United States         Office of Radiation and
Environmental Protection    Indoor Air           October 2002
Agency            Washington, DC 20460
Annual Water Sampling
and Analysis at the
Salmon Test Site Area,
Lamar County, Mississippi
April 2002

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   Annual Water Sampling and Analysis
        at the Salmon Test Site Area

           Lamar County, Mississippi
                   April 2002
                        by

                    Max G. Davis
                    Terry L. Mouck
           Prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy
                under Interagency Agreement
                  DE-AI08-96NV11969
RADIATION AND INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS NATIONAL LABORATORY
          OFFICE OF RADIATION AND INDOOR AIR
        U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
                    P.O. BOX 98517
               LAS VEGAS. NV 89193-8517

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                                     NOTICE

      The information in this document has been funded wholly or in part by the United States
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through Interagency Agreement (IAG) DE-AI08-
96NV11969 from the United States Department of Energy (DOE).  It has been subjected to the
Agency's peer and administrative reviews, 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.

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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.

       In this report, the 2002 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 2.09 x 104 pCi/L in water from one of the new wells (SAl-lh) added in 1997 (see Appendix
B). No radioactivity attributable to the test site was found in any offsite water sample. The
highest tritium concentration offsite was 14.6 ± 3.8 pCi/L at the Baxterville City Well.

       All samples were analyzed for the presence of gamma-ray emitting radionuclides. None
were detected above the minimum detectable concentration (MDC) (see Appendix B).
                                          in

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This page is left blank intentionally.
                 IV

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                                   CONTENTS
                                                                             Page
Notice  	 ii
Abstract	iii
Figures	vi
Acronyms and Abbreviations	 vii
Acknowledgments	viii

Introduction  	1
      History	1
      Historical Monitoring Results 	1
      Sample Collection  	4
      Sample Analysis 	6
      Water Analysis Results  	9

References  	10
Glossary of Terms 	:	11
Appendices
      A.  Summary of Analytical Procedures  	13
      B.  Gamma/Tritium Results for Water Samples Collected in April 2002	14
      C.  Letter from U.S. DOE "Water Sampling at Residences around the Salmon Site" .. 20
      D.  SOPs for the Center for Radioanalysis & Quality Assurance 	21

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                                     FIGURES
Figure Number	Page

1      General site location of Project Salmon Test Site Area	2
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
3      Test cavity and aquifers	4
4     Tritium concentration vs. sampling year for HM-S (depth = 30 ft)	5
5      Tritium concentration vs. sampling year for HM-L (depth = 200 ft)	5
6      Locations on the Salmon Test Site Area sampled in 2002  	7
7      Offsite locations sampled in 2002	8
                                         VI

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                    ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
DCG
DOE
EPA
g
HpGe
IAG
keV
kg
kt
L
LTHMP
m
MDC
MeV
min
mL
ORIA
pCi/L

PHS
R&ffi
SGZ
USGS
3H
3H+
HM-L, HM-L2
HM-S
HM-1
HM-2a
HM-2b
HM-3
ITC
REECo
SA Wells
Derived Concentration Guide
U.S. 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
U.S. Public Health Service
Radiation and Indoor Environments National Laboratory
surface ground zero
U.S. Geological Survey
Tritium
Enriched Tritium
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
International Technology Corporation
Reynolds Electrical & Engineering Co
Source Area Wells
                                        VII

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                            ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

External peer review was provided by Vernon Hodge, Ph.D., Chemistry, University of Nevada,
Las Vegas. In addition, the authors would like to acknowledge Richard Flotard and George
Dilbeck as internal reviewers, and the staff of the Hydrological Monitoring Team, EPA, for their
dedication to quality and their tireless work in the execution of the sampling program.
                                         Vlll

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        INTRODUCTION
Under an Interagency Agreement (IAG) with
the DOE, the  EPA's Radiation and Indoor
Environments  National Laboratory (R&IE)
located in Las Vegas, NV, conducts sampling
to measure radioactivity in water sources near
the sites of underground nuclear explosions.
The results provide assurance that radioactive
materials from the tests have not migrated into
drinking water supplies. This report presents
the results for samples collected under EPA's
LTHMP  in April 2002,  on  and around the
Salmon   Test  Site  Area, 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 natural ly 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
LTHMP 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,   gamma  and   other   radioactive
contaminants.

Historical Monitoring Results

The disposal of drilling mud and fluids near
the surface ground zero (SGZ) is responsible
for tritium (3H) contaminationvof the soil zone
and underlying shallow aquifer. These waters
lie at depths of 4 to 10 feet (1.2 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 (61  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;   Radionuclides;   Final  Rule
(40CFR9/141/142), and is thought to be due
to drilling activities at the site (Fenske and
Humphrey,  1980; Fordham  and  Fenske,
1985).

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                             Prentiss
                             "•«« -.

                          Monti cello
             Seminary


Bassfield     \       j> Moselle

                  Eatonville

                              Runnelstown
                                     Bunker   Sumrall
                                     Hill
            Tylertown-                , pjnebur



           MISSISSIPPI                1      Baxterville
      ™ r '  »^^—• — • m^^ m ^^B • v^_ • ^^HB »•«•». a^i^ • • ....._ • ~H
           LOUISIANA
                          Bogalusa A  •
                    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
         are found within this circle with a radius
                 of 1400 feet (430m)
                   SALMON TEST SITE AREA
                          BOUNDARY
    T
     0)
    _0>


    CVJ
     X
     2
     Q.
     Q.
     <0
   L
                   Half Moon   GgJ£m
                     Creek
            To
        Baxterville
                     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
   WELL
   HT-2
HALF MOON CREEK
ALLUVIAL AQUIFER
           HOLE
           P.S. 1
                          TEST CAVITY
                          SALT DOME*
                                       HIGHLY
                                     RADIOACTIVE ,
                                      MATERIAL
                                                                        GROUND
                                                                        SURFACE
                                                                        LOCAL AQUIFER
                                                                        AQUIFER 1

                                                                        AQUIFER 2A

                                                                       ] AQUIFER 2B

                                                                        AQUIFER 3A

                                                                        AQUIFER 3B

                                                                        AQUIFER 4


                                                                        AQUIFER 5
                                                                    FLUID LEVEL
                                     RECRYSTALLI2ED
                                       MELT PUDDLE
          LIMESTONE     *The test cavity contains fission and 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.

Of the 28 wells and 6 surface locations sampled
on the Salmon Site, two regularly have tritium
values above those expected in surface water.
They are wells HM-S in  the shallow aquifer,
and HM-L in the underlying local aquifer. Plots
of tritium concentration vs. time for these wells
are shown in Figures 4 and 5. 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
                  shallow wells are first sampled, pumped-down,'
                  and sampled on the following day. Wells HM-
                  1, HM-2a, HM-2b, HM-3, and HM-L, which lie
                  adjacent to SGZ, were first sampled and then
                  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

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                40
                30
          O ra
          £. w  20
                10
                                                           •+-  Measured

                                                              Predicted by H-3 decay
                                                                          t  t  t  t
                                              Calendar Year
Figure 4 Tritium concentration vs. Sampling year for HM-S (depth = 30 ft).
          3000
          2500
          2000
       a 1500

       m
       i

          1000
           500
                                                  X Measured 	 Predicted by H-3

                                                                decay
X
                                                       X
                                                                         X
                                                                            X
                                                                               X
                                                             I   I    I   I   I   I
                                                                            0°  O
                                            Calendar Year
Figure 5 Tritium concentration vs. Sampling year for HM-L (depth = 200 ft).



                                                5

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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
from  previous year. Well HM-L2  was first
sampled and then pumped for one hour before
a second sample is taken.

For wells with operating pumps, the samples
were collected at the nearest convenient outlet.
If the well had no pump, a truck-mounted or a
submersible pump was  used. To  collect  a
sample  with  this truck mounted unit, it is
possible to collect three-liter samples from
wells  as deep as 1800 meters (5,900 ft.). The
pH, conductivity, water temperature, and sam-
pling depth is measured and recorded as each
sample was collected. Disposal of water from
wells  HM-3,  SA-1-1H, and SA1-7H, were
contained in a Frac Tank and then transported
to the Columbia Waste Water Plant.

In November 2000, the U.S. DOE awarded a
grant  to Lamar  County, Mississippi.   The
grant  provided an extension of the current
drinking water system around the Salmon Test
Site (see letter in Appendix C). The  water
system  eliminated  the  need  to  sample
residential wells in the area, and around the
site.   However,  the EPA and  the State of
Mississippi will continue monitoring  wells
and  surface  locations  onsite  and  offsite
annually.   The offsite  sampling sites will
consist of city wells  in Purvis, Baxterville,
Columbia, and Lumberton, as  well as some
local ponds and streams.

From  January to April 2002, the U.S. DOE
plugged 33 wells on the Salmon Site.  There
are 28 wells remaining in the LTHMP that
will be sampled annually onsite. If the reader
would like more information on the plugged
wells, they should contact the U.S. DOE in
Las Vegas, Nevada.

The locations of all sampling sites are shown
in Figures 6  and  7. The  three  sampling
locations in Columbia, Mississippi, are not
shown. The sampling results are discussed in
the following sections.

Sample Analysis

Radiochemical laboratory procedures used to
analyze the samples collected for this report
are  summarized  in  R&IE's   SOPs  (see
Appendix A and D). These include standard
methods  to identify natural and man-made
gamma-emitting  radionuclides,  tritium,
plutonium, strontium, and uranium in water
samples.

Two types 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 upper limit of activity of 700  - 800 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.

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        |WellHM-L2
                                        SA2-4-L
                                         SA1-12-I
                                          HMH-5RH  \Creek
                                                 ->-
                                              'i'   •
                                            /X  SA1-1-H
                                          /
                                           /
                                             x
                                                 HM-fij
                                            SA2-2-L
                                                          SA1-8-L
                                                          I SA1-11-3
                                                          Half Moon]
                                                          Creek
                                                          Overflow
                                                        r\   ^
                                                        jV\i
                                      .j..,,       BSA1-2-H
                                      HHMM23a^HMH-1
                                      HM-L
                                                         M.2b
                                             M-1
                                             SA3-11-3
                                                                        \

                                                                          )

                                                                         /

                                                                         \

                                                                       N
Surface Ground Zero
Water SAmpling Locations
                                  Map is not to scale
                                                                              LAMAR
                                                                             COUNTY
                                                                        LOCATION MAP
Figure 6  Locations on the Salmon Test Site Area sampled in 2002.

                                          7

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  • Columbia City
     46-003-5-6-7
              Little Creek #1

 Lower Little Creek #2 1
         • RichKiffe

         Roswell
        Thompson^
James Lows   ~
 Pond
                    B. Hlbley  Willie Surge
                             B.R. Anderson
                             Pond        Noble's
                                   A   Pond
         Surface Ground Zero

         Water Sampling Locations
Figure 7     Offsite locations sampled in 2002.

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Sufficient  sample is collected  from  new
sampling  locations to perform  all  routine
analyses and  a full-suite  of other radio-
chemical determinations including assays for
strontium-90, plutonium, and uranium.

Water Analysis Results

Gamma-ray spectral analysis results indicated
that  no man-made gamma-emitting radio-
nuclides 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
onsite locations that  have shown detectable
tritium activity since monitoring began under
the LTHMP (wells HM-S and HM-L, depicted
in Figures 4 and 5).

Five wells were above the MDC  in samples
collected from the offsite locations. Tritium
activity in the offsite samples ranged from less
than the MDC  to 14.6 pCi/L (~  0.5  Bq/L),
0.073 percent of the DCG. These results do
not  exceed  the  natural   tritium  activity
expected in rain water in 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 is collected the following day after the
well has recharged.  The second  sample is
representative  of water that has  infiltrated
through the soil zone, whereas the first sample
may represent a mixture of direct rainwater
influx at top of the well and infiltrated or soil
zone water.

In April 2002, a total of 33 sampling locations
onsite were not sampled.   The wells were
plugged reducing the number of locations
onsite from 67 to  34.  Of the 34 locations
sampled onsite, 18 sites were sampled twice
(pre-ancl post-sampling).  15 yielded tritium
activities greater than the MDC in either the
first or second sample. Of these, 11 yielded
results  higher  than  normal  background
(approximately 25 - 40 pCi/L [1-1.5 Bq/L])
as shown in Appendix B. The locations where
the highest tritium activities were measured
generally  correspond to  areas  of known
contamination.

No radioactive materials from the  Salmon
Test Site Area were detected in any water
samples  collected  offsite.   The  tritium
concentrations of  water samples collected
onsite and offsite are consistent with those of
past studies at the Salmon Site. The highest
tritium concentration found in water collected
in the offsite area was 14.6 ± 3.8 pCi/L, which
is typical of background tritium levels, and is
0.073  percent  of  the  National  Primary
Drinking Water Regulations; Radionuclies;
Final Rule (40CFR9/141/142).

The highest tritium concentration found onsite
was 20,900  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  below the 20,000 pCi/L
level defined in the National Primary Drinking
Water Regulations; Radionuclies; Final Rule
(40CFR9/141/142).

All samples were analyzed for presence of
gamma-ray emitting radionuclides. None was
detected above the MDC (see Appendix B on
page 14),

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                                 REFERENCES
Final rule on Dec. 7, 2000. Code of Federal
Regulations, Vol. 65, Title 40, Parts 9, 141,
and 142, December 7,2000, National Primary
Drinking Water Regulations; Radionuclides;
Final Rule.

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.
                                         10

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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 (mCi) is one
millionth of a Ci.

Isotope

Atoms of the same element with different
numbers of neutrons in the nuclei. Thus 12C,
13C, 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 12C 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&EE
in selected samples if the 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.
                                           11

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                             GLOSSARY OF TERMS
                                     (Continued)
Surficial Aquifer

The ground water layer located closest to the
surface, generally at a depth of approximately
30 feet at SGZ.

Tritium

A radioactive isotope of hydrogen that decays
by beta emission. Its half-life is about 12.5
years.

Pre Sample

First sample taken from wells onsite (before
pumping).
Post Sample

Last sample taken from wells onsite (after
recharge).

Type I Error

The statistical error of accepting the presence
of  radioactivity  when  none  is  present.
Sometimes called alpha error.

Type II Error

The statistical error of failing to recognize the
presence of radioactivity when it is present.
Sometimes called beta error.
                                          12

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APPENDIX A
Summary of Analytical Procedures
Type of
Analysis
Analytical
Equipment
Counting
Period (Min)
Analytical
Procedures
Sample
Size
Approximate
Detection Limit3
HpGe
Gammab
3H


3H+
Enrichment
HpGe detector         150
calibrated atO.SkeV/
channel (0.04 to 2 MeV
range). Individual detector
efficiencies ranging from
15 to 35%.

Automatic liquid        300
scintillation counter

Automatic liquid        300
scintillation counter
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
Sample prepared by
distillation.
Sample concentrated by    5 mL
electrolysis followed by
distillation.
5 to 10 mL    300 to 700 pCi/L


           5pCi/L
°   The detection limit is defined 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).
b   Gamma spectrometry using a high purity intrinsic germanium (HpGe) detector.
                          Typical MDA Values for Gamma Spectroscopy
                                      (100 minute count time)
Geometry*
Matrix
Volume
Isotope

Be-7
K-40
Cr-51
Mn-54
Co-57
Co-58
Fe-59
Co-60
Zn-65
Nb-95
Zr-95
Marinelli
Water
3.5 liter
MDA

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
Density
Units
Isotope
Ru-106
Sn-113
Sb-125
1-131
Ba-133
Cs-134
Cs-137
Ce-144
Eu-152
Ra-226
U-235
Am-241
430G
l.Og/ml
pCi/L
MDA
4.76E+01
8.32E+00
1.65E+01
8.28E+00
9.16E+00
6.12E+00
6.43E+00
7.59E+01
2.86E+01
1.58E+01
1.01E+02
6.60E+01
Disclaimer
The MDA's provided are for background matrix samples presumed to contain no known analytes,and no decay lime.
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 spec-
troscopy MDA's will vary with different types of shielding, geometries, counting times, and decay time of sample.
                                                 13

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 APPENDIX B
Gamma/Tritium Results for
Sample
Location
Off-Site
Baxterville Well City
Lower Little Creek #2
Surge, Willie & Grace
Saucier, Dennis
Anderson, Robert Lowell
Lumberton City Well 2
Anderson, Arlene
Purvis City Supply
O'Quinn, Jim & Cathy
City Well 46-003-5-6-7
James Lowe Pond
Powell, Shannon
Smith, Howard Pond
Thompson, Roswell
Hibley, Billy
Thompson, Mike
Kiffe, Richie & Patsy
Anderson, Billy Ray
Water Samples Collected in Aoril 2002

Collection Enriched Gamma
Date Tritium Tritium Spectrometry (h)
2002 pCi/L±2SD (MDC) pCi/L±2SD (MDC) Comments (MDC)

4-16
4-16
4-17
4-15
4-15
4-16
4-15
4-15
4-15
4-16
4-16
4-15
4-16
4-15
4-15
4-16
4-15
4-15

14.6 ±3.8 (5.8)
13.6 ±3.9 (6.1)
6.9 ±3.4 (5.4)
12.4 ±3.8 (5.9)
City water (see
1.7 ±3.6(a) (5.9)
City water (see
39.8 ± 134(a) (219)
City water (see
-97.3 ± 131 (219)
City water (see

ND (4.6)
ND (4.8)
ND (4.7)
ND (5.0)
Appendix C)
ND (4.7)
Appendix C)
ND (5.0)
Appendix C)
ND (5.0)
ND (4.7)
Appendix C)
ND (5.0)
ND (4.4)
ND (4.8)
Appendix C)
ND (4.3)
Appendix C)

-------
APPENDIX B (Continued)
Gamma/Tritium Results for Water Samples Collected in April 2002
Sample
Location
Off-Site
Thompson Blue Store
Anderson, Rhonda
Lee, Perry T., Jr.
Napier, Denice
Burge, Joe
Noble, Evelyn
Nobles Pond
Lower Little Creek #1
Anderson, Robert Lee, Jr.
Anderson Pond
On-Site
Well HT-2c
Well HT-4
Well HT-5
Well E-7
Half Moon Creek Pre
Post
Half Moon Creek Pre
Overflow Post
Well Ascot 2
Collection Enriched
Date Tritium
2002 pCi/L ± 2 SD (MDC)

4/15 0.77 ±3.6(a) (5.9)
4-15
4-15
4-15
4-15
4-15
4-17
4-16
4-15
4-16 11.0 ±4.6 (7.2)

4-18
4-18
4-18
4-17 4.5 ±3.7(a) (5.9)
4-15 13.6 ±4.2 (6.5)
4-16 13.7 ±3.8 (5:9)
4-15
4-16
4-17
Gamma
Tritium Spectrometry (b)
pCi/L±2SD (MDC) Comments (MDC)


Background sample ND (5.0)
for HUB water
City water (see Appendix C)
City water (see
City water (see
-4.4 ± 133(a) (219)
City water (see
26.5 ± 134
-------
APPENDIX B (Continued)
Gamma/Tritium Results for Water Samples Collected in April 2002
Sample
Location
On-Site (cont.)
WellHMH-1
Well HMH-2
Well HMH-3
Well HMH-4
Well HMH-5
Well HMH-5R
Well HMH-6
Well HMH-7
Well HMH-8
Well HMH-9
Well HMH-10
WellHMH-11
Well HMH-12
Well HMH-13
Well HMH-14
Well HMH-15
Well HMH-16
Well HMH-16R
Well HM-S Pre
Post
Collection Enriched
Date Tritium
2002 pCi/L ± 2 SD (MDC)

4-16
4-16
4-16
4-16
4-16
4-18
4-16
4-16
4-16
4-16
4-16
4-16
4-16
4-16
4-16
4-16
4-16
4-18 52.7 ±4.6 (6.2)
4-15 1340. ± 13.0 (5.9)
4-16
Gamma
Tritium Spectrometry 
pCi/L ± 2 SD (MDC) Comments (MDC)

Well Plugged, 2002
' Well Plugged, 2002
Well Plugged, 2002
Well Plugged, 2002
Well Plugged, 2002
3920. ±190(220) ND (1.6)
Well Plugged, 2002
Well Plugged, 2002
Well Plugged, 2002
Well Plugged, 2002
Well Plugged, 2002
Well Plugged, 2002
Well Plugged, 2002
Well Plugged, 2002
Well Plugged, 2002
Well Plugged, 2002
Well Plugged, 2002
ND (1.8)
ND (4.5)
1680. ± 164 (227) ND (4.1)

-------
APPENDIX B (Continued)
Gamma/Tritium Results for Water Samples Collected
Sample
Location
in
April 2002
Collection Enriched
Date Tritium Tritium
2002 pCi/L ± 2 SD (MDC) pCi/L ± 2 SD (MDC) Comments
Gamma
Spectrometry 
132(a)
132(a)


(227)









(227)
(227)
(227)
(227)
(220)
(220)
(220)
(220)
(220)
(220)
(220)
(220)
(220)
(220)

(220)
(220)
(220)


ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
(5.0)
(4.9)
(4.9)
(5.0)
(4.1)
(4.9)
(4.8)
(4.8)
(5.0)
(5.0)
(4.8)
(4.6)
(4.8)
(4.7)
(5.0)
(4.7)
(4.5)
(4.6)
(5.0)
(1.6)
(4.2)
(5.0)
(5.0)
(4.4)
(4.2)
(5.0)
(4.7)
(4.5)
(5.0)
(4.3)
Indicates results are less than MP< '
No gamma radionuclides detected above MDC
Non-detected, MDC for
gamma u presents L'7Cs (p(







                               17

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APPENDIX B (Continued)
Gamma/Tritium Results for Water Samples Collected in April 2002
Sample
Location
Collection Enriched Gamma
Date Tritium Tritium Spectrometry (h)
2002 pCi/L ± 2 SD (MDC) pCi/L ± 2 SD (MDC) Comments (MDC)
On-Site (cont.)
SAl-lh
SA1-2H
SA1-3H
SA1-4H
SA1-5H
SA1-6H
SA1-7H
SA1-8-L
SA1-9-2A
SA1-10-2B
SA1-11-3
SA1-12-H
SA2-1-L
SA2-2-L
SA2-3-L
SA2-4-L
Pre
Post
Pre
Post
Pre
Post
Pre
Post
Pre
Post
Pre
Post
Pre
Post









4-15
4-16
4-15
4-18
4-15
4-16
4-15
4-16
4-45
4-16
4-15
4-16
4-15
4-16
4-17
4-15
4-15
4-18
4-18
4-17
4-18
4-15
4-18
20,900. ± 338 (220)
20,600. ± 336 (220)
1950.0 ± 17 (5.9)
1480.0 ±15 (5.9)
589.0 ± 10 (6.6)
287.0 ±7.4 (6.3)
25.6 ± 130(a)(213)
-45.0 ± 135(a)(225)
668.0 ±11 (6.6)
734.0 ± 12 (7.3)
146.0 ± 133 (213)
25.7 ± 130 (213)
86.0 ±131(a)(213)
-72.8 ±128(a)(213)
4.0 ±3.7(a)(5.9)
Well Plugged, 2002
Well Plugged, 2002
0.56 ± 3.6
-------
APPENDIX B (Continued)
Gamma/Tritium Results for Water Samples Collected in April 2002
Sample
Location
On-Site (cont.)
SA2-5-L
SA3-1M
SA3-3M
SA3-4H Pre
Post
SA3-5-H
SA3-8-1
SA3-10-2B
S A3- 11 -3
SA4-1M
SA4-5-L
SA5-1M
SA5-2M
SA5-3M
SA5-4-4
SA5-5-4
Rain Sample, Baxterville
Frac Tank
Collection
Date
2002

4-15
4-18
4-18
4-15
4-16
4-15
4-15
4-15
4-15
4-15
4-19
4-15
4-15
4-15
4-17
4-18
4-16
4-17
Enriched
Tritium Tritium
pCi/L ± 2 SD (MDC) pCi/L ± 2 SD (MDC) Comments

Well Plugged, 2002
Well Plugged, 2002
Well Plugged, 2002
11.2 ±4.6 (7.3)
12.8 ±4.0 (6.2)
Well Plugged, 2002
Well Plugged, 2002
Well Plugged, 2002
38.5 ± 130(220)
Gamma
Spectrometry (b)
(MDC)




ND (4.8)
ND (5.0)



ND (4.8)

ND (1.9)



ND (4.7)
ND (4.8)

ND (4.7)
(a)    Indicates results are less than MDC

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APPENDIX C
Letter from U.S.DOE "Water Sampling at Residences around the Salmon Site"

                            Department of Energy
                       National Nuclear Security Administration
                              Nevada Operations Office
                                    P.O. Box 98518
                              Las Vegas, NV 89193-8518

                                   April 15, 2002

                                 *NOTICE*

WATER SAMPLING AT RESIDENCES AROUND THE SALMON SITE

For more than 20 years the Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Mississippi
Division of Radiological Health have carried out the Long Term Hydrological Monitoring
Program in support of the National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Operations Office
(NNSA/NV), formerly known as the Department of Energy Nevada Operations Office's
management of the Salmon Site. As part of this program, water samples have been collected
from various homes in the area around the Salmon Site including your residence. The years of
sampling have clearly demonstrated that contamination has never moved off of the Salmon Site.

With the completion of the extension of the drinking water system into the area, the NNSA/NV
has determined there is no longer a need to take water samples at each residence. Therefore, this
will be the last year samples will be collected from residential locations around the Salmon Site.
The NNSA/NV will continue to collect water samples at representative locations from each of
the water franchises serving the homes in  the vicinity of the Salmon Site.  In addition, water
samples will be collected from monitoring wells, ponds and streams located on the Salmon Site
and from some of the streams and ponds around the site.

The NNSA/NV remains committed to the monitoring of the site, and should evidence ever
suggest there is a potential for contamination to move off-site, NNSA/NV will take necessary
additional actions to ensure protection of the public.

If you have any questions feel free to contact Peter A. Sanders at (702) 295-1037 or in writing at:

                            Peter A.  Sanders
                            Environmental Restoration  Division
                            National Nuclear Security Administration
                            Nevada Operations Office
                            P.O. Box 98518
                            Las Vesas, NV  89193-8518
                                        20

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APPENDIX D

Standard Operating Procedures for the Center for Radioanalysis & Quality Assurance

RQA-302      Standard Operating Procedures of Gamma-Ray Detector Systems

RQA-602      Tritium Enrichment Procedure

RQA-603      Standard Operating Procedure for 89Sr and 90Sr in Water, Air Filters and Milk

RQA-604      Standard Operating Procedure of Convention Tritium in Water

RQA-606      Analysis of Plutonium, Uranium and Thorium in Environmental Samples by
              Alpha Spectroscopy

Standard Operating Procedures for the Center for Environmental Restoration, Monitoring
& Emergency Response

CER-203      Standard Operating Procedure for the Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring
              Program
                                        21

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