United States Eastern Environmental EPA 520/5-88-017
Environmental Protection Radiation Facility October 1988
Agency 1890 Federal Drive
ffice of Radiation Programs Montgomery, AL 36109
Radiation
W'
Radiological Survey of the
the Norfolk Naval Shipyard,
and Newport News
Shipbuilding
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Radiological Survey
of the
Norfolk Naval Station, the
Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and Newport News Shipbuilding
Edwin L. Sensintaffar
and
Richard L. Blanchard
Eastern Environmental Radiation Facility
1890 Federal Drive
Montgomery, Alabama 36109
September 1988
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Radiation Programs
401 M Street SW
Washington, DC 20460
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Table of Contents
List of Illustrations
Preface vii
Introduction
Characteristics of the Harbor and Sampling Areas 2
Survey and Analytical Methods 4
Results and Discussion 11
Summary and Conclusions 18
References ..... 20
Appendix A-l
iii
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Figures
List of Illustrations
Page
1 General site location 3
2 Sampling locations at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard 5
3 Sampling locations at the Norfolk Naval Station 6
4 Sampling locations at Newport News Shipbuilding ..... 7
Tables
1 Summary of Samples Collected from the Harbor 10
2 Summary of RadionucUde Concentrations 1n Harbor
Sediment Samples 12
3 A Comparison of the Average Co-60 Concentrations 1n
Sediment Samples Collected 1n 1968 and 1986 13
4 Summary of RadionucUde Concentrations 1n Core Samples . . 15
5 A Summary of Gamma-Ray Exposure Rates 17
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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) 1s a fully
Integrated participant with other components of the Office 1n 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 survey conducted by EERF
personnel to assess levels of environmental radioactivity resulting from
maintenance and operation of nuclear-powered warships at the Norfolk Naval
Station, Norfolk Naval Shipyard and Newport News Shipbuilding. 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 operation of nuclear-powered
warships, during construction, maintenance, overhaul, or refueling, 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 all active facilities
servicing nuclear-powered warships over the next three years. This report
contains the results of surveys conducted at Norfolk Naval Shipyard,
Norfolk Naval Station and Newport News Shipbuilding during the period
July 28 to August 1, 1986. Some of these same areas were previously
surveyed by EERF personnel (at that time U.S. Public Health Service) in
January 1968. Results of that survey are shown in (Ha68).
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Characteristics of the Harbor and Sampling Areas
Three separate nuclear ship building or servicing harbors located in
the Hampton Roads, Virginia area were surveyed. These included the
U.S. Navy Shipyard at Portsmouth, the U.S. Naval Station at Norfolk and
Newport News Shipbuilding at Newport News. All these facilities are
located in the southeast corner of Virginia on either the James River or
the Elizabeth River as they lead to the Chesapeake Bay.
The Hampton Roads area has more than 200 piers and wharves along more
than 30 miles of improved waterfront. These facilities are heavily used
by both conventional and nuclear powered vessels. A map of the general
site locations for these surveys is shown in Figure 1.
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N
Norfolk
Naval
Station
U.S. Naval
Shipyards
Figure 1. General site location.
m
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Survey and Analytical Methods
Navy personnel helped the EERF survey team Identify the most probable
sampling locations, those where radioactivity associated with Naval
nuclear propulsion plants, If It were present, would most likely be
detected. The study did not Include extensive surveys on land surfaces,
but rather It emphasized measurements near the dry docks and piers where
nuclear warships are or have been serviced. Sampling sites at the Norfolk
Naval Shipyard, Norfolk Naval Station, and Newport News Shipbuilding are
shown In Figures 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Samples of bottom sediment,
water, and algae were taken.
According to past surveys, cobalt-60 is the predominant radioisotope
found 1n environmental media if radioactivity is present as a result of
Naval nuclear propulsion plants; therefore, environmental sampling focused
on detecting this radioisotope. Cobalt-60 content in all samples was
determined by gamma analysis. All 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 detector was used with a portable multichannel
pulse height analyzer to help locate areas of radioactivity. All probe
measurements were made for 10 minutes. The underwater prqbe has been
useful in past surveys of other facilities to select areas for dredge
sampling of bottom sediment and to delineate areas of radioactivity.
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HAMPTON ROADS HARBOR
Figure 3. Sampling locations at the Norfolk Naval Station.
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NEWPORT NEWS
JAMES RIVER
Figure 4. Sampling locations at the Newport News Shipbuilding.
7
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However, 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. Probe measurements and
sampling were duplicated for quality assurance purposes at approximately
5 percent of the sites.
A standard Peterson dredge was used to sample approximately the top
10 centimeters of sediment. These sediment samples were collected at all
locations identified in Figures 2, 3, and 4. In addition, a sediment
sample was collected in a background location (No. 1) in the West Branch
of the Elizabeth River at the Churchland Bridge across from the city park,
and at three locations with access to the public; a recreational area In
Deep Creek Canal (No. 122), downstream of the Navy Yard near the tourist
ferry boat landing (No. 123), and in the Lafayette River at the Norfolk
Yacht Club and the Lafayette Marina (No. 124). Locations of these latter
sampling sites are shown In Figure 1. At the laboratory these samples
were dried, ground to a fine powder, placed In a 400 cm3 sample counting
container and counted on an intrinsic germanium detector for 1000
minutes. The minimum detectable activity for cobalt-60 In this geometry
Is approximately 0.01 plcocurles per gram (pCi/g).
Sediment core samples are useful In determining the vertical
distribution of>ad1oact1vity In harbor bottom sediment. If radioactive
materials were present from past operations which were subsequently
'">-
covered with sediment, it might be observed In the core samples. Core
samples were taken with a 3.8 centimeter diameter by 61 centimeter long
8
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plastic tube. A diver pushed the tube Into the sediment as far as
possible and capped the ends. Core samples were collected at locations 4,
9, 13, 17, 20, 42, and 43 at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, 52 and 70 at the
Norfolk Naval Station, and 85 at Newport News Shipbuilding. At the
laboratory the cores were frozen and cut Into 2.5 cm sections. The
Individual sections were freeze-dHed and counted on an Intrinsic
germanium detector to determine gamma emitting radlolsotopes. The minimum
detectable activity for cobalt-60 1n this geometry 1s approximately
0.1 pCI/g.
Surface water samples were collected at the background location
(No. 1, F1g. 1) and at two locations at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard (12 and
37), one location at the Norfolk Naval Station (48), and at three
locations at Newport News Shipbuilding (91, 105, and 115). In addition,
surface water samples were collected at the Deep Creek Canal recreational
area (No. 122, Fig. 1) and from the Lafayette River near the Norfolk Yacht
Club (No. 124, Fig. 1). Public drinking water supplies were sampled at
two McDonald's Restaurants (No. 126, F1g. 3 and near the Portsmouth
Holiday Inn), and from the pier near site 105 1n Newport News. These
samples were analyzed for gamma emitters (especially Co-60) Jin!tritium.
The minimum detectable activities for tritium and cobalt-60 In water are
200" pCI/L and 5 pCI/L, respectively-.
Algae was collected from location 10 at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard
and a vegetation (grass) sample was collected from the Deep Creek Canal
recreational area (No. 122,Fig. 1). The algae was packed Into a
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3
400 cm container and counted wet on an Intrinsic germanium detector for
1,000 minutes to determine the concentrations of gamma emitting
radioisotopes. The vegetation sample was treated in an identical manner,
except it was dried prior to counting.
Gamma radiation surveys were made using pressurized ionization
chambers (PIC) or portable scintillation survey instruments that were
periodically calibrated with a pressurized ionization chamber. All
measurements were made 1 meter above the ground or water surface. Surveys
were conducted within the exclusion areas of the Newport News Shipbuilding
and the Norfolk Naval Shipyards, in the dock and pier areas where sediment
(dredge) samples were collected, and along the portside and waterfront
shorelines down river from the Norfolk Naval Shipyard that are frequented
by the public.
A summary of all samples collected from the harbor at the three
facilities is presented in Table 1.
Table 1. Summary of Samples Collected from the Harbor
Sampling
Facility Sites
Norfolk Naval Shipyard*3*
Norfolk Naval Station*5 )
Newport News Shipbuilding^
Public Areas
46
37
35
3
Water
2
1
3
2
Number of
Sediment
46
37
35
3
Samples
Cores
7
2
1
0
Algae
1
0
0
0
(a)Samples collected: 7/28-29/86
(b)Samples collected: 7/29/86
(c)Samples collected: 7/30/86
10
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Results and Discussion
Samples From Controlled Areas
A summary of the radionuclide concentrations measured in samples of
sediment collected during an extensive survey of the Hampton Roads Harbor is
presented in Table 2. Nearly all of the radioactivity associated with these
samples is associated with naturally occurring radionuclides. The underwater
gamma-ray scintillation probe did not detect any areas of radioactivity above
background. Small and relatively uniform levels of Cs-137 were observed in
samples from all areas of the harbor that approximate the background
concentration due to fallout from previous nuclear weapons testing.
Cobalt-60 is the only radionuclide measured in the sediment that can be
attributed to the operations of Naval nuclear-powered warships. Trace
amounts of Co-60 were observed in most of the sediment samples obtained from
the three regions of the harbor. Concentrations ranged from less than
detectable amounts (0.01 pCi/g to 0.12 pCi/g), and in most cases were greater
than that in the background sample (0.02 pCi/g). However, in all cases the
Co-60 concentration was a small fraction of the total background
radioactivity concentration (see Table 2).
The presence of Co-60 in sediments from these areas of the harbor was
initially detected during a similar survey conducted in January 1968 (Ha68).
Concentrations of Co-60 in the sediments are much less today than in 1968.
The average concentrations of Co-60 measured in the sediment samples
collected during the two harbor surveys are compared in Table 3. Because of
radioactive decay, only about 8.3 percent of the Co-60 present in January
11
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1968 would exist in August 1986 (considering an elapsed time of 18.7 years
and a half-life for Co-60 of 5.2 years). Listed in the last column of
Table 3 are the concentrations measured in 1968 corrected for radioactive
decay to August 1986. The decay corrected concentrations of 1968 agree
reasonably well with those obtained in 1986 considering that different
numbers of samples were obtained during the two surveys, samples were not
obtained at the exact same location, and particularly, that nearly 19
years of sedimentation had occurred between the two surveys which would
tend to dilute the Co-60 and bury it further beneath the sediment surface.
Table 2. Summary of Radionuclide Concentrations in Harbor Sediment Samples
Radionuclide
Samples
Be-7
K-40
Co-60
Cs-137
Pb-214
Bi-214
Ra-226
Th-232
U-238
Norfolk Naval
Shipyard
46
0.23(0.07-0.58)
15(9-18)
0.02U0.01-0.04)
0.26(0.10-0.43)
0.72(0.53-1.38)
0.66(0.51-1.28)
1.8(1.2-2.8)
0.72(0.48-0.94)
2.2(1.2-3.5)
Norfolk Naval
Station
37
0.36(0.13-0.62)
15(10-19)
0.06(0.02-0.10)
0.24(0.10-0.33)
0.54(0.35-0.65)
0.50(0.32-0.60)
1.3(0.8-1.5)
0.61(0.39-0.75)
1.8(0.94-3.1)
Newport News
Shipbuilding
35
0.26(0.09-0.41)
15(8-17)
0.07(<0.01-0.12)
0.27(0.07-0.38)
0.63(0.39-0.78)
0.59(0.40-0.73)
1.4(1.0-1.8)
0.61(0.42-0.74)
1.7(0.95-3.0)
Background
1
NA
16.0^ 0.5
0.018 +_ 0.012
0.24 _* 0.02
0.62 +_ 0.03
0.59^ 0.04
NA
0.63^ 0.06
2.5 +_ 1.6
Notes:
1) Concentrations are pCi/gm dry weight.
2) Mean concentrations are given with the range shown in parenthesis.
3) NA-Not Analyzed
4) + values are 2o counting error. In general, the 2o counting errors were
approximately: Be-7 (40 percent); K-40 (3 percent); Co-60 (65 percent);
Cs-137 (7 percent); Pb-214 (5 percent); Bi-214 (6 percent); Ra-226 (15
percent); Th-232 (9 percent); U-238 (90 percent).
12
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Table 3. A Comparison of the Average Co-60 Concentrations
In Sediment Samples Collected in 1968 and 1986
Co-60 Concentration, pCi/g dry wt.
Facility 1986 1968 1968 decayed 1.4 (23)
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Samples of harbor water were collected from the background location
(site 1), two sites (12 and 37) at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, one site
(48) at the Norfolk Naval Station, and two sites (91 and 115) at
Newport News Shipbuilding. No tritium (< 200 pCi/L) or any gamma-ray
emitting radionuclides, other than trace amounts of those occurring
naturally, were detected in any of the harbor water samples.
Concentrations of the natural occurring radionuclide, K-40, were the
highest observed and ranged around 200 ^ 70 pC1/L.
An algae sample, collected from a floating boom near dry dock No. 1
at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard (site 10), contained only small amounts of
natural radioactivity and a trace of Cs-137 (0.10 +_ 0.04 pCi/g dry weight).
Samples from Public Areas
Sediment and water samples were collected in three areas having ready
access by the public. These sampling locations were: 1) Deep Creek Canal
west from the 1-64 bridge over the Elizabeth River (site 122); 2) about 25
meters from the Tourist Ferry Boat Landing in the Elizabeth River (site 123);
and 3) 1n the Lafayette River at the Lafayette Marina and the Norfolk Yacht
Club (site 124). Only natural radioactivity was detected in these samples.
Tritium concentrations were less than the minimum detectable level in the
water samples (< 200 pC1/L), and Co-60 concentrations were also less than
the minimum detectable level in the sediment samples (< 0.01 pCi/g dry
wt.). A grass sample collected 1n the picnic area near Deep Creek Canal
(site 122) also contained only natural radioactivity.
14
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Table 4. Summary of Radionucllde Concentrations In Core Samples
Facility/Site
Norfolk Naval
4
g
13
17
20
42
43
Norfolk Naval
52
70
Newport News
85
Core Depth,
No. Inches
Shipyard
14
20
12
23
21
19
17
Station
19
16
Shipbuilding
20
137Cs(a)
pCI/g
0.40 (0.27-0.52)
0.32 (0.18-0.49
0.31 (0.16-0.43)
0.37 (0.18-0.55)
0.39 (0.22-0.53)
0.29 (0.20-0.45)
0.30 (0.12-0.49)
0.32 (0.20-0.46)
0.30 (0.22-0.42)
0.45 (0.28-0.95)
6°r«
Co
pCi/g /Depth, Inches
N.D.(b)
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
1.14/5
0.21/5
0.11/6
N.D.
average and range of concentration is given.
(b)N.D.-Not detected, less than 0.1 pCi/g.
Three drinking water samples were collected in the area of the
shipyards for radionuclide analyses. Samples of drinking water were
collected from the pier near site 105 in Newport News, from the McDonald's
Restaurant across the road from pier 11 in Norfolk (site 126), and from
the McDonald's Restaurant near the Holiday Inn in Portsmouth (site 127).
These samples contained no detectable tritium or radionuclides that emit
gamma-rays.
15
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From the results of the analyses of these samples, It is concluded
that no measurable quantities of radlonucHdes have been Introduced into
public areas that are attributable to operations of Naval nuclear-powered
warships.
Gamma-Ray Surveys
A summary of the gamma-ray exposure rates measured during the survey
are shown 1n Table 5. The first set of exposures were obtained from
measurements made at each sampling site In the harbor and closely resemble
the background exposure rate at location No. 1 of 4.5 iiR/hr. The exposure
rates measured In the exclusion area along the waterfront of each facility
as well as along public shorelines of the Elizabeth River and the South
Branch Indicate exposures to be within the expected background range.
Gamma-ray exposure measurements made In an area near the Inlet to the
Lafayette Marina that contains exposed granite rock exceeded background by
about 4 times. The higher exposure rate 1n this area 1s attributed to
elevated concentrations of naturally occurring radlonucHdes that often
exist In granite rock. Thus, gamma-ray exposure rates were not measurably
elevated In the vicinity of the nuclear ship facilities because of naval
operations.
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Table 5. A Summary of Gamma-Ray Exposure Rates
Gamma-Ray Exposure Rates, uR/hr
Location of Survey AverageRange
Harbor Sampling Sites
Norfolk Naval Shipyard 4.5 3.6-5.3
Norfolk Naval Station 4.2 3.7-4.9
Newport News Shipbuilding 4.3 3.8-6.0
Exclusion Areas Along Waterfront
Norfolk Naval Shipyard 4.2 3.8-6.0
Norfolk Naval Station 4.0 3.5-4.8
Newport News Shipbuilding 4.0 3.5-5.0
Along Public Shorelines
Elizabeth River
Portslde-Munlclpal Building
to Tourist Area N.R. 5-7
Across From Portslde along concrete wharf N.R. 5-8
Area of Granite near Lafayette Marina Inlet N.R. 15-20
South Branch
Near Chesapeake Toll Bridge 5.5 5-6
N.R.-Not Reported.
17
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Summary and Conclusions
The radiological survey of the Norfolk Naval Station, Newport News
Shipbuilding, and Norfolk Naval Shipyard provided the basis for the
following conclusions:
1. The trace amounts of Co-60 measured in the harbor sediments are
significantly less than observed during the 1968 survey and
exists about 5 Inches beneath the surface of the sediment
Indicating that no detectable Co-60 has been deposited in the
sediments since the 1968 survey.
2. In addition to Co-60, only radionuclides of natural origin plus
trace amounts of Cs-137 from previous nuclear weapons testing
were detected In any of the harbor sediment samples.
3. No tritium or gamma-ray emitters, other than those occurring
naturally, were detected in harbor water, or samples of
sediment, water and vegetation collected from public areas.
4. Drinking water samples contained no detectable levels of
radioactivity other than those occurring naturally.
5. The shoreline gamma-ray surveys failed to detect any elevated
exposure levels except at one location where the levels are
attributed to the naturally occurlng radionuclides that exist In
granite rock.
18
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6. The levels and locations of radioactivity identified and the
limited media in which it was found show that operations related
to nuclear-powered warship activities resulted in no significant
adverse effects on public health or the environment.
19
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References
Ha68 Harvey, H.D., Toerber, E.D. and Gordon, J.A., 1968, "Radiological
Survey of Hampton Roads, Virginia", Southeastern Environmental
Radiological Health Laboratory, U.S. Public Health Service,
unpublished.
20
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APPENDIX A
Concentration of Co-60 in Harbor Sediment Samples, pCi/g Dry Wt.
Site
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Co-60
0.02 +_ 80
0.01 +_ 78
0.04 +_ 49
0.04 +_ 59
0.03 +_ 47
0.03 ^ 41
0.03 +_ 53
0.04 +_ 41
0.02 +_ 76
0.03 +_ 45
0.04 +_ 31
0.04 +_ 58
< 0.01
0.02 _+ 94
0.02^ 94
0.03 *_ 57
0.03 +_ 41
0.02 _+ 75
0.02 +_ 41
0.02 + 78
Site
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
Co-60
0.04 +_ 55
< 0.01
0.02 +_ 72
0.03 _+ 62
< 0.01
0. 02 +_ 72
< 0.01
< 0.01
0.02 _+ 100
0.02^ 77
0.02 ^ 65
< 0.01
< 0.01
0.02^ 94
0.02 *_ 55
0.04^ 48
0.02 +_ 84
0.02 +_ 58
0.04 +_ 43
0.02 + 85
Site
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
Co-60
0.02 +_ 67
0. 02 +_ 63
0.03 +_ 48
< 0.01
0.01 *_ 97
< 0.01
0.09 +_ 15
0.09^ 15
0.09 +_ 17
0.05 +_ 46
0.10^20
0.05 _+ 27
°-07± 18
0.08^ 23
0.05 +_ 24
0.08^ 19
0.06 j^25
0.06 ^ 28
0.06 +_ 23
0.02 + 52
A-l
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APPENDIX A - Continued
Concentration of Co-60 1n Harbor Sediment Samples, pC1/g Dry Wt.
Site
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
Co-60
0.07 j^ 25
0.07 +_ 26
0.04 +_ 28
0.03 +_ 41
0.04 +_ 25
0.03 _+ 29
0.02 +_ 49
0.08 +_ 18
0.06^ 19
0.05 +_ 34
0.03 +_ 37
0.05 +_ 35
0.04 _+ 40
0.04 +_ 39
0-03 i 39
0.05 +_ 36
0.06 _+ 31
0.05 +_ 35
0.05^ 17
0.05 +_ 26
Site
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
Co-60
0.08 +_ 25
0.11 1 17
0.04 ^ 43
0.09 +_ 13
0.05 +_ 22
< 0.01
0.09 +_ 19
0.10 ^ 18
0.09 +_ 16
0.08^ 15
0.09 +_ 15
0.06 jj; 19
0.08 +_ 15
0.09 +_ 15
0.10 *_ 18
0.09 ^ 22
0.10 +_ 19
0.07^ 24
0.08 ^ 26
0.06 _+ 20
Site
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
Co-60
0.07 _* 19
0.09^ 15
0.09^ 20
0.03 _+ 26
0.07 j^24
0.07 +_ 17
0.04 _+ 33
0.09 +_ 15
0.07 +_24
0.10^ 18
0.06^29
0.08^ 21
0.09^ 15
0.09^ 20
0.12^13
0.02 ^ 68
0.06 +_ 24
0.06^ 25
0.07 j^24
0.03 +_ 43
Note: JJ; values are the 2a counting errors In percent.
A-2
AUOAFS, AL ( S»1714 ) 500
4 U.S. COVtnWMENT PniHTINO OFFICE: 1989--631-002/86284 ««glon Ko. »
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