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Radiostrontium in the Savannah river site environment.
W H Carlton1, C E Murphy, G T Jannik
1Westinghouse Savannah River Company, Savannah River Technology Center, Aiken, SC 29808, USA.
Health Physics
|November 24, 1999
Summary
Strontium-90 released from the Savannah River Site impacted the environment, with atmospheric and liquid releases occurring between 1954-1996. Doses to individuals and populations were estimated, providing key environmental radiation data.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Radiological Science
- Nuclear Engineering
Background:
- The Savannah River Site (SRS) manufactured plutonium, tritium, and other nuclear materials.
- SRS operations involved five reactors and two radiochemical processing facilities.
- Environmental releases of radioactive materials, including strontium, have occurred during SRS operations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify historical environmental releases of Strontium-90 (90Sr) from the Savannah River Site.
- To estimate radiation dose equivalents to individuals at the site boundary.
- To assess the population dose within an 80-km radius.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of historical operational data from SRS facilities.
- Environmental monitoring and release pathway assessment.
- Radiological dose modeling for atmospheric and liquid releases.
Main Results:
- Between 1954 and 1996, 110 GBq of 90Sr were released to the atmosphere and 5,400 GBq to site streams.
- Maximum individual effective dose equivalent at the site boundary was 72 microSv (atmospheric) and 25 microSv (liquid).
- The estimated 80-km population dose was 0.3 person-Sv.
Conclusions:
- Historical Strontium-90 releases from SRS have been quantified.
- Estimated radiation doses to individuals and populations are within regulatory considerations.
- This study provides crucial data for understanding the long-term environmental impact of nuclear material production.