Start |Author Index | View Uploaded Presentations | Meeting Information

2003 Seattle Annual Meeting (November 2–5, 2003)

Paper No. 17
Presentation Time: 1:30 PM-5:30 PM

XENON ISOTOPES IN SOIL GAS AS INDICATORS OF BURIED RADIOACTIVE WASTE


DRESEL, P. Evan, Field Hydrology & Chemistry Group, Pacific Northwest National Lab, MS K6-96, 3110 Port Of Benton Blvd, Richland, WA 99352-2230, OLSEN, Khris B., Field Hydrology & Chemistry Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, MS K6-96, 3110 Port Of Benton Blvd, Richland, WA 99352-2230, MCINTYRE, Justin I., Radiation & Nuclear Physics Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, MS P8-01, P.O. 999 Battelle Blvd, Richland, WA 99352-2230, KENNEDY, B. Mack, Center for Isotope Geochemistry, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, MS 70A-4418, One Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720-8179, HAYES, James C., Field Hydrology & Chemistry Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, MS P8-20, P.O. 999 Battelle Blvd, Richland, WA 99352-2230, HORTON, Duane G., Applied Geology and Geochemistry, Pacific Northwest National Lab, MS K6-81, 3110 Port Of Benton Blvd, Richland, WA 99352, MITROSHKOV, Alexandre V., Field Hydrology & Chemistry Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, MS K6-96, 3110 Port of Benton BLVD, Richland, WA 99352-2230 and PANISKO, Mark E., Instruments & Systems Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, MS P8-20, P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA 99352, evan.dresel@pnl.gov

Levels of short-lived and stable xenon isotopes were measured in soil gas samples collected from three different waste disposal sites at the U.S. Department of Energy?s Hanford Site, Washington State. Short-lived isotopes Xe-133 and Xe-135 were measured using a modification of the Automated Radioxenon Sample and Analysis (ARSA) system developed for Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Verification. Stable isotopes were measured by rare gas mass spectrometry. A site that received large amounts of plutonium waste after separation from fission products showed detectable levels of radioxenon from the spontaneous fission of Pu-240 but no detectable alteration of stable xenon isotopes from the atmospheric background. Altered stable xenon isotope ratios were detected in soil gas samples collected near a radioactive waste landfill. The altered stable xenon isotope ratios are consistent with the probable presence of irradiated fuel elements in the burial ground.

The measurements show the usefulness of xenon isotopic measurements for location and characterization of waste sources using minimally invasive techniques. Column transport studies indicate xenon transport through moist Hanford soil will be retarded relative to helium transport. This retardation may limit the distance short-lived isotopes can be detected from the source.

Session No. 193--Booth# 145

T58. Saturated and Vadose Zone Hydrogeology, Environmental Geology, and Biogeochemistry of the Department of Energy Hanford Site in Southeastern Washington State (Posters)
Tuesday, 4 November 2003: 1:30 PM-5:30 PM
Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 35, No. 6, September 2003, p.451
© Copyright 2003 The Geological Society of America (GSA), all rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to the author(s) of this abstract to reproduce and distribute it freely, for noncommercial purposes. Permission is hereby granted to any individual scientist to download a single copy of this electronic file and reproduce up to 20 paper copies for noncommercial purposes advancing science and education, including classroom use, providing all reproductions include the complete content shown here, including the author information. All other forms of reproduction and/or transmittal are prohibited without written permission from GSA Copyright Permissions.
Back to: T58. Saturated and Vadose Zone Hydrogeology, Environmental Geology, and Biogeochemistry of the Department of Energy Hanford Site in Southeastern Washington State (Posters)
<< Previous Abstract | Next Abstract