Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory Las Vegas i M Fourth Quarter - October, November, December 1977 viED sr4r km *'*' PftG*C w4? ------- FOURTH QUARTER REPORT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND SUPPORT LABORATORY LAS VEGAS OCTOBER THROUGH DECEMBER 1977 U,S, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND SUPPORT LABORATORY LAS VEGAS, NEVADA m ------- CONTENTS EME EVENTS OF GENERAL INTEREST 1 BIOLOGICAL MONITORING 3 MONITORING SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT 5 EQUIPMENT AND TECHNIQUES DEVELOPMENT 7 RADIATION MONITORING 9 QUALITY ASSURANCE 10 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 11 SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL REPORTS 17 iii ------- EVENTS OF GENERAL INTEREST During calendar year 1977, the following significant objec- tives were completed successfully: o Methodology for monitoring groundwater quality. A series of five reports was published describing the development and application of a strategy for monitoring groundwater quality. Disseminated to State and local agencies, the methodology is proving useful in implementing provision of Areawide Planning Programs, the State Underground Injection Control Program, and the National Water Quality Monitoring Network Program. o Development of the Enviro-Pod. The Las Vegas Laboratory, using the engineering services of the U.S. Air Force's Avionics Laboratory, developed and operationally tested a self-contained 1ight aircraft sensor pod for quick reaction to environmental episodes and other small- area coverage needs. The system was certified by the Federal Aviation Administration for use on a Cessna 172 airplane. o Energy-related environmental monitoring program. An Atlas was published summarizing environmental monitoring activities in the Western Energy Resources Development Area. A comprehensive baseline for air quality, water quality, and land-character information is being developed throughout the western region. Data collection activities were expanded or initiated to include sulfate and nitrate analyses on airborne particulate samples and development of methods for characterizing and quantifying visibility impairment caused by the activities of man. o Development of an analytical method for plutonium. An analytical method for plutonium in soil was developed and collaboratively tested. This method was published as a report entitled "Fusion Method for the Measurement of Plutonium in Soil: Single-laboratory evaluation and interlaboratory collabor- ative test." 1 ------- o Completion of NES data development. Development of National Eutrophication Survey data was completed. This effort provides the most extensive source of data available on lake quality and trophic relationships. A major component of these data is about 50,000 phytoplankton identifications and counts, representing the only comprehensive nationwide phytoplankton data base in existence. o Smelter plume characterization. An intensive smelter plume characterization study was completed, using ground-based and airborne measurement platforms (fixed-wing and helicopter aircraft) to define plume diffusion for regulatory applications. A data set consisting of horizontal and vertical diffusion coefficients under varying atmospheric stability conditions was obtained as input to dif- fusion models for promulgating sulfur dioxide emissions regula- tions . These represent the most comprehensive data of this nature, specific to a complex terrain situation, known to exist. The Las Vegas Laboratory is sponsoring a conference, entitled "Chemical Carcinogens in the Environment: Emissions and Control," to be held on March 6 and 7 at the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena. A major aim of the meeting is to evaluate current knowledge in characterizing and controlling carcinogen- containing wastes from industrial sources. Discussion will stress the engineering aspects of carcinogen control including the development of mass balances for urban areas, the physicochemi- cal characteristics of waste gases and waters, methods of emission control, and environmental transport and transformation. The conference will feature speakers representing the government, industry and the academia. Dr. S. K. Friedlander of the California Institute of Technology will be general chairman. A workshop, entitled "Automated In Situ Water Quality Sensors for Field Applications," has been planned and scheduled for February 14 through 16 at Las Vegas. This workshop will bring together some 30 participants representing 8 Federal agencies, the Canadian government, and several universities, to review the current and coming sensor technology and Federal agency needs for automated water quality monitoring. 2 ------- BIOLOGICAL MONITORING MICROORGANISMS Experiments at the Las Vegas Laboratory show that the activity of hydrogen-oxidizing microorganisms found in soils can be assayed very easily and accurately. The experiments are part of the Laboratory's program to identify, develop and validate biological responses as monitors of pollutant exposure and to integrate the biological techniques into an operational monitoring system. Alaaligenes paradoxus was found to be one of the predominant hydrogen-oxidizing soil microorganisms, and soils tested to date show an inherent hydrogen-oxidizing activity. The activity of these microorganisms in natural soils varies with each soil type. Laboratory tests show that the rate of hydrogen oxidation is a sensitive indicator of the availability of mercury and cadmium in soil and in solution. It appears that the effect of these toxic metals was directly on the enzyme system since decreased hydro - genase activity was observed while no change in cell numbers was detected. These findings prompted tests of the applicability of this biological monitor under conditions of insult in the field. Soils from each of the Zonal Air Pollution Study fumigation plots were analyzed for their hydrogen-oxidation potential using Alaaligenes paradoxus. Results of these tests indicate that after 2 years, the soil microbiota was significantly affected as a result of sulfur dioxide fumigation. The tests also indicate that the insult-measurement technique used might be sensitive enough to serve as a field monitoring tool. In more recent experiments on the effects of pH and selective organics in the hydrogen-oxidation rates of Alaaligenes paradoxus, growing cells of the microorganism are being used as well as resting-cel1 suspensions. Tests will be conducted using toxic organics plus some heavy metals. 3 ------- DAIRY COWS A study was conducted in which dairy cows were fed plutonium 238 and plutonium-239 dioxide particles in various ratios. This is one of a series of studies on the biological transfer of plutonium, americium, and uranium in lactating dairy cows. The plutonium dioxide particles used in the study were produced by the Lovelace Foundation. Metabolic and t is sue samples were collected and screened for activity content using a phoswich detector. Sample analyses by alpha spectrometry are being performed by a contractor. During the next quarter, in vitro trials will be run to compare the solubility of the dioxides of plutonium-238 and -239. ANIMAL INVESTIGATION The semiannual sacrifice and necropsy of six animals from the beef herd maintained on the Nevada Test Site (NTS) were conducted. Through the cooperation of Federal and State wildlife officials and licensed hunters, tissue samples were collected from over 20 desert bighorn sheep. Other wildlife sampled included two mule deer (road kills) and one coyote from the NTS. Selected tissues from these animals were sampled for histopathological and radionuclide analyses. These routine samplings have been conducted for the Nevada Operations Office of the Department of Energy (and its predecessor organizations) since the early days of nuclear testing in Nevada. The samples are taken as biological indicators of the uptake and effects of radioactivity resulting from the nuclear tests. In recent years, tissue burdens from these animals were generally within environmental limits. Movements of 16 mule deer equipped with collars containing a radiotransmitter were monitored weekly via land and/or aerial reconnaissance as part of the NTS mule deer migration study conducted with the Nevada Department of Fish and Game. Most of these deer remained near their original capture site on Rainier Mesa or on Echo Peak until mid-January. At that time snows induced them to leave the areas. A mortality sensor was included with the telemetry package this year which has enabled the retrieval and reuse of collars from deer which have died of natural causes. As part of the study, a computer program of the Lincoln Index method is being used to make a statistical estimate of the total NTS deer population. The time and location of all deer observed are being recorded for this study, including deer identi- fied with 4-inch tags on a special collar. Twenty-five NTS deer are marked. 4 ------- MONITORING SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT CARCINOGENS As one of the studies to assess the contribution of environ- mental factors to the occurrence of cancer in the general popu- lation , the Las Vegas Laboratory is experimenting with benzene. Benzene is one of the candidate chemicals on the list of organic carcinogens compiled from various data sources. Preliminary experiments show some indication that benzene is absorbed by both plants and soil. The absorption curves based on the preliminary results appear to indicate that absorption of benzene is the result of metabolism rather than solubility. The use of radio- tracer benzene is being planned for further experiments. Procedures for the gas chromatographic analysis of benzene, carbon tetrachloride and some other chemicals have been developed and special purpose exposure chambers have been designed to ac- commodate further research. A literature review on the adsorption and desorption of chemicals in soils was completed and interviews were held with leading researchers on the subject. A correlation has been found between the arsenic concentra- tions in annual tree rings and the annual stack emissions from a smelter near Tacoma, Washington. Semi-quantitative evidence shows that changes in the concentrations are proportional to changes in production output of the plant. The indications that concent / at.ions in the upper rings are directly proportional to stack emissions suggest the importance of foliar uptake. Concentrations in the soil and tree needles are orders of magnitude greater than in the rings. OXIDANTS The summer oxidant field program in the Las Vegas Valley was concluded on September 30. A complete cross-calibration of field instrumentation was performed before the instruments were removed from the field in October. The purpose of this oxidant study is to develop a monitoring network design methodology for photochemical oxidants. The data collected to date are being evaluated. 5 ------- TOXIC MATERIALS The difficulty in trapping rats has prompted a 1iterature search, now underway, to evaluate the use of pigeons as biological sensors of lead. The pigeons are more easily collected in urban areas. The sampling of wool and blood from sheep raised in the vicinity of coal-fired power plants is being planned. The experiment is designed to determine whether trace elements in the effluent of the plant accumulate in mammalian systems. Plans are also in progress to carry out a study in which goats will be fed debris from an old nuclear test site. GEOTHERMAL EFFECTS Studies are underway at Roosevelt Hot Springs, Utah, to develop a strategy for monitoring changes in populations of plants and animals indigenous to areas associated with geothermal resource development. Studies are also continuing in the Imperial Valley, California, where agricultural soil and vegetation are being monitored for changes in trace element levels associated with geothermal development. During this quarter 352 plant and soil samples were collected from 88 sites around Roosevelt Hot Springs and 3 permanent sites for biomass determinations were established. Also, plant and soil samples were collected at 48 sites around the San Diego Gas and Electric Company and the Department of Energy research facility near Niland, California. An interagency agreement was made with the University of Califor- nia 's Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology to analyze tissues from vegetation growing in geothermal areas. Another objective of these studies is to confirm baseline tissue concentrations of various elements in the local fauna. Tissues from kangaroo rats collected at Roosevelt Hot Springs were analyzed by optical emission spectroscopy. Samples from livestock as well as additional tissue samples from rats col- lected at Roosevelt Hot Springs are currently being analyzed. Rodent population density studies using a grid system were also initiated in the Roosevelt Hot Springs area. Field collections made during this quarter include tissue samples from a California water bird, blood and hair or wool from Utah range animals, and bone and kidney samples from bovines from a Utah packinghouse. As part of a study of hydrogen sulfide and non-condensible hazardous gaseous emissions from geothermal developments, six sites in the Roosevelt Hot Springs area were instrumented, and meteorological data are being collected in conjunction with data collections at the same sites by the Phillips Petroleum Company. Special mobile air sampling and photovoltaic battery recharging equipment is being adapted for use at Roosevelt Hot Springs, 6 ------- EQUIPMENT AND TECHNIQUES DEVELOPMENT Data collection was completed for the study to apply aerial multi-spectral techniques to quantitatively determine turbidity. This includes analysis oĢ the water samples collected for ground truth. Laboratory calibration of the rapid-scan spectrometer, software modifications, and data analyses are proceeding for preparation of the final report. In the development of a laser fluorosensor for monitoring surface-water quality parameters, particularly chlorophyll a, a tuning unit for the dye laser is being installed. Other modifi- cations include the addition of an extra detector in the receiver f or monitoring the Raman return s ignai. A study of relationships between ultraviolet-induced fluores- cence from polluted waters and the organic content of polluted waters was completed. Results indicate a significant correlation between the ultraviolet-induced fluorescence emission and dis- solved organic carbon values for surface waters. The Laboratory plans to pursue this relationship by using it in a remote sens ing application for monitoring surface-water organic levels over extensive areas. An airborne laser f1uorosensor will be evaluated for its potential as a monitor of changes in surface-water organics. The flash lamp-pumped dye -lase r lidar system was flown in several test missions, including one over the Four Corners power plant in Ne Mexico. Plume cross sections were obt ined over 20 mlies (32 kilometers) downwind of the plant. The development of environmental photo-interpretation keys progressed witli completion of the harbor key, using the Baltimore, Maryland, harbor as a test site. The users' manual for monitoring leachate migration from sanitary landfills is nearing completion with the final processing of photography. These keys, including full color imagery, will be distributed as planned to the organiza- tions having a working need for tne data. The state of the art in coa' conversion and combustion processes is being evaluated to develop guidelines for air and water monitoring around advanced coal-conversion and combustion plants. In conjunction with t.us, an effort is being made to identify expertise in this relatively new and complex area of ------- environmental monitoring. A preliminary review of the literature was conducted to provide guidelines in a project to review and evaluate natural radioactivity in western coal-fired power plant emissions. Air samples collected near a coal-fired power plant were examined to evaluate potential analytical methods for use in this study. These techniques include track-etch fissidn-track studies, electron microprobe analysis, and ion microprobe mass analysis. Information was compiled on fly-ash particle characterization and on the source and distribution of airborne natural uranium. 8 ------- RADIATION MONITORING Radiological safety support was provided for all nuclear tests conducted at the Nevada Test Site during this quarter. Prior to each test, the probable location and activities of rural residents at test time were determined and, for each test, mobile ground- and aerial-monitoring personnel were deployed to the off- site areas. Other personnel served as advisors to the Department of Energy Test Controller and coordinated off -site surve:i 1 lance activities from the Test Site Control Point. No releases of radioactivity _ occurred as a result of the tests and all interim reports covering the results of the monitoring were prepared and submitted to the Department of Energy Nevada Operations Office. Except for the Air Surveillance Network (ASN), all routine networks were operated as usual. The ASN, consisting of 48 continuously operating stations, continued to operate with 66 of its standby stations until the morning of October 19 to monitor airborne radioactivity resulting from atmospheric nuclear testing activities on September 17 by the People's Republic of China. Beginning on October 19, only the active stations of the ASN were operated. Routine quarterly milk samples of the Milk Surveillance Network were collected from 22 locations in October. Monthly water samples were collected from 10 locations of the Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring Program (LTHMP). Beginning in October, the Laboratory monitoring personnel collected samp1es of surface and well waters at 29 locations on Amchitka Island, Alaska, which is now included in the LTHMP annual sampling schedule. Amchitka Island has been used in the past as a site for conducting high yield underground nuclear tests. 9 ------- QUALITY ASSURANCE The nationwide, interlaboratory comparison, quality assurance program involving a variety of radionuclides in environmental media (milk, water, air, food, soil, and gases) was continued during this quarter to help assure that environmental data produced by Federal, State, local and private laboratories are compatible, accurate, and legally defensible- In this program, data quality is assessed and the analytical performance of participating laboratories is determined on a nationwide basis through the preparation and distribution of standard samp1es, the statistical evaluation of the resultant data, and the publication and distri- bution of computerized reports to participants. Assistance, support, and training are also provided. During this quarter, at the request of Regions III and IV, on-site laboratory evaluations were conducted for States in those Regions. Standard radium-228 solutions were obtained and are being used in evaluation studies of two published methods for the measurement of radium-228 in water. One of the methods will be selected for single and interlaboratory testing to validate the method. Evaluation studies of measurement methods for iodine-131 and cesium-134 in water are being initiated. Quality assurance plans and guidelines for EPA-sponsored biological research have been developed and are being prepared for publication. 10 ------- TECHNICAL SUPPORT Changes and trends in demography, land use, and point and nonpoint pollution sources in selected areas are being assessed for the EPA Office of Toxic Substances. The assessment is in terms of the manufacture, processing and use or disposal of toxic substances. To date, analyses of compiled data were completed for the Johnstown, Pennsylvania, industrial area, and the resultant information is being used as a model for subsequent studies. The industrial areas of Lewistown, Pennsylvania, and Elizabethtown, Tennessee, are currently under study. Eighteen additional sites have been tentatively identified for study and searches for available imagery have been initiated. Supplemental aerial photographic data will be collected. The following technical support projects were conducted this quarter at the request of EPA Regional Offices. Listed by Region, these projects include remote sensing projects which entailed the acquisition, processing and delivery of data collected from aerial platforms, either aircraft or satellites. Much of the data was presented in the form of color and infrared photography, map sheets, annotated overlays or other types of imagery displays as requested. REGION I Aerial reconnaissance flights were conducted near Berlin, New Hampshire, to determine vegetation changes caused by air pollution. By pinpointing affected areas, this information will aid in placing ground monitors and in verifying air pollution modeling results. A specialized land-use and land-cover study and nonpoint source inventory of the Black River Basin in Vermont were completed. The report delivered to the Vermont Agency for Environmental Conservation included tabulated and photographic data that covered the two phases of the projects. One phase was to identify and locate sources of erosion and places where the river had changed its course over time and to define flood plain areas affected by winter runoff along the river and its tributaries. The other phase was to provide land-use/land-cover data on agricultural and silvicultural practices, and a nonpoint source inventory for the basin. 11 ------- REGION II An aerial survey was conducted to display the thermal dis- charges from an industrial site emptying into the Arthur Kill River near Linden, New Jersey. The product delivered to the Region's Surveillance and Analysis Division included both color photography and infrared imagery. Aerial reconnaissance flights to assess sanitary and other landfill sites in New Jersey and New York are underway. The Las Vegas Laboratory is supporting an intensive water quality monitoring program along about 2,000 square nautical miles of coastal waters to monitor waste dump impact. Using the Laboratory's amphibious helicopter and crew, personnel of the Region's Surveillance and Analysis Division are collecting water samples from a network established along the Long Island south shore and off the coast of New Jersey. This project is part of an EPA program to step up routine surveillance because of concern about water pollution in the harbor area. The program is being conducted in conjunction with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard and the EPA. While in New Jersey, the Laboratory's helicopter crew re- sponded to an emergency by supplying support flights following an explosion of a chemical disposal plant in December. Flights were conducted for air sampling for toxic material in the vicinity of the plant and to search the marsh area around the plant for victims of the explosion. The helicopter was also used for sampling missions over Lake Ontario near Rochester, New York, to determine whether helicopter sampling could be used more effectively than sampling from a boat for Lake Ontario surveillance. The helicopter test was successful and the helicopter approach may be used to replace the sampling from boats. REGION III An aerial photographic inventory of nonpoint sources and land use around Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia, is being conducted, and a survey of oil facilities in support of the Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures program was initiated in Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia. 12 ------- REGION IV A survey of thermal discharges from selected power plants in Florida was conducted. Computer-derived isothermal contour plots were prepared depicting the thermal discharges at these sites. A project to delineate vegetation damage and the extent and density of marine grasses along the east coast in the vicinity of the Indian River was completed and results, including color infrared aerial photographs, were sent to the Region's Surveillance and Analysis Division. Also, aerial reconnaissance flights were initiated in Florida to determine vegetation biomass near Everglades City and to study drainage effluents from a farm near Apalachicola. Color infrared imagery was obtained to detect sulfur dioxide effects on vegetation as a result of releases from a Tennessee Valley Authority power plant near Johnsonville, Tennessee. This was an emergency proj ect to establish the possible extent of damage to soybeans and other crops in the fallout area. Multispec- tral scanner data on sulfur dioxide were also collected and analyzed. Analysis of the imagery provided no conclusive evidence of stressed areas. Aerial photographic surveys were conducted to determine vegetation biomass in the Ross Barnett Reservoir in Mississippi, to depict aquatic plant biomass in the Holston River in Tennessee, and to classify strip mines and mining activities in Kentucky. A project was also initiated to acquire imagery of North and South Buffalo Creeks in North Carolina. REGION V A study to identify and analyze potential oil spill hazards associated with production and refinement of crude oil was completed. Over 800 facilities in Illinois were analyzed and depicted on quad sheets. Efforts were concentrated on revett^d or diked oil storage facilities, collection stations, tanks, and brine pits or lagoons representing critical spill hazards. mis study, based on imagery acquired for the project in 1976 and 1977, is in support of the Spill Prevention, Control and Counter- measures program. At the request of the Water Division, a land-use study was made of the Southwest Interceptor Planning Area, Cleveland Regional Sewer District. Land use classification was derived from color infrared film and depicted on clear film overlays on a photo mosaic. The data were requested for possible use in an Environ- mental Impact Statement. 13 ------- A demonstration project was conducted for the Office of Land Use Coordination to show how changes in certain land uses, es- pecially recreational activities, vary with changes in water quality. The completed report included maps with overlays display- ing changes in land use over several time periods and photographic examples of some of these changes along the Little Miami River in Ohio. The report was based on recent aerial photographic coverage acquired during a test mission of the light aircraft sensor pod (Enviro- Pod) and on arlier photographic data. The earlier data , some dating back to 1958, were purchased from the Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the Ohio Department of Transportation, REGION VI The Las Vegas Laboratory provided consultation in evaluating the impact of the proposed strategic oil reserves pipeline through the Atchafalaya Basin, Louisiana. At the request of the Region, the Laboratory representative personally inspected the route of the pipeline and arranged a meeting with Department of Energy personnel and the Interagency Management Group to discuss the Laboratory's recommendations and the feasibility of rerouting the pipeline. Aerial photographic surveys were conducted to delineate water bodies in the Atchafalaya Basin and to classify the water bodies in terms of turbidity levels; to document effluent discharge points from oil facilities in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana; and to inspect oil facilities in East Texas as part of the Spil1 Preven- tion , Control and Countermeasures program. A project to determine the effects on vegetation of chloride discharges from an oil refinery in Louisiana was completed with the submittal of a report to the Region. REGION VII An aerial photographic reconnaissance of oil and chemical refining storage and distribution facilities in Kansas City was conducted at the request of the Emergency Response Section of Region VII. The project was to acquire data in support of the Region's Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures program. Photo interpretation showed laxness by the chemical processing and packaging industries in protecting product drum-storage areas and in allowing oil leakages to escape from site perimeters. An aerial inspection of oil facilities in support of the Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures program was conducted in Iowa and aerial surveys were initiated to inventory effluent sources along the Big River in Missouri, and to classify land uses in the Big Piney Kiver Basin in Missouri. 14 ------- REGION VIII The potential impact of a coal - fired power plant on the Poplar River Basin in Montana was assessed using remote sensing data. A report on land use and vegetative cover of the area was prepared using Landsat imagery and sent to the legion. Documentation of uranium mills in Moab, Utah, for reported leakage of wastes from tailing ponds as a result of dike failure was obtained through remote sensing data. Also, an inspection was made of oil facilities in Utah, Montana and Wyoming in support of the Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures program, and aerial surveys were initiated to determine the vegetation stress from carbon dioxide in Montana, and to classify land uses in the vicinity of mines in northwest Colorado. REGION IX Laboratory remote sensing personnel demonstrated the use of thermal data and color aerial photography to detect and map underground-burning coal mines near Black Mesa Mine in Arizona. An aerial drainage and vegetation study for wildlife habitat management in Moapa Valley, Nevada, and a land-use study of Toiyabe National Forest were initiated. At the request of the Region's Survei1 lance and Analysis Division, aerial photographic reconnaissance of selected oil fields and storage facilities in greater Los Angeles and in Bakersfield, California, was conducted in support of the Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures program. Analysis of the imagery indicated that the refineries, primary processing areas, and bulk oil storage facilities within and adjacent to the oil fields in both study areas were generally well contained and presented no potential spill threat, The main spill threat appeared to be in Los Angeles from uncontained collection tanks located in residential and commercial areas. Potential spills from these tanks appear to have unrestricted access to local street and storm-sewer systems. REGION X Direct technical support of the Region's biological sampling program was provided by the Laboratory. Water and land monitoring personnel collected biological samples from the Yampa and Upper White Rivers in Idaho and identified strategic sampling locations. The collected samples were analyzed for benthic invertebrates and periphyton at the Las Vegas Laboratory, 15 ------- A remote sensing survey of agricultural and forestry nonpoint sources in the Molalla Watershed, Oregon, was completed with delivery of the report to the Region. A survey to detect nonpoint sources in Idaho and Washington and a land-use classification study in the vicinity of selected irrigation networks and streams in Washington were initiated. 16 ------- SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL REPORTS PROJECT REPORTS The following project reports were published by the Laboratory during the fourth quarter of 1978. "Distribution, of Phytoplankton in Virginia Lakes," by J. W. Hilgert, V. W. Lambou, F. A. Morris, R. W. Thomas, M. K. Morris, L. R. Williams, W. D. Taylor, F. A. Hiatt, and S. C. Hern. (EPA- 600/3-77-100). "Distribution of Phytoplankton in Mississippi Lakes," by L. R. Williams, W. D. Taylor, F. A. Hiatt, S. C. Hern, J. W. Hilgert, V. W. Lambou, F. A. Morris, R. W. Thomas and M. K Morris. (EPA-600/3-77-101). "Distribution of Phytoplankton in South Carolina Lakes," by S, C, Hern, J. W. Hilgert, V. W. Lambou, F. A. Morris, M. K. Morris, L. R. Williams, W. D. Taylor and F. A. Hiatt. (EPA- 600/3-77-102). "Distribution of Phytoplankton in West Virginia Lakes," by V. W. Lambou, F. A. Morris, M. K. Morris, L. R. Williams, W. D. Taylor, F. A. Hiatt, S. C. Hern and J, W. Hilgert. (EPA-600/3- 103.) "Guide to Preselection of Training Samples and Ground Truth Collection," by C. E. Tanner, Lockheed Electronics Company, Inc. R. W. Landers, Project Officer. (EPA-600/7-77-100.) PAPERS PRESENTED OR PUBLISHED The paper, "A Present Challenge--The Service Analysis," by P. B. Hahn, was presented at the Fourth Annual Meeting of the Federation of Analytical Anachem Award Symposium of the Chemistry and Spectroscopy Societies, held in Detroit, Michigan, November 7 to 11. The paper, "The Development of a Three-Dimensional Wind Mode 1 for Complex Terrain," by M. A. Yocke, M. K. Liu and J. L. McElroy, was presented and will be published in the Proceedings of the Joint Conference on Application of Air Pollution Meterology, held in Salt Lake City in December. 17 ------- The following papers were presented at the 1977 Pacific Conference on Chemistry and Spectroscopy held in Anaheim, Califor- nia , in October: "Zeeman Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and Its Capabilities by H. L. Kelley. "Plasma Emission Analysis of Geothermal Water," by G. Bratten and D. R. Scott. The following papers were presented and will be published in the Proceedings of the Fourth Joint Conference on Sensing of Environmental Pollutants held in New Orleans in November: "Application of a Methodology for the Design of a Carbon Monoxide Monitoring Network in the Las Vegas Valley, Nevada," by J. V. Behar, J. L, McElroy, L. M. Dunn, P. N. Lem and M. K. Liu. "Comparison of iMacroinvertebrate Samplers as They Apply to Streams of Semi-arid Regions," by W. L. Kinney, J. E. Pollard and C. E. Hornig. "Trophic Classification of Colorado Lakes Utilizing Contact Data and Landsat and Aircraft-acquired Multispectral Scanner Data," by D. H. P. Bo land and R. J. Blackwe11. "Ambient Air Monitoring Design: Methodology and 11lustrative Example," by J. L. McElroy. "The Development of a Pollutant Monitoring System for Biosphere Reserves and Results of the Great Smoky Mountain Pilot Study," by G. B. Wiersma, K. W. Brown and A. B. Crockett. "Dimethylmercury: Volatilization f rom Plants ," by D. D. Gay, L. C. Fortmann, K. 0. Wirtz and C. W. Frank. "The Application of Fluorescence Spectroscopy to Remote Monitoring of Total Organics in Surface Waters," by M. P. F. Bristow and D. W. Nielsen. Three reports by Las Vegas Laboratory personne1 were pub 1ished in scientific journals during this quarter: "Mesoscalene Analysis of Ozone Measurements in the Boston Environs," by K. F. Zeller, R. B. Evans, C. F. Fitzsimmons and G. W. Siple. Journal of GeophyeicaI Research 82:37, pp. 5879-5888, December 20, 1977. "Metals in Bioenvironmental Systems," by G. B. Morgan and E. W. Bretthauer. Analytical Chemistry 49:14, pp. 1210-1212A, December 1977. 18 ------- "Observations on the Distribution of Microorganisms in Desert Soilby A. T. Vollmer, F. Au and S. A. Bamberg. Great Basin Naturalist 37(1), pp. 80 - 86, 1977. REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY REIMBURSED WORK The proceedings of the Nevada Applied Ecology Group annual conference held in Las Vegas in February 1976 was published. The report, entitled "Environmental Plutonium in the Nevada Test Site and Environs" (NV0-171), includes seven papers by personnel of the Las Vegas Laboratory and one paper coauthored with personnel of the Battelle Memorial Institute. These papers are: "Solubility of Plutonium and Americium-241 From Rumen Contents of Cattle Grazing on Plutonium-Contaminated Desert Vegetation in In Vi tro Bovine Gastrointestinal Fluids --November 1974 to May .1975," by J. Barth. "Grazing Studies on a Contaminated Range of the Nevada Test Site," by D. D. Smith. "Passage of Sand Particles Through the Gastrointestinal Tract of Dairy Cows," by R. G. Patzer, W. W. Sutton and G. D. Potter. "Bi ological Transport of Curium-243 in Lactating Dairy Goats/1 by W. W. Sutton, R. G. Patzer, P. B. Hahn and G. D. Potter. "Bovine Transport and Retention of Plutonium-238 With Special Emphasis on the Gastrointestinal Uptake of In Vivo Labeled Mi lk," by W. W. Sutton, R. G. Patzer, P. B. Hahn and G. D. Potter. "Plutonium Distribution in the Environs of the Nevada Test Site," by W. A. Bliss and F. M. Jakubowski. 11 Influence of Microbial Activities on Availability and Biotransport. of Plutonium" by F. H. F. Au and W. F. Beckert. "An Initial Synthesis of Area 13 Plutonium-239 Data and Other Statistical Analyses," by R. 0. Gilbert and L. L. Eberhardt, Battelle Memorial Institute, and D. D. Smith, Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory-Las Vegas. 19 ------- DIRECTOR 6.B. MORGAN DEPUTY DIRECTOR DR. Ri. STANLEY ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND SUPPORT LABORATORY P.O. BOX 15027 944 EAST HARMON AVENUE LAS VEGAS. NEVADA 89114 TELEPHONE (702)736-2969 FTS 595-2969 TENANT ORGANIZATIONS INFORMATION SERVICES STAFF 6.S. D0U6LAS OFFICE OF PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT W.E. PETRIE BRANCHES: GENERAL SERVICES M. CARPENTER COMPUTER SERVICES a ALLISON FACILITIES AND ENGINEERING SERVICES R. COULTER HEALTH AND SAFETY STAFF DR. M.E. KAYE MONITORING SYSTEMS DESIGN AND ANALYSIS STAFF E. SCHUCK 1 MONITORING SYSTEMS MONITORING REMOTE RESEARCH ANO OPERATIONS SENSING DEVELOPMENT DIVISION DIVISION DIVISION DR. J. A. SANTOLUCITO. ACTG. D.T. WRUBLE DR. D.N. McNELIS BRANCHES: BRANCHES: BRANCHES: METHODS DEVELOPMENT WATER AND LANO REMOTE SENSING AND ANALYTICAL SUPPORT QUALITY OPERATIONS E. BRETTHAUER V. LAM80U R. LANDERS QUALITY ASSURANCE AIR QUALITY REMOTE MONITORING A. JARVIS ft. SMELLING METHODS POLLUTANT PATHWAYS ENVIRONMENTAL J. ECKERT DR. G. WIERSMA RADIATION ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE/DOSE C. COSTA PHOTOGRAPHIC ASSESSMENT AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS INTERPRETATION DR. 6. POTTER C. DRQPP COMPLEX FARM AND ANIMAL V. WEBB INVESTIGATION DR. 0. SMITH OFFICE OF RADIATION PROGRAMS. LAS VEGAS FACILITY D.W. HENDRICKS REGIONAL SERVICES STAFF HE. JAQUISH LAS VEGAS ACCOUNTING OFFICE LA DEMERS PERSONNEL OFFICE LAS VEGAS A. SANDOVAL.JR. REGION IX LAS VEGAS UNIT R. CUMMINS OFFICE FOB CIVIL RIGHTS M. WOODS ------- U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND SUPPORT LABORATORY P.O. BOX 15027 LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89114 OFFICIAL BUSINESS PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE. $300 POSTAGE AND FEES PAID U S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY EPA-335 FIRST CLASS MAIL ------- |