1 - paducah environmental information center

Paducah Site
Sediment
Sediment is an important constituent of the
aquatic environment. If a pollutant is a
suspended solid or is attached to suspended
sediment; it can settle to the bottom (thus
creating the need for sediment sampling), be
taken up by certain organisms, or become
attached to plant surfaces. Pollutants in solution
can adsorb on suspended organic and inorganic
solids or be assimilated by plants and animals.
Suspended solids, dead biota, and excreta settle
to the bottom and become part of the organic
substrata that support the bottom-dwelling
community of organisms.
Sediments play a significant role in aquatic
ecology by serving as a repository for
radioactive or chemical substances that pass via
bottom-feeding biota to the higher trophic
levels. Figure 5.2 shows possible exposure
routes of trace metals (including uranium) in an
aquatic ecosystem.
Sediment Surveillance Program
I.
IWlARDOO
o 310.1
I
SEDIMENTSAMPUNG
o 2 MILES POINT (SS)
Figure 5.3 Routine sediment sampling
locations.
Sediment samples were taken from six locations
(Figure 5.3). Table 5.3 shows the radiological
analytical parameters.
As a result of DOE's retaining responsibility
for historic environmental issues and problems,
ditch sediments are sampled annually through a
radiological environmental surveillance program.
Water Dissolved Solids
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Figure 5.2 Routes of trace metals In an aquatic
ecosystem (Jinks and Eisenbud 1972).
Sediment Surveillance Results
Table 5.4 shows the radionuclide sediment
sampling results for 1999. Locations SS 1, SS 2,
and SS 27 are downstream of plant effluents.
Locations SS 20, SS 21, and SS 28 are considered
reference, or background sites, and can be used
to compare with downstream data. SS 20 and SS
21 are on different creeks upstream of the plant
Table 5.3 Radiological Sampling
Parameters for Sediment Surveillance at
the Paducah Site for 1999
Station
SS 1, SS 2, SS 20,
SS 21, SS 27, SS28
Parameter
m cs , 4°K, 237Np, 239 pU ,
99 Tc , 23~h, total U, 234V,
235
U , 2J8U, 60Co, l.IAm,
alpha activity, beta
activity
5-4
Radiological Environmental Surveillance