QUANTIFICATION OF RESIDUAL URANIUM IN SOIL AT THE DURANGO DOG PARK, DURANGO, COLORADO

The Durango uranium processing site, a Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act (UMTRCA) site, was remediated by the U.S. Department of Energy from 1986-1991 and converted into a city-owned Dog Park. Citizens of Durango remain concerned about the radioactivity that remains following the cleanup of the park. This concern was highlighted this year when it was proposed that part of the park could be used as a temporary homeless camp.

To present a clearer image of just how remediated the Durango Dog Park is, here we present the first modern, independent study of contamination levels remaining at the park. Phase one of the study included a survey of the alpha and beta emissions using Geiger counter and survey-grade GPS. Based on this data eight potential “hotspots” were located within the dog park. These hotspots show higher than background radiation levels. We test the hypothesis that soils located in these hotspots still contain elevated levels of Uranium leftover from milling activities. Phase two of the study included testing near-surface soil in these hotspots for uranium concentrations. Sample concentrations are measured using Fort Lewis College’s Microwave Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer (MP-AES) and are currently being measured at the time of abstract submission.

We anticipate that this combination of techniques should help to characterize what, if any, hazard Uranium presents at the Durango Dog Park. Our workflow may be transportable to assess the modern hazard presented by the numerous sites of concern that were once used to mill Uranium ore.