Office of Radiation Programs
vvEPA
United Slates National Air and EPA 520/5-91-003
Environmental Protection Radiation Environmental Laboratory
Agency
OTfic '
Radiation
Radiological Survey of the
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
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EPA 520/5-91-003
Radiological Survey of the
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
Mark O. Semler
National Air and Radiation Environmental Laboratory
1504 Avenue A
Montgomery, Alabama 36115-2601
October 1991
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Radiation Programs
401 M Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20460
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
List of Figures v
List of Tables v
Preface vi
Introduction 1
Characteristics of the Harbor and Sampling Areas 2
Survey and Analytical Methods 5
Results and Discussion 11
Conclusions 17
References 18
Appendix: Description of Samples Collected 21
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure
1. Piscataqua River Area Map, Sampling
Sites Off Naval Facilities 4
2. Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Sediment
Sampling Sites 9
3. Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Biota
Sampling Sites 10
LIST OF TABLES
Table
1. Summary of Samples Collected 8
2. Summary of Radionuclide Concentrations
in Sediment Samples ...... 14
3. Description of Biota Samples 14
4. Summary of Gamma-Ray Exposure Rates 15
v
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PREFACE
The Office of Radiation Programs identifies and evaluates
environmental public health impacts of both natural and manmade
radiation sources. The National Air and Radiation Environmental
Laboratory (NAREL), formerly the Eastern Environmental Radiation
Facility, is a fully integrated participant with other components
of the Office in these efforts. NAREL provides comprehensive
capability for evaluating radiation sources through planning and
conducting environmental studies, nationwide surveillance, and
laboratory analysis. In addition, NAREL provides special
analytical support for Environmental Protection Agency Regional
Offices and other federal government agencies, as requested, as
well as technical assistance to the radiological health programs of
state and local health departments.
This report presents results of the survey conducted by NAREL
personnel to assess levels of environmental radioactivity resulting
from maintenance and operation of nuclear-powered warships at
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine. The purpose of the
survey was to determine if activities related to nuclear-powered
warships resulted in release of radionuclides which may contribute
VI
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to significant population exposure or contamination of the
environment.
Readers of our reports are encouraged to bring comments,
omissions, or errors to our attention.
3 . U^^y Jl/yc
Sam T. Windham, Director
National Air and Radiation
Environmental Laboratory
VII
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INTRODUCTION
Since 1963, the National Air and Radiation Environmental
Laboratory (NAREL), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in
cooperation with the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), has
surveyed facilities serving nuclear-powered warships on the
Atlantic and Pacific coasts and the Gulf of Mexico. These surveys
assess whether the construction, maintenance, overhaul, or
refueling of nuclear-powered warships have created elevated levels
of radioactivity. The surveys emphasize sampling those areas and
pathways that could expose the public.
In 1984, NAVSEA requested that EPA again survey all active
facilities servicing nuclear-powered warships. The Portsmouth
Naval Shipyard was surveyed September 11 to 15, 1989. This
facility was previously surveyed by EPA in July 1977. At that
time, no Co-60 was found in any of the silt samples, but tritium
(H-3) activities of 200 to 400 pCi/L were found in water samples
from both background sites and shipyard sites. Cesium-137 and Zr-
95/Nb-95, which are products of atmospheric nuclear weapons testing
and are not due to the operations of the shipyard, were also
detected in silts and biota.
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CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HARBOR AND SAMPLING AREAS
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is located in Portsmouth Harbor on
Seavey Island. The shipyard is accessible via bridge from Kittery,
Maine, and occupies all of the island (Figure 1). The facility is
approximately 1981 meters (east-west) by 1158 meters (north-south),
an area of 277.8 acres. The Piscatagua River empties into the
harbor on the west-northwest side. The deepest part of the harbor
is approximately 23 meters in the channel at low tide. The
shipyard is a major repair facility for the Navy's nuclear
submarine fleet.
Observations made during the survey indicated that the harbor
bottom surface is rock at several locations. The bottom at other
areas is mud. Tidal action supplemented by the river flow results
in a swift current around the shipyard. This current results in
the lack of sediment on the bottom surface at several locations.
A major dredging project of the Portsmouth harbor by the Army
Corps of Engineers was begun in 1989 and was in progress during
this survey. This dredging was in the main channel areas of the
harbor.
Although some dredging was done near Seavey Island, it was not
related to the shipyard operations and was not inside the
restricted area. There has been no significant dredging of
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sediments immediately adjacent to Seavey Island since the last
survey.
Discussions with shipyard personnel indicated that most of the
water is accessible to the public by boat with the exception of
certain areas that are restricted for security reasons. There are
extensive commercial fishing and recreational activities in the
area, the most significant being lobstering. There are many
commerical and private lobster traps in the immediate vicinity of
the shipyard.
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PORTSMOUTH
0.2 0.4
kilometers
I. Piscataqua River Area Map, Sampling Sites Off Naval Facilities
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SURVEY AND ANALYTICAL METHODS
Personnel from the radiological control office at Portsmouth
Naval Shipyard accompanied the NAREL team during the survey. The
Navy personnel provided information on those sampling sites where
radioactivity associated with Naval nuclear propulsion plants, if
it were present, would most likely be detected. Extensive sediment
sampling was conducted in the pier and dry dock areas where nuclear
warships were being or had been serviced. Public access or
recreational areas and public drinking water supplies in the
vicinity of the shipyard were also surveyed for radioactivity.
Cobalt-60 is the predominant radioisotope one would find in
environmental media if radioactivity were present as a result of
Naval nuclear propulsion plant operations (Ca77, Se88, Sen88);
therefore, environmental sampling focused on detecting this
radioisotope. The Co-60 content in all samples was determined by
gamma-ray spectroscopy. Water samples were also analyzed for
tritium since this radionuclide is known to be produced in the
coolant of light-water nuclear reactors.
According to past surveys, if radioactivity were released as
a result of Naval nuclear propulsion plant operations, it would be
detected as Co-60 in the sediment (Ca77, Ca79). Radionuclides tend
to accumulate in the sediment over time, which enables detection of
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events that may have occurred in the past. A standard Peterson
dredge was used to sample approximately the top 10 centimeters of
sediment. Forty sediment samples were collected during the survey.
At the laboratory, these samples were dried, ground to a fine
powder, placed in 400 cubic centimeter (cm3) sample counting
containers, and counted on intrinsic germanium detectors for 1000
minutes. The minimum detectable activity for Co-60 in this
geometry is approximately 0.01 picocuries per gram (pCi/g).
Sediment core samples are useful in determining the vertical
distribution of radioactivity in harbor bottom sediment. If
radioactive material were present from past operations and
subsequently covered with sediment, the radioactivity might be
detected in the core samples. Four core samples were taJcen using
3.8 centimeter diameter plastic tubes and a mechanical coring tool.
The cores were frozen and sectioned into 2,5 centimeter lengths.
The individual sections were freeze-dried and counted on intrinsic
germanium detectors for 1000 minutes to analyze for gamma-ray
emitting radioisotopes. The minimum detectable activity for Co-60
in this geometry is approximately 0.1 pCi/g.
Water samples were collected at six sites. The surface water
samples were grab samples. The drinking water samples, collected
from taps, represent the water supplied to Portsmouth, New
Hampshire, Kittery, Maine, and the shipyard. One liter water
samples were analyzed for gamma-ray emitting radionuclides,
especially Co-60, on intrinsic germanium detectors. The minimum
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detectable level for Co-60 in this geometry is 5 picocuries per
liter (pCi/L). Water samples were also analyzed for tritium. The
tritium found in reactor coolant systems is in the oxide form and
chemically indistinguishable from water; therefore, it does not
accumulate in marine life or on the harbor floor (Ma88). The
minimum detectable level for tritium is 200 pCi/L with the
analytical procedure used.
Aquatic biota samples were collected at three sites by the
divers. These samples were divided for analysis as follows:
(1) fish — muscle; (2) crab — samples included muscle, viscera,
and exoskeleton; (3) barnacles and mussels; (4) lobster -- the tail
and claw meat; and (5) vegetation. The biota samples were dried,
ground to a fine powder, and counted on intrinsic germanium
detectors for 1000 minutes. The counting geometry was determined
by the amount of sample available: the minimum detectable level for
Co-60 is 0.01 pCi/g for a 400 cm3 sample or 0.1 pCi/g for a 40 cm3
sample.
Gamma radiation exposure measurements were made with
pressurized ionization chambers or portable scintillation survey
instruments that were calibrated with the pressurized ionization
chambers. Measurements were made at all sites in the pier and dry
dock areas where the majority of the sediment samples were
collected and along the restricted area line. Public access and
recreation areas in the vicinity were surveyed with portable
scintillation survey instruments.
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Sampling sites are shown on maps of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
in Figures 2 and 3. Sites that are located outside the boundaries
of the Naval facilities are shown on the area map in Figure 1. A
summary of the samples collected during the survey is presented in
Table 1. Sample types collected at each site are detailed in the
Appendix.
TABLE 1
Summary of Samples Collected
Sampling Number of Samples
Facility Sites Water Sediment Cores Biota
Portsmouth Naval
Shipyard 50 6 40 4 11
NOTE: See Appendix for a list of all samples collected at each
sampling location.
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KITTERY, ME.
2. Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Sediment Sampling Sites
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K1TTERY, ME.
3. Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Biota Sampling Sites
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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Results of the sampling of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and
surrounding areas are summarized in Tables 2, 3, and 4. The si,tes
sampled outside the shipyard were selected either as background
sites, areas of public access and/or recreation, or public drinking
water supplies.
Bottom sediment samples from 40 sites were analyzed for gamma-
emitting radionuclides, with particular emphasis given to the
detection of Co-60. Several additional sites around the shipyard
were selected for sampling; however, no sediments were present at
these sites because of the scouring action of the Piscataqua River
tides. No Co-60 was detected in any of these sediiaqrjts. Other
radionuclides identified are either naturally occurring (K-40, Ra-
226, Th-232, U-238) or are the result of fallout from atmospheric?
weapons testing (Cs-137).
Four sites, 5, 8, 17, and 25, were sampled with a mechanical
coring tool to evaluate the deposition of radionuclides with time.
Cores of 13 inches, 5 inches, 10 inches, and 22 inches in depth
were taken, respectively, from these sites. Results of the
analyses of 2.5 cm sections of each core are comparable to those of
the sediments also taken at the sites. No Co-60 or other
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radionuclide which could be attributed to the operations at the
shipyard was found. Only Cesium-137 and naturally occurring
radionuclides were detected.
Surface water samples at three sites, 1, 7, and 39, were
collected and analyzed for both gamma-emitting radionuclides and
tritium (H-3). No radioactivity was detected in any of these
samples. Three additional water samples of the Portsmouth, New
Hampshire, Kittery, Maine, and Seavey Island drinking water were
also analyzed. No gamma emitting radionuclides or tritium were
detected in these drinking water samples. These results are
consistent with routinely analyzed water samples from New Hampshire
and Maine (EPA89, EPA90a, EPA90b).
There is considerable sport and commercial fishing and
lobstering in the area. Significant concentrations of lobster
traps are placed in close proximity to Seavey Island. Lobster and
crab were collected at three sites around the Island, 45, 46, and
47, by shipyard divers. The edible portions were analyzed for
gamma-emitting radionuclides. The only radionuclides detected in
these samples were K-40 and a trace of Cs-137. One fish sample
from site 46 and samples of clams, barnacles, and mussels from
sites 38, 45, and 48 were analyzed: only K-40 and Cs-137 were
detected. No Co-60 or other radionuclide associated with shipyard
operations was detected in any of these samples.
Vegetation was collected at four locations, sites 23, 37, 46,
and 47. Potassium-40 and Th-232 were present in all samples, and
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Cs-137 was detected in samples from sites 23 and 47. No Co-60 or
other radionuclide associated with shipyard operations was
detected in any of these samples.
External gamma radiation measurements were taken at all
sampling sites and along the restricted area boundary of the
shipyard. Measurements were also made at public access areas near
the facility, including public parks and marinas in both Maine and
New Hampshire, and the shoreline of Kittery, Maine, and Portsmouth,
New Hampshire, opposite Seavey Island. Recreational areas on the
eastern end of Seavey Island were also monitored. A summary of the
locations and results is presented in Table 4.
Terrestrial gamma exposure rates ranged from 4 to 24 /iR/hr;
these exposure rates are comparable to those measured during other
surveys of Naval facilities and background sites [Se88, Sm87,
Wi87), and indicate that shipyard operations have no significant
radiological impact on the public. One measurement taken on a
granite sea wall at Fort McClary State Park was 24 /iR/hr. This
elevated reading is due entirely to the presence of naturally
occurring radionuclides in the granite and has been observed during
other surveys (Sen88, Sm87).
Gamma exposure rates taken over water at the background sites
ranged from 3.5 to 4.8 /j,R/hr. Gamma exposure rates taken over
water at the sampling sites adjacent to Seavey Island ranged from
3.8 to 5.9 ^iR/hr. The gamma exposure rates at the restricted area
boundary ranged from 3.0 to 5.7 juR/hr.
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TABLE 2
Summary Of Radionuclide Concentrations in Sediment Samplesa>b
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TABLE 4
Summary of Gamma-Ray Exposure Rates
Location of Survey
Average Gamma-Ray
Exposure Rates jiR/hr)
4.3 (3.5
4.8 (3.8
Harbor Sediment Sampling Sites
Off-Site
On-Site
Restricted Area Boundary around
Seavey Island
Terrestrial Surveys
On Seavey Island
Northeast tip at Jamaica Island park
Jamaica Island, Eastern tip
Jamaica Island, picnic table area
Jamaica Island, children's playground
Main road to Jamaica Park
North end of Seavey Island
Kittery, Maine, and surroundings
Pepperell Road causeway
Pepperell Road, east of causeway
Fort McClary State Park, on granite sea wall
Frisbee Wharf
Chauncey Creek Road
Fort Foster State Park
West of Security Gate 1 to Seavey Island
Badgers Island, east end
U.S. 1 at bridge over Piscataqua River
U.S. 1, midspan of bridge
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Prescott Park, south end
Fourtree Island
Pierce Island
Pierce Island, at waste treatment plant
Pierce Island, Northernmost point
Market Street shoreline
Ceres Road, on a pier
Goat Island bridge
Shaws Hill bridge
Fort Dearborn
4.8)a
6.0)a
4.3 (3.0 - 5.7)a
12
12
16
12
15
15
4
12
24
10
11
14
14
13
10
5
13
13
10
14
8
17
7
5
11
15
* Mean concentration given, with the range shown in parentheses.
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TABLE 4 — Continued
Summary of Gamma-Ray Exposure Rates
Location of Survey Average Gamma-Ray
Exposure Rates (jitR/hr)
New Castle Island
Shoreline at Cape and River Roads 12
Shoreline at Cape and Oliver Roads 15
Portsmouth Yacht Club 14
U.S. Coast Guard Station 13
Fort Constitution 13
Fort Point 7
Fort Stark State Park 12
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CONCLUSIONS
The radiological survey of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
provides the basis for the following conclusions:
1. No trace of Co-60 was detected in any samples at Portsmouth
Naval Shipyard. All radioactivity detected in the forty
sediment samples is attributed to naturally occurring
radionuclides or fallout from past nuclear weapons testing.
2. Results of core sampling did not indicate any previous
deposit of Co-60 in the sediment.
3. Water samples contained no detectable levels of
radioactivity.
4. All radioactivity detected in the biota samples is attributed
to naturally occurring radionuclides or fallout.
5. External gamma-ray measurements did not detect any increased
radiation exposure to the public above natural background
levels.
6. Based on this survey, we conclude that current practices
regarding nuclear-powered warship operations have resulted in
no increases in radioactivity that would result in
significant population exposure or contamination of the
environment.
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REFERENCES
B176 Blanchard, R.L., et. al. 1976. Radiological Surveillance
Studies at the Oyster Creek BWR Nuclear Generating
Station. EPA-520/5-76-003. Washington, D.C.:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Radiation
Programs.
Ca77 Callis, R.S., Windham, S.T., and Phillips, C.R. 1977.
Radiological Survey of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard,
Bremerton, Washington and Environs. EPA 520/5-77-001.
Washington, D.C.: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Office of Radiation Programs.
Ca79 Callis, R.S., Windham, S.T., and Phillips, C.R. 1979.
Radiological Survey of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard,
Kittery, Maine, and Environs. EPA 520/5-79-003.
Washington, D.C.: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Office of Radiation Programs.
Ca87 Callis, R.S. 1987. Radiological Survey of the Pearl Harbor
Naval Shipyard and Environs, Honolulu, Hawaii.
EPA 520/5-87-010. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Office of Radiation Programs.
18
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REFERENCES - Continued
EPA89 Environmental Protection Agency. 1989. Environmental
Radiation Data: Report 58 (April - June 1989).
EPA 520/5-89-034. Washington, D.C.:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of
Radiation Programs.
EPA90a Environmental Protection Agency- 1990. Environmental
Radiation Data: Report 59 (July - September 1989).
EPA 520/5-90-003. Washington, D.C.:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of
Radiation Programs.
PA90b Environmental Protection Agency. 1990. Environmental
Radiation Data: Report 60 (October - December 1989).
EPA 520/5-90-018. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Office of Radiation Programs.
Ka74 Kahn, B., et. al. 1974. Radiological Surveillance Study of
the Haddam Neck PWR Nuclear Power Station.
EPA 520/3-74-007. Washington, D.C.:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of
Radiation Programs.
Ma88 Mangeno, J.J., Steele, J.M., and Poletti, L.F. 1988.
Environmental Monitoring and Disposal of Radioactive
Wastes from U.S. Naval Nuclear Powered Ships and Their
Support Facilities. Naval Sea Systems Command Report,
19
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REFERENCES - Continued
Se88 Semler, M.O. and Blanchard, R.L. 1988. Radiological Survey
of San Diego Bay. EPA 520/5-88-019. Washington, D.C.:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Radiation
Programs.
Sen88 Sensintaffar, E.L. and Blanchard, R.L. 1988. Radiological
Survey of the Norfolk Naval Station, the Norfolk Naval
Shipyard, and Newport News Shipbuilding.
EPA 520/5-88-019. Washington, D.C.:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Radiation
Programs.
Sm87 Smith, J.M. 1987. Radiological Survey of Charleston Naval
Base and Shipyard and the Charleston Naval Weapons
Station. EPA 520/5-87-009. Washington, D.C.:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of
Radiation Programs.
Wi87 Windham, S.T., 1987. Radiological Survey of Kings Bay
Submarine Support Facility. EPA 520/5-87-008.
Washington, D.C.: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Office of Radiation Programs.
20
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APPENDIX
Description of Samples Collected
at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
Site No,
Samples Collected
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
Sediment, Surface Water
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment, Core
Sediment
Sediment, Surface Water
Sediment, Core
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment, Core
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment, Vegetation
Sediment
Sediment, Core
Sediment
No Sediment*
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
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APPENDIX — Continued
Description of Samples Collected
at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
Site No.
Samples Collected
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
Sediment
Sediment
No Sediment*, Vegetation
No Sediment*, Vegetation
Sediment, Surface Water
Sediment
Sediment
Drinking Water
Drinking Water
Drinking Water
Biota
Biota
Biota
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Area was scoured of sediment by the swift currents.
sample could be obtained.
No sediment
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