Environmental
Monitoring and
Support Laboratory
Las Vegas
Third Quarter — July, August, September 1975
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THIRD QUARTER REPORT
of the
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND SUPPORT LABORATORY
LAS VEGAS
July through September 1975
Program Element 1RW103
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND SUPPORT LABORATORY
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89114
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CONTENTS
Page
EVENTS OF GENERAL INTEREST 1
SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS 1
OTHER MEETINGS 2
AWARDS PRESENTED 2
SPECIAL VISITORS 3
SPRING RENOVATION PROJECT 4
SPECIAL SURVEYS COMPLETED 4
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 5
POLLUTANT-ORIENTED STUDIES 5
Arsenic 5
Lead 5
Tritium 6
Carbon Monoxide 6
METHODS AND EQUIPMENT DEVELOPMENT 7
Actinides Analysis 7
Ground Water Monitoring Methods 7
Speetrofluorometry 7
LIDAR 8
Ozone Morn" tors 9
Photographic Methods 9
Tritium Sampler 10
MONITORING 11
AIR 11
RAPS - St, Louis 11
Regional Ozone Study - New England 11
Particulate Phosphate Survey - Lake Huron 12
Power Plant Plume Survey - Ohio River 12
WATER 12
Non-Point Source Pollution 12
Atchafalaya Basin Study 13
National Eutrophication Survey (NES) 13
Regional Monitoring Support 13
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CONTENTS (continued) Page
RADIATION 14
Exposure Claims 14
Deer Migration Study 14
Radionuclides in Ground Water 14
Plutonium 15
NOISE 15
ENERGY-RELATED STUDIES 15
QUALITY ASSURANCE 17
INTERCOMPARISON STUDIES 17
STATE ASSISTANCE 17
LABORATORY SUPPORT 19
ANALYTICAL SUPPORT 19
NEW EQUIPMENT ACQUISITIONS 19
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS 21
EPA SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL REPORTS PUBLISHED 21
REPORTS OF ERDA-REIMBURSABLE WORK 21
PAPERS PRESENTED AT THE ICESA 21
PAPERS PRESENTED AT OTHER MEETINGS 22
JOURNAL ARTICLES ACCEPTED 22
OFFICE OF RADIATION PROGRAMS-LAS VEGAS FACILITY 23
GRANTS MINERAL BELT STUDY 23
GEOTHERMAL 23
URANIUM MILL SITES 23
PHOSPHATE INDUSTRY 24
RADIOACTIVE WASTES 24
EMERGENCY RESPONSE 25
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS 25
REPORTS 25
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EVENTS OF GENERAL INTEREST
Dr. Delbert S. Barth returned to his duties as Acting Director of the En-
vironmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory-Las Vegas (EMSL-LV) on July 25
after a 4-month assignment in Washington, D.C. At the request of Dr. Wilson K.
Talley, Assistant Administrator for Research and Development (ORD) in the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency {EPA), Dr. Barth assisted in the reorganiza-
tion of the ORD as Chairman of the Health and Ecological Effects Working Group
and as Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for Health and Ecological Effects.
Mr. John R. McBride, Acting Deputy Director* of the EMSL-LV, served as Acting
Director during this period.
SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS
The International Conference on Environmental Sensing and Assessment
(ICESA) was held in Las Vegas September 15 through 19. Speakers from 25 na-
tions presented 240 technical papers on the problems of monitoring pollutants
from transportation, agriculture, energy production and other industrial pro-
cess; on the methods for monitoring ground water quality; the interaction of
climate and pollution; and the global transport of pollutants. Panel discus-
sions were held on facilitating the merger of technology and government, and
two plenary sessions dealt with the legal aspect of monitoring and the future
of environmental quality assessment.
The Conference was sponsored by four U.S. government agencies, five pro-
fessional societies, an international organization and a university. Repre-
senting EPA Administrator Russell E. Train, Dr. Wilson K. Talley delivered the
keynote address. Other featured speakers included Dr. Alexander S. Pavlov,
Assistant Director-General of the World Health Organization; Dr. Eduardo
Echeverria Alvarez, President of the Technical Council of Mexico's Subsecretar-
iat for Environmental Improvement; Mr. Fitzhugh Green, Associate Administrator
of the EPA; and Dr. Delbert S. Barth, who was also Coordinating Chairman of the
Conference.
About 1,000 scientists, engineers, and public officials from over 40 na-
tions attended the Conference. Fifty-seven organizations and firms showed
commercial and educational exhibits. Media coverage was provided by the New
York Times, The Ground Water Newsletter, Environmental Science and Technology,
Design News, Stern Magazine, Environmental Health Letter, Medical Tribune3
Surveyor Magazine, United Press International, Associated Press, NBC Radio News,
Voice of America and Radio Free Europe as well as the local press and broadcast
media.
^Persons holding organizational titles at the EMSL-LV do so on an Acting basis,
pending appropriate personnel actions. For simplicity, the Acting designation
is dropped from the title in the remainder of this report.
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Besides Dr. Barth, who was Coordinating Chairman for the Conference, other
EMSL-LV personnel serving on the Conference Steering Committee were Mr. George
B. Morgan, who was a General Chairman; Or. Richard E. Stanley, a General Vice-
Chairman; Mr. Edward A. Schuck and Dr. S. Harvey Melfi, Program Coimiittee Co-
Chairmen; Mr. Richard E. Jaquish, Co-Chairman for local Arrangements; Mrs. Gen-
eva S. Douglas, Publicity Committee Co-Chairman; and Mr. R. Dennis Tate, Pub-
lications Committee Co-Chairman. Other Steering Committee members were from
the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and other spon-
soring organizations. Many EMSL-LV personnel served on committees and pro-
vided a variety of Conference support services.
On August 5 through 7, Mr. George Morgan, Director of the EMSL-LV Monitor-
ing Systems Research and Development Division, attended a symposium on cali-
bration problems and techniques held in Boulder, Colorado. He chaired a ses-
sion entitled, "Are Reference Methods Absolute?" The symposium was sponsored
by the EPA, the National Bureau of Standards, and Coimiittee D-22 of the
American Society for Testing and Materials which deals with the sampling and
analysis of atmospheres. Persons who presented papers at this symposium have
been directly involved in the performance of instrument calibration, the gen-
eration of standard materials, or the development of systems for calibrating
analyzers used for monitoring gaseous pollutants in ambient air and stationary
or mobile sources.
Mr. John S. Coogan, EPA Radiation Safety Officer and EMSL-LV Safety
Officer, and Mrs. Anita A. Mullen of the Monitoring Systems Research and De-
velopment Division at EMSL-LV, attended the 20th Annual Health Physics Society
Meeting in Buffalo, New York in July. Mrs. Mullen presented a paper at this
meeting (see "Publications and Presentations"). In August, Mr. Coogan attended
the Fifth Campus Radiation Safety Officers Conference held in Irvine,
California.
OTHER MEETINGS
On July 8 and 9, Dr. Wilson Talley held the senior staff meeting of the
EPA Office of Research and Development at the EMSL-LV. The group was briefed
on activities of the EMSL's in Las Vegas, Cincinnati, and Research Triangle
Park, and was joined by Regional Administrators or their representatives from
Regions VI, VIII, IX, and X one afternoon to discuss Regional liaison and
support.
Mr. Charles Costa, Chief of the Monitoring Operations Division Environ-
mental Radiation Branch, and Dr. Charles Williams, Deputy Manager of the
Nevada Operations Office of the Energy Research and Development Administration,
met with the Utah Radiological Advisory Committee on August 28. They briefed
the State officials on the safety practices used at the Nevada Test Site and
in its environs during underground nuclear tests.
AWARDS PRESENTED
In a ceremony at the EMSL-LV held August 14, Mr. McBride presented EPA
scholarships to five college students, all children of Laboratory employees.
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They are: Mr. Marc Amel» son of physical science technician Gerald Doran;
Mr. Kary Free, son of computer operator Eva McGough; Miss Barbara Rizzardi,
daughter of writer-editor Charles Rizzardi; and Miss June and Mr. Jaques
Fleming, daughter and son of data processing clerk Patricia Fleming.
In the same ceremony, Mr. McBride presented 13 high-quality performance
awards and 1 special achievement award to Laboratory employees. Miss Deborah
McClellan, clerk-typist in the Water and Land Quality Branch of the Monitoring
Operations Division, received a cash award for consistent high-level compe-
tence. High-quality performance awards and salary increases were given to
Mrs. Patricia Wunder of the Information Services Staff; Mr. Robert W. Thomas of
the Monitoring Operations Division; and Ms. Frances Adkins, Mr. Kenneth Brown,
Mr. Jerome Carrillo, Mrs. Faye Cromar, Mr. Kenneth Giles, Mr. Howard Kelley,
Mrs. Julie Lashua, Mrs. Dorrie Siegrist, Mrs. Carlette Schnackenberg, Dr. Bruce
Wiersma, and Mrs. Patricia Wilmore, all of the Monitoring Systems Research and
Development Division.
SPECIAL VISITORS
Mr. Richard Malow, staff member of the House Appropriations Committee,
visited the Laboratory to discuss EMSL-LV programs with Deputy Director McBride.
Mr. A1 Zengel of the Coordinating Research Counci1 met with the Acting EMSL-LV
Director and the Directors and staff of the Monitoring Operations and the Moni-
toring Systems Research and Development Divisions to discuss EMSL-LV and
Council participation in oxidant studies and the study of long-range transport
of air pollutants. Dr. Herb Wiser, Acting Principal Science Advisor for EPA's
Office of Research and Development, and Mr. William Lacy of his staff met with
Dr. Barth, Program Coordination Director Walter Petrie and Division Directors
to discuss the EPA's 5- to 10-year research plan. Dr. Milton Harris, Member-
at-Large, Executive Committee of the EPA Science Advisory Board, met with
Mr. McBride and Division Directors to discuss EMSL-LV research activities.
On August 1, Mr. Alvin Aim, EPA Assistant Administrator for Planning and
Management; Mr. Edward Rhodes, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Administra-
tion; Mr. Richard Redenius, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Resources Man-
agement; Mr. Albert Trakowski, Deputy Assistant Administrator for the ORD
Office of Monitoring and Technical Support; and Mr. Alan Neuschatz, Director of
the Office of Financial and Administration Services, visited with Dr. Barth and
members of the EMSL-LV staff for a briefing on EMSL-LV programs. The group also
toured the Nevada Test Site.
Mr. Zentaro Hashimoto, Chief Planner of Japan's Environment Agency, met
with Dr. Barth, Dr. S. Harvey Melfi, Director of the EMSL-LV Remote Sensing
Division, and members of the EMSL-LV staff. Dr. Hashimoto is doing intensive
studies of the National Environmental Pol icy Act and American experience with
the effectiveness of environmental assessment at all levels of government,
industry and citizen influence to determine how such a program can be adapted
in Japan.
Dr. and Mrs. Jose Gonzalez-Nicolas of Spain met with Mr. Petrie and EMSL-LV
staff members for briefings on water monitoring systems, instrumentation and
analysis. Dr. Gonzalez-Nicolas is the Head of the Center of Hydrographic
Studies, Ministry of Public Works, Madrid.
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Dr. Julio Petrement of Spain visited the EMSL-LV to meet with Dr. Barth,
Division Directors and appropriate staff of the Monitoring Operations Division
and the Office of Radiation Programs-Las Vegas.
From September 22 through October 3, Dr. R. Kucharski, Dr. V. Ma j, and
Mrs. E. Macholinski of Poland were working with personnel of the Monitoring
Systems Research and Development Division to study EMSL-LV air monitoring and
analytical techniques. During their visit, a contract proposal was prepared
for mutually developing a monitoring program to support epidemiological
studies in the Upper Silesia Industrial Area of Poland. Division Director
George Morgan will be the project officer for this contract.
Other persons to visit the EMSL-LV during the quarter included Dr. W. H.
J. Hattingh of the South African National Institute for Water Research, and
Dr. R. J. Wells of the South African Water Research Commission, who met with
Dr. Barth to discuss EMSL-LV water programs.
SPRING RENOVATION PROJECT
As part of its continuing Animal Investigation Program, the Farm and Animal
Investigation Branch of the Monitoring Systems Research and Development Division
is renovating remote natural springs on the Nevada Test Site (NTS). The project
is a follow-up of surveys of springs made by the EMSL-LV and the Energy Research
and Development Administration.
Many wild animals and birds, both resident and migratory, frequent the
springs on the 1,350-square-mile NTS. After the NTS was established and new
water sources developed to support the nearly 500 nuclear explosives tests
conducted over the years, the springs were unused and fell into ruin. The
effect was a decrease in wildlife population due to lack of water. Reclamation
not only assures the survival and propagation of the natural fauna but allows
for the return of species long gone from the area. Availability of water in
the remote areas of the NTS also reduces the need for animals to enter popu-
lated areas or roadways, thereby reducing the chance of accident and other
safety hazards. Water conservation is also a factor considered.
SPECIAL SURVEYS COMPLETED
EMSL-LV radiation monitors completed the updating of information on mining
operations around the Nevada Test Site (NTS). Current data on mining close to
the NTS is needed because miners must be notified when ground motion is
expected following some underground nuclear tests.
The annual survey of dairy and family milk cows in Nevada, eastern Cali-
fornia and western Utah was completed. Collected data were submitted for data
processing for compilation of a directory summarizing the results and scheduled
for publication in late October. The survey includes location and feeding
practices of all dairies, family milk cows and milk goats, plus the number and
ages of persons using milk from family sources.
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RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
POLLUTANT-ORIENTED STUDIES
Arsenic
The transport and biological transformation of arsenic in terrestrial
systems are not well understood. Because EPA needs a health-related monitoring
system for arsenic, the Monitoring Systems Research and Development Division
is initiating studies to more fully understand the behavior of environmental
arsenic.
Arsenic appears to be available for biological transformation and trans-
port. A literature review will be conducted to determine its chemical forms
which can be biologically transformed. Also, possible transformation mech-
anisms and methodology for the extraction and analysis of the various chemical
forms of arsenic will be reviewed.
The research thrust will be directed toward the biological transformation
and transport of arsenic- Its biological transformation will first be studied
using soil systems in a manner similar to that used previously to study the
biological transformation of mercury. This method will involve adding an
inorganic form of arsenic to the soil, extracting organic forms of arsenic
from the soil, and measuring the quantity of each. Biological production of
volatile or more soluble forms from less volatile or insoluble forms will also
be studied, as will biological transformations of arsenic by plants.
Lead
The Los Angeles Regional Lead Study is being conducted under Monitoring
Systems Research and Development Division direction by the California Institute
of Technology, Pasadena, California. The purpose of the study is to determine
the emission sources and distribution of lead in the urban environment and its
pathways to the critical receptor (i.e., the people most likely to suffer
adverse effects from lead). As expected, the combustion of gasoline containing
tetraethyl lead contributes 99 percent of the lead emitted to the atmosphere
per day in the Los Angeles Basin. Forty percent of the lead emitted from
automobiles is deposited within 500 feet of the roadway while the remainder is
widely dispersed. About 25 percent of the lead emitted is carried by the
prevailing winds to distances greater than 200 miles. These and additional
details resulting from this study were presented at the International Confer-
ence of Environmental Sensing and Assessment (ICESA).
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Tritium
Flagfish, guppies, catfish, and trout have been raised in a uniformly
tritiated environment in which the hydrogen compounds in both the food and
water were uniformly labeled with tritium. The object was to determine the
concentration factor for tritium in fish raised in such environments. Fish
grown in laboratory aquaria were fed a diet prepared to have the same tritium
specific activity as aquaria water. Field studies were conducted with fish in
ponds at the Nevada Test Site in which fish ate only food grown in their trit-
iated ponds. The controlled laboratory studies simulated tritium specific
activity equilibrium between water and food. The field studies were conducted
to determine whether the controlled studies gave a reasonable representation
of the tritium specific activity relationship found in the natural environment.
All fish have been harvested and analysis of tritium in fish tissue is in
progress.
Preliminary data indicate that the addition of tritiated food to the diet
of fish living in tritiated water significantly increases the tritium content
of fish tissue. The tritium concentration factor for fish in tritiated water
is about 0.4, while for a tritiated environment the value is near unity. A
large portion of the tissue-bound tritium appears to have a biological half-
life of several months.
These results are significant in both monitoring and standards setting
efforts of the EPA. In the monitoring area, environmental samples of fish or
other aquatic biota may contain higher concentrations of tritium than the
ambient water as a result of previous tritium exposures of the organism or of
substances in its food chain. The current environmental standards for tritium
are based on the presence of tritium only in the body water of man, and ex-
trapolation is made to tritium levels in the environmental water which would
yield the maximum permissible concentration in a standard man. It is well
known that tritium-labeled organic molecules retain tritium through metabolic
processes. This phenomenon is used in performing tracer studies with tritium-
labeled molecules. The biological haIf-lives and deposition sites for these
tritium-labeled molecules are characteristic of the molecule rather than of
the tritium it contains. Therefore, the radiation dose to an organism from
tritium incorporated in organic components of its food supply would be greater
than from tritium in body water and would also be distributed differently to
body tissues than from tritium in body water. It is also known that tritium
in the body water of animals and plants is incorporated into organic body
constituents. These phenomena have been used to obtain tritiated proteins and
other complex organic molecules for use in tracer studies.
The preliminary results of the fish experiments indicate that periodic
monitoring of environmental water for tritium does not give an adequate as-
sessment of potential human exposures to tritium in cases where the water
monitored provides significant quantities of human food.
Carbon Monoxide
The Monitoring Systems Design and Analysis Staff of Monitoring Systems
Research and Development Division completed its first model simulation of
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carbon monoxide air concentrations for the Las Vegas Valley. The model used
for this simulation is the Systems Applications, Inc., source-grid model. To-
pographical, meteorological, and source data were entered into the model on an
hourly basis. The model then produced hourly predicted carbon monoxide iso-
pleth maps based on these inputs. These maps are now being validated against
actual ambient concentration measurements in the Las Vegas Valley. A paper
describing this initial simulation and entitled, "Development of Criteria for
Establishing Guidelines for Optimization of Environmental Monitoring Networks,
Part 1: Air Monitoring Networks," was presented at the ICESA.
METHODS AND EQUIPMENT DEVELOPMENT
Actinides Analysis
The Methods Development and Analytical Support Branch of the Monitoring
Systems Research and Development Division has developed a new method for the
routine analysis of plutonium on glass-fiber filters. This solves the ex-
tremely difficult interference problem posed by the high barium content of
the filters. Preliminary results using the method are very encouraging. This
new approach involves a potassium fluoride fusion coupled with anion exchange.
Equilibration between sample plutonium and the tracer was demonstrated and
recoveries are on the order of 70 percent.
Investigations are continuing regarding optimum separation techniques to
determine several actinides from a single environmental sample. Since many
analysis requests require analyses for two or more actinides for a given sam-
ple, it is advantageous to avoid repeating the time-consuming sample decom-
position procedures for each analysis.
Considerable effort has been devoted to improving methodology for amer-
icium analysis. Several techniques for separating interfering rare earths
from americium are being evaluated. The most favorable will be incorporated
into the routine soil procedure.
Ground Water Monitoring Methods
A baseline study of the distribution of pollutants in the recharge areas
of a major ground water aquifer has begun. The Monitoring Systems Design and
Analysis Staff of the Monitoring Systems Research and Development Division
will validate a complete ground water basin monitoring strategy and methodol-
ogy which is being developed under contract. To do this it will be neces-
sary to identify the various sources and routes of potential ground water
contamination. The Pollutant Pathways Branch will examine the aerial trans-
port of contaminants to recharge areas and their subsequent movement through
an ecosystem into ground water. The latter will be accomplished by sampling
vegetation and soil in recharge areas of the Sabine River Arch in East Texas,
and documenting the levels and distribution of pollutants in these samples.
Spectrof1uorometry
The Remote Sensing Division (RSD) is conducting a program to develop an
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active airborne sensor capable of providing an overall indication of organic
pollutant load of surface waters. Remote monitoring of water quality over
extensive areas is not only cost effective, but it is often impossible to make
simultaneous measurements using direct sampling methods.
The principle employed is an extension of the laboratory technique of
spectrofluorometry. A water sample 1s irradiated with ultraviolet (UV) light
of a specific wavelength and intensity and the resultant fluorescence emis-
sion is then monitored using a scanning monochromator/detector combination.
The fluorescence signal arises from dissolved organic materials rather than
from the water itself which does not fluoresce. However, the water molecule
emits a Raman band which, for very dilute aqueous solutions of organics, has
a constant amplitude for a given excitation intensity. This Raman emission
band can be conveniently employed as a built-in reference source with which
to compare the amplitude of the concurrent fluorescence emission. The ampli-
tude of the signal provides information regarding the concentration of dis-
solved organics whereas the fluorescence spectra are characteristic of the
type of materials present. In addition, if the UV excitation source is pulsed,
the decay time of the fluorescence emission can also be used as an identifying
feature.
Although many reports indicate good correlation between the intensity of
this water fluorescence emission and measurements of total organic carbon (TOC)
for certain types of drinking water and waste effluents, to date, no attempt
has been made to investigate the status of this correlation for surface waters
of rivers, lakes, ponds, and estuaries for a variety of different water types.
The RSD will perform such a study using a laboratory spectrofluorometer. The
fluorescence measurements will be correlated with a number of water quality
parameters to be obtained from the same samples. In addition to TOC, the
concentration of chlorophyll and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) will be measured.
If a satisfactory correlation is obtained between the ratio of the fluorescence
intensity to Raman intensity and TOC, construction, field testing and flight
evaluation of an airborne laser fluorosensor will be undertaken.
An airborne remote sensing version of such a device will employ a down-
looking pulsed UV nitrogen laser as an excitation source and an optical tele-
scope as the receiver in which the eyepiece is replaced by a monochromator/
detector array. With a typical laser repetition rate of 100 pulses per second
in an aircraft at 1,000 feet altitude and moving at 200 feet per second, the
laser fluorosensor produces a ground footprint every 2 feet, thereby providing
for essentially continuous recording of surface water fluorescence. This
signal is then monitored, digitized and recorded on magnetic tape for analysis
on a ground-based facility. By making a series of passes over a given area,
a map of surface water organic pollutant load can be produced.
LI PAR
A second system undergoing design by the Remote Sensing Division (RSD) is
a two-frequency downlooking Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system de-
signed to be flown in a fixed wing aircraft. The design of this device will
be an extension of the design concept incorporated in the single-frequency
LIDAR device constructed in 1973 by the RSD and extensively tested during
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several intensive study periods in the EPA's Regional Air Pollution Study in
St. Louis, Missouri. The design criteria for the original instrument were
directed toward the development of an instrument which would measure the
height of the mixed layer over large geographical areas in a fairly short
period of time.
The device fulfills this objective and, in addition, has shown some value
in characterizing effluent plumes. The two-frequency LIDAR will be fired at a
much greater repetition rate thus reducing the horizontal resolution element,
a capability necessary for determining cross sections through individual
effluent plumes. The use of two frequencies will also provide characteristic
signatures of different particle distributions. This will make it possible
to isolate individual plumes from the general increase in aerosol scattering
found downwind in the urban environment. Increasing the firing repetition
rate of the laser and going to two frequencies will necessitate the design of
a rather complex data handling system which will provide both a quick-look
capability on board the aircraft and fully documented digital files to be
analyzed later using large digital computer techniques. Target date for
initially ground testing of the system is during the summer of 1976.
Ozone Monitors
In addition to the LIDAR, a second device aimed at solving problems asso-
ciated with pollution arising from energy development is being designed by the
RSD. This is a modification of the remote ozone monitor now being ground
tested to detect inert tracer gases. The ozone monitor uses two sequentially
fired infrared lasers of similar frequencies and a receiving telescope. The
frequency of one of the lasers lies within an absorption band of ozone and the
other just outside the band. The device is mounted in an airborne platform
and uses the surface of the earth as a reflector for the laser pulses. The
difference in signal strength between the two reflected pulses is proportional
to the total amount of ozone beneath the platform.
Current testing of the device is on a horizontal test range using a
building some 500 meters from the Laboratory as a target. The instrument
measures total ozone along this path. The same principles used in the devel-
opment of the ozone monitor apply to the monitoring of certain other gases
including several chemically inert gases. The modified instrument will be
used to map, in detail, tracer gas releases used to simulate effluents from
proposed plants and thus provide critical information with respect to plant
siting. The main effort over the first year of this new project will be
directed to selection of a suitable tracer gas with respect to both its utility
as a tracer and the effects of its release to the environment.
Photographic Methods
A proposal to prepare a document on techniques, films and methods of
interpretation was requested from Cornell University. This was prompted by a
briefing on the results of the "Central New York Sanitary Landfill Study,"
presented by Dr. Dwight Sangrey of Cornell for representatives of the Office
of Solid Waste Disposal, EPA Headquarters, and the Solid Waste Office in
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Cincinnati. The Remote Sensing Division (RSO) also negotiated a contract with
Trident Engineering Associates, Inc., to survey and catalog all available
photo interpretation keys. The survey will include all Federal agencies,
private contractors and universities. In Phase II of the program all cata-
loged keys will be evaluated in terms of pertinent environmental data to
ascertain gaps in the available keys. Where necessary, recommendations will
be made for update of imagery and textual format. This study will result in a
pilot program to prepare standard environmental keys for use in EPA Regions
and State and local organizations.
The RSD has begun a project to test and demonstrate the concept of oper-
ating a photographic pod with multi-sensor capabilities on a light aircraft.
The purpose is to identify the techniques required to operate Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) certified pods within the EPA Regions for imnediate
deployment and use. Production drawings are nearing completion and three
additional pods are scheduled for delivery by the end of this quarter. These
will be configured for the mini-sensor camera with the possibility that one
will be equipped with a low-light level television system. Plans call for
configurations using mini-scanners for thermal imagery and long focal-length
forward oblique earners. Tests have been completed and FAA certification is
expected soon. Flight demonstrations with the prototype will begin this fall.
Tritium Sampler
A tritium (HT, HTO) sampler has been developed by the Monitoring Systems
Research and Development Division (MSD). This unit, more reliable and ef-
ficient than the samplers now in use, decreases variability due to its limited
sampling orifice of only I micrometer in diameter. Its reliability is also
increased by using pure hydrogen gas rather than hydrogen evolved from water.
A prototype of the sampler has been tested in the field with favorable results.
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MONITORING
AIR
RAPS - St. Louis
During July and August, the helicopter team of the Air Quality Branch of
the Monitoring Operations Division (MOD) used three instrumented H-34 heli-
copters in a variety of air quality studies in St. Louis as part of the Suirmer
Intensive Field Study in the EPA's Regional Air Pollution Study (RAPS). To
provide initial and boundary conditions for the development and validation of
regional air quality simulation models, the normal sounding program was per-
formed to obtain vertical and horizontal profiles of pollutants and meteor-
ological parameters (nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide,
sulfur dioxide, reactive hydrocarbons, temperature, dewpoint, wind speed and
wind direction). The helicopters also participated in investigation of urban
plume and point source plume chemistry in cooperation with investigators from
the Aerosol Research Branch of the Environmental Sciences Research Laboratory
at Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, from Washington University, and
from the University of Minnesota. These studies required the collection of
particulate samples for sulfate determination, in addition to the normal
complement of instrumentation. Urban energy budget studies were performed
involving the characterization of aerosols over urban St. Louis.
The Monitoring Systems Analysis and Design Staff of the Monitoring Systems
Research and Development Division (MSD) also participated in the RAPS Summer
Intensive Study. Experiments were conducted on the structure and turbulent
properties of the urban atmospheric boundary layer. At this time, the MSD
monitored work being conducted under contract to the Research Triangle Insti-
tute, North Carolina, by the EMSL-LV and by the University of Illinois under
grant to the Environmental Sciences Research Laboratory, North Carolina.
Regional Ozone Study - New England
During July, the Air Quality Branch Long Range Air Monitoring Aircraft
(LORAMA) was outfitted to measure ozone, low concentrations of oxides of
nitrogen (0 to 10 parts per billion), temperature, humidity and position, as
well as to collect air grab samples. The aircraft was then flown to South
Weymouth, Massachusetts, and used in a survey of ozone and ozone precursors
over New England. This study, a cooperative effort by the EMSL-LV and the
Environmental Sciences Research Laboratory, investigated the possible trans-
port of ozone and ozone precursors into the Region I area from outside sources
(i.e., the New York metropolitan area).
The EMSL-LV support of this study included the LORAMA, meteorological
expertise, and day-to-day project field management by Mr. Karl Zeller, research
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meteorologist assigned to the Air Quality Branch from the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration. Data analysis and interpretation for the study
will not be completed until mid-winter but some of the important preliminary
observations to date indicate the following: (a) relatively high concentra-
tions, equal to or exceeding 0.08 parts per million, of ozone over widespread
areas of New England on some days; (b) elevated concentrations of ozone also
at distances of 100 miles or more off-shore over the Atlantic; and (c) fre-
quent elevated concentrations of ozone in the vicinity of Cape Cod, Martha's
Vineyard and Nantucket.
Particulate Phosphate Survey - Lake Huron
On return to Las Vegas September 1, the LORAMA was outfitted with a par-
ticulate sampler and flown to Detroit, Michigan, to participate in a study of
nutrient mass balance over Lake Huron. The Grosse lie Laboratory of the EPA
is studying the nutrient budget of the Great Lakes with particular emphasis on
phosphates. Previous investigations showed that approximately 25% of Lake
Huron's phosphate influx was apparently contributed by particulate deposition
on the lake surface. The LORAMA performed sampling over Lake Huron in co-
ordination with sampling by a Great Lakes freighter operated by the Gross lie
Laboratory. The aircraft and the ship together attempted to follow an air
mass across Lake Huron and to measure changes with time of particulate phos-
phate concentrations in the air mass.
Power Plant Plume Survey - Ohio River
At the request of the Region III Administrator, a field team used an
instrumented helicopter and the LIDAR-equipped C-45 to examine the dispersion
of effluent plumes from two power plants located on the Ohio River south of
Wheeling, West Virginia. The owners have protested the sulfur dioxide emis-
sions reductions required for the plants by the West Virginia State Imple-
mentation Plan. The 3-week field study was performed for the purpose of veri-
fying air quality simulation modeling of the plant by a contractor to Re-
gion III. The two aircraft measured the height of the rise of the plumes and
their vertical and horizontal dispersion. Essentially ground-level concen-
trations of sulfur dioxide were also measured by the helicopter.
WATER
Non-Point Source Pollution
The Water and Land Quality Branch of the Monitoring Operations Division
(MOD) initiated the Non-point Source Pollution Monitoring Program with pro-
curement of sensor packages, site selection for the field activities, and out-
fitting of a laboratory trailer. Sampling will begin in Utah by November.
Some exploratory benthic biological sampling was done. Regional support was
promised for the biological monitoring in the White River Basin, an area to
be directly impacted by oil shale extraction activities. In late July, the
Branch briefed representatives of the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S.
Geodetic Survey in projected study activities.
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Atchafalaya Basin Study
The Atchafalaya Basin in Louisiana is of national importance because of
its innumerable natural resources and because it is a habitat for rare and
endangered species of wildlife. It also serves as a floodway for the lower
Mississippi River.
The Remote Sensing Division has completed the basic analysis of two high
altitude, high resolution missions in its pilot study to determine flood
damage to oil field structures in the basin. A final report is in preparation.
The Monitoring Operations Division (MOD) Water and Land Quality Branch is
initiating further studies in the Basin. A laboratory trailer and sampling
gear are now in Baton Rouge and the sampling boats have been equipped. Space
in the area is now being sought to meet program requirements. Samplings will
be analyzed for pesticide levels as well as for nutrients and adenosine tri-
phosphate concentrations and other pollutants. The study is expected to
require about two years to complete.
National Eutrophication Survey (NES)
The helicopter field teams completed the second round sampling of lakes in
the western States and initiated third round sampling. At the request of
Region X, Lower Granite Falls Reservoir, Washington, was added to the lake
list. The objective of the NES is to develop knowledge of nutrient sources,
concentration and threat to selected freshwater lakes. The survey began in
1972 and will be completed with the survey of the lakes presently under study.
Effective use of a fuel truck has increased the safety margin for the
helicopters operating on high altitude lakes. Helicopters can now operate with
reduced fuel on board, hence less gross weight, with the mobile fuel source
near at hand.
The level of effort on phytoplankton enumeration for NES samples has been
enhanced with an increase from two to four full-time algal taxonomists. Their
effort has significantly reduced the backlog of phytoplankton analyses. Pre-
liminary lake reports for the 1973 lakes were completed and forwarded to the
States involved. State and Regional comments were received for some lakes. The
comprehensive NES report, "Prediction of Lake Water Quality Based Upon Ambient
Nutrient Concentrations," was completed and sent for review comment to the EPA
Environmental Research Laboratory in Corvallis, Oregon, and to several noted
researchers interested in the study.
Regional Monitoring Support
The Remote Sensing Division (RSD) conducted the data acquisition phase of
a study for the Enforcement and Surveillance and Analysis Divisions of Region
III. The Monarch aircraft was used 1n this phase and analysis is now being
conducted on color aerial photos and thermal infrared data to support priority
enforcement needs.
The RSD also completed data acquisition over three electric power gen-
erating stations in Region IV. Color aerial photography and thermal infrared
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sensing will be used to show the impact of cooling water discharges on sur-
rounding marshy vegetation. Imagery of the thermal discharges was compiled
during various tidal fluctuations to show the distribution of heat in marshes
throughout the tidal cycle.
RADIATION
Exposure Claims
In the continuing program to investigate alleged radiation exposure claims
against the Energy Research and Development Administration, three cases are in
various stages of investigation by Dr. Maxwell E. Kaye. Dr. Kaye is the EMSL-
LV Director of Health and Safety and the Coordinator of the Medical Liaison
Officer Network which is responsible for conducting investigation of alleged
injuries due to nuclear testing activities of the ERDA.
Deer Migration Study
Each year the large herd of mule deer that populates the higher elevations
of the Nevada Test Site (NTS) leaves its habitat in Areas 12, 19 and 20, and
travels by an unknown route for an unknown destination. The whereabouts of
this herd during the winter months is of interest to both the Energy Research
and Development Administration and the Nevada Department of Fish and Game. The
interest stems from the remote possibility that deer harvested from this herd
by hunters might contain elevated radionuclide concentrations. This interest
is of a precautionary nature, however, since the results of the continuing
long-term study have not shown any significant radionuclide concentrations in
the edible tissues of mule deer collected from the NTS herd. Also, these
animals may not even migrate to unrestricted lands where hunting is permitted.
In this study, 10 mule deer will be captured and outfitted with collars con-
taining radio transmitters with the ability to transmit for about one year.
The locations of the deer will be monitored with a mobile receiver. To date,
several deer have been outfitted by personnel of the MSD Farm and Animal Inves-
tigation Branch and the movement of the deer followed successfully with telem-
etry receivers and handheld antennae. The migration of the NTS herd is
expected to begin during the second quarter of fiscal year 1976.
Radionuclides in Ground Water
Personnel of the Monitoring Operations Division (MOD) Environmental Ra-
diation Branch and the Energy Research and Development Administration partic-
ipated in the plug-back of Well HT-2M near Hattlesburg, Mississippi. The well
had been drilled to monitor ground aquifers for movement of wastes disposed of
in Well HT-2M. Those wastes originated from post-shot activities associated
with Project Dribble, an 1964 underground nuclear detonation. Samples col-
lected from the well had shown that radioactive wastes could reach the surface
through free flow and the decision was made to permanently plug the well.
During plug-back, the MOD provided radiation safety services.
In addition to the routine monthly and semi-annual collections of water
samples at the Nevada Test Site for the Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring
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Program, the annual collection of samples around the off-site area was made.
The 38 samples collected from ground water on and around the test site will
be analyzed for radionuclide content to determine the movement, if any, of
radioactivity.
Plutonium
The Monitoring Operations Division completed soil sample collections for
the second pahse of the Basin Study project. The study is to investigate the
possibility of hydraulic movement of fallout plutonium from valley slopes
to the lower elevations. In this second phase, a steep-sided valley with the
open end facing the NTS was used. The object was to determine if impingement
on the steep sides intercepting airborne radioactivity from the test site
would increase the amount of plutonium found at the lower elevations due to
movement by runoff of rain or snow. From the 13 sites sampled, 27 samples,
3 of which were soil profiles, were collected.
NOISE
The Remote Sensing Division completed the first of four land use studies
for the EPA Headquarters Office of Noise Abatement and Control (ONAC). Various
categories of residential and institutional land use are interpreted on photo
mosaics covering major metropolitan airports and surroundings. The ONAC will
correlate ground measured noise effects with the land use categories delineated
on map overlays.
ENERGY-RELATED STUDIES
The Remote Sensing Division (RSD) completed a baseline study of selected
test sites and of the power plant and mine at Col strip, Montana. A series of
detailed overlays from aerial photography and keyed to a mosaic of the study
area showing land use, land forms and the location of the sites selected by
the EPA Environmental Research Laboratory, Con/all is, Oregon, were prepared.
An update and revision program will be undertaken on receipt of imagery from
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The Division is also
acquiring and reproducing Bureau of Land Management imagery of the Northern
Great Plains. In this program, the Remote Sensing Division will eventually
have more than 160,000 square kilometers of that area in color infrared imagery.
The Western Energy project is underway with the EPA coordinating the
efforts of various State and Federal Agencies. The National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA) collected multispectral data on eight coal mines
in the Northern Great Plains for analysis of disturbed land and efforts to
rehabilitate strip mined areas. The technology of multispectral sensing for
environmental assessment is being developed by the NASA Earth Resources Labo-
ratory in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, for transfer to the EPA.
The RSD initiated a program to perform a trend analysis of development of
strip mines in southern Illinois. The project does not require new imagery.
Instead, imagery acquired in 1938, 1950 and 1973 will be analyzed. The growth
of the strip mining operations will be plotted and the efforts to reclaim the
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mined areas investigated. A preliminary analysis of the resulting Information
will be provided to Region V by the end of the year for possible use 1n Its
study of add mine drainage in the area.
Also initiated is a program to inventory strip mines and determine growth
and reclamation procedures in 15 counties of eastern Kentucky. The program,
requested by the Office of Enforcement, National Field Investigation Center,
Denver, Colorado, is being produced by General Electric Company photo inter-
preters using 1973 and 1974 U.S. Geological Survey photography and a large
volume of data compiled by the Kentucky Department of Natural Resources and
the EPA.
A pilot program for Region VII to determine the location of oil and gas
prospecting and drilling in four western counties of Kansas was completed. An
additional four-county analysis will be conducted for Region VII as a follow-
on study. A review of available coverage is underway.
Baseline data are being collected by the Monitoring Systems Research and
Development Division to assess the potential hazard of geothermal energy de-
velopment to terrestrial biota. This project will focus on the sampling of
biological tissues and soils from around a geothermal site in the Imperial
Valley of southern California, both before and after development. If signifi-
cant elemental or gaseous contamination is detected, a series of detailed
pathways studies will be conducted to make possible the development of a
suitable biological monitoring system. Preliminary field surveys have already
been made in the Imperial Valley and in the Geysers area of northern California.
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QUALITY ASSURANCE
INTERCOMPARISON STUDIES
Reports were issued to participants in the Environmental Radioactivity
Laboratory Intercomparison Studies Program by the Quality Assurance Branch
of the Monitoring Systems Research and Development Division for eight differ-
ent cross-check analyses: April - diet; May - milk, radium-226 in water, and
gross alpha and gross beta in water; June - tritium in water, tritium in urine,
gamma in water, and air filter. The types of cross-check analyses and the
number of participating laboratories are shown in the following table:
Type of Cross-check July August September
Milk 58 — 57
Radium-226 in water 28
Gross alpha and gross beta
in water 53 -- 49
Tritium in water -- 65
Gamma in water -- 64
Air filter — — 52
Tritium in urine -- — 12
Diet -- 24
STATE ASSISTANCE
At the request of the Nevada Highway Department (NHD), the Clark County,
Nevada, Health Department (CCHD), and the Washoe County, Nevada, Health De-
partment (WCHD), the Monitoring Systems Research and Development Division par-
ticipated in comparative ozone measurement and instrument calibration studies.
These studies were undertaken to identify and rectify the sources of substan-
tial measurement differences between the NHD, CCHD, and WCHD. Although the
EPA-approved potassium iodide calibration method was used by all three de-
partments, minor differences in calibration techniques were found to be the
cause of measurement discrepancies in the field. These findings along with
those from previous collaborative studies indicate that similar inconsistencies
in instrument calibration and measurement techniques may be causing discrep-
ancies in the ozone measurements being taken by other agencies. This empha-
sizes the need for further collaborative studies with other State agencies
in the area of ozone detection. As a result of this and prior studies, the
ozone values in Las Vegas, Reno, Los Angeles, and San Francisco are now
directly comparable.
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At the request of Mr. Eddie Fuente, Director of the Radiological Health
Laboratory, Mississippi State Board of Health, and with the concurrence of
Mr. Joel Veater, Environmental Radiation Branch, Region IV, Mr. Loren Thompson
of the Monitoring Systems Research and Development Division Quality Assurance
Branch was in Jackson, Mississippi July 30 through August 1 to assist Missis-
sippi State Radiological Health Laboratory personnel with the implementation
of procedures for the analysis of radionuclides in environmental samples. Par-
ticular emphasis was given to the calibration techniques and analytical pro-
cedures required for measuring radium and tritium.
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LABORATORY SUPPORT
ANALYTICAL SUPPORT
The Methods Development and Analytical Support Branch of the Monitoring
Systems Research and Development Division received 7,074 samples from July 1
through September 11, requiring a total of 28,337 individual analyses.
The EPA Office of Water and Hazardous Materials has begun a 1-year study,
"The Rural Water Survey," which is mandated by the Safe Drinking Water Act.
The EMSL-LV is scheduled to run many of the samples for this study. The
analyses, including chemical and radiological determinations, are tentatively
scheduled to beqin in April 1976. The projected sample load generated per
week will be (a) 35 to 42 samples for general chemical and physical analyses
(specific conductance, sulfates, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, sodium,
lead, turbidity, color, and nitrates), and (b) 10 to 15 samples for radio-
logical determinations (gross alpha and radium-226/228) and analyses for
additional constituents (arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, mercury, selenium,
silver, cyanide, and fluoride).
NEW EQUIPMENT ACQUISITIONS
Effort at the Vint Hill Field Station of the Remote Sensing Division is
underway to increase photographic processing, interpretation and analysis
capabilities. To eliminate the need for a large conventional reference li-
brary and make collateral information more readily available to the interpre-
ters, one of the file search systems is being programmed with up to 100 volumes
of collateral environmental data and interpretation keys. If this proves
effective, two or more additional units can be activated as the need arises.
Also, a precision 10-20-40X enlarger has been placed in operation. Using
tetrachlorethylene in a liquid gate, the machine can deliver up to 750 lines
per millimeter at the easel, permitting high quality projection from the very
high resolution originals available.
The Monitoring Systems Research and Development Division has acquired a
data acquisition system for the mobile air monitoring station being designed
and it is being interfaced to the various ambient air monitoring instruments.
The new instruments now being assembled and evaluated include a carbon mon-
oxide monitor, a nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide monitor, a chemiluminescence
ozone monitor, a hydrocarbon analyzer, a gas calibration system, meteorological
gear, an automatic data collector, and a mini computer. The van is expected
to be operational by November for use in field air monitoring activities.
A fractionating, massive volume air sampler has been acquired by the
Monitoring Systems Research and Development Division. This unit greatly en-
hances EMSL-LV environmental particulate sampling capabilities as it is the
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only known kind of instrument capable of sampling air at the rate of 26 cubic
meters per minute and fractionating the collected particles into respirable
and non-respirable sizes.
An organic analytical capability is being established by the Monitoring
Systems Research and Development Division. This will consist primarily of
three gas chromatographs of commercial manufacture, including one with dual
flame ionization detectors and an electron capture detector. This capability
will initially provide reactive hydrocarbon analysis in ambient air samples.
Other laboratory equipment acquisitions include the following commercially
produced instruments: (a) an atomic absorption spectrophotometer for use in
conjunction with a plasma emission system to establish a large capacity
automated analytical capability for metal analysis; (b) an ultraviolet, visible
spectrophotometer capable of quick and convenient set up for many research
applications; and (c) a computer subsystem to provide automated analysis of
ambient air samples by allowing simultaneous x-ray fluorescence analysis of
30 elements in approximately 5 minutes per sample.
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PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
EPA SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL REPORTS PUBLISHED
Synergistic Effect of Polonium-210 and Cigarette Smoke in Rats, S. C. Black
and E. W. Bretthauer, EPA-680/1-75-001.
Radioactivity Standards Distribution Program-1975, Quality Assurance
Branch, EPA-680/l-75-002a.
Environmental Radioactivity Laboratory Intercomparison Studies Program-1975,
Quality Assurance Branch, EPA-680/l-75-002b.
Development of a Biological Monitoring network—A Test Case, W. W. Sutton
and L. L. Salomon, EPA-680/1-75-003.
Non-Point Source Pollution in Surface Waters: Associated Problems and
Investigative Techniques, Water and Land Quality Branch, EPA-680/1-75-004.
Tentative Reference Method for the Measurements of Gross Alpha and Gross
Beta Radioactivities in Environmental Waters, E. L. Whittaker, EPA-680/1-75-005.
Tritium Fractionation in Plants, J. C. McFarlane, EPA-680/1-75-006.
Preliminary Milk Report, A. N. Jarvis and D. 6. Easterly, EPA-680/1-75-007.
REPORTS OF ERDA-REIMBURSABLE WORK
1971 Animal Investigation Program Annual Report> D. D. Smith and K. R.
Giles, NERC-LV-539-20.
As part of the radiological safety program the EMSL-LV provides for the
Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA), the Monitoring Operations
Division Environmental Radiation Branch prepared and submitted the following
reports to the Nevada Operations Office: (a) NV Completion Report for Operation
Bedrock, (b) Input to the ERDA Annual Report to Congress, and (c) Interim
Environmental Monitoring Report for the Nevada Test Site, Second Quarter 1975.
PAPERS PRESENTED AT THE ICESA
The following papers authored or coauthored by EMSL-LV staff were presented
at the International Conference on Environmental Sensing and Assessment (ICESA):
"Legal Requirements for Monitoring Groundwater," H. 0. Banks and L. G.
McMillion.
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"Development of Criteria for Establishing Guidelines for Optimization of
Environmental Monitoring Networks, Part I, Air Monitoring Networks," J. V.
Behar, L. M. Dunn, J. L. McElroy, P. N. Lem and R. R. Kinnison.
"A Reference Method for the Measurement of Plutonium in Soil," E. W.
Bretthauer and P. B. Hahn.
"Downlooking Airborne LIDAR Studies—August 1974," J. A. Eckert, D. H.
Bundy, J. L. Guagliardo, J. L. McElroy and S. H. Melfi.
"Methylmercury: Formation in Plant Tissues," D. D. Gay.
"Aerial Remote Sensing Applications in Support of Oil Spill Cleanup,
Control and Prevention," D. Jones, R. Landers and A. Pressman.
"Development of an Improved Model for Statistical Analysis of Environ-
mental Data: Simulation and Verification," D. T. Mage and W. R. Ott.
"Methylation of Mercury in a Terrestrial Environment," R. Rogers.
"Design of Pollutant-Oriented Integrated Monitoring Systems," E. A.
Schuck and G. B. Morgan.
"Sample Tracking Data Management Systems," R. N. Snelling, G. C. Allison
and M. J. Madsen.
PAPERS PRESENTED AT OTHER MEETINGS
The paper, "Biological Half-Life of Tritium in Chickens and Eggs," by A.
A. Mullen, R. E. Stanley, S. R. Lloyd and P. Fort, was presented by Mrs.
Mullen at the 20th Annual Meeting of the Health Physics Society in Buffalo,
New York, July 13-17.
The paper, "Ozone Measurements by Iodometry, Ultraviolet Photometry and
Gas-Phase Titration," by J. A. Hodgeson, C. B. Bennett, H. L. Kelley and B. A.
Mitchell, was presented by Dr. Hodgeson at the Symposium on Calibration in Air
Monitoring, sponsored by the American Society for Testing and Materials, the
National Bureau of Standards and the EPA at the University of Colorado,
Boulder, Colorado, August 47.
JOURNAL ARTICLES ACCEPTED
The paper, "Algorithms for Computing Sums of Deviations Squared," by R.
R. Kinnison, was accepted for publication 1n DECUS, Volume 14, Number 3.
The paper, "Biological Half-Life of Tritium in Chickens and Eggs," by A.
A. Mullen, A. A. Moghlssi and R. E. Stanley was accepted for publication in
Health Phyeiaa.
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OFFICE OF RADIATION PROGRAMS-LAS VEGAS FACILITY
(ORP-LVF)
GRANTS MINERAL BELT STUDY
This study, to evaluate the Impact of uranium mining and milling on the
water quality of the area, was completed this quarter. A complete report and
a summary report on the ground water portion of the study were prepared by ORP-
LVF staff. Region VI will combine the summary report with a similar summary of
the surface water portion of the study in a final study report which will be
forwarded to the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Agency in response to the
original request. The surface water portion report was prepared by the Na-
tional Field Investigation Center, Denver, Colorado.
The study revealed grossly inadequate monitoring of ground water, faulty
operation of tailings ponds and one waste Injection well, selenium contami-
nation of ground water near one mill, numerous waste discharge violations, and
excessive radium in drinking water at uranium mines and mills.
GEOTHERMAL
ORP-LVF personnel collected water, algae, and soil samples at 15 hot
springs in Utah for radionuclide analysis. This work was done in cooperation
with the Utah Geological and Mineral Survey as part of the continuing study to
evaluate the radiological aspects of the development of geothermal energy.
Mr. Michael O'Connell attended the International Symposium on Thermal and
Chemical Problems of Thermal Waters, August 29 through September 1 in Grenoble,
France.
URANIUM MILL SITES
Messrs. Donald Hendricks, Director of ORP-LVF, and Richard Douglas, Chief
of the ORP-LVF Field Studies Branch, attended a meeting at Mexican Hat, Utah,
on August 22 to discuss proposed uses of the Mexican Hat mill site. Represent-
atives of the Utah Navajo Development Council presented proposals to establish
a training school for various trades and concurrent development of the housing
area. The Navajo Environmental Protection Commission and the Indian Health
Service were also represented at the meeting.
At the request of Brigham Young University, additional hydrogeological
information on the Salt Lake City vitro pile was provided. This was part of
Phase II of the continuing study to evaluate inactive uranium mill sites.
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PHOSPHATE INDUSTRY
The basis of interest in phosphates is the presence of uranium and its
daughter products in phosphate ores.
A meeting between Monsanto, Johnson Slag Products, Inc., the State of
Idaho, and the EPA was held at Soda Springs, Idaho. The use of slag and its
potential to produce radiation exposure when used in construction materials
were discussed. Both industrial concerns have agreed to research their records
to determine how the slag is produced. The State will install Track Etch
thermoluminescent dosimetry badges in homes and buildings in the Soda Springs
area to determine the working levels of radon in structures associated with the
slag.
Also during this period, the ORP-LVF provided equipment and assistance to
Mr. Mel Cassidy, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Cincin-
nati, Ohio, for a project to sample a phosphate plant in Salt Lake City.
Mr. Joseph Cochran toured the Valley Nitrogen Products, Inc., plant in
Fresno, California. This plant distributes by-product gypsum as a soil con-
ditioner in the Fresno area. The plant also produces the standard grades of
fertilizer. Mr. Cochran met with Fresno County Health officials and determined
that stack samples can be obtained from the plant. A few well samples in the
plant area indicate high gross alpha levels. The radium levels are below the
drinking water guidelines.
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
Preparations are underway to contract with certain State agencies to
produce radioactive waste inventories at commercial radioactive waste burial
facilities under their jurisdiction.
Information on environmental monitoring requirements for the Nuclear
Engineering Company burial site at Beatty, Nevada, was prepared and sent to
Mr. William Horton, Division of Health and Consumer Protection, Nevada.
A written response was prepared to an inquiry from the Natural Resources
Defense Council, Palo Alto, California, on licensing differences that exist at
commercial radioactive waste burial facilities.
Personnel from ORP-LVF and EMSL-LV participated in the 1975 West Coast
Dump Site Investigation near the FaralIon Islands, near San Francisco. Seven
ocean sediment core and three grab samples were collected for analysis by the
EMSL-LV radiochemistry laboratory. Results from these and earlier sample
analyses will help to determine the possible release of radioactivity into the
marine environment from barreled waste deposited there in past years.
Aliquots of ocean sediment samples, collected in conjunction with the 1974
Farallon Islands survey, were forwarded to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Insti-
tute for replicate plutonium analysis.
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EMERGENCY RESPONSE
At the request of Headquarters, ORP-LVF prepared a preliminary agenda and
ancillary material for a workshop for radiological emergency response coordi-
nators and their staffs. The final version of this material will be sent to
the Interagency Task Force on Training and Exercises for their consideration
and presentation. At the request of the Task Force, the ORP-LVF will prepare
a course curriculum for the training of State radiological emergency response
coordinators and their staffs.
Mr. Thomas Sell traveled to Battle Creek, Michigan, to lecture in the
third presentation of the Radiological Emergency Response Planning Course in
Support of Fixed Nuclear Facilities, September 8 through 11.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS
Specific comments were made on the Barnwell Fuel Receiving and Storage
Station draft statement and were forwarded to the Technology Assessment Di-
vision of ORP-Headquarters.
Comments were forwarded to Headquarters on the Nevada Test Site Supple-
mental Environmental Statement. These comments included inputs from the EMSL-LV
off-site monitoring staff as well as the ORP-LVF.
Review comments for the Expansion of U.S. Uranium Enrichment Capacity
draft statement were generated and submitted to Headquarters. Several inad-
equacies were noted, e.g., there was no mention of the light water breeder
reactor program and what effect it might have on future enrichment needs.
ORP-LVF submitted suggestions to Headquarters regarding improvements that
should be made in the Rocky Flats Environmental Assessment Report to make the
report acceptable as an environmental impact statement.
REPORTS
The technical note, Surmary of Groundwater Quality Impaote of Uranium
Mining and Milling in the Grants Mineral Beltt Hew Mexicot ORP/LV-75-4, was
sent to Region VI, Dallas, Texas, for printing. The note was prepared by
Dr. Robert Kaufmann, and Messrs. Gregory Eadie and Charles Russell.
The following papers were presented at the 20th Annual Health Physics
Society Meeting held in Buffalo, New York:
"Environmental Contamination From Uranium Mill Tailings Piles," by
Mr. Joseph Hans.
"Radon Exhalation From Uranium Mill Tailings Piles," by Mr. David E.
Bernhardt.
"Radioactivity Associated With Hot Springs in the Western United States,"
by Mr. Michael O'Connell.
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