Annual Water Sampling and Analysis
        at the Salmon Test Site Area

           Lamar County, Mississippi
                   April 1998
                       by

                    Max G. Davis
           Prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy
               under Interagency Agreement
                 DE-A108-96NV11969
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-A108- .
96NV11969 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 1998 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  2.99 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 24 ± 3.4 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. HM-S and the 15 wells that
were added in 1997, plus the addition of 14 Wells that were added in  1998 (see Appendix B),
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, 1998 	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
       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 HMH-1 (depth = 10 ft)  	5
 5     Tritium concentration vs. sampling year for HMH-2 (depth = 10 ft)  	5
 6     Tritium concentration vs. sampling year for HMH-5 (depth = 10 ft)  	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 1998 	8
 10    Offsite locations sampled in 1998	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
uses
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, Kenny Giles>
Dennis Farmer, Julius Earth, Richard Flptard, 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 Terry Mouck for her  .
outstanding support in preparing the graphics and for providing the desktop publishing in the
production of this report.
                                          vm

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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 concen-
trations 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 1998, 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
                                      *—*
                                      63
                           Hattiesburg       Richton
                                    Bunker   Sumrall
                                    Hill
                                           Improve
                            Columbia
                             —'
                             Cheraw
                                                              Purvis
                                                            Talowah
Pmebur
     Baxterville
           MISSISSIPPI
           LOUISIANA
                   Major Highway
                   Test Site, SGZ
                             16
        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   SALMON TEST SITE AREA
        are found within this circle with a radius           BOUNDARY
                of 1400 feet (430m)
   T
    CO
    JD



    CM
    I
    Q.
    Q.
    CO
                  Half Moon
               /   Creek
             — r~  Overflow
               I     Pond
        Baxtervtlle
              •300
                     approx. 11/2 miles
      N
          SCALE IN FEET
0     1000    2000    3000
          ••
          =•1
0         500         1000
         SCALE IN METERS
                                                        4000    5000
Figure 2  Topographic map of the Salmon Test Site Area showing the Surface Ground Zero and
         outline of Test Area at 2,700 feet below land surface.

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          CITRONELLE
            AQUIFER
HALF MOON CREEK
ALLUVIAL AQUIFER
   WELL
   HT-2
                          TEST CAVITY
                          SALT DOME*
                                                                         GROUND
                                                                         SURFACE
                                                                         LOCAL AQUIFER
                                                                         AQUIFER 1

                                                                         AQUIFER 2A

                                                                         AQUIFER 2B

                                                                         AQUIFER 3A

                                                                         AQUIFER 38

                                                                         AQUIFER 4


                                                                         AQUIFER 5
                                        HIGHLY
                                     RADIOACTIVE
                                      MATERIAL
                                                                    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 55 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 well HM-L,
and Surficial Aquifer Well HM-S.  Plots of
tritium concentration 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 Collection

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

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              90



              80



              70



              60




         ?!  50
         \-s  CO
         Q.  «


         I 1  40
         co H

              30



              20



              10



               0
                   +•  Measured

                  	Predicted by 3H

                 .   ..•  decay
-t-       4-



     4-
   4-

                 4- -t-


              t  i""	i	T
                                                                      eg3
                                        Calendar Year
   Figure 4 Tritium concentration vs. sampling year for HMH-1 (depth = 10ft).
      CO
           40
           30
           20
           10
                 *""
                          ±
                       t  i   t
                        Measured

                        Predicted by 3H

                        decay
                                              4-
                                I   I   I   I   I
                            4-


                         I   I   J.  J_
                    
                                                      /
                                                     V o> 
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          12
          10
                                                              +-  Measured
                                                               -'- Predicted by 3H decay
                                                                   -t-
                       -I-
                I    I   I    I    I
                                                        -t-
                                                    -r-      -I-
-I-
                                                                           I    I    I
                                              Calendar Year
Figure 6 Tritium concentration vs. sampling year for HMH-5 (depth = 10 ft).
                 40
                 30
                  20
                  10
                                   -r-
                                         -f-
                                                         •f  Measured
                                                        	Predicted by 3H decay
                                                           H-
                                                                           1   -t-
                                                                        I   I   I
                                              Calendar Year
   Figure 7 Tritium concentration vs. sampling year for HM-S (depth = 30 ft).

                                                6

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         .3000
         2500 .
       G" 2000
       O
         1500
         1000
          500
                  X
X  Measured
   Predicted by 3H decay
                     X
                                                           X
                                                     X
                                                                '"X	-X
                I   I   I   I  I
                                     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 as were the 15  new wells added in 1997.
The 14 new wells added in 1998 were purged
three  volumes of water and then sampled.
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  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

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        • Well HM-L2
       ' '	,
                'SA4-1-M
                                             >SA2-4-L
                   • SA2-3-L

             SA2-5-L S/V2-2--L
              REECo Pit i
                                                        HMH-10
                                                      HalfMoonM-
                                                    Creek Overflow  *"
                                                                                      \
                                                      SA3-8-1
                                                       -H-S

                                                       SA3-10-2
                                                                                 N
         )SA5-4-4

 SA"5-3-M         SA5-2-M
        • Weil HT-2C
        SA5-5-4
          Surface Ground Zero
          Water Sampling Locations
          New Wells Added in 1998

          This map is not to scale
       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 1998.

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 • B. Dennis
 • M. Dennis
 • Columbia City  Little Creek #1n
     Well 64B

             Lee Anderson "

 Lower Little Creek #2 -,
           Gil Ray's Crawfish Pond

           G. Kelly
                                         i— vv
                                         I  r~JoeBurge
                                               Salt Dome Timber Co.
   Howard
   Smith Pond
                                                P.T. Lee
                                                R.H. Anderson
                                                   R. Rogers
                                                   W.H. Noble Jr
                                                      Arleene Anderson
                                                       Noble's Pond
„ u-,,   • R°yMills
B. Hibley
      Anderson's.Pgnd _
        B.R. A'ncferso'n":
                                                                    Purvis City Well
                                                                             *•-
                                                                             G. Ray
                          Dennis
                        Saucier Jr.
       Ola Saul
     Ray Hartfield
           Steve Cockerham
 Ray Daniels •   R-L. Anderson Sr

 Daniel's Fish
 Pond Well #2
                                           R.L. Anderson Jr.

                                   W. Daniel Jr.
                Baxterville
                City Well
                                                                                            Lumberton
                                                                                            City Well 2
                         Surface Ground Zero
                         Water Sampling Locations
                         Tatum Dome Test Area
                                                                          Scale in Miles
                                                                             1      2
                                                                     01234
                                                                       Scale in Kilometers
Figure 10 Offsite locations sampled in  1998.

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Appendix A. These include gamma spectral
analysis and radiochemical analysis of tritium.

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 700 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 5
pCi/L.  The upper level of 700 pCi/L has been
established for the tritium enrichment method
as sample cross contamination becomes a
problem at higher ranges. In late 1995, it was
decided that only 25% of all 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, 89-90Sr, "8,239+2^ and
uranium  isotopes  are  determined   by
radiochemistry. At least one of the cubitainers
from  each  site  is  analyzed  by gamma
spectrometry.  At  this time,  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
offsite 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 55
locations sampled  onsite, 34 sites  sampled
twice (pre-and post-pumping),  25 yielded
tritium activities greater than the  MDC in
either the first or second sample. Of these, 16
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 1998 an additional  14 shallow wells were
added to the annual sampling, which range in
depth of 195' to 2100',  increasing  the total
wells sampled  onsite to 55.  Five of  the
previous locations regularly have tritium
values  above those expected in surface water
samples; of the 14  new wells, tritium values
were all below the MDC. The water in these
wells is  not accessible to  the  public, nor
suitable for drinking due to its brackishness.
Only five wells were above the  MDC in the
samples collected from the  offsite  sampling
locations, tritium activity ranged from less
than the MDC to 24 ± 3.4 pCi/L at the Ascot
Well in Baxterville, 0.14 percent of the DCG.
                                           10

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These results do not exceed the natural tritium
activity expected in rain water in this area.

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 21  ± 3.4  pCi/L, which  is
typical of background tritium levels, and  is
0.12 percent of the National Interim Primary
Drinking Water Regulations (40CFR141).

The highest tritium concentration found onsite
was 29,900  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 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 with the
exception of HMH-1 though HMH-16 and the
15 shallow  wells  that were added to the
LTHMP  program in  1997.    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 OuCi) is one
millionth of a Ci.

Isotope

Atoms of the  same element with different
numbers of neutrons in the nuclei. Thus 12C,
I3C,  and  14C  are isotopes of the element
carbon, the numbers denoting the approximate
atomic weights. Isotopes have very nearly the
same chemical properties, but often different
physical properties (for example 12 C and l3 C
are stable, l4 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      HpGe detector         -150
Gamma"    calibrated at 0.5 keV/
           channel (0.04 to 2 MeV
           range). Individual detector
           efficiencies ranging from
           15 to 35%.

3H         Automatic liquid       300
           scintillation counter

3H+        Automatic liquid       300
Enrichment scintillation counter
                                              Radionuclide concen-
                                              tration quantified from
                                              gamma spectral data by
                                              online computer program.
                                      3.5L    Varies with radionuclides
                                              and detector used, nbrrnally
                                              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
Marinelli
Water
3.5 liter
Model
Density
Units
430G
l.Og/ml
pCi/L
Isotope
MDA
                                                     Isotope
MDA
Ru-106
Be-7
K-40
Cr-51
Mn-54
Co-57
Co-58
Fe-59
Co-60
Zn-65
Nb-95
Zr-95
4.76E+01
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
Sn-113
Sb-125
1-131
Ba-133
Cs-134
Cs-137
Ce-144
Eu-152
Ra-226
U-235
Am-241

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

-------
APPENDIX B
TRITIUM RESULTS FOR WATER SAMPLES COLLECTED
Sample
Location
Baxterville, MS
Anderson, Billy Ray
Anderson Pond
Steve Cockerham
Anderson, Robert Harvey
O'Quinn, Jim
Anderson, Robert Lowell, Jr.
Anderson, Robert Lee
Anderson, Tony
Burge, Joe
Daniels, Webster, Jr.
Daniels - Well #2 Fish Pond
Thompson, Mike
Half Moon Creek Pre
Post
Half Moon Creek Pre
Overflow Post
Hibley, Billy
Napier, Denice
Lee, Perry T., Jr.
Collection Enriched
Date Tritium
1998 pCi/L ± 2 SD (MDC)

4-22 11 ±3.2 (4.9)
4-20 12 ±3.3 (5.1)
4-22
4-22
4-20
4-22
4-22
4-21
4-22
4-21
4-21
4-21 Hub water
4-20 14 ± 3.6 (5.4)
4-21 15 ±3.1 (4.7)
4-20
4-21
4-20
4-20
4-20
Tritium
pCi/L ± 2 SD




-38± 137(a)
-76±137(a)
-76 ±137°"
-76±137(a)
191 ± 141(a)
-76±137    No gamma radionuclides detected above MDC.
ND  Non-detected.  Value in parenthesis represents '37Cs MDC (pCi/L).
                                                   16

-------
APPENDIX B (Continued)
TRITIUM RESULTS FOR WATER SAMPLES COLLECTED IN APRIL. 1998
Sample
Location
Baxterville, MS (Cont)
Lower Little Creek #1
Lower Little Creek #2
Mills, Roy
Nobles Pond
Noble, Evelyn
Pond West of GZ Pre
Post
REECo Pit Drainage-A
REECo Pit Drainage-B
REECo Pit Drainage-C
REECo Pit Drainage-C Dup
Salt Dome Hunting Club
Salt Dome Timber Co.
Saucier, Dennis
Well Ascot 2
Baxterville Well City
Well E-7
Well HM-1 Pre
IstSOMin
2nd 30 Min
Post
Collection Enriched Gamma
Date Tritium Tritium Spectrometry (b)
1998 pCi/L ± 2 SD (MDC) pCi/L ± 2 SD (MDC) Comments (MDC)

4-20
4-20
4-20
4-22
4-22
4-20 13 ±3.5 (5.4)
4-21 12 ±4.0 (6.2)
4-21 11 ±3.5 (5.3)
4-21 72 ±4.1 (4.8)
4-21 70 ±4.2 (4.9)
4-21 344 ±7.7 (6.2)
4-20
4-20
4-20
4-21 24 ± 3.4 (4.9)
4-21 16 ±3.7 (5.5)
4-21 -1.2±2.8(a) (4.7)
4-20
4-20
4-20
4-20

-38±137(a) (227)
38±139(a) (227)
-153±135(a) (227)
38±139(a) (227)
-38±137(a) (227)





No Sample
No Sample
0.00 ± 138(a) (227)



-1.36±166(a) (276)
-65 ±167(a) (276)
-76 ±166°° (276)
57 ±168(a) (276)

ND (5.0)
ND (5.0)
ND (4.8)
ND (4.8)
.ND (4.6)
ND (4.7)
ND (4.6)




- moved
- business closed
ND (4.7)
ND (5.0)
ND (4.5)
ND (4.7)
ND (4.6)
ND (5.0)
ND (4.9)
ND (5.0)
(a)     Indicates results are less than MDC.
(h)     No gamma radionuclides detected above MDC.
ND   Non-detected. Value in parenthesis represents 137Cs MDC (pCi/L)
                                                  17

-------
APPENDIX B (Continued)
TRITIUM RESULTS FOR WATER SAMPLES COLLECTED
Sample
Location
Collection Enriched
Date Tritium Tritium
1998 pCi/L ± 2 SD (MDC) pCi/L ± 2 SD
IN APRIL. 1998
(MDC)
Gamma
Spectrometry (h)
Comments (MDC)
Baxterville, MS (cont.)
Well HM-2A



Well HM-2B


Well HM-3




Well HM-L





Well HM-L2

Well HM-S

Well HMH-1

Well HMH-2

Well HMH-3

Pre
1st 30 Min
2nd 30 Min
Post
Pre
1st 30 Min
Post
Pre
1st 30 Min
2nd 30 Min
3rd 30 Min
Post
Pre
1st 30 Min
2nd 30 Min
3rd 30 Min
4th 30 Min
Post
Pre
Post
Pre
Post
Pre
Post
Pre
Post
Pre
Post
4-20
4-20
4-20
4-20
4-20
4-20
4-20
4-20 1.2±2.9
-------
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
WellHMH-10
WellHMH-11
Well HMH-12
Well HMH-13
Well HMH-14
Well HMH-15
FOR WATER SAMPLES
COLLECTED IN APRIL. 1998
Collection Enriched .
Date Tritium Tritium
1998 pCi/L ± 2 SD (MDC) pCi/L ± 2 SD (MDC)
(cont.)
Pre
Post
Pre
Post
Pre
Post
Pre
Post
Pre
Post
Pre
Post
Pre
Post
Pre
Post
Pre
Post
Pre
Post
Pre
Post
Pre
Post

4-19 9.8 ±3.0 (4.7)
4-20
4-19
4-20
4-19 59 ±4.3 (5.3)
4-20
4-20
4-21
4-20
4-21
4-20 29 ±4.3 (6.1)
4-21
4-19
4-20
4-19
4-20
4-19
4-20
4-19
4-20
4-19
4-20
4-19
4-20


130 ± 160     Indicates results are less than MDC.
(b)     No gamma radionuclides detected above MDC.
ND   Non-detected. Value in parenthesis represents '37Cs MDC (pCi/L).
                                                  19

-------
APPENDIX B (Continued)
TRITIUM RESULTS FOR WATER SAMPLES COLLECTED IN APRIL. 1998
Sample
Location
Baxterville, MS (cont.)
Well HMH-16 Pre
Post
SA1-1H Pre
Post
SA1-2H Pre
Post
SA1-3H Pre
Post
SA1-4H Pre
Post
SA1-5H Pre
Post
SA1-6H Pre
Post
SA1-7H Pre
Post
SA1-8-L
SA1-9-2A
SA1-10-2B
SA1-11-3
SA2-1-L
SA2-2-L
Collection Enriched . Gamma
Date Tritium Tritium Spectrometry (b)
1998 pCi/L ± 2 SD (MDC) pCi/L ± 2 SD (MDC) Comments (MDC)

4-19 57 ±4.3
4-20 67 ±4.3
4-19
4-20
4-19
4-20
4-19
4-20
4-19
4-20
4-19
4-20
4-19
4-20
4-19 33 ±3.9
4-20 30 ±3.5
4-22 1.6 ±2.9(a)
4-23 .09 ± 2.8(a)
4-22 -2.4 ± 3.2(a)
4-22 -1.8±3.0(a>
4-22 1.4 ±3.0(a)
4-22 1.7 ±3.2(a>

(5.3)
(5-1)
29900 ± 447 (276)
27500 ± 399 (227)
3820 ±205 (276)
3950 ±206 (276)
1170 ±180 (276)
939 ± 177 (276)
267 ±170(a) (276)
196 ± 169(a) (276)
701 ± 175 (276)
712 ± 175 (276)
41 ±168 (276)
-68 ±166(a) (276)
(5.4)
(4.8)
(4.8)
(4.7)
(5.4)
(5.0)
(4.9)
(5.1)









ND (5.0)
ND (4.9)
ND (5.0)
ND (5.0)
ND (4.8)
ND (5.0)

-------
APPENDIX B (Continued)
TRITIUM
Sample
Location
RESULTS FOR WATER SAMPLES COLLECTED IN APRIL. 1998
Collection Enriched Gamma
Date Tritium Tritium Spectrometry ih)
1998 pCi/L ± 2 SD (MDC) pCi/L ± 2 SD (MDC) Comments (MDC)
Baxterville, MS (cont.)
SA2-3-L
SA2-4-L
SA2-5-L
SA3-1M
SA3-3M
SA3-4H
SA3-8-1
S A3- 10-2
SA3-11-3
SA4-1M
SA5-1M
SA5-2M
SA5-3M
4-22
4-22
4-23
Pre 4-19
Post 4-20
Pre 4-19
Post 4-20
Pre 4-19
Post 4-20
4-23
4-22
4-23
Pre 4-19
Post 4-20
Pre 4-19
Post 4-20
Pre 4-19
Post 4-20
Pre 4-19
Post 4-20
0.38
0.09
-1.3
10
7.4
11
16
20
21
-0.10
-1.2
0.43
1.7
1.7
12
9.9
14
19
7.2
± 3.0(a)
±3.1(a)
± 5.8(a)
±3.1
±3.3
±3.0
±3.1
±3.3
±3.4
± 3.2(a)
± 3.5°°
±3.4""
± 3.0(a)
± 3.0(a)
±3.1(a)
±3.0
±3.5
±3.3
±3.0
(4.9)
(5.1)
(5.3)
(4.7)
(5-2)
(4.7)
(4.7)
(4.7)
(4.9)
(5.3)
(5.9)
(5.6)
(4.9)
(4.9)
(4.6)
(4.7)
(5.3)
(4.9)
(4.7)
65 ± 167(a) (276)
ND (4.8)
ND (5.1)
ND (4.8)



ND (5.0)
ND (4.5)
ND (4.9)




(a)    Indicates results are less than MDC
(h)    No gamma radionuclides detected above MDC
ND  Non-detected, MDC for gamma represents 137Cs (pCi/L)
                                                21

-------
APPENDIX B (Continued)
TRITIUM RESULTS
Sample
Location
Baxterville, MS (cont.)
SA5-4-4
SA5-5-4
Well HT-2C
Well HT-4
Well HT-5
Columbia, MS
Dennis, Buddy
Dennis, Marvin
Well 64B City
Lumberton, MS
Anderson, Arleene
Anderson, Lee L.
Ron Boren
Ron Boren
Crawfish Pond
Hartfield, Ray
Powell, Shannon
Ladner, Debra Rushing,
Saul O/A
FOR WATER SAMPLES COLLECTED
Collection Enriched
Date Tritium Tritium
1 998 pCi/L ± 2 SD (MDC) pCi/L ± 2 SD

4-22 -0.54 ±2.9°° (4.7)
4-22 2.3 ±2.9(a) (4.7)
4-21 2.2 ±2.9(a) (4.6)
•4-21 -0.81 ±3.2°° (5.3)
4-24 -41 ± 167
4-20 -38 ± 139°°
4-20 38 ± 139°"

4-20 -38 ± 139(a)
4-20 0.00 ± 122
(MDC)

ND (5.0)
ND (4.7)
ND (5.0)
ND (4.6)
ND (5.0)

Water System*
Did not want to participate
(6.3)

(227)
(227)
(227)
(227)

(227)
(202)
No sample; HUB
No sample; HUB
ND (5.0)

ND (4.8)
ND (5.0)
ND (4.9)
ND (5.0)

ND (5.0)
ND (4.2)
Water System*
Water System*
(a>    Indicates results are less than MDC.
(b)    No gamma radionuclides detected above MDC.
ND   Non-detected.  Value in parenthesis represents l37Cs MDC (pCi/L).
*     Several of the old sampling locations are now on a community water system (HUB).
                                                  22

-------
APPENDIX B (Continued)
TRITIUM RESULTS FOR WATER SAMPLES COLLECTED IN APRIL. 1998
Collection Enriched Gamma
Sample Date Tritium Tritium Spectrometry  (227) ND (4.9)
76 ±139(a) (227) ND (4.8)
38 ± 139(a) (227) ND (5.0)
38 ± 139(a) (227) ND (5.0)
ND (4.4)
No sample
(h)    Indicates results are less than MDC.
(h)    No gamma radionuclides detected above MDC.
ND  Non-detected. Value in parenthesis represents 137Cs MDC (pCi/L).
                                                 23

-------