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Environmental
Monitoring and
Support Laboratory
Las Vegas
Third Quarter — July, August, September 1976

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THIRD QUARTER REPORT
OF THE
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND SUFPORT LABORATORY
LAS VEGAS
July through September 1976
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
BIOLOGICAL MONITORING	3
MONITORING SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT	5
EQUIPMENT AND TECHNIQUES DEVELOPMENT	6
MONITORING	11
QUALITY ASSURANCE	15
TECHNICAL SUPPORT	17
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL REPORTS	20
OFFICE OF RADIATION PROGRAMS-LAS VEGAS FACILITY	22

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EVENTS OF GENERAL INTEREST
On September 12, Dr. Delbert S. Barth, Director of the Envi-
ronmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory-Las Vegas since 1972,
was named Deputy Assistant Administrator of the Office of Health
and Ecological Effects, Office of Research and Development, at
EPA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Appointed as Acting Di rector
of the Laboratory, effective August 1, was Mr. George B. Morgan,
Di rector of the Laboratory's Monitoring Systems Research and
Development Division. Dr. Richard E. Stanley, Deputy Di rector of
the Division, was named that Division's Acting Director.
On July 31, Mr. John R. McBride, Acting Laboratory Di rector
at the time and long-time Deputy Di rector of the Laboratory, re-
tired from a 35-year Federal career to become a private consultant
in environmental protection and nuclear safety.
In one of his last official duties, Mr. McBride awarded the
EPA's Bronze Medal to 11 off-site radiological monitoring person-
nel of the Laboratory's Monitoring Operations Division. The award
was presented in recognition of continued outstanding performance
in carrying out a radiological safety program in the pub1ic areas
around the Nevada Test Site and other sites of underground nuclear
testing.
Dr. Stuart Black, Senior Scientific Advisor at the Laboratory,
was detailed to the Off ice of Health and Ecological Effects at
EPA Headquarters for a 1-month term effective July 21.
Dr. Bruce Wiersma of the Laboratory's Pollutant Pathways Branch,
Monitoring Systems Research and Development Division, is the EPA
Project Officer on a joint Poland/United States research program
being conducted with the Environmental Pollution Abatement Center,
Katowice, Poland. The program is to study the interact ions of
gaseous air pollutants and trace elements and their associated
impact on plant uptake and soil contamination. Dr. Wiersma was
in Katowice September 10 through 19 accompanied by Dr. Clyde Frank
of the University of Iowa. Dr. Frank, Professor of Analytical
Chemistry at the Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Medi-
cine , assisted Dr. Wiersma as a consultant on analytical chemistry.
Messrs. Noel Lance and John Franklin of the General Accounting
Office, Los Angeles District, conducted a month-long study at the
Laboratory beginning July 21, They reviewed the Laboratory's
radiation research and field studies in terms of the regulatory
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and standard-setting functions of the EPA. They also made an over-
all survey of programs at the Laboratory.
PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS
The Monitoring Siting Workshop, sponsored jointly by the Of-
fice of Monitoring and Technical Support of the EPA's Office of
Research and Development and the EPA's Office of Air Quality Plan-
ning and Standards, was held at the Laboratory July 12 through 16.
The aim was to review present and future criteria for the siting
of monitoring stations to meet specific objectives of the Clean
Air Act and to prepare a written report setting forth the general
consensus of the participating group. Attendees included repre-
sentatives of EPA's operational, regulatory, research, and Regional
monitoring programs, State and local monitoring agencies, univer-
sities, and industry.
On September 19 through 22, Mr. Morgan and Dr. S. Harvey Me If i,
Director of the Remote Sensing Division, and Mr. John Eckert, Chief
of the Division's Remote Monitoring Methods Branch, attended the
National Bureau of Standards Eighth Materials Research Symposium
in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Mr. Morgan and Mr. Eckert presented
papers there.
OTHER MEETINGS
Mr. Walter E. Petrie, Director of the Laboratory's Program
Management and Support Staff, attended the Annual Planning and
Management Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, on July 14
through 16.
On July 7 and 8, eight members of the Environmental Measure-
ments Advisory Committee met with Mr. Morgan, then Director of the
Monitoring Systems Research and Development Division, and members
of his staff. The committee was briefed on Laboratory operations,
including Laboratory instrumentation and its functions, during a
tour of the facilities. The committee was especially interested
in documents prepared on EPA problems which the Division had di-
rectly helped to solve. They were interested in the Division's
approach to solving those problems and in how the Division inter-
acts with EPA Regional offices and other Laboratories.
The Electric Utilities Working Sector Group and the Advanced
Fossil Fuels Sector Group of the EPA Office of Energy, Minerals,
and Industry held a joint meeting at the Laboratory on August 24
and 25. Dr. John Santolucito, Acting Deputy Director of the
Monitoring Systems Research and Development Division, briefed the
visitors on the relationship of biological research to the Divi-
sion's efforts in developing integrated monitoring systems. The
group was especially interested in Laboratory research on devel-
oping biological indicators of pollutant exposure and the animal
investigations at the experimental farm the Laboratory operates on
the Nevada Test Site.
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BIOLOGICAL MONITORING
CURIUM
A study of the biological transport of curium in dairy cows
was conducted at the Nevada Test Site farm. Preliminary results
indicate that the total curium excreted in the urine and feces
was approximately 9 percent of the administered dose compared to
4.5 percent for plutonium in a similar study. In both of these
studies, the experimental animals were administered acute intra-
venous citrate-buffered doses of either curium or plutonium. As
expected, the urinary excretion of curium was much greater than
that for plutonium. The percent of the curium dose secreted in
the milk was slightly less than 2, but was over 6.0 percent greater
than the percentage of the plutonium dose secreted in the milk in
an earlier study. A basically similar excretion and secretion pat-
tern was noted in experiments using dairy goats that had received
doses of either curium or plutonium.
LEAD AND CADMIUM
The transport of toxic trace elements in geothermal effluents
requires the design of experiments to study the transport of such
materials in biological systems. Lead and cadmium have been se-
lected as two cations for preliminary experimentation. This study
was designed to develop surgical and analytical methods to quan-
titate the absorption, excretion, and placental transfer of lead
and cadmium in rats. Fifteen pregnant rats were exposed to lead
in drinking water. Of these, 11 gave birth to 75 young, some of
which were sacrificed to determine their total lead content. The
remaining young either remained with their mothers or were placed
with foster mothers, i.e., young from lead-ingesting mothers were
placed with mothers not receiving lead, and young from mothers not
receiving lead were placed with lead-ingesting mothers. Upon wean-
ing, some of these young were sacrificed and others will continue
to receive lead in their drinking water. Samples of blood and
hair are being collected periodically. Analytical methods are
being tested to arrive at the best procedure for determining the
lead content of these samples. Surgical techniques for cannulating
the bile ducts of juvenile rats are being developed.
MERCURY
Recent findings from a continuing study of mercury in soil
systems confirmed that the transformation process of ionic mercury
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lo methy1 mercury is primarily caused by abiotic factors. By using
a series of special separatory techniques and gas chromatography,
the principal methyl at ing factor was identified as being contained
in the fulvic acid fraction of the soil system.
Recent findings from a continuing study of the transformation
of elemental mercury into methylmercury by plant systems indicate
that pea plants, after exposure in chambers to elemental mercury,
developed significant quantities of methylmercury in their tissues,
It was also determined that the transport of mercury from plants
exposed via the leaves resulted in mercury residues being detected
in the roots of plants; this indicates that the plant system is
capable of transporting mercury both from the leaves to the roots
as well as from the roots to the leaves.
ANIMAL INVESTIGATION
During the spring, summer, and fall, a large herd of mule deer
resides at the higher elevations of the Nevada Test Site. This
herd migrates to unknown areas during the winter. The whereabouts
of these mule deer is of interest to both the U.S. Energy Research
and Development Administration and the State of Nevada Department
of Fish and Game on the remote possibility that some of these deer
may contain elevated radionuclide concentrations and may be har-
vested by hunters. However, this interest is of a precautionary
nature since the results of a continuing long-term study have not
shown any significant radionuclide concentrations in the edible
tissues of mule deer collected from the NTS herd. During this
quarter, 11 mule deer were captured and outfitted with collars
containing radio transmitters with the ability to transmit for
about 1 year. The movement of the deer is periodically monitored
to determine their migration patterns. As yet, none of these
deer have left the NTS and roost have remained within the locality
of their capture.
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MONITORING SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT
A study of a plutonium-uranium oxide fuel fabrication facil-
ity in Pennsylvania was recently completed. In this study, the
chemical and physical characteristics and quantity of the radio-
nuclide emissions were determined. A report on the results of
the study is being prepared.
The Laboratory coordinated an EPA contract research project
concerning the quantification of trace metal pathways on a region-
a1 scale. From this study, Mr. Cliff Davidson of the California
Institute of Technology prepared a report, "The Deposition of
Trace Metal-Containing Particles in the Los Angeles Area." Mr.
Davidson was awarded the first Lincoln T. Work Award for this work
by the Fine Particle Society in recognition of his "outstanding
independent research in the fie1d of fine particle behavior."
In a study designed to assess available water monitoring
data in the Western Uni ted States and establish baseline con-
ditions, evaluate the impact of present. energy development and
predict the impact of proposed developments on water quality, a
"primary" water quality network from existing monitoring stations
has been identified. The network consists of long-term, data-rich
stations located through an inventory of STORET, the United States
Geological Survey, and other data sources. Available data from
the network are being analyzed to determine baseline conditions,
present trends, and deficiencies in the sampling network. The
major water basins to be surveyed in this study are the upper and
lower Colorado and the upper Missouri regions. After lengthy as-
sessment and man ipulat ion of data, along with augmentation of
primary network stations where necessary, basin-by-basin water
quality status reports will be prepared.
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EQUIPMENT AND TECHNIQUES DEVELOPMENT
ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES
Development of a method to determine iron-55 in various types
of environmental samples continued. By optimizing a liquid scin-
tillation counting technique and improving an existing separation
scheme, a minimum detectable concentration of approximately 500
picocuries of iron-55 per gram of iron in the sample can now be
obtained. The minimum detectable concentration of iron-55 in en-
vironmental samples will thus depend on the amount of stable iron
in the samples.
In an effort to improve the yield determination for thorium
analyses, thorium-234 is being evaluated as a tracer spike. The
tracer yield is determined by measuring the beta activity of the
thorium-234. This is accomplished prior to the alpha spectral
analysis of the other thorium isotopes of interest. Interference
by progeny beta emissions and the short half-life of thorium-234
are the most serious obstacles at this point in the development.
At the request of Dr. John Moran of the EPA's Office of
Monitoring and Technical Support, the applicability of the gas
chroma tog rapli microwave emission spectrometer for identifying
vaporous metal species in environmental samples was determined.
Using the spectrometer system to analyze for compounds of platium,
antimony,' arsenic, and lead in environmental samples was of par-
ticular interest. Analytical techniques were developed for making
optimal trace metal determinations for the compounds of interest.
A method was developed and modifications were made to the in-
strument to make possible reliable and sensitive platinum compound
determinations. This capability will be needed for platinum com-
pound pathways study.
The Laboratory has acquired a new instrument that can simul-
taneously analyze a liquid sample for two different elements in
about 5 minutes. The instrument, called a plasma emission spectro-
meter, sprays the liquid sample into very hot ionized argon gas
(plasma) which causes the sample to break down into elements. In
the 8,000° K heat, the elements emit light. The wavelength, or
color, of the light emitted is characteristic of the element. The
light is broken into the spectral wave length using a diffraction
grating. A given wavelength of light always appears at the same
location on the spectrum. Photomult iplier tubes, which detect
light and convert it to electricity, are placed at the 23 locations
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along the spectrum where light will be produced when any of the
23 elements being sought is present. A computer can identify the
element from the photomultiplier tube it excites and can measure
its concentration from the intensity of the light. Actually, each
element emits several wavelengths of light. In designing the in-
strument one wavelength that would be unlikely to be produced to
any great extent by other elements in the samples was chosen 1 or
each element. The small interferences that do exist are taken in-
to account in a computer program before the results are printed
out.
DATA INTERPRETATION
The contract for a computer-based gamma data acquisition and
formatting system was awarded to Nuclear Data Corporation in
August. Delivery will be made within 120 days. The system is
expected to provide a high degree of reliability in data ac-
quisition and handling. Downtime is expected to be minimal be-
cause most of the crucial components are interchangeable and can
be bypassed if a component fails. For example, all three com-
puters used in the system are identical and may be switched in
seconds if failure of any one computer occurs. The system will
benefit the entire counting laboratory operation by streamlining
data acquisition, handling, transmission, and reduction. In
addition, this system will be interfaced with the U.S. Energy
Research and Development Administration's CDC 6400 computer lo-
cated in Las Vegas thus facilitating data transmission and read-
out .
In the project to develop environmental keys for interpreting
aerial photographs, all available photo-interpretation keys are
being surveyed and cataloged by the Laboratory. Accomplishments
during this quarter include final selection of prints and format
for the Harbor Key, field verification of target landfills in
Maine using applicable keys, and the preliminary use of landfill
keys on operational programs involving enforcement actions in
Region I. Efforts were also made to correlate sulfur dioxide
emissions with vegetation stress in an Arkansas project.
A helicopter-borne team collected water samples and made
relevant measurements in and on Lake Mead on July 9, August 4
and 5, and August 23 and 24 for the Trophic Classification of
Lakes Utilizing Contact and LANDSAT Data Study. On July 9 and
August 24 the National Aeronautics and Space Administration flew
an Ames Research Center aircraft over the lake to collect coin-
cident data with a rapid scanning spectrometer and the NASA
Johnson Space Center provided an overflight on August 5 to col-
lect photography using two aerial mapping cameras. The data
collected from these flights will be compared with data from
the LANDSAT-1 experimental satellite in a continuing study to
investigate the feasibility of using LANDSAT multispectral scanner
data in conjunction with contact water data in lake water quality
classification work.
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REMOTE MONITORING TECHNIQUES
Federal Aviation Administration Dynamic Flight Tests were
completed in the project to test and demonstrate the concept of
operating a photographic pod with multisensor capabilities on a
light aircraft. Update of engineering drawings according to FAA
specifications as requested by the FAA was also initiated and is
80 percent completed. Initial flight tests were made with mini-
pan cameras loaded to evaluate the pod.
Aerial infrared scanner survey techniques are being developed
to quantitatively determine ground temperatures which are dis-
played on isothermal contour maps. To date, telemetry receiver
and droppable temperature sondes have been installed in aircraft
and test flights are being planned to check out operating methods
and performance,
A dye laser f1uorosensor, installed in a Huey helicopter, is
being used to collect data on chlorophyll a and turbidity on Lake
Mead. Though not confirmed with ground truth data, systematic
changes in the chlorophyll fluorescence signal are consistent with
known conditions in the Lake. Flights are planned to produce a
calibrated contour map of surface chlorophyll concentrations in
the Las Vegas Bay region of the Lake. Plans are also in progress
to evaluate new laser dyes to excite specific targets for tracing,
such as controlled dye releases and blue-green algal blooms.
Phase 1 of the project to quantitatively determine turbidity
through the use of aerial multispectral techniques was completed.
This included (1) taking water samples and collecting spectrometer
data near the water surface to measure sediment concentration and
(2) collecting spectral water samples arid spectral data at various
altitudes. The results of ground measurements were then compared
to the results of aerial measurements to develop techniques for
correcting atmospheric absorption and scattering that cannot be
accounted for with data collected at the water surface. A basic
relationship that needs to be verified is that volume spectral
reflectance measured remotely can be related to sediment concen-
tration in water bodies and obtain the resultant correlation co-
efficients. A data system for this project, using a rapid scan-
ning spectrometer, will be installed and field-tested during the
next quarter.
The Laboratory is also investigating the feasibility of using
an airborne system to image non-visible gases such as sulfur
dioxide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and water vapor. Remote
aerial thermal measurements were used to image what is believed
to be sulfur dioxide emitted from a copper smelter exhaust stack.
However, extensive ground truth data are needed to support the
conclusions reached to date. Preliminary indications suggest a
potential use of the technique for rapid determination of non-
visible gases in areas requiring supplemental investigation.
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In the design of the Airborne Infrared Earth-Reflected Dif-
ferential Absorption system for mapping gaseous pollutants and
tracers, a laboratory laser and cells for checking candidate
tracers were set up and tested. An ozone system is now being
tested and sample returns suitable for measurement of atmospheric
ozone have been obtained. Ground tests and preliminary flight
tests of the ozone device should be completed during the next
quarter.
A method is being developed to use aerial photographs to
measure the opacity of stack plumes in terms of Clean Air Act
requirements. To date several plant stacks have been photographed
and reference points established to validate statistical inter-
pretation methods.
In developing the Two-wavelength Downlooking Airborne L1DAR
System for further characterizing power plant plumes, optical/
mechanical portions of the design were completed. The assembly
includes a telescope using a mirror in a Newtonian configuration,
a laser assembly, and two photomul tip 1iers to separate the two
frequencies. The assembly, to be constructed by a contractor,
will be completed by January 1977. In the electronics portion
of the design, a systems chart has been produced detailing the
electronics subsystem which will transform the signals to a real-
time two-color display, record the data, and provide overall
control to the device. The device, when ready for testing, will
be automated to the point of giving maintenance warnings and will
be used not only in characterizing urban effluent plumes but also
in preparing detailed maps of the plumes.
In the development of a monitoring method for determining the
impact of mining operations on the environment, manual photo-
interpretation of eight existing and proposed mining sites has
been completed. In this project, color and color infrared imagery
are used.
Current effort in the study to apply fluorescence spectros-
copy in detecting sub-visual vegetation stress induced by atmos-
pheric pollutants is applied to resolving problems in measuring
the fluorescence spectra of leaf samples. No significant changes
have been observed in the fluorescence spectra of stressed leaf
samples with respect to controls when exposed to sulfur dioxide
and ozone. However, changes in the amplitude in the fluorescence
emission of stressed leaf samples have been observed. Studies
are continuing with a view to correlating these changes with
pollutant type and concentration and with duration of exposure.
An H-34 helicopter with associated air quality and avionics
equipment was overhauled in preparation for the Anaconda, Montana,
Smelter Study, scheduled to begin October 1. In addition, two
helicopter-transportable sulfur dioxide (SO2) monitoring systems
were constructed and a mathematical program was developed to
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determine the correct concentration input to the various air qual-
ity instruments from their known responses and transfer function.
The purpose of the project is to measure plume rise, horizontal
and vertical dispersion coefficients and center 1ine concentrations
of the plume from the copper smelter at Anaconda, and to obtain
ground level S0Z concentrations averaged over 3-hour and 24-hour
periods during those times when the plume is at or near the sur-
face of elevated terrain in the vicinity of the smelter. The data
collected will be used by Region VIII to validate the EPA Valley
Mode 1.
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MONITORING
AIR
In the Aircraft Emissions Impact Monitoring Study, collection
and processing of air quality data at Williams Air Force Base,
Arizona, begun June 1, continued through this quarter. The aim
is to test the ability of existing air quality simulation models
to estimate the air quality impact of airport emissions. This
five-station air quality monitoring study is being conducted by
Laboratory personnel in cooperation with the U.S. Air Force Civil
Engineering Center and the Argonne National Laboratory.
During July and August the summer field portion of aerial
data collection for the Regional Air Pollution Study (RAPS) was
completed in St. Louis, Missouri. The helicopters flew over
200 mission hours and obtained data for a number of investigators.
Preparations are now underway for the final RAPS Intensive Field
Study Period which is scheduled for October 25 through November 19.
On completion of the mission, the Laboratory's St. Louis operations
base will be vacated and work will begin on the final report for
the entire RAPS helicopter data collection operation from 1974
through 1976.
The Western Energy Resource Development Area Study, a program
to evaluate the present and future air quality impact of energy-
related development in the western United States, was begun with
the performance of an initial inventory of present and proposed
energy-related air quality emissions sources, meterological ob-
servation stations and air quality monitoring stations in the
project area. The 28 stations of the Ute Research Laboratory
air quality network in Utah have been placed into full operation
and the Laboratory's Air Quality Monitoring B-26 aircraft began
wide-area monitoring flights in central Utah to develop optimum
flight paths for future monitoring. Contracts have been made
with the Ute Laboratory and with the University of California
at Davis for analyses of air quality samples.
WATER
In the Atchafalaya Basin Study, intensive sampling of selec-
ted water qualify management units (Pat's Bay, Henderson Lake,
and Buffalo Cove) was conducted on a monthly basis using small
boats. This program of sampling key management units will
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continue on a monthly basis, and synoptic water quality sampling
of the Basin from a helicopter is scheduled for the next quarter.
In August, a helicopter team collected samples from 116 sampling
sites established through the Basin to provide synopt ic water
quality data. Additionally, samples were collected in the major
inlets (Old River, Red River, and Atchafalaya River) and outlets
(Wax Lake and the Atchafalaya River at Morgan City) of the Basin.
Water samples were sent to the Las Vegas Laboratory for nutrient
analysis and samples for adenosine triphosphate and organic car-
bon determinations were analyzed in Baton Rouge. Productivity
estimates were made in the management units. Pesticide samples
were collected at four sites in the Henderson Lake area and will
be analyzed for pesticides levels at the EPA facility at the
National Space Technology Laboratory in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
Draft reports for individual lakes sampled as part of the
National Eutrophication Survey (NES) are in review or in the
printing process for lakes in Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas,
Missouri, Oklahoma, Idaho and Tennessee. In the Phytoplankton
Identification and Enumeration Study, counts and species lists
for about 220 samples were per formed during the quarter. Also,
quality cont. rol procedures were established to provide increased
confidence in the estimates produced, and State phytoplankton
species lists, complete with diversity and pollution indices,
were released to Alabama and Delaware for review. These and
subsequent State algae distribution wi11 be finalized as NES
Working Papers.
RADIATION
As part of the Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring Program to
monitor underground waters for potential movement of radioactivity
from underground nuclear explosions, quarterly water samples were
collected from 20 locations in the Project Dribble site area, near
Hat t iesburg, Mississippi. Semiannual water sample collections were
made at 25 locations on and around the Nevada Test Site (NTS), and
monthly samples from 11 locations in Nevada were taken. As part
of the program of moni toring conducted by the U.S. Geological
Survey at the Project Faultless site, 12 water samples were col-
lected at the site by Laboratory personnel. Projects Dribble and
Faultless involved underground nuclear detonations in the 1960's
for seismic detection (Dribble) and calibration (Faultless)
purposes.
Analysis of plutonium data f rom so i1 samples collected
around the NTS indicated the need for additional samples to fill
in gaps of data or to extend the area of coverage to adequately
determine the distribution pattern of plutonium-239 in the NTS
environs. Off-site monitoring personnel from the Laboratory col-
lected an additional 150 samples from locations in Nevada and
California. These soil samples are being prepared for analysis.
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Also, meteorology data and a series of high-volume air samples,
both particulate and size-fractionated, were collected at three
locations off the NTS during periods of rel a tively high winds.
The samples were collected in areas where plutonium-239 in soil
is above average for the area to determine if plutonium-239 de-
posited as fallout is resuspended by the wind.
A variety of fruit and vegetable samples were collected from
11 locations around the NTS as a follow-on to a similar program
conducted during 1974. These samples will be analyzed for
pluton ium-238, plutonium-239, and iron-55 to complete the in for-
mat ion on radionuclides in locally grown foods.
A specially modified atmospheric tritium sampler used in the
Noble Gas and Trit ium Network was assembled, tested, and installed
in Area 5 of the NTS to moni tor for tritium as tritiated water and
tritiated hydrogen which might be released from a new tritium-
waste storage area. The sampler uses compressed hydrogen gas as
the carrier for tritiated hydrogen, replacing the electrolysis
cell using antique water, and is designed for battery operation
rather than line power.
Using two types of recording exposure rate systems and ther-
moluminescent dosimeters (TLD) in a typical field environment, a
special radiation dosimetry study was begun to compare measurements
of external gamma exposure rates and integrated exposures. The
TLD are exposed for varying lengths of time in overlapping periods
to determine the effect of length of exposure and environmental
temperatures on the fade of the accumulated dose signal.
In conjunction with the Off-site Human Surveillance Program
which the Laboratory has conducted since 1966. whole-body counts
were made on 21 persons (9 families) resident in areas near the
NTS. As in the past, medical examinations of these persons re-
veals a generally healthy population. The Laboratory 1s whole-
body counting facility is used to measure body burdens of
radioactive contamination in such off-site residents who may have
been exposed to radioactivity from NTS nuclear test ing act i vities.
Medical and other health physics support was provided for a
large-animal radionuclide metabolism study at the experimental
farm on the NTS and for a small-animal study at the Las Vegas
Laboratory.
The annual survey of milk cows in Nevada and Utah was com-
pleted. The data were compiled into a directory published in
September. Addit ionally, a special census was conducted near
the NTS at the request of the U.S. Energy Research and Develop-
ment Administration's Nevada Operations Office to determine human
population distribution and length of residence of each person.
Th is census information is col 1ected to enable response to po-
tential accidental radioact ive releases from NTS nuclear testing
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activities and to measure population radiation exposures in the
event of such a release.
Updated maps of the Goldfield, Tonopah, Alamo, and Pahranagat
Valley, Nevada, areas were prepared from aerial photographs taken
by the Laboratory. These maps provide accurate information on
populated locations and access routes for travel during ot'f-site
(radiation release) monitoring activities around the NTS.
Interim procedures were developed so that surveillance net-
work data can be formatted to allow statistical analyses using
the University of California Biomedical Statistical Program
P-series.
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QUALITY ASSURANCE
The Laboratory has implemented the FAMULUS system developed
by the U.S. Forest Service for storing and retrieving information.
This system allows records to be searched in a manner very similar
to that required for searching a library card catalog. During
this quarter, the FAMULUS computer system was successfully tested
on the Laboratory's computer system. The amount and type of qual-
ity assurance data to be placed in the system have been determined
and the current year's data are being entered. Historic data will
be entered next, starting with recent years and working backwards
to the start of the program. New study data will be entered as
it becomes available. Early in 1977, the FAMULUS system will be
made available through the INTERCOM time-sharing computer execu-
tive control system. Information searches may then be performed
using cathode ray scope remote computer terminal. The use of this
terminal will facilitate searches to the point where responses can
be made to telephone requests for information while the caller is
still on the line.
INTERCOMPARISON STUDIES
Reports were issued to participants in the Environmental
Radioactivity Laboratory Intercomparison Studies Program for
12 different cross-check analyses: April - food; May - milk,
radium-226 in water, and gross alpha and gross beta in water;
June - tritium in urine, tritium in water, gamma in water, air
filter, and krypton-85 in air; July - milk, radium-226 in water,
and gross alpha and gross beta in water. The types of cross-
check analyses and the number of participating laboratories dur-
ing this quarter are shown in the following table.
Type of Cross-check
Air Filter
Gamma in water
Gross alpha and gross
beta in water
Milk
Radium-226 in water
Tritium in urine
Tritium in water
Food
Krypton-85 in air
July
65
62
31
August
65
70
25
September
55
54
57
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The laboratories participating in these programs include in-
ternational, Federal, State, university, county, nuclear facilities
and contractor laboratories.
CALIBRATED SAMPLE DISTRIBUTION
During this quarter, 186 calibrated samples, including 17 dif-
ferent radionuclides, were distributed to user laboratories.
BIOLOGICAL REFERENCE MATERIALS
Arrangements are being completed for two projects designed
to provide plant and animal tissues containing environmental and
elevated levels of a combination of in vivo incorporated pol-
lutants. The dried tissues will be used as reference material
for methods standardization and equivalency determinations, in-
strument calibrations, cross-check programs, and laboratory per-
formance evaluations. Because the pollutants are incorporated
into the reference materials in vivo, any matrix effects influ-
encing analytical results of actual biological tissue samples will
be minimized. In one of these projects, waterhyaeinths will be
grown in hydroponics solution containing known amounts of added
pollutants such as mercury, lead, arsenic, zinc, and cadmium. In
the other project, young goats will be used for the in vivo incor-
poration of the same pollutants into animal tissue, and a variety
of tissues will be processed.
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TECHNICAL SUPPORT
REGION I
The following projects were conducted in Massachusetts:
1.	Eight map sheets along with selected photographs were
furnished locating stack emission sources in Worcester;
2.	An aerial inventory was made of non-point sources in the
Manchung Pond and West and Quinsigamond Rivers areas;
3.	Leachate drainage from Tyngsboro landfill were identi-
fied for ground sampling, for possible non-filing of point-source
discharge into the Merritt River, and possible violation of land-
fill operation permit; and
4.	Imagery and analysis of color photographs and thermal
infrared imagery were transmitted to the State Attorney General
for use in court action on a landfill in Middleton.
In Maine:
1.	Annotated photographs and map sheets were delivered to
the State Department of Environmental Protect ion providing data
collected on 22 landfill sites in Windham, Gorham and Falmouth
Counties for leachate and landfill practices;
2.	Growth or non-growth of algae in 27 ponds and lakes was
determined; and
3.	Annotated mosaics of Royal and Stroud Water Rivers de-
lineating potential sources of sedimentation were prepared for
the Soi1 Conservation Service.
REGION IV
Eight map sheets with overlays of land use in Guilford
County, North Carolina, were prepared and subsequently used by
the U.S. Geological Survey. Eight map sheets with overlays de-
picting population density by housing types were also furnished.
The Florida I sothermal Survey of thermal discharge plumes from
four power plants was completed. The results of a survey of
duckweed in Alabama rivers were also provided to the Region.
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REGION V
A reconnaissance of oil fields and refineries was begun in
Southern 111 inois to determine condi t ions of tanks, dikes and
containment.
REGION VI
Vegetation stress analysis and drainage areas affected by
ethylene dibrornide plants were depicted on overlays to mosaics
of the El Dorado-Magnolia and Marysvilie, Arkansas, areas. Im-
agery analysis was provided as a basis for sampling and obtain-
ing ground truth.
REGION VI I
An emission source inventory of Kansas City, Kansas, was
made. The data provided include overlays keyed to map sheets
and an analysis report.
REGION VI I I
A vegetation stress visibility project was completed with
delivery of color and color infrared aerial imagery of 13 se-
lected air pollution sites. The imagery intended to show synopt ic
visibility, vegetation condi tions, and 1imi ted atmospheric dis-
persion ,
An alluvial valley strip mine analysis was completed with
delivery of color and color infrared imagery to determine the
percentage of western strip mines that lie in alluvial valleys.
Partial delivery was made of color and color infrared imagery
of 90 strip mines located in Region VIII States. Forty of these
mines were covered using data from aerial imagery archives.
A partial delivery was also made of color and color infrared
photographs showing Jackson and Jackson Lake, Wyoming, to locate
and classify sediment loading in 170 miles of streams in the area.
A water quali ty field survey was conducted in the San Juan
River Basin to help assess the impact of present and proposed
energy resources development in the Four Corners area and Lake
Powell area. The data have been entered into the STORET system
and are undergoing review and analysis. An additional sampling
survey is planned for October.
REGION IX
Written data and annotated color photographs were delivered
to ascertain the current status of operations at a Nevada copper
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mine and smelter.
REGION X
A survey was made of oil storage facilities in the area of
Pocatello, Idaho, and Seattle, Washington, to determine condi-
tions of site and equipment for compliance with Federal regula-
tions .
The third phase of a land use survey of the Yakima River
Valley was begun to depict silviculture activities, harvest
practices and agricultural activities.
OFFICE OF WATER AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
An aerial survey was made of a chemical plant in Memphis,
Tennessee, and analysis and imagery were delivered for enforce-
ment use.
Three overflights were made to col1ect color photography of
an oil spill in the St. Lawrence-Thousand Island area. Deliveries
included 400 color photos, selected en largements, and an analysis
map.
OFFICE OF SOLID WASTES
Color, color infrared and thermal infrared imagery was col-
1ected for a non-point source inventory of the Camden and
Gloucester County , New .Jersey , and New Castle County , Delaware ,
areas. Map sheet overlays were prepared from these data.
OFFICE OF NOISE CONTROL
The Laboratory participated in a feasibility study to re-
fine the EPA Community Noise Model which is based on population
density of a residential neighborhood. The aim was to test the
concept that the density of noise in cities is directly propor-
tional to population density. The Laboratory interpreted photo-
graphy from sites in each of several selected major cities to
explore ways to improve the model using features that can be
obtained primarily from aerial photography.
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SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL REPORTS
EPA PUBLICATIONS
During this quarter, five project reports were published.
They are:
"Proceedings of the first workshop on sampling geothermal ef-
fluents," a compilation of papers presented at a workshop held at
the Las Vegas Laboratory in October 1975 (EPA-600/9-76-001).
"Biotransformation and chemical form of mercury in plants" by
D. D. Gay (EPA-600/3-76-082),
"Monitoring groundwater quality: Monitoring methodology" by
D. K. Todd, R. M. Tinlin, K, D. Schmidt, and L. G. Everett of the
General Electric-TEMPO Center for Advanced Studies, prepared under
the direction of project officer G. B. Morgan (EPA-600/4-76-026).
This is the third volume in a series of five manuals on groundwater
monitoring.
"Monitoring groundwater quality; Illustrative examples" by R,
M. Tinlin, editor, of the General Electric-TEMPO Center for Advanced
Studies, prepared under the direction of project officer G. B,
Morgan (EPA-600/4-76-036). This is the fourth in the series of five
groundwater monitoring manuals.
"Procedure for evaluating operations of ambient air monitoring
networks" by R. W, Schnider and E. S. Shapiro of URS Research Com-
pany, under the direction of project officer E. A. Schuck
(EPA-600/4-76-043).
REPORTS OF ERDA-REIMBURSABLE WORK
One report of work performed under the Laboratory's memorandum
of understanding with the U.S. Energy Research and Development Ad-
ministration (E1DA) was published. This was:
"Agronomic practices of the Nevada Test Site experimental dairy
farm during 1971, 1972, and 1973" by E. M. Daley (EMSL-LV-539-5>.
PAPERS PRESENTED OR PUBLISHED
Two papers from the Laboratory were published in scientific
journals during the quarter. These are:
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"Lead: In search of the facts," by R. R. Kinnison. Environ-
mental Science and Technology 10(7):644.
"Analysis of atmospheric particulates for trace elements by
optical emission spectrometry," by D. R. Scott, W. A. Loseke,
L. E. Holboke, and R. J. Thompson. Applied Spectroscopy 30(4):392.
A paper by L. R. Shuyler, D. A. CI ark, J. Barth, and D. D.
Smith on "Excretion of salts by feedlot cattle in response to vari-
ations in concentrations of sodium chloride added to their ration"
has been published by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers
in the Proceedings of the Third International Symposium on Live-
stock Wastes 1975. The proceedings document is entitled "Managing
Livestock Wastes" and is available as ASAE Publication PROC-275,
Another paper has been accepted for publication in Health
Physics. It is by A. A. Mullen, E. W. Bretthauer, and R. E. Stan-
ley and is entitled "Absorption, distribution, and milk secretion
of radionuclides by the dairy cow. V: Radiotungsten."
Mrs. A. A. Mullen presented a paper on "Transport of intra-
venously administered plutonium to milk and tissues in dairy goats"
at the combined Radiation Research Society/Health Physics Society
meeting held in San Francisco June 27 through July 2.
At the Eighth Materials Research Symposium sponsored by the
National Bureau of Standards in Gaithersburg, Maryland, September
19 through 22, Mr. George B. Morgan presented a paper entitled
"Ambient air quality monitoring" and Mr. John A. Eckert presented
one co-authored by D. Bundy and J. Peacock on "Development of a
two-frequency downward-looking airborne LIDAR system."
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OFFICE OF RADIATION PROGRAMS-LAS VEGAS FACILITY
(ORP-LVF)
URANIUM MINING AND MILLING
Radon Evaluations. Mr. David Bernhardt participated in a contin-
uing field study at the Vitro site, Salt Lake City, Utah, to as-
sess the magnitude of radon-222 releases from uranium mill
tailings piles and the parameters which affect releases of radon.
On September 28 and 29, he attended a meeting at the U.S. Energy
Research and Development Administration Headquarters, Germantown,
Maryland, concerning the radon monitoring and health effects eval-
uations for Vitro and other inactive mill sites. He described the
pertinent ORP programs and presented data which indicate elevated
radon concentrations (tenths of picocuries per 1 iter) out to about
2 miles (3.2 kilometers). The data composited information from
several studies and modeling efforts. There was a general con-
currence at the meeting to include evaluations of this type in
the Phase II report.
Navajo Assistance. Messrs, Joseph Hans and William Moore trav-
eled to Shiprock, New Mexico, on August 9, to conduct surveys
and attend a meeting at the inactive uranium mill site. Final
surveys were conducted in a section of the ore-storage yard, and an
area which had been decontaminated to acceptable levels was marked
off to receive clean fill. They held discuss ions with Navajo
Engineering and Construction Authority (NECA) staff concerning
the decontamination activit ies and the chain of command to be
initiated after the departure of the NECA Training Director,
Mr. Chris East in.
Messrs. Hans and Wi11iam Fort traveled to Shiprock on
September 20 through 24 to teach two Navajo Environmental Pro-
tection Commission technicians how to survey the salvage steel
from the mill building in order to meet the radiation require-
ments provided by the New Mexico Environmental Improvement
Agency. In addition, several meetings with NECA and IHS staffs
were held, and radiation surveys were conducted in the ore-
storage yard area. A current major part of the NECA decontam-
ination program is the dismantling and removal of the old mill
building. Radon sampling was again postponed because of incle-
ment weather.
Active Mill Study. All active uranium mills were reviewed to
select potential candidates for environmental studies. Several
22

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candidates have been selected based on pre-determined criteria.
Messrs. Richard Douglas and Fort traveled to the selected sites
in Washington, Wyoming, and Texas to further evaluate and rank
them according to accessibility, available power, interfering
sources, topography, etc.
Drs. Leonard Link and Michael Momeni from Argonne National
Laboratory visited the ORP-LVF on September 15 to discuss their
plans for a study at an operat ing uranium mill and to exchange
information regarding our proposed study.
Uranium Mine. A field study in the vicinity of the Jackpile
uranium mine, near Paguate/Laguna, New Mexico, was completed on
June 30.
ENVIRONMENTAL PLUTONIUM
Mr. Bernhardt and Mr. Raymond Johnson, Headquarters Environ-
mental Analysis Division, met with Rocky Flats and other agency
personne1 in Denver, Colorado, to plan a joint soi1 samp 1ing eval-
uation project. This project includes evaluation and comparison
of the proposed EPA, Rocky Flats, Colorado Department of Health,
Jefferson County, and, possibly, Savannah River soil sampling
techniques,
NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY GUIDANCE
On August 31 Messrs. Mike Christie and Gary Booth, Radiation
Control Section, Department of Health and Welfare, Idaho, and
Mr. Edward Cowan, Region X, EPA visited ORP-LVF to discuss re-
sults of the Idaho phosphate study. The need for future work,
especially in Soda Springs, Idaho, was also discussed.
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
On July 14, Mr, DonaId Hendricks accompanied Dr. Brion
Sasaki of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget and Mr. Tom
Castor of the U.S. Mining Enforcement and Safety Administration
on a tour of the Anaconda open pit and underground uranium mines
on the Laguna Pueblo Reservation, They also toured the Anaconda
Bluewater uranium mill. Other mill tailings piles in the area
were also viewed. On July 15, Messrs. Bruce Mann and Fort ac-
companied Dr. Sasaki on a tour of the Beatty, Nevada, commercial
low-level waste burial site.
Mr. Mann and Dr. Robert Kaufmann met with personnel of the
Headquarters Office of Radiation Programs July 28 through 30 to
discuss program plans in radioactive waste management. The plan
for development of Federal criteria for radioactive waste
23

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management and ways in which ORP-LVF staff could assist in this
development were discussed,
Comments were prepared on the draft paper, "Radiological
Measurements at the Maxey Flats Radioactive Waste Burial Site,"
and forwarded to the Cincinnati, Ohio, Radiochemistry and Nuclear
Engineering Branch of the ORP Eastern Environmental Radiation
Faci1ity.
Dr. Kaufmann began a special 2-month temporary assignment
to ORP Headquarters. He will assist in the development of en-
vironmental radiation protection criteria for radioactive waste
management.
On September 17, Mr. Mike O'Connell held discussions with
Dr. Jim Duguid and other staff members of the Environmental
Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The
topics reviewed concerned previous low-level waste management
studies at ORNL and future efforts in the area of site engineer-
ing practices. These discussions were in conjunction with a
recently awarded ORP contract. He also gave a seminar to the
Environmental Sciences Division, ORNL, on the commercial low-
level facilities including inventory projections. On September 18,
he gave a presentation on the same subject at the joint meeting of
the East Tennessee and Blue Grass Chapters of the Health Physics
Society. On September 21 and 22, he participated in the National
Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors, Inc., Radio-
active Waste Task Force meeting in Bethesda, Maryland, at the
request of the Task Force Chairman, Mr. Beyward Shealy.
Technical evaluations have been completed on two proposals
received for the low-level radioactive waste burial site engineer-
ing management study. Final negotiations are now being conducted
with the contractors.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS (EIS)
The ORP-LVF managed the review of the EIS for the Idaho
National Engineering Laboratory. Comments of the EIS were
solicited from a number of EPA programs, edited and incorporated
into a single set of comments which were sent to ORP Headquarters.
The draft EIS, "Navajo-Exxon Uranium Development," has been
reviewed for radiological aspects and comments forwarded to EPA
Region VI.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANNING
Mr. Thomas Sell participated as an instructor in the Federal
interagency workshop, "Radiological Emergency Response Planning
24

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in Support of Fixed Nuclear Facilities," from September 13
through 17.
The report, "Rationale for Developing Protect ive Act ion
Guides and Recommended Protective Action Guides for Organ Doses
for Airborne Releases Due to Accidents at Light Water Reactors,"
was completed and sent to the Protective Action Planning Branch,
Environmental Analysis Division, Off ice of Radiation Programs.
PUBLICATIONS
The following Technical Notes were distributed:
"Review of State Licenses for Disposal of Low-Level Radio-
active Waste by Shallow Land Burial," ORP/LV-76-3.
"Report of Ambient Outdoor Radon and Indoor Radon Progeny
Concentrat.ions During November 1975 at Selected Locations in the
Grants Mineral Belt, New Mexico," ORP/LV-76-4.
"Environmental and Safety Aspects of Alternative Nuclear
Power Technologies - Fusion Power Systems," ORP/LV-76-7.
A paper, "Effects of Uranium Mining and Milling on Ground
Water in the Grants Mineral Belt, New Mexico," was published in
the journal, Ground Water.
25

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ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND SUPPORT LARORATORY
P.O. BOX 15027 944 EAST HARMON AVENUE LAS VEGAS. NEVAOA 89114
TEL |702) 736-2969 FTS 595-2969
DIRECTOR
G B MORGAN. ACTG
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
(VACAN
TENANT ORGANIZATIONS
PERSONNEL OFFICE
LAS VEGAS
A SANDOVAL JR
LAS VEGAS
ACCOUNTING OFFICE
LA OEMERS
REGION IX
LAS VEGAS UNIT
R CUMMINS
REGIONAL SERVICES
STAFF
R E JAQUISH
OFFICE OF RADIATION
PROGRAMS.
LAS VEGAS FACILITY
0 W HENDRICKS
MONITORING SYSTEMS
flESIGN ANO ANALYSIS
STAFF
E SCHUCK
HEALTH AND SAFETY
STAFF
OR M E KAYE
INFORMATION
SERVICES STAFF
G S DOUGLAS
BRANCHES:
GENERAL SERVICES
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FACILITIES ANO
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OFFICE Of PROGRAM
MANAGEMENT AND
SUPPORT
WE PETRIE
BRANCHES:
REMOTE SENSING OPERATIONS
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REMOTE MONITORING
METHODS
J ECKERT
ENVIRONMENTAL
PHOTOGRAPHIC
INTERPRETATION COMPLEX
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REMOTE SENSING
DIVISION
DR SH MELFI
BRANCHES:
METHODS DEVELOPMENT
ANO ANALYTICAL SUPPORT
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QUALITY ASSURANCE
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DR G POTTER
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INVESTIGATION
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BRANCHES:
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OPERATIONS
DIVISION
OT WRUSLE

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