Annual Water Sampling and Analysis
        at the Salmon Test Site Area

             Lamar County, Mississippi
                     April 1997
                          by

                      Max G. Davis
        Radiation and Indoor Environments National Laboratory
               Office of Radiation and Indoor Air
              U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                     P.O. Box 98517
                 Las Vegas, NV 89193-8517
            prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy
                 under Interagency Agreement
                   DE-A108-91NV10963
RADIATION AND INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS NATIONAL LABORATORY
         U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
                LAS VEGAS, NV 89193-8517

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                                     NOTICE

      The information in this document has been funded wholly or in part by the United States
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through Interagency Agreement (IAG) DE-A108-
91NV10963 from the United States Department of Energy (DOE).  It has been subjected to the
Agency's peer and administrative review, and it has been approved for publication as an EPA
document. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or
recommendation for use.

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                                    ABSTRACT

       In 1964 and 1966, nuclear explosives were detonated approximately 2,700 feet (823 m)
underground in the Salmon Test Site Area located in Lamar County, Mississippi. Drilling and
clean-up activities have resulted in tritium contamination in close proximity to the surface
ground zero. The Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring Program (LTHMP), directed by the EPA,
conducts annual water sampling on and around the Salmon Test Site Area and monitors
radiological sampling equipment on the site throughout the year.

       In this report the 1997 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  3.45 x 104 pCi/L in water from one of the new wells added in 1997, see Appendix B,  Page
16. No radioactivity attributable to the test site was found in any offsite water samples. The
highest tritium concentration offsite was 26 ± 3.2 pCi/L at the Ascot Well #2.  The lower levels
of activity were determined using a tritium enrichment analytical method.

       All samples, with the exception of HMH-1 through HMH-16, were analyzed for presence
of gamma-ray emitting radionuclides. None were detected above the minimum detectable
concentration (MDC).
                                          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
      Sampling  	4
      Sample Analysis Procedures  	7
      Water Analysis Results	10
Conclusions  	11
References	12
Glossary of Terms  	13

Appendices
A.    Summary of Analytical Procedures	15
B.    Tritium Results for Water Samples Collected in April, 1997  	16

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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	; ....  3
      Ground Zero and outline of Test Area at 2,700 feet below land surface
3     Test cavity and aquifers  	4
4     Tritium concentration vs. Sampling year for HMH-1 (depth = 10ft)  	5
5     Tritium concentration vs. Sampling year for HMH-2 (depth = 10 ft)  	5
6     Tritium concentration vs. Sampling year for HMH-5 (depth = 10ft)  	6
7     Tritium concentration vs. Sampling year for HM-S (depth = 30 ft)  	6
8     Tritium concentration vs. Sampling year for HM-L (depth = 200 ft)	7
9     Locations on the Salmon Test Site Area sampled in 1997	8
10    Offsite locations sampled in 1997	9
                                          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+
HMH
HM-L, HM-L2
HM-S
HM-1
HM-2a
HM-2b
HM-3
HT-2c
HT-4
HT-5
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
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 Hole (1-16)
Hydrological Monitoring Well - Local Aquifer
Hydrological Monitoring Well - Surficial Aquifer
Hydrological Monitoring Well - Aquifer 1
Hydrological Monitoring Well - Aquifer 2a
Hydrological Monitoring Well - Aquifer 2b
Hydrological Monitoring Well - Aquifer 3
Hydrological Test Hole
Hydrological Test Hole
Hydrological Test Hole
Source Area Wells
                                         vn

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                             ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

       The author would like to acknowledge James Harris, Donald James, Herbert Maunu,
Dennis Farmer, Julius Earth, Richard Flotard, Brian Moore, Kitty Houston, and the staff of the
hydrological monitoring group, EPA, for their dedication to quality and their tireless work in the
execution of the sampling effort. The author would also like to thank Janet Lane and Terry
Mouck for their outstanding support in the production of this report.
                                         via

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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  a
LTHMP    to     measure    radioactivity
concentrations in water sources near the sites
of underground nuclear  explosions. The
results of the LTHMP provide  assurance that
radioactive materials from the tests have not
migrated into drinking water  supplies. This
report presents the results for the samples col-
lected in  April 1997, on and around the
Salmon Test Site  Area,  in Lamar County,
Mississippi.

History

Project  Dribble, consisting of two nuclear
explosions,  and  Project  Miracle  Play,
consisting  of two non-nuclear gas explosions,
were conducted in the Salmon Test Site Area,
near Baxterville, Lamar County, Mississippi,
between 1964 and  1970. The general area is
depicted in Figure  1. The Salmon Test Site
Area (Figure 2) contains approximately 1,470
acres located in Sections 11, 12, 13, and 14,
Township  2 North,  Range 16 West.
 Test Date   Name
Type
                                   Yield
                                   (kt)
  10-22-64   Salmon      Nuclear   5.3
  12-03-66   Sterling      Nuclear   0.38
  02-02-69   Diode Tube   Gas       0.32
  04-19-70   Humid Water Gas       0.32

These tests were part of the Vela Uniform pro-
gram of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
(a predecessor agency of the DOE). The
purpose was to measure and evaluate the
phenomena of seismic waves that are induced
from the explosions as compared to those that
occur naturally from earthquakes.

The first explosion, the Salmon Event, created
a cavity  in the Salt Dome  underlying the
Salmon Test Site Area that was used for the
following three explosions. 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).

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 and other radioactive contaminants.

Historical Monitoring Results

The disposal of drilling mud  and  fluids near
the surface ground  zero (SGZ) is  possibly
responsible for tritium (3H) contamination of
the soil zone and underlying shallow aquifer.
These waters lie at depths of 4 to 10 feet (1.3
to 3 m) and 30 feet (9 m), respectively, and are
not potable.  Tritium contamination is also
present in the potable  water of the Local
Aquifer which lies at about 200 feet (62 m).
The observed concentration of 3H at that depth
is well below the concentration specified in
the National Interim Primary Drinking Water
Regulations (40CFR141), which  places the
maximum level of tritium in drinking water at
20,000 pCi/L, and is thought to be due to

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                            Prentiss
                            —

                         Monticello
                                 Ellisville

                 Seminary

                             Moselle

                      Eatonville

                                  Runnelstown
                                      t*~*
                                      63

                                           Richton
                                    Bunker   Sumrall
                                    Hill
                                           Improve
                            Columbia

                             ^^
                             Cheraw
                                                              Purvis


                                                            Talowah
Pinebur

     Baxterville
           MISS[SSIPPI

           LOUISIANA
                   Major Highway

                   Test Site, SGZ
                       MLES
        MIS!
                             LAMAR

                             COUNTY
                                                               LOCATION MAP
Figure 1 General site location of Project Salmon Test Site Area.


                                            2

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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
    CO
    Q>
    X
    2
    Q.
    Q.
    CO
   i
                          Half Moon
                            Creek
                           Overflow
                            Pond
           To
        Baxterville
               •300
          2501   ^-250

approx. 11/2 miles
      N
                  SCALE IN FEET
        0    1000    2000   3000
                  ••
                  =•!
        0         500         1000
                 SCALE IN METERS
                                                         4000    5000
Figure 2  Topographic map of the Salmon Test Site Area showing the Surface Ground Zero and
         outline of Test Area at 2,700 feet below land surface.

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           CITRONELLE
            AQUIFER
HALF MOON CREEK
ALLUVIALAQUIFER
   WELL
   HT-2
                          TEST CAVITY
                          SALT DOME*
                                        HIGHLY
                                     RADIOACTIVE
                                       MATERIAL
                                                                         GROUND
                                                                         SURFACE
                                          ill]: LOCAL AQUIFER
                                             AQUIFER 1

                                             AQUIFER 2A

                                            3 AQUIFER 2B

                                             AQUIFER 3A

                                             AQUIFER 38

                                             AQUIFER 4


                                             AQUIFER 5


                                          2W

                                        FLUID LEVEL
                                      RECRYSTALLIZED
                                       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.

drilling  activities  at the  site (Fenske  and
Humphrey, 1980; Fordham and Fenske, 1985).

Of the twenty-eight wells that are sampled on
the Salmon Site, five regularly have tritium
values above those expected in surface water
values.   These include surface ground water
wells HMH-1, HMH-2, HMH-5, Local Aquifer
wellliM-L, and Surficial Aquifer Well HM-S.
Plots of tritium concentrati'on vs. time for these
wells are shown in Figure 4 to 8. The solid line
in the graph represents the normal radioactive
                  decay of tritium. Surface water collected from
                  the Half Moon Creek overflow pond, which lies
                  adjacent to the SGZ area, has tritium values
                  above  background.  Also, the  REECo  Pit
                  drainage area, used for the disposal of drilling
                  mud, occasionally shows  elevated  levels of
                  tritium.

                  Sampling

                  According to standard  operating procedures
                  agreed to by DOE (U.S. DOE 1981), the HMH

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                 100
                  80
               i
                  40
                  20
                                                   +• Measured
                                                   — Predicted by 3H decay
                                  r	t  ,   ,  t
                      80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97
                                        Calendar Year
Figure 4 Tritium concentration vs. sampling year for HMH-1 (depth = 10 ft).
                  40
                  30
                a 20
                  10
                                                    -t- Measured
                                                    — Predicted by 3H decay
                                                         i   i   i  -L  .1.
                      80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97
                                         Calendar Year
      Figure 5 Tritium concentration vs. sampling year for HMH-2 (depth = 10 ft).

                                               5

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                12
                10
 t- Measured
— Predicted by 3H decay
                                                              -I-
                    80 81 82 83 84 85 86  87  88  89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97
                                         Calendar Year
 Figure 6 Tritium concentration vs. sampling year for HMH-5 (depth = 10 ft).
              40
              30
              20
              10
                                                  -I- Measured
                                                    Predicted by 3H decay
                   80 81 82 83 84 85  86 87  88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97
                                       Calendar Year
Figure 7 Tritium concentration vs. sampling year for HM-S (depth = 30 ft).
                                                 6

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           3000
           2500
           2000
         m 1500
           1000
            500
                                             X Measured
                                             — FYedicted by 3H decay
                 80  81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88  89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97
                                   Calendar Year
 Figure 8 Tritium concentration vs. sampling year for HM-L (depth = 200 ft).
wells on the test  site were first sampled,
pumped-dry, and sampled on the following
day. Wells HM-1, HM-2A, HM-2B, and HM-
3. 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  taken  from
sources near the SGZ area (i.e.  Half Moon
Creek, Half Moon  Creek Overflow, and the
Pond west of  SGZ)  before and after the
pumping operations to identify any resulting
changes in tritium concentration. Well HM-L2
was first sampled and then pumped for one
hour before a second sample was taken. All
other water  supplies of this study  were
sampled only once.

The locations of all  sampling sites are shown
in Figures  9 -  10.  Sampling also included
three locations in Columbia, Mississippi (not
shown). The sampling results are discussed in
the following sections.

For wells with operating pumps, the samples
are collected at the nearest convenient outlet.
If  the well has no pump, a truck-mounted
sampling unit is used. With  this unit  it is
possible to collect three-liter samples from
wells as deep as 1800 meters (5,900 ft.). At
the  sample   collection  sites,   the  pH,
conductivity, water temperature, and sampling
depth are measured and recorded when the
sample is collected.

Sample Analysis Procedures

The procedures for the analysis of samples
collected for this report were described by
Johns et al. (1979)  and are summarized in
Appendix A. These include gamma spectral
analysis and radiochemical analysis of tritium.

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         |WellHM-L2

                >SA4-1-M
                                        HMH-13
                                             HMH-12
                                                X
                                                  X
                                                    X
                                                 X
                                                   X
                                                     X
                                                       X
                                                     HMH-10
                                                   HalfMoorUi
                                                 Creek Overflow

                                                   HM-I
                                                   HM-3
                                                  HM-L
                                                                       Hunting Tatum
                                                        \HalfMoon   ™ club'Welf
                                                HMH-5H \Creek
                                                      ^-^
                                                      SA1-1-H
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  •SA1-2-H
 MH-1
[HM-2B
V

  ^
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                                                                    HMH-11
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                                                          M'1HHMH-2«HMH-9f
                                                                                %
                                                                                %

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                                                                               \
                                                                                  \
                                                                             N
         Surface Ground Zero
         Water Sampling Locations
         New Wells Added in 1997
                                           Scale in Feet
                                              1000
                                                         2000
 MISSISSIPPI
                                    0  100 200  300 400 500
                                          Scale in Meters
                        LAMAR
                       COUNTY
                                                                              LOCATION MAP
Figure 9 Locations on the Salmon Test Site Area sampled in 1997.

                                              8

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   I B. Dennis
   I M. Dennis
   I Columbia City  Little Creek #1-|
     Well 64B  Lee Anderson -|
                                 Gil Ray's Crawfish Pond
 Lower Little Creek #2
                                        i— Willie Surge
                                        I r-Joe Surge
                                               Salt Dome Timber Co.
          A.C.
           Mills
 •7.       Roy Mills
B. Hibley    D. Napie
      Anderson's. Pond jr
•       B.R. A.nderson:

    Dennis
   Saucier Jr.

     Tatum Hunting Club
           Steve Cockerham
 Ray Daniels •_ R-L. Anderson Sr.
 Daniel's Rsh1*      R.L. Anderson Jr.
 Pond Well #2
    Howard
    Smith Pond
     Lee L. Sau
P.T. Lee
 R.H. Anderson
   E.Cox
   W.H. Noble Jr.
      Arieene Anderson
       Noble's Pond
       Ola Saul
     Ray Hartfield
                Baxterville
                City Well
                                                                                           Lumberton
                                                                                           City Well 2
                    tjy  Surface Ground Zero

                     •  Water Sampling Locations

                    jxjj  Tatum Dome Test Area
                          Scale in Miles
                            1      2
                     01234

                       Scale in Kilometers
Figure 10 Offsite locations sampled in  1997.

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The procedures  are  based  on  standard
methodology for given analytical procedures.
Two  methods  for tritium  analysis  are
performed:  conventional  and electrolytic
enrichment. The samples are initially analyzed
by  the conventional method. If the tritium
result is less than  800 pCi/L,  the selected
sample  is then analyzed by the electrolytic
enrichment  method   which   lowers   the
minimum detectable concentration  (MDC)
from approximately 300 pCi/L to about  10
pCi/L.  An upper level of 250 pCi/L has been
established for the tritium enrichment method.
Sample  cross  contamination  becomes  a
problem at higher ranges. In late 1995, it was
decided  that  only  25%  of  1996 tritium
samples collected would be  analyzed by the
enrichment method,  due to budget constraints
and the time required to do the analysis as
well as past results indicating low levels of
tritium. All samples  are  screened to determine
which   ones  may  be analyzed by  the
enrichment  method.   Sample  results  are
corrected for the background radioactivity in
the laboratory. The first time  samples  are
collected from a well, 8WOSr,238' 239+240Pu, and
uranium  isotopes   are   determined   by
radiochemistry. At least one of the cubitainers
from  each  site  is analyzed  by  gamma
spectrometry. Only sampling locations that are
in position to show migration are selected for
enrichment.

Water Analysis Results

Gamma-ray spectral analysis results indicated
that   no    man-made    gamma-emitting
radionuclides were  present in any onsite or
offside samples above the MDC. Long-term
decreasing trends in  tritium concentrations are
evident for those locations that had detectable
tritium  activity  at the beginning  of  the
LTHMP, such as in the samples from  the
Baxterville City Well depicted in Figure 10
and Well HM-S shown in Figure 7.  Due to
the high rainfall  in  the  area,  the  normal
sampling procedure is modified for some of
the onsite wells as stated below.  The second
samples may be representative of formation
water, whereas the first samples may be more
indicative of recent  rainfall.   Of  the 45
locations sampled onsite, 20  sites sampled
twice (pre-and post-pumping), eight  yielded
tritium activities greater than the  MDC in
either the first or second  sample. Of these,
eight  yielded results  higher than  normal
background  (approximately 60  pCi/L [2.2
Bq/L]) as shown in Appendix B. The locations
where  the  highest tritium  activities were
measured generally correspond  to areas of
known contamination. Decreasing trends are
evident  for  the  wells where high  tritium
activities have been found,  such as Well HM-
S  depicted  in   Figure   7.    No  tritium
concentrations  above  normal background
values were detected in any offsite samples.

In 1997 an additional fifteen shallow wells
were added to the annual sampling, increasing
the total  wells sampled onsite to forty-five.
Six of the previous locations regularly have
tritium values    above those expected  in
surface water samples; of the 15 new wells,
tritium values ranged from  3.45 x 104  to 14 ±
3.2 pCi/L (1.28 x 103 to 0.5 ± 0.1 Bq/L). The
water in these wells is not accessible to the
public, nor suitable for drinking due to it's
brackishness.

Only one well was above the MDC in the 36
samples collected from the offsite  sampling
locations, tritium activity  ranged from less
than the  MDC to 26 pCi/L (1 Bq/L), 0.14
percent  of the DCG. These  results  do not
exceed the natural tritium activity expected in
rain water in this area.
                                           10

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Conclusions

No radioactive materials from  the Salmon
Test Site Area were detected in any water
samples collected offsite. The highest tritium
concentration found in water collected in the
offsite area was  26 ± 4.1pCi/L, which  is
typical of background tritium levels, and is
0.14 percent of the National Interim Primary
Drinking Water Regulations (40CFR141).

The highest tritium concentration found onsite
was 34500 pCi/L. This was detected in a water
sample collected from Well SA1-1H which is
a shallow well (40') near SGZ. The water from
this well is not available to the public nor is it
potable.
The  tritium concentrations except  for Well
SA1-1H were all well below the 20,000 pCi/L
level defined in the EPA Drinking Water
Regulations (40CFR141).

Tritium concentrations  of  water  samples
collected onsite and offsite are consistent with
those of past studies at the Salmon Site.

All samples were analyzed for presence of
gamma-ray emitting radionuclides.  None
were detected above the MDC (see Appendix
B on page 16).
                                           11

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                                 REFERENCES
Code of Federal Regulations, Vol. 41, title 40,
Part  141,  July  9,  1976, National Interim
Primary Drinking Water Regulations.

A  Guide  for Environmental Radiological
Surveillance  at  U.S.  Dept.  of  Energy
Installations, July 1981,Office of Operational
Safety Report. Las Vegas, NV:
U.S. Department of Energy; DOE/EP-0023.

Fenske, P.  R.; Humphrey,  T.  M., Jr. The
Tatum   Dome  Project  Lamar  County,
Mississippi. Las Vegas, NV: U.S. Department
of Energy, Nevada Operations
Office; NVO-225; 1980.
Fordham, J. W. Fenske, P. R. Tatum Dome
Field  Study  Report and Monitoring Data
Analysis, Las Vegas, NV: U.S. Department of
Energy,   Nevada    Operations   Office;
DOE/NV/10384-03; 1985.

Johns, F., et al.  1979. Radiochemical and
Analytical  Procedures  for  Analysis   of
Environmental  Samples. Las Vegas, NV:
U.S.  Environmental  Protection  Agency;
EMSL-LV-0539-17-1979.
                                        12

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                              GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Background Radiation

The radiation in man's environment, including
cosmic  rays  and radiation from naturally-
occurring and man-made radioactive elements,
both outside and inside the bodies of humans
and animals.  The usually quoted  average
individual   exposure   from   background
radiation is 125 millirem per year  in mid-
latitudes at sea level (Shein & Terplak, 1984).

Curie (Ci)

The basic unit used  to describe the rate of
radioactive disintegration. The curie is equal
to 37 billion disintegrations per second, which
is the equivalent of 1 gram of radium. Named
for Marie and Pierre Curie who discovered
radium in 1898. One microcurie (//Ci) is one
millionth of a Ci.

Isotope

Atoms of the same  element with different
numbers of neutrons  in the nuclei. Thus 12C,
13C, and 14 C 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&IE
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.
                                           13

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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.
                                          14

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APPENDIX A
Summary of Analytical Procedures
Type of
Analysis
Analytical
Equipment
Counting
Period (Min)
Analytical
Procedures
Sample
Size
Approximate
Detection Limit"
HpGe
Gammab
HpGe detector         -150
calibrated at 0.5 keV/
channel (0.04 to 2 MeV
range). Individual detector
efficiencies ranging from
15 to 35%.
            Radionuclide concen-
            tration quantified from
            gamma spectral data by
            online computer program.
                       3.5L    Varies with radionuclides
                               and detector used, if
                               counted to a MDC of
                               approx. 5 pCi/L for Cs-137
3H
Automatic liquid
scintillation counter
3H+         Automatic liquid
Enrichment  scintillation counter
300
                      300
Sample prepared by
distillation.

Sample concentrated by
electrolysis followed by
distillation.
5 to 10 mL    300 to 700 pCi/L


   5  mL    5 pCi/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).
   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-9,5
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 time.
All MDA's provided here are for one specific *Germanium detector and the geometry of interest. The MDA's in no
way should be used as a source of reference for determining MDA's for any other type of detector. All gamma
Spectroscopy MDA's will vary with different types of shielding, geometries, counting times and decay time of
sample.
                                                 15

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APPENDIX B
TRITIUM RESULTS FOR WATER SAMPLES COLLECTED
Sample
Location
Baxterville, MS
Anderson, Billy Ray
Anderson Pond
Steve Cockerham
Anderson, Robert Harvey
Anderson, Robert Lowell, Jr.
Anderson, Robert Lee
Anderson, Tony
Burge, Joe
Daniels, Webster, Jr.
Daniels - Well #2 Fish Pond
Half Moon Creek Pre
Post
Collection Enriched
Date Tritium Tritium
1997 pCi/L±2SD (MDC) pCi/L±2SD
4-22 55 ± 142 (a)
4-22 11 ±3.4 (5.2)
4-24 -23 ± 141 
-------
APPENDIX B (Continued)
TRITIUM RESULTS FOR WATER SAMPLES COLLECTED IN APRIL. 1997
Sample
Location
Collection Enriched
Date Tritium
1997 pCi/L ± 2 SD (MDC)
Gamma
Tritium Spectrometry (b)
pCi/L±2SD (MDC) Comments (MDC)
Baxterville, MS (Cont)
Nobles Pond
Noble, W.H., Jr.
Pond West of GZ Pre
Post
REECo Pit
REECo Pit
RF.ECo Pit
REECo Pit
Salt Dome
Salt Dome
Drainage-A
Drainage-B
Drainage-C
Drainage-C Dup
Hunting Club
Timber Co.
Saucier, Dennis
Well Ascot
2
Baxterville Well City
Well E-7
Well HM-1

Pre
1st 30 Min
2nd 30 Min
Post
Well HM-2A Pre
' 1st 30 Min
2nd 30 Min
Post
4-21
4-25
4-20
4-21
4-21
4-21
4-21
4-21
4-23
4-22
4-21
4-23
4-22
4-21
4-21
4-21
4-21
4-21
4-21
4-21
4-21
4-22


0.12±3.7(a) (6.0)
13 ± 3.3 (5.0)

594 ± 9.6 (6.4)
317 ±6.6 (5.1)
344 ± 7.7 (6.2)
17 ±3.4 (5.1)


26 ±4.1 (6.0)
17 ±4.0 (6^1)
3.5±3.7(a) (6.0)
16 ± 3.8 (5.7)
-l.l±3.1(a) (5.1)
-l.l±2.8(a) (4.7)
-1.4±3.0(a) (4.9)
-23 ± 141 (a) (232) ND
-23 ± 141 (a) (232) ND
ND
ND
Not sampled



ND
16 ± 141 (a) (232) ND
16±141(a) (232) ND
ND
ND

ND
-23 ± 141 (a) (232) ND
-23 ± 141 (a) (232) ND
ND
ND
-23 ± 141 (a) (232) ND
16±141(a) (232) ND
ND
(5.0)
(4.9)
(6.0)
(5.9)




(5.0)
(4.8)
(4-9)
(5.0)
(4.6)

(4.9)
(5.0)
(5.0)
(5-0)
(5.0)
(5.0)
(4.8)
(4.8)
(a> Indicates results are less than MDC
(b) No gamma radionuclides detected above MDC
ND Non detected, MDC for gamma represents '37Cs (pCi/L)
                                                17

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APPENDIX B (Continued)
TRITIUM RESULTS FOR WATER SAMPLES COLLECTED IN APRIL. 1997
Sample
Location
Collection Enriched
Date Tritium
1997 pCi/L±2SD (MDC)
Tritium
pCi/L ± 2 SD
Gamma
Spectrometry 
-------
APPENDIX B (Continued)
TRITIUM RESULTS
Sample
Location
Baxterville, MS
Well HMH-4
Well HMH-5
Well HMH-6
Well HMH-7
Well HMH-8
Well HMH-9
Well HMH-10
WellHMH-11
Well HMH-12
Well HMH-13
WellHMH-14
/
Well HMH-15
FOR WATER SAMPLES
COLLECTED
Collection Enriched
Date Tritium Tritium
1997 pCi/L±2SD (MDC) pCi/L±2
(cont)
Pre
Post
Pre
Dup
Post
Pre
Post
Pre
Post
Pre
Post
Pre
Post
Pre
Post
Pre
Post
Pre
Post
Pre
Post
Pre
Post
Pre
Post

4-20
4-21
4-20
4-21
4-21
4-20
4-21
4-20
4-21
4-20
4-21
4-20
4-21
4-20 113 ±4.6 (4.6)
4-21 157 ±5.0 (5.0)
4-20 55 ± 3.7 (4.5)
4-21 106 ±4.5 (5.0)
4-20
4-21
4-20
4-21
4-20
4-21
4-20
4-21

133 ± 143 (a>
-63 ± 140 (a)
407 ± 148
251 ± 146
877 ± 152
55 ± 142  No gamma radionuclides detected above MDC
ND Non detected, MDC for gamma represents 137Cs (pCi/L)
                                                 19

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APPENDIX B (Continued
TRITIUM RESULTS FOR WATER SAMPLES COLLECTED IN APRIL. 1997
Sample
Location
Baxterville, MS (cont.)
Well HMH-16 Pre
Post
SA1-1H
SA1-2H
SA1-3H

SA1-4H
SA1-5H
SA1-6H
SA1-7H
SA3-1M
SA3-3M
SA3-4H
SA4-1M
SA5-1M
SA5-2M
SA5-3M
SA3-4rf
Well HT-2C
Collection Enriched Gamma
Date Tritium Tritium Spectrometry 
-------
APPENDIX B (Continued)
TRITIUM RESULTS
Sample
Location
Baxterville, MS (cont)
Well HT-4
Well HT-5
Columbia, MS
Dennis, Buddy
Dennis, Marvin
Well 64B City
Lumberton, MS
Anderson, Arleene
Anderson, Lee L.
Ron Boren Crawfish
Pond
Hartfield, Ray
Powell, Shannon
Rogers, Robert
Ladner, Rushing,.
Debra
Saul O/A
FOR
WATER SAMPLES COLLECTED IN APRIL. 1997
Collection Enriched Gamma
Date Tritium Tritium Spectriometry (b)
1997 pCi/L±2SD (MDC) pCi/L±2SD (MDC) Comments (MDC)

4-24
4-24

4-22
4-22
4-22

4-22
4-22
4-21

4-21
4-23
4-24
4-21
4-21

1.6±3.2
-------
APPENDIX B (Continued)
TRITIUM RESULTS
Sample
Location
Lumberton, MS (cont)
Smith, Howard Pond
Thompson, Roswell
Well 2 City
Burge, Wilbe
City Supply Purvis
Ron Boren House Well
Rain Sample IT Compound
FOR
WATER SAMPLES COLLECTED
Collection Enriched
Date Tritium Tritium
1997 pCi/L±2SD (MDC) pCi/L±2

4-22
4-21
4-22
4-21
4-22

4-22

16 ± 141 (a)
-23 ±141(a)
1.7 ± 3.4 w (5.5)
-63 ± 140 (a)
0.84 ± 3.7  Indicates results are less than MDC
(b) No gamma radionuclides detected above MDC
ND Non detected, MDC for gamma represents 137Cs (pCi/L)
                                                22

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