr <2.9 100:t9.1 6,300:t1,200 <23 190:t13 8,300:t1,300
% ASH 0.8 2.3 12 2.1 3.6 17
3H <1,000 NA NA <1,000 NA NA
* Results ~eported in pCi/kg (wet weight)
** Results reported in pCi/l
NA Not analyzed
14
-------
TABLE 8. PLUTONIUM*, AMERICIUM*, STRONTIUM*, AND TRITIUM** CONCENTRATIONS
IN INGESTA COLLECTED FROM RUMEN-FISTULA TED STEERS GRAZING THE
BUGGY SITE
Steer No. 912 Steer No. 913
Nucl ide
Rumen Rumen Reticulum Rumen Rumen Reticulum
Fluid Solids Sediment Fluid Sol ids Sediment
238pu 1. 7:t0. 38 24:t2.0 1,100:t50. 7.8:t0.78 5.3:t0.97 3,000:t370
239pu 3.4:t0.51 43:t2.8 900:t46 11 :to . 9 17:t1.4 15,000:t900
241Am 2.2:t0.63 5.4:t2.3 15:t7.2 3.3:t0.62 10:t3.1 7,300:tl,200
90Sr 24:t8.6 57:t6.0 217:t48 27:t4.2 78:t6.3 12 ,000:t2 ,800
% ASH 1.3 2.8 12 1.6 2.4 31
3H 1,800:tl,200 NA NA 2,000:tl,200 NA NA
* Results reported in pCi/kg (wet weight)
** Results reported in pCi/l
NA Not analyzed
TABLE 9. PLUTONIUM*, AMERICIUM*, STRONTIUM*, AND TRITIUM** CONCENTRATIONS
IN INGESTA COLLECTED FROM RUMEN-FISTULATED STEERS GRAZING THE
SCHOONER SITE
N uc 1 ide
Steer No. 912
Rumen
Fluid
Rumen
Solids
Steer No. 913
Rumen
Fluid
Rumen
So 1 ids
238pu
239pu
241Am
90Sr
% ASH
3H
2.6:t0.5
2.7:t0.5
O. 4 3:t0 . 1 7
12:t3.0
1.3
2 ,800:tl ,200
2.9:t0.57
4.9:t0.86
1. 2:t0 . 86
33:t6.3
2.9
NA
12:t0.8
9.4:t0.6
6.6:t2.3
13:t5.9
1.5
3,400:tl,200
13:tl.7
15:t1. 7
2:tl.3
60:t8.6
3.3
NA
* Results reported in pCi/kg (wet weight)
** Results reported in pCi/l
NA Not analyzed
15
-------
10,000
1 ,000
I I
o 3H in Rumen Fluid
. 238PU in Rumen Fluid
. 238PU in Rumen Solids
< Less than minimum 'I
detectable activity
! I
I I
J <[]] I
I
~
~
<~
-------
Plutonium and Americium
All ingesta samples were analyzed for plutonium-238 and -239 and
americium-241. The analytical data are listed in Tables 4 through 9 and are
depicted graphically in Figures 3 and 4 respectively.
As mentioned previously, the reticulum sediment samples were essentially
soil samples. As would be expected, the highest concentrations of plutonium
and americium reported in the ingesta from each site were found in this sample
fraction.
The highest plutonium levels were found in ingesta samples collected at
the Clean Slate II Site. This was expected as the test had consisted of
destroying a plutonium-bearing weapon with high explosives resulting in
plutonium being dispersed over the site area. The ratio of plutonium~239 to
plutonium-238 in the ingesta was highest at this site. Rumen solid samples
from the Smoky site contained the second highest concentrations of
plutonium-239 reported (Figures 3 and 4).
Clean Slate II samples were not analyzed for americium. Plutonium-239 to
americium-141 ratios were calculated for the ingesta from all other sites.
These ratios were very consistent at the Cabriolet-Palanquin, Danny Boy, Buggy
and Schooner Sites (1.7-7.5) but were considerably higher at the Smoky Site
(12.6 and 21).
17
-------
10,000 .
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I I
I
I 8239PU in Rumen Fluid
I
I 8239PU in Rumen Solid
1 ,000 I I
I
I I
I
I
~ ,
I
I
I
I
I
C) I
.:.: I
" 100 ~
.-
0
Q. ,
I I
.
I '
I
I
I
I
~
,
I
10 I
I
I
I
~
1
~
~0
~'lJ-
~~
c}0
F i gu re 3.
Plutonium-239 concentrations in ingesta from two rumen-
fistulated steers that grazed six nuclear sites.
18
-------
1,000
100
C)
~
"-
.-
o
Q.
10
1
. 241Am in Rumen Fluid
8241Am in Rumen Solids
I
, . ,
I ,
I I I
I I '
I
I I ,
. I
I I
I I
I .
: I
I
. I
,
I
I
.
0.4
~
1\,0
~'b
~~
c}fl1
Figure 4.
Americium-241 concentrations in ingesta from two rumen-
fistulated steers that grazed six nuclear sites.
A~
-------
CONCLUSIONS
Rumen-fistulated steers have been used for many years to provide
information on the food habits and nutritive intake of grazing cattle. In
this study, they were also used to provide a rapid indication of the available
radionuclide inventory of a selected nuclear site. The range transects of
vegetative cover indicate whether a range has enough carrying capacity to
support sufficient numbers of cattle to provide meaningful data for a
long-term grazing study.
The greatest variety and highest concentrations of gamma-emitting
radionuclides were present in ingesta samples collected from steers that
grazed the Cabriolet-Palanquin Site. Ingesta from this site also contained
significant levels of tritium, strontium-90, americium-141, plutonium-238, and
plutonium-239. Moreover, the Cabriolet-Palanquin Site has a relatively heavy
vegetative cover of palatable perennial plants, is fenced, and is reasonably
accessible. For these reasons, it is recommended that this site be selected
for any future long-term grazing studies.
20
-------
REFERENCES
Abrams, L.
Press.
Illustrated Flora of the Pacific States.
Vol 2,3. Palo Alto, California. 1964.
Stanford University
Bernhardt, D. E. Evaluation of Sample Collection and Analysis Techniques for
Environmental Plutonium. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Las Vegas
Facility, Las Vegas, Nevada. ORPjLV-765. 1976.
Beatley, Janice C. Vascular Plants of the Nevada Test Site and Central-
Southern Nevada: Ecology and Geographic distributions. TID-26881.
Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology, University of
California. 1976.
Bradley, ~J. G. "A geographical analysis of the flora of Clark County,
Nevada." J. of the Arizona Academy of Science. Vol 4, No 3. 1976.
Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of the Interior, Ocular
Reconnaissance Forage Survey Handbook. BLM Manual 4412. 11A.
1963.
Filler, 1. D. "Separation of trivalent actinides from lanthanides by
extraction chromatography." Anal. Chern. 1974.
Hagen, V. I. and G. Arrhenius.
10:865. 1963.
"Ion exchange in mixed solvent."
Talanta
Hitchcock, A. S. Manual of the Grasses of the United States. U.S.
Department of Agriculture. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington,
D. C. Misc. Publ. 200,1,051 pp. 1950.
Johns, F. B., P. B. Hahn, D. J. Thome, and E. W. Bretthauer. Radiochemical
Analytical Procedures for Analysis of Environmental Samples.
EMSL-LV-0539-17. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental
Monitoring and Support Laboratory, Las Vegas, Nevada. 109 pp. 1979.
Major, W. J., K. D. Lee, and R. A. Wessman. "Analysis of 239pu and 241Am,
in NAEG large-sized bovine samples. II NVQ-153. pp.449-463. l!!: The
Radioecology of Plutonium and Other Transuranics in Desert Environments.
M. G. White and P. B. Dunaway (eds.). U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.
McMinn, H. E. An Illustrated Manual of California Shrubs.
California Press, Berkeley and Los Angeles. 1964.
Meyer, S. E. Some Factors Governing Plant Distributions in the Mojave
Intermou~tain Transition Zone. Great Basin Naturalist Memoirs No.2.
Brigham Young University. 1978.
University of
21
-------
Mitchell, R. F. IIE1 ectrodeposition of actinide elements at tracer
concentrations.1I Anal. Chern. 32:326. 1960.. .
Munz, P. A., and D. D. Keck. A California Flora. University of California
Press, Berkeley and Los Angeles. 1,681 pp. 1965.
Nuclear Radiation Assessment Division. Offsite Environmental Monitoring
Report for the Nevada Test Site and Other Test Areas Used for Under-
ground Nuclear Detonations January Through December. 1978.
EMSL-LV-0539-36. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental
Monitoring and Support Laboratory, Las Vegas, Nevada. 160 pp. 1979.
O'Farrell, T. P. and L. A. Emery. Ecology of the Nevada Test Site: A
Narrative Summary and Annotated Bibliography. NVO-167. Desert Research
Institute, University of Nevada. 249 pp. 1976.
Sill, C. W., F. D. Hindman, and J. 1. Anderson. IISimultaneous determination
of alpha-emitting nuclides of radium through californium in large
environmental and biological samp1es.1I Anal. Chern. 51: 1307-1314.
1979.
Smith, D. D. Summary Report of the Grazing Studies Conducted on a P1utonium-
Contaminated Range in Area 13 of the Nevada Test Site. EMSL-LV-0539-24.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Monitoring and
Support Laboratory, Las Vegas, Nevada. 104 pp. 1979.
Smith, D. D., K. W. Brown, R. A. Brechbill, K. R. Giles and A. L. Lesperance.
The Radionuc1ide Concentrations and Botanical Composition of the Diet
of Cattle Grazing the Area 18 Range of the Nevada Test Site. SWRHL110r.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Western Environmental Research
Laboratory, Las Vegas, Nevada. 1972.
Smith, T. M., A. L. Lesperance, V. R. Bohman, Raymond A. Brechbill and
K. W. Brown. IIIntake and digestibility of forages grazed by cattle
on a southern nevada range.1I Proc. Amer. Soc. of Animal Science.
Vol. 19, 1968.
Stoddart, L. A. and A. D. Smith. Range Management. Utah State Agricultural
College. McGraw-Hill Book Company. Inc. New York, Toronto, London.
1955.
Ta1vitie, N. A. IIRadiochemica1 determination of plutonium in environmental
and biological samples by ion exchange." Anal. Chem. 43:1827-1830. 1971.
Ta1vitie, N. A. IIE1ectrodeposition of actinides for alpha spectrometric
determi nat ion. II Anal. Chem. 44: 280-282. 1972 .
Wallace, A. and E. M. Romney. Radioecology and Ecophysio10gy of Desert
Plants at the Nevada Test Site. University of California Laboratory
of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology and Agricultural Science
TID-25954. 1972.
Wish, L. and M. Rowell. Sequential Analysis of Tracer Amounts of Np,
Pu in Fission-Product Mixtures by Anion Exchange. USNRDL-TR-117.
Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory, San Francisco, California.
34 pp. 1956.
U, and
22
-------
LIST OF APPENDIX TABLES
Table
Page
1. Quality Assurance Results.
.................
. . . . 24
2. Ground Cover and the Percentage Composition of Plant Species
Found in the Vicinity of the Clean Slate II Grazing Site.
. . . . 26
3. Ground Cover and the Percentage Composition of Plant Species
Found in the Vicinity of the Smoky Grazing Site. . . . . . . . . . 27
4. Ground Cover and the Percentage Composition of Plant Species
Found in the Vicinity of the Cabriolet-Palanquin Grazing Site. . . 28
5. Ground Cover and the Percentage Composition of Plant Species
Found in the Vicinity of the Danny Boy Grazing Site. . . . . . . . 29
6.
7.
Plant Species Identified on the Nuclear Grazing Sites. . . .
. . . . 30
Percent Botanical Composition of Rumen Ingesta from Rumen-
Fistulated Steers that Grazed Six Nuclear Sites. . . . .
. . . . . 32
23
-------
APPENDIX TABLE 1. QUALITY ASSURANCE RESULTS
Wet Activity Added Activity Reported
Sample Weight (pCi/k~) (pCi/kg) Percent
Type* (g) Nuclide (pCi/l H) ( pC i /1 3H) Deviation**
Rumen fluid 1628 23~pu 0 1.3 :!: 0.36
241Am 0 2.2 :!: 1.9
90Sr 0 <11.9
Rumen fluid 1941 239pu 0 5.1 :!: 0.88
24lAm 0 0.66 :!: 0.44
90Sr 0 <4.0
Rumen fluid 1756 239pu 0 0.4 :!: 0.2
24lAm 0 <0.4
90Sr 0 <3.6
Rumen fluid 1969 239pu 110 43 :!: 3.9 61
24lAm 20 17 :!: 3.3 15
90Sr 270 240 :!: 11 10
Rumen fl uid 1806 239pu 120 330 :!: 63 175
24lAm 22 15 :!: 2.4 32
90Sr 290 230 :!: 16 21
Rumen fl uid 1531 239pu - 40 42 :!: 5.9 5
24lAm 6.6 5.9 :!: 1.3 11
90Sr 140 86 :!: 12 39
Rumen fl u id 1649 239pu 37 33 :!: 3.2 11
24 lAm 6.1 5.6 :!: 1.4 8.2
90Sr 134 83 :!: 13 38
Rumen fluid 1875 23 9pu 7.3 7.3 :!: 0.86 0
24 lAm 3.5 3.2 :!: 1.7 8.6
90Sr 19 23 :!: 9.6 21
R ume n fl u i d 1560 239pu 8.6 8.0 :!: 1.2 7
24 lAm 4.2 3.1 :!: 1.0 26
90Sr 22 29 :!: 7 32
Rumen solids 1426 239pu 0 0.86 :!: 0.43
24lAm 0 1.3 :!: 1.1
90Sr 0 37 :!: 11
Rumen solids 1393 239pu 0 1.1 :!: 0.2
24lAm 0 3.1 :!: 1.1
90Sr 0 36 :!: 11
(continued)
24 .
-------
APPENDIX TABLE 1. (Cont i nued)
Wet Activity Added Activity Reported
Sample Weight (pCi/kg) (pCi/kg) Pe rce nt
Type* (g) N uc 1 ide ( pC i /1 3 H) (pCi/l 3H) Dev;at;on**
Rumen solids 1357 239pu 0 0.67 :t 0.22
24lAm 0 <0.45
90Sr 0 29 :t 8.8
Rumen solids 1123 239pu 180 110 :t 9 39
24lAm 41 39 :t 5.5 5
90Sr 320 299 :t 20 6.6
Rumen soli ds 1254 239pu 160 97 :t 13 39
24lAm 36 32 :t 8.3 11
90Sr 280 311 :!: 22 11
Rumen solids 1339 239pu 33 30 :!: 2.9 9
24lAm 6.3 7.3:!: 1.5 16
90Sr 130 97 :t 16 25
Rumen solids 1510 239pu 29 30 :t 3.2 3.4
24lAm 5.6 5.6 :!: 1.9 0
90Sr 120 96 :!: 13 20
Rumen solids 1193 239pu - 9.2 7.9:t 1.1 14
24 lAm 4.7 12 :!: 3.2 155
90Sr 37 47 :t 10 27
Rumen solids 1388 239pu 7.9 11 :!: 2.4 39
24lAm 4 8.8 :!: 3.1 120
90Sr 32 87 :!: 17 171
Rumen fl uid 75 ml 3H 7 ,800 6,300:!: 1,300 19
Rumen fluid 100 ml 3H 33,000 28,000 :!: 2,000 15
Rumen fl uid 90 ml 3H 9,500 9,500 :!: 1,400 0
Rumen fl ui d 100 ml 3H 0 1,200 :!: 1,100
Rumen fluid 75 ml 3H 35,000 30,000 :t 2,000 14
Rumen fluid 75 ml 3H 0 <1,000
Rumen fl uid 100 ml 3H 10,000 9,400 :!: 1,400 6
Rumen fluid 110 ml 3H 5,000 5,700 :!: 1,300 14
* Rumen fluid and rumen solids collected from rumen fistulated steers
which were fed alfalfa at the Area 15 farm.
** % deviation = (x~u) x 100
where x = act iv i ty reported
u = activity added
2.5
-------
APPENDIX TABLE 2. GROUND COVER AND THE PERCENTAGE COMPOSITION OF PLANT
SPECIES FOUND IN THE VICINITY OF THE CLEAN SLATE II GRAZING SITE
Ground Cover Composition
Speci es (%) (%)
Opyzopsis hymenoides 4.0 20.0
HiLapia jamesii 6.6 33.0
Stipa sp. Trace Trace
Sitanion hystpix Trace Trace
Trace Trace
Total grasses 10.6 53.0
Unidentified forbs 0.4 2.0
SphaemLcea sp. 0.4 2.0
Epiogonum sp. 0.2 1.0
HaLogeton gLomepatus 0.2 1.0
StanLey pinnata Trace Trace
Linum sp. Trace Trace
Total forbs 1.2 6.0
Aptemisia nova
AtPipLex canescens
AtPipLex confeptifoLia
Eupotia Lanata
Gpayia spinosa
Aptemisia tpidentata
c:hryjsothamnus viscidifLopus
Tetpadymia gLabpata
. 2.2
0.4
2.9
2.5
Trace
Trace
0.2
Trace
11.0
2.0
14.0
13.0
Trace
Trace
1.0
Trace
Total shrubs
8.2
41.0
Trace - less than 0.1%
Carrying capacity - Cattle -
Sheep -
9.7 AUM (Animal Units Month)
11.1 AUM
26
-------
APPENDIX TABLE 3. GROUND COVER AND THE PERCENTAGE COMPOSITION OF PLANT
SPECIES FOUND IN THE VICIN~TY OF THE SMOKY GRAZING SITE
Ground Cover Compos it ion
Species (%) (%)
O.,.yzopsis hymenoides Trace Trace
Hilapia jamesii Trace Trace
Stipa spe~iosa 4.2 10.2
Sitanion hystpix Trace Trace
T.,.idens pul~hella Trace Trace
Total grasses 4.2 10.2
E.,.iogonum nidulapium Trace Trace
Salsola kaU Trace Trace
Sphaepal~ea ambigua Trace Trace
Euphopbia sp. Trace Trace
Des~upa:nia sp. 0.2 0.5
Astpagalus sp. Trace Trace
Total forbs 0.2 0.5
Coleogyne pamosissima
EphedPa nevadensis
ChpYsothamnus vis~idifiopus
G.,.ayia spinosa
Haplopappus ~oopepi
Hymeno~lea salsola
Eupotia lanata
Ly~~um andepsonii
Cowania mexi~ana
En~elia vipginensis
14.4
2.7
Trace
7.3
6.9
3.5
0.9
0.8
Trace
Trace
35.0
6.8
Trace
17.8
16.7
9.0
2.2
1.8
Trace
Trace
Total shrubs
36.5
89.3
Trace - less than 0.1%
Carrying capacity - Cattle - 11.1 AUM
Sheep - 11.1 AUM
27
-------
APPENDIX TABLE 4. GROUND COVER AND THE PERCENTAGE COMPOSITION OF PLANT
SPECIES FOUND IN THE VICINITY OF THE CABRIOLET-PALANQUIN GRAZING SITE
Ground Cover Composition
Species (%) (%)
Sitanion hystpix 2.9 10.0
Bpomus tectoPUm 2.1 7.0
Opyzopsis hymenoides 1.8 6.0
Hitapia jamesii 1.5 5.0
Stipa speciosa 0.8 3.0
A pistida sp. Trace Trace
Total grasses 9.1 31.0
Satsota sp. 0.2 1.0
Unidentified forbs 0.2 1.0
Astpagatus sp. Trace Trace
Sphaepatcea sp. Trace Trace
Epiogonum sp. Trace Trace
Opuntia sp. Trace Trace
Total forbs 0.4 2.0
EphedPa nevadensis
Aptemisia tpidentata
Gpayia spinosa
Gutieppezia sp.
(;h pysothamnus viscidif7, opus
Unidentified shrubs
(;hPysothamnus nauseosus
Eupotia tanata
Atpiptex canescens
Epiogonum sp.
Co~nia mexicana
Lycium andepsonii
Junipepus osteospe~a
Ephedm viPidis
4.6
3.9
2.6
2.1
1.8
1.1
0.8
0.8
0.6
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Trace
16.0
13.0
9.0
7.0
6.0
4.0
3.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
Trace
Total shrubs
19.5
66.0
Trace - less than 0.1%
Carrying capacity - Cattle - 9.7 AUM
Sheep - 8.7 AUM
28-
-------
APPENDIX TABLE 5. GROUND COVER AND THE PERCENTAGE COMPOSITION OF PLANT
SPECIES FOUND IN THE VICINIT~ OF THE DANNY BOY GRAZING SITE
Ground Cover Composition
Species (%) (%)
Sitanion hystroi:x: 0.9 2.9
Or>yzopsis hymenoides 0.8 2.8
Hitaroia jamesii 0.5 1.6
Stipa speciosa 0.4 1.3
Br>OTnUS tectorwrz 0.2 0.5
Paa sp. Trace Trace
Total grasses 2.8 9.1
Er>iogonum sp. 0.8 3.0
Unidentified forbs 0.3 1.4
SphaeroaZcea ambigua 0.2 0.8
Descuroainia pinnata 0.2 0.8
SaZsoZa sp. 0.1 0.1
Astero sp. 0.1 0.1
Senecio sp. 0.1 0.1
Euphorobia sp. 0.1 0.1
Gitia eroemica 0.1 0.1
Amsinckia sp. Trace Trace
Oenotheroa sp. Trace Trace
AstroagaZus Zentiginosus Trace Trace
Total forbs 2.0 6.5
Ar>temisia troidentata
Ephedr>a nevadensis
AtroipZex canescens
Ch~sothamnus viscidi~o'Y'Us
CaUXlnia mexicana
Gr>ayia spinosa
Tetroadymia sp.
Ch~sothamnus nauseosus
Ephedr>a viroidis
Eurootia Zanata
Ar>temisia nova
Total shrubs
10.2
3.6
3.0
1.5
1.7
1.5
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.2
0.2
23.4
33.9
13.2
11.9
6.6
5.8
5.6
2.6
1.9
1.3
0.9
0.7
84.4
Trace - less.than 0.1%
Carrying capacity - Cattle - 26.0 AUM
Sheep - 26.0 AUM
29
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APPENDIX TABLE 6.
PLANT SPECIES IDENTIFIED ON THE NUCLEAR GRAZING SITES
Genus
Species
Common names
Grasses
Opyzopsis hymenoides
HiZapia jamesii
Stipa speciosa
Sitanion hystpix
Tpidens puZcheZZa
Stipa sp.
Bpomus tectopum
A pistida sp.
Indian Rice Grass
Galleta
Desert needle grass
Squirrel tail
Fl uff grass
Needle grass
Cheatgrass
Three Awn
Forbs
Epiogonum niduZapium
SaZsoZa kaZi
SphaepaZcea ambigua
Euphopbia sp.
De scupainia sp.
AstpagaZus sp.
SphaepaZcea sp.
Epiogonum sp.
HaZogeton gZomepatus
StanZeya pinnata
Linum sp.
SaZsoZa pauZsenii
Descupainia pinnata
SaZsoZa sp.
Astep sp.
Senecio sp.
Gi Zia epemica
Amsinckia sp.
Oenothepa sp.
AstpagaZus Zentiginosus
Opuntia sp.
Epodium sp.
Buckwheat
Russian thistle
Globe mallow
Spurge
Mustard
Loco weed
Mallow
Buckwheat
Halogeton
Desert plume
Flax
Russian Thistle
Tansey mustard
Russian thistle
Aster
Groundsel
Gi 1 i a
Fiddle neck
Primrose
Mottled locoweed
Beaver tail
Desert Herons Bill
Shrubs
EnceZia vipginensis
Aptemisia tpidentata
Ephedpa nevadensis
AptipZex canescens
Chpysothamnus viscidifZopus
C01JJania mexicana
Gpayia spinosa
Pupshia gZandaZosa
Encelia
Big sagebrush
Nevada joint fir
4-winged saltbrush
Rabbitbrush
Cliff rose
Spi ny hop-sage
Bitter brush
(continued)
30
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APPENDIX TABLE 6. (Conti nued)
Genus
Species
Common Names
Shrubs
Tetm.dymia sp.
Ch~sothamnus nauseosus
EphedY'a viY'idis
EUY'otia Zanata
AY'temisia nova
CoZeogyne Y'amosissima
HapZopappus coopeY'i
HymenocZea saZsoZa
Lycium andeY'sonii
AtY'ipZex confeY'tifoZia
Tetmdymia gZabY'ata
GutieY'Y'ezia sp.
EY'iogonum sp.
JunipeY'Us osteospe~
Horse brush
Big rabbitbrush
Mountain joint fir
White sage
Black sagebrush
Black brush
Golden bush
Cheese bush
Thornbush
Shadscale
Felt thorn
Matchweed
Buckwheat
Juniper
31
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APPENDIX TABLE 7. PERCENT BOTANICAL COMPOSITION OF RUMEN INGESTA FROM RUMEN-FISTULATED
STEERS THAT GRAZED SIX NUCLEAR SITES
Cabriolet- Total
Speci es Buggy Palanquin Danny Boy Cl ean Sl ate II Schooner Smoky In-
Steer No. Steer No. Steer No. Steer No. Steer No. Steer No. gested
912 913 912 913 912 913 912 913 912 913 912 913 (%)
O~yzopsis hymenoides 51.0 14.0 33.0 24.0 91.0 80.0 78.0 74.0 63.0 58.0 4.0 2.0 47.7
Sitanion hyst~ix 46.0 73.0 67.0 72.0 3.0 5.0 7.0 3.0 9.0 36.0 16.0 28.1
B~omus teeto~ 3.0 52.0 78.0 11.1
Unidentified grass 1.0 2.0 Trace 2.0 2.0 1.0 6.0 5.0 1.0 0.0 2.0 2.0
Hila~ia jamesii 4.0 22.0 19.0 3.8
Stipa speeiosa 3.0 2.0 0.3
Total grasses 98.0 92.0 100.0 98.0 94.0 82.0 88.0 90.0 93.0 89.0 94.0 98.0 93.0
w'
N' Sphaemleea sp. Trace 1.0 2.0 0.3
Unidentified forb 1.0 1.0 Trace 2.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 2.0 1.0 2.0 2.0 1.7
E~odium sp. 1.0 Trace 0.1
Enogonum sp. 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 Trace 1.0 Trace 0.4
Salsola paulsenii Trace 1.0 1.0 2.0 0.3
Total forbs 2.0 3.0 Trace 2.0 2.0 3.0 3.0 5.0 5.0 1.0 6.0 2.0 2.8
At~iplex eaneseens 4.0 12.0 6.0 2.0 2.0 10.0 3.0
Eu~otia lanata Trace Trace
A~temisia nOVa Trace Trace
At~iplex
eonfe~tifolia 3.0 3.0 0.5
Ephedm nevadensis 3.0 0.3
Pu~shia glandulosa 5.0 0.4
Total shrubs 0.0 5.0 0.0 0.0 4.0 15.0 9.0 5.0 2.0 10.0 0.0 Trace 4.2
Trace - less than 0.1%
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TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
(Please read InstnlctiOlls on the rel'erse before completing)
1. REPORT NO. 12. 3. RECIPIENT'S ACCESSION NO.
EPA-600/3-81-004
4. TITLE ANO SUBTITLE 5. REPORT DATE
PRELIMINARY GRAZI~G STUDIES WITH RUMEN-FI~TULATED STEERS Janua ry 1981
AT SELECCTED NUCL AR-TEST SITES 6. PERFDRMING ORGANIZATION CODE
7. AUTHOR(S) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATIDN REPORT NO.
D. D. Smi th, K. W. Brown
9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS 10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.
Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory X 6E HI 0
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
Las Vegas, Nevada 89114
12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS 13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory
Office of Research and Development 14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
La~ Vegas, Nevada 89114 EPA/600/07
15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
Performed under memorandum of understanding DE-AI08-76PD00539
for the U.s. Department of Energy
16. ABSTRACT
Rumen-fistulated steers (steers with a capped tube inserted into a permanent
surgical opening into the stomach) w~re allowed to graze the fallout zones of six
selected nuclear-test sites on the Nevada Test Site and Tonopah Test Range. Ingesta
samples were analyzed for radionuclide and botanical content to provide information on
the inventory of radionuclides present and on the condition of the range at each site.
The greatest variety and concentrations of gamma-emitting radionuclides were
present in the ingesta from the Cabriolet-Palanquin Site. The highest levels of
Plutonium-238 and -239 were found at the Clean Slate II Site. Strontium-90 levels were
highest at the Smoky Site while tritium levels were highest at the Schooner Site.
Each site's carrying capacity for grazing animals was determined. Food habit
analyses were also performed for each anima 1. These data plus the radionuclide data
were considered in the recommendation that the Cabriolet-Palanquin Site be selected for
any future long-term grazing studies.
17. KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANAL YSIS
a. DESCRIPTORS b.IDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TERMS C. COSA TI Field/Group
Isotopes, pl utoni urn, gamma emitters, Rumen contents 77 B
trit i urn
Beef cattle Fistulated steers 98 E
Range survey Animal units months 98 D
Fall ou t Animal uptake 68 F
Botany pl ant identification Grasses, shrubs, forbs 57 C
18. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT 19. SECURITY CLASS (This Report) 21. NO. OF PAGES
UNCLASSIFIED 40
20. SECURITY CLASS (This page) 22. PRICE
RELEASE TO PUBLIC UNCLASSIFIED
EPA Form 2220-1 (Rev, 4-77) ,
PREVIOUS EDITION IS OBSOLETE
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