United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Radiation Programs
Eastern Environmental
Radiation Facility
1890 Federal Drive
Montgomery, AL 36109
EPA 520/5-88-016
June 1989
Radiation
P/ERA
Radiological Surveys of
Naval Facilities on
Puget Sound
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EPA 520/5-88-016
Radiological Surveys of Naval Facilities
on Puget Sound
Vicki D. Lloyd
and
Richard L. Blanchard
Eastern Environmental Radiation Facility
1890 Federal Drive
Montgomery, Alabama 36109
March 1989
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Radiation Programs
401 M Street SW
Washington, OC 20460
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Table of Contents
Page
List of Figures v
List of Tables v
Preface vii
Introduction 1
Characteristics of the Harbor and Sampling Areas 2
Survey and Analytical Methods 6
Results and Discussion 13
Conclusions 21
References 23
Appendix:
1. Description of Samples Collected 27
iii
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Figure
List of Figures
Page
1 Puget Sound Area Map, Sampling Sites off Naval
Facilities 3
2 Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Sampling Sites 10
3 Naval Submarine Base, Bangor Sampling Sites 11
4 Proposed Homeporting Facility Sampling Sites 12
List of Tables
Table
1 Summary of Samples Collected 9
2 Summary of Radionuclide Concentrations in Sediment
Samples 15
3 Description of Biota Samples 17
4 Summary of Gamma-Ray Exposure Rates 20
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Preface
The Office of Radiation Programs identifies and evaluates
environmental public health impacts of both natural and man-made radiation
sources. The Eastern Environmental Radiation Facility (EERF) is a fully
integrated participant with other components of the Office in these
efforts. The Facility provides comprehensive capability for evaluating
radiation sources through planning and conducting environmental studies,
nationwide surveillance, and laboratory analysis. The EERF also provides
special analytical support for Environmental Protection Agency Regional
Offices and other federal government agencies, as requested, as well as
technical assistance to the radiological health programs of state and
local health departments.
This report presents results of the surveys conducted by EERF
personnel to assess levels of environmental radioactivity resulting from
maintenance and operation of nuclear-powered warships at Puget Sound Naval
Shipyard, Naval Submarine Base, Bangor, and the proposed Carrier Battle
Group Homeporting Site in northwestern Washington. The purpose of the
survey was to determine if activities related to nuclear-powered warships
resulted in release of radionuclides which may contribute to significant
population exposure or contamination of the environment.
Readers of our reports are encouraged to bring comments, omissions,
or errors to our attention.
Charles R. Porter, Director
Eastern Environmental Radiation Facility
vii
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Introduction
Since 1963, the Eastern Environmental Radiation Facility (EERF),
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), in cooperation with the
U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), has surveyed facilities serving
nuclear-powered warships on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and the Gulf
of Mexico. These surveys assess whether the construction, maintenance,
overhaul, or refueling of nuclear-powered warships have created elevated
levels of radioactivity. The surveys emphasize sampling those areas and
pathways that could expose the public.
In 1984, NAVSEA requested that EPA survey, over the next three years,
all active facilities servicing nuclear-powered warships. Radiological
surveys of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard at Bremerton, WA; Naval Submarine
Base, Bangor, WA; and the proposed site for the Carrier Battle Group
Homeporting Project at Everett, WA are included in this report. These
facilities were surveyed July 27-August 3, 1987.
The Puget Sound Naval Shipyard was previously surveyed by EPA in
October, 1974. At that time trace amounts of Co-60 (0.02-0.09 pCI/g dry
weight) were found in some of the silt samples; however, the activity was
close to the limit of detectability indicating no significant releases
(Ca77). Discussions with the Naval personnel prior to the 1987 survey
indicated that all dry docks were in use; therefore, sampling sites were
more widespread than during the 1974 survey. Neither the submarine
facility at Bangor nor the proposed site at Everett had been surveyed by
EPA prior to July 1987.
1
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Characteristics of the Harbor and Sampling Areas
The shoreline of Puget Sound is irregular with numerous land
projections and narrow beaches. The deep waterways in sheltered inlets
and embayments provide natural harbors and have contributed to the
development of the various Naval facilities in Puget Sound. The
Puget Sound area is shown in Figure 1.
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS) and Naval Submarine Base, Bangor
(SUBASE Bangor) are located on the Kitsap Peninsula in northwestern
Washington. Hood Canal separates the Kitsap Peninsula from the Olympic
Peninsula to the west. Puget Sound borders the northern and eastern
shores of the Kitsap Peninsula. The population of the Kitsap Peninsula is
largely centered in four urban areas: Bremerton (36,200), Poulsbo (3450),
Silverdale (1500), and Port Orchard (4800) (Re88)*.
The PSNS is located on Sinclair Inlet, an embayment off central
Puget Sound, approximately 15 miles west of Seattle. The shipyard is
adjacent to Bremerton, WA and across the inlet from the city of
Port Orchard. Overhaul and repair of nuclear-powered vessels at this
shipyard were begun in 1967 (Call). The shores of Sinclair Inlet,
Port Orchard, Dyes Inlet, Rich Passage, and Agate Pass are used primarily
for commercial, residential, and recreational activities. Gorst tidelands
and the north end of Dyes Inlet near Silverdale are areas frequently
harvested for oysters and clams.
*1980 Census.
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OLYMPIC
PENINSULA
Figure 1. Puget Sound Area Map, Sampling Sites off Naval Facilities.
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SUBASE Bangor is located on the western shore of Kitsap Peninsula on
Hood Canal. Despite its name, Hood Canal is a natural channel off
Puget Sound which provides direct access to the Pacific Ocean
approximately 100 miles away. The submarine base is located in a sparsely
developed portion of Kitsap County. The forested areas along Hood Canal
provide excellent areas for recreation, in addition to providing natural
habitats for mammals and birds (Re88).
The proposed Homeporting site at Everett is located on the Washington
mainland approximately 27 miles north of Seattle adjacent to the city of
Everett. The site is on the east side of Port Gardner Bay at the mouth of
the Snohomish River. At the present time, the 117 acre Norton Avenue
Terminal Site is operated by the Port of Everett as a waterfront
industrial and shipping site. In 1986, commercial vessel traffic in
Possession Sound in the area of the proposed site was reported to consist
of 140 to 170 cargo ships per year to the Port of Everett and 150 to 190
log rafts and chip barges. As a result of the logging industry, the
harbor sediment is covered with debris that is estimated to be 0 to 4 feet
thick. The debris consists mostly of bark, logs, and metal cables.
Construction of the Homeporting site will involve demolition of most of
the existing buildings on site and reconstruction of the large L shaped
pier (USA86). Jetty Island, located just off the shore of Everett, is a
wildlife preserve which is open to the public for recreational activities.
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The three facilities surveyed are functionally different; however,
the area surrounding each facility is typical of the entire Puget Sound
area. The Naval facilities and timber industry provide the economic base
for Kitsap Peninsula. Commercial and recreational fishing are also
important to this area. Salmon spawn in many of the freshwater streams
that drain into Hood Canal and Puget Sound. Herring are harvested in many
of the shallow areas along the shores. Much of the forest and shore area
provides habitat to wildlife or is developed for recreational activity.
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Survey and Analytical Methods
Personnel from the environmental groups at PSNS and SUBASE Bangor
accompanied the EERF team during surveys of the three facilities. The
Navy personnel provided information on those sampling sites where
radioactivity associated with Naval nuclear propulsion plants, if it were
present, would most likely be detected. Extensive sediment sampling was
conducted in the pier and dry dock areas where nuclear warships were being
or had been serviced at PSNS and SUBASE Bangor. Public access or
recreational areas and public drinking water supplies in the vicinity of
the Naval bases were also surveyed for radioactivity.
Cobalt-60 is the predominant radioisotope one would find in
environmental media if radioactivity is present as a result of Naval
nuclear propulsion plant operations (Ca77, Se88, Sen88); therefore,
environmental sampling focused on detecting this radioisotope. The Co-60
content in all samples was determined by gamma-ray spectroscopy. Water
samples were also analyzed for tritium since this nuclide is known to be
produced in the coolant of light-water nuclear reactors.
An underwater gamma scintillation probe with a 10-centimeter by
10-centimeter sodium iodide (Nal) detector was used with a portable
multichannel pulse height analyzer to locate areas of radioactivity. All
probe measurements were made for 10 minutes. The underwater probe has
been useful in past surveys of other facilities to delineate areas of
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radioactivity and to determine areas for dredge sampling. Due to the
relatively low sensitivity (as compared to laboratory measurements) of the
probe, sediment samples were collected for laboratory analysis at all
locations of probe measurements.
According to past surveys, if radioactivity is released as a result
of Naval nuclear propulsion plant operations, it will be detected as Co-60
in the sediment (Ca77, Ca79). Radionuclides tend to accumulate in the
sediment over time which enables detection of events that may have
occurred in the past. A standard Peterson dredge was used to sample
approximately the top 10 centimeters of sediment. Eighty sediment samples
were collected from the three survey locations. At the laboratory these
samples were dried, ground to a fine powder, placed in 400 cubic
centimeter sample counting containers, and counted on an intrinsic
germanium detector for 1000 minutes. The minimum detectable activity for
Co-60 in this geometry is approximately 0.01 picocuries per gram (pCi/g).
Sediment core samples are useful in determining the vertical
distribution of radioactivity in harbor bottom sediment. If radioactive
material was present from past operations which was subsequently covered
with sediment, the radioactivity might be detected in the core samples.
Core samples were taken with 3.8 centimeter diameter or 2.5 centimeter
diameter plastic tubes. The 3.8 centimeter cores were collected with a
mechanical coring tool; the smaller diameter cores were collected by
divers who pushed the tube into the sediment as far as possible and capped
the ends. The cores were frozen and sectioned into 2.5 centimeter
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lengths. The individual sections were freeze-dried and counted on an
intrinsic germanium detector for 1000 minutes to determine the gamma-ray
emitting radioisotopes. The minimum detectable activity for Co-60 in this
geometry is approximately 0.1 pCi/g.
t
Water samples were collected at twelve sites. The surface water
samples were grab samples. The drinking water samples, collected from
taps, represent the water supplies for Bremerton, Poulsbo, Silverdale,
Bangor, and Everett. One liter water samples were analyzed for gamma-ray
emitters, especially Co-60, on intrinsic germanium detectors. The minimum
detectable level for Co-60 in this geometry is 5 pCi/L. The water samples
were also analyzed for tritium. The tritium found in reactor coolant
systems is in the oxide form and chemically indistinguishable from water;
therefore, it does not accumulate in marine life or on the harbor floor
(Ma88). The minimum detectable level for tritium is 200 pCi/L with the
analytical procedure used.
Aquatic biota samples were collected at eleven sites by the divers.
These samples were divided for analysis as follows: (1) fish -- muscle and
viscera prepared as separate samples; (2) crab — samples included
muscle, viscera, and exoskeleton; (3) mussels; (4) clams; (5) scallops;
(6) oysters; (7) starfish, sea cucumber, anemone, and tubeworms -- analyzed
as one sample; and (8) vegetation. The biota samples were dried, ground
to a fine powder, and counted on an intrinsic germanium detector for 1000
minutes. The counting geometry was determined by the amount of sample
available; the minimum detectable level for Co-60 is 0.01 pCi/g for a
3 ?
400 cm sample or 0.1 pCi/g for a 40 cm sample.
8
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Gamma radiation measurements were made with pressurized ionization
chambers (PIC) or portable scintillation survey instruments that were
calibrated with the pressurized ionization chambers. Measurements were
made at all sites in the pier and dry dock areas where the majority of the
sediment samples were collected and along the security exclusion (boundary
in Sinclair inlet) line at PSNS. Public access and recreation areas in
the vicinity of PSNS, SUBASE Bangor, and Everett were surveyed with
portable scintillometers.
Sampling sites are shown on maps of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Naval
Submarine Base, Bangor, and the Port of Everett site in Figures 2, 3, and
4. Sites that are located off the Naval facilities are shown on the
Puget Sound area map in Figure 1, A summary of the samples collected
during the three surveys is presented in Table 1. Sample types collected
at each site are detailed in Appendix 1.
Table 1. Summary of samples collected^)
Facility
PSNS
SUBASE Bangor
Everett
TOTAL
Sampling
Sites Water
46 5
27 4
1£ .1
92 12
Number of
Sediment
43
19
18
80
Samples
Cores
3
1
3
7
Biota
15
9
_1
25
Appendix 1 for a listing of all samples collected at each
sampling location.
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SINCLAIR
INLET
PUGET SOUND
NAVAL SHIPYARD
SUPPLY PIER
PIERD
MOORING E
MOORING F
Figure 2. Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Sampling Sites.
10
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HOOD
CANAL
HOOD
CANAL
SUBMARINE
BASE,
BANGOR
CONTINUED FROM
MAP AT LEFT
Figure 3. Naval Submarine Base, Bangor Sampling Sites.
11
SUBMARINE
I BASE,
BANGOR
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POSSESSION
SOUND
CITY
OF
EVERETT
ENLARGED ON
MAP AT RIGHT
Figure 4. Proposed Homeporting Facility Sampling Sites.
12
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Results and Discussion
The PSNS and SUBASE Bangor results include discussion of sites both
on and off the facilities. The sites sampled off the facility were
selected as either background sites, public access or recreational sites,
or public drinking water sources. No distinction will be made among the
sites sampled at Everett. The survey of this area was conducted prior to
the establishment of Naval operations at the Port of Everett; therefore,
the data are presented as a pre-operational survey.
Eighty sediment samples were collected from the three survey
locations. A summary of the radionuclide concentrations measured in the
sediment samples is presented in Table 2. Samples could not be collected
in several areas due to recent dredging, berthing of ships (PSNS, west
side of Pier B), or divers in the water (west of site 59, between sites 54
and 55). Background sites were selected at both PSNS and SUBASE Bangor;
however, due to the tidal movement these sites are swept by currents
passing the facilities. The radiation levels measured at these background
sites compare well with the values from the pre-operational survey at
Everett, which represents a background location.
A trace amount of cobalt-60 was identified in one sediment sample
(site 34) at PSNS. The concentration of Co-60 in this sample was
0.04*0.01 pCi/g dry weight. No Co-60 was detected in samples collected
at the sites identified in the 1974 survey as having positive Co-60
13
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measurements (Ca77). This indicates that no additional releases have
taken place in these locations. Low levels of Cs-134 attributed to the
Chernobyl accident in 1986 were observed in the sediment and core samples
from PSNS, SUBASE Bangor, and Everett. The concentrations of Cs-134, 0.01
to 0.03 pCi/g dry weight, are not included in Table 2 due to the poor
resolution between the primary gamma-ray of Cs-134 (604 KeV) and the
gamma-ray of naturally occurring Bi-214 (609 KeV) and the large
uncertainties associated with the low levels of activity detected. Other
radioactivity observed in the sediment samples was that associated with
naturally occurring radionuclides or fallout from previous atmospheric
nuclear tests. No radioactivity above background was detected on the
harbor floor by the underwater gamma scintillation probe.
Sediment core samples were collected at seven sites. Much of the
harbor floor consisted of rocky areas or areas covered with shells;
therefore, it was difficult to obtain core samples at some sites. Core
samples were collected at sites 1, 5, and 21 at PSNS; site 45 at SUBASE
Bangor; and at sites 82, 86, and 88 at Everett (see Figures 2, 3, and 4).
Coring was attempted at sites 7, 40, and 76, but due to the rocky bottom,
no cores were collected at these sites. All radionuclides identified in
the seven cores were attributed to naturally occurring radionuclides or
fallout. The radionuclide content of the core samples showed no
significant differences with depth or wfth the dredge samples taken at the
same sites.
14
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Table 2. Summary of Radionuclide Concentrations in Sediment Samples3*'3*0
Radionuclide
Puget Sound
Naval Shipyard
Naval Submarine
Base, Bangor
Proposed Site
Everettd
SAMPLES COLLECTED
No. of Samples
K-40
Co-60
Cs-137
Pb-214
Bi-214
Ra-226
Th-232
ON THE FACILITY:
37
8.6 (6.0-10.0)
< 0.01 (0.04)e
0.16 (0.09-0.25)
0.47 (0.24-0.95)
0.43 (0.20-0.88)
1.2 (0.7-1.9)
0.27 (0.12-0.47)
16
8.3 (7.0-9.8)
< 0.01
0.05 (0.01-0.11)
0.31 (0.22-0.39)
0.3 (0.21-0.36)
0.7 (0.45-2.03)
0.2 (0.18-0.3)
18
8.4 (5.4-9.8)
< 0.01
0.19 (0.02-0.43)
0.33 (0.22-0.45)
0.30 (0.23-0.42)
1.2 (0.51-1.7)
0.21 (0.12-0.32)
Radionuclide
Puget Sound
Naval Shipyard
Naval Submarine
Base, Bangor
Background
SAMPLES COLLECTED OFF THE FACILITY:
No. of Samples
K-40
Co-60
Cs-137
Pb-214
Bi-214
Ra-226
Th-232
9.0 (6.2-13.8)
< 0.01
0.17 (0.05-0.33)
0.30 (0.22-0.43)
0.28 (0.21-0.38)
0.75 (0.47-1.21)
0.22 (0.15-0.31)
7.8 (7.7-8.2)
< 0.01
0.03 (0.02-0.04)
0.23 (0.2-0.25)
0.22 (0.21-0.23)
0.46 (0.39-0.58)
0.16 (0.15-0.18)
7.8 (7.65-8.0)
< 0.01
0.18 (0.02-0.33)
0.22 (0.20-0.23)
0.21 (0.21)
0.43 (0.39-0.47)
0.15 (0.15)
Concentrations are pCi/g dry weight.
Mean concentrations are given with the range shown in parentheses.
Approximate 2 sigma counting errors are: K-40 (5 percent), Cs-137
(20 percent), Pb-214 (10 percent), Bi-214 (10 percent), Ra-226 (30
percent), Th-232 (20 percent).
Includes all sites sampled at Everett.
Represents only one sample.
15
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Surface water samples were collected at six sites: sites 1 and 14 at
PSNS; sites 59 and 61 at SUBASE Bangor; and sites 75 and 89 at Everett.
No radioactivity associated with nuclear-powered warships was detected by
the gamma-ray analyses. The analyses of the drinking water samples
collected from sites 62, 63, and 69 on the PSNS survey, sites 58 and 64 on
the Bangor survey, and site 92 at Everett indicated no detectable
gamma-ray activity. The tritium concentrations in the water samples were
within the range normally detected in surface and drinking water samples
routinely analyzed from Washington (EPA87a, EPA87b, EPA87c).
Twenty-five biota samples were analyzed from eleven sites, A
description of the samples collected at each site is listed in Table 3.
Primarily, naturally occurring radionuclides and trace quantities of
Cs-137 attributed to fallout were identified in the biota samples.
However, a trace amount of Ag-llOm was detected in two mollusk samples
(oysters and butter clams) collected at SI/BASE Bangor, sites 71 and 73.
Silver-llOm is a neutron activation product of Ag-109. The
radioactive half-life of Ag-llOm is 250 days. The two mollusk samples
were recounted for 3000 minutes after 61 days to confirm the initial
identification of Ag-llOm; the decay results confirmed the presence of
0.02±.01 and 0.04±.01 pCi/g dry weight in the tissue of mollusks collected
from sites 71 and 73, respectively. Mollusk muscle or soft tissue is
reported to have a concentration factor for Ag of 7100 (Lo71). Biota
16
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Table 3. Description of Biota Samples
Site No. Samples Analyzed
Site 1 Fish Muscle (Cod and Bullhead)
Fish Viscera (Cod and Bullhead)
Crabs
Mussels
Starfish, Sea Cucumber, Anemone, Tubeworms
Site 5 Fish Muscle
Fish Viscera
Crabs
Starfish, Sea Cucumber, Anemone
Site 8 Fish Muscle (Bullhead)
Fish Viscera (Bullhead)
Crabs (2 types)
Starfish, Sea Cucumber, Anemone
Site 21 Vegetation (Kelp like plant)
Site 45 Crabs
Scallops
Starfish, Sea Cucumber, Tubeworms
Site 46 Fish Muscle (Rock Cod)
Fish Viscera (Rock Cod)
Site 70 Oysters
Site 71 Oysters
Site 72 Eastern Soft Shell Clams
Site 73 Butter Clams
Site 78 Vegetation (Algae)
17
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having large concentration factors are often used as indicators of
radionuclides in the environment. A third mollusk sample collected in
the same area, site 72, did not contain detectable amounts of Ag-llOm.
Silver-llOm is sometimes observed in the liquid wastes of light-water
reactors (Ka74, B176); however, in this case it may be the result of
fallout from Chernobyl since other locations in the United States have
noted the presence of Ag-llOm following the 1986 Soviet accident.
Silver-llOm was measured in air samples collected at the Idaho National
Engineering Laboratory site in May 1986 (Ho87) and, in 1987, Ag-llOm was
found in the livers of sheep taken from this same Idaho site (Ch88). The
source of this Ag-llOm was attributed to the Chernobyl accident and,
considering the proximity of the Idaho site to Puget Sound (less than 500
miles southeast), Chernobyl is a likely source of the Ag-llOm found in the
clams. One might suspect that it is the very high concentration factor of
silver in clams (noted above) that made its detection possible, as it was
not detected in any other harbor samples. It is also important to note
that Ag-llOm has not been detected in surveys of other Naval facilities
serving nuclear-powered warships (Ca77, Ca79, Ca87, Sm87, Wi87, Sen88).
Cesium-137 was detected in fish muscle, algae, and one clam sample.
The concentrations ranged from 0.01-0.05 pCi/g dry weight and is
attributed to fallout. Higher naturally occurring K-40 values were
detected in the vegetation samples than in other biota samples; the kelp
and algae contained 52 and 38 pCi/g dry weight, respectively, compared to
3-15 pCi/g dry weight in other type biota. Kelp and algae have been
reported previously to contain higher levels of K-40 (Se88).
18
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Gamma radiation measurements were taken at all sampling sites within
the security exclusion areas of PSNS and SUBASE Bangor and at sediment
sampling sites at the proposed facility at Everett. Public access areas
near the Naval facilities were surveyed with portable scintillometers.
Gamma-ray surveys of Bremerton residential areas, marina, and ferry
landing, and the recreational areas at Illahee State Park and Manchester
State Park were included in the PSNS survey. Three recreational areas on
Hood Canal were included in the Bangor survey. Kitsap County Park and
Kitsap Memorial State Park are located north of SUBASE Bangor on
Hood Canal; Scenic Beach State Park is south of the submarine base near
site 51. Measurements were taken on Jetty Island, a wildlife preserve
located just off the shore of Everett. A summary of the gamma-ray
exposure rates is presented in Table 4.
Overland gamma-ray exposure rates ranged from 5.5 to 13.0 nR/hr,
while measurements at most sites surveyed ranged between 7.0-10.0 »iR/hr.
The lower measurements were observed along Jetty Island. The average
gamma-ray exposure rates observed over water at PSNS and SUBASE Bangor do
not differ significantly from the exposure rates observed at Everett,
indicating that active Naval operations do not contribute significantly to
external gamma-ray exposures.
19
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Table 4. Summary of Gamma-Ray Exposure Rates
Location of Survey
Gamma-Ray Exposure Rates, uR/hr
Average Range
Harbor Sampling Sites:
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard
Naval Submarine Base, Bangor
Everett9
Exclusion Line at PSNS
Shoreline at SUBASE Bangor, near site 71
Shoreline at SUBASE Bangor, near site 72
Surveys off facilities:
PSNS Survey Ferry Dock
Residential Area Beach,
Sheridan Park
Naval Housing Beach, Jackson
Park
Marina Beach
(Site 65) Illahee State Park Beach
(Site 66) Gorst Tidelands
(Site 67) Manchester State Park
(Site 68) Silverdale, Dyes Inlet
Bangor Survey Kitsap County Park
Kitsap Memorial Park
Scenic Beach State Park
4.4
4.2
3.9
4.0
8.5
8.5
9.6
7.7
9.1
8.1
7.3
9.0
10.8
7.8
9.0
10.5
8.0
3.6- 7.9
3.5- 4.7
3.5- 4.3
3.4- 4.5
7.0-10.0
8.0- 9.0
8.0-13.0
6.5- 9.0
8.5-10.0
7.5- 9.0
7.5- 9.0
9.0-10.0
10.5-12.0
7.5- 8.0
8.0-10.0
8.0-13.0
7.0- 9.0
Everett Survey Jetty Island
5.5 Not Reported
alncludes all sediment sampling sites on Everett survey.
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Conclusions
The radiological surveys of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Submarine
Base, Bangor, and the proposed site for the Carrier Battle Group
Homeporting Project at Everett provide the basis for the following
conclusions:
1. A trace amount of Co-60 (0.04*0.01 pCi/g) was detected in one
sediment sample at PSNS. All other radioactivity detected in
the eighty sediment samples is attributed to naturally occurring
radionuclides or fallout from past nuclear weapons tests and the
Chernobyl reactor accident in 1986.
2. Results of core sampling did not indicate any previous deposit
of Co-60 in the sediment.
3. Water samples contained no detectable levels of radioactivity
other than those occurring naturally.
4. Two mollusk samples collected at SUBASE Bangor contained trace
amounts of Ag-llOm. The presence of this radionuclide was
confirmed by decay measurements. The source of Ag-llOm was not
determined, but is possibly due to fallout from the Chernobyl
reactor accident. All other radioactivity detected in the biota
samples is attributed to naturally occurring radionuclides or
fallout from past nuclear weapons tests.
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5. External gamma-ray measurements did not detect any increased
radiation exposure to the public above natural background levels.
6. The pre-operational survey of the proposed site at Everett
confirmed the presence of only background levels of
radioactivity.
7. Based on these surveys, current practices regarding
nuclear-powered warship operations have resulted in no increases
in radioactivity that would result in significant population
exposure or contamination of the environment.
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References
B176 Blanchard, R.L., et. al., 1976, "Radiological Surveillance
Studies at the Oyster Creek BWR Nuclear Generating Station", U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency Report, EPA-520/5-76-003.
Ca77 Callis, R.S., Windham, S.T., and Phillips, C.R., 1977,
"Radiological Survey of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton,
Washington and Environs", U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Report, EPA 520/5-77-001.
Ca79 Callis, R.S., Windham, S.T., and Phillips, C.R., 1979,
"Radiological Survey of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery,
Maine, and Environs". U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Report, EPA 520/5-79-003.
Ca87 Callis, R.S., 1987, "Radiological Survey of the Pearl Harbor
Naval Shipyard and Environs, Honolulu, Hawaii". U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency Report, EPA 520/5-87-010.
Ch88 Chew, E.W. and Mitchell, R.G., 1988, "1987 Environmental
Monitoring Program Report for the Idaho National Engineering
Laboratory Site", Radiological and Environmental Sciences
Laboratory, Idaho Operations Office, U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE/ID-12082 (87).
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References - Continued
EPA87a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1987, "Environmental
Radiation Data, Report 48, October 1986-December 1986". U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency Report, EPA 520/5-87-017.
EPA875 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1987, "Environmental
Radiation Data, Report 49, January 1987-March 1987". U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency Report, EPA 520/5-87-018.
EPA87c U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1987, "Environmental
Radiation Data, Report 50, April 1987-June 1987". U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency Report, EPA 520/5-88-001.
Ho87 Hoff, D.L., Chew, E.W., and Rope, S.K., 1987, "1986 Environmental
Monitoring Program Report for the Idaho National Engineering
Laboratory Site", Idaho National Engineering Laboratory,
Department of Energy Report, DOE/ID-12082 (86).
Ka74 Kahn, B., et. al., 1974, "Radiological Surveillance Study of the
Haddam Neck PWR Nuclear Power Station," U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency Report, EPA 520/3-74-007.
24
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References - Continued
Lo71 Lowman, F.G., Rice, T.R., and Richards, F.A., 1971, "Accumulation
and Distribution of Radionuclides by Marine Organisms". In
Radioactivity in the Marine Environment, National Academy of
Science, Washington, D.C.
Re88 Reed, M., 1988, Supervisor, Environmental and Natural Resources
Section, Submarine Base, Bangor. Written communication.
Ma88 Mangeno, J.J., Steele, J.M., and Poletti, L.F., 1988,
"Environmental Monitoring and Disposal of Radioactive Wastes from
U.S. Naval Nuclear Powered Ships and Their Support Facilities".
Naval Sea Systems Command Report, NT-88-1.
Se88 Semler, M.O. and Blanchard, R.L., 1988, "Radiological Survey of
San Diego Bay". U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Report,
EPA 520/5-88-019.
Sen88 Sensintaffar, E.L. and Blanchard, R.L., 1988, "Radiological
Survey of the Norfolk Naval Station, the Norfolk Naval Shipyard,
and Newport News Shipbuilding". U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency Report, EPA 520/5-88-017.
25
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References - Continued
Sm87 Smith, J.M., 1987, "Radiological Survey of Charleston Naval Base
and Shipyard and the Charleston Naval Weapons Station". U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency Report, EPA 520/5-87-009.
USA86 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1986, "Draft Supplemental to U.S.
Navy Environmental Impact Statement, Carrier Battle Group
Puget Sound Region Ship Homeporting Project". U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers Report, Seattle District.
Wi87 Windham, S.T., 1987, "Radiological Survey of Kings Bay Submarine
Support Facility". U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Report,
EPA 520/5-87-008.
26
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APPENDIX 1
Descriptlon of Samples Collected
Facility/Site No.
Samples Collected
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
Sediment, Core, Surface Water,
Biota, Probe
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment, Core, Biota, Probe
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment, Biota
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment, Surface Water, Probe
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment, Core, Biota, Probe
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
27
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APPENDIX 1 - Continued
Description of Samples Collected
Facility/Site No.
Samples Collected
62
63
65
66
67
68
69
Naval Submarine Base, Bangor
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
64
70
71
72
73
Drinking Water
Drinking Water
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Drinking Water
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Drinking Water
Surface Water
Sediment
Surface Water
Drinking Water
Biota
Biota
Biota
Biota
Core, Biota, Probe
Biota
28
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APPENDIX 1 - Continued
Description of Samples Collected
Facility/Site No.
Samples Collected
Proposed Homeporting Site at Everett
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
Sediment
Sediment, Surface Water
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment, Biota
Sediment
Sediment .
Sediment
Sediment, Core
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment, Core
Sediment
Sediment, Core
Sediment, Surface Water
Sediment
Sediment
Drinking Water
29
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