Annual Report for 2010/11 and Forward Programme - Sellafield Ltd

SSEM/2011/4730 June 2011presence of 241 Am at 1E+04 Bq) in range of 1E+00 Bq to 1E+03 Bq. All otheradditional radionuclides detected above limit of detection are reported.iv) Measurement of beta gamma and gamma contact dose rates from separatedfinds using a Mini-Instruments SmartIon type ion chamber.v) Mass determination using Mettler AT balance capable of 2 microgram resolution.vi) Density determination by sequential fluid immersion in haloalkanes.vii) Shape determination using Alicona imaging.viii) Scanning electron microscopy imaging (SEM) (using non-coated technique andstub mounted on carbon mounting discs) on separated find and after bothstomach and gut leaching stages.ix) Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) on non-coated stub mounted separatedfind and after both stomach and gut leaching stages.x) Sequential leaching using simulated stomach solution, simulated gut solution, andtotal dissolution using mineral acids.xi) Solutions content determination of total beta, 60 Co, 90 Sr, 106 Ru, 125 Sn, 134 Cs, 137 Cs,152 Eu, 154 Eu, 155 Eu, 231 Th, 234 Th, 234 Pa, 238 Pu, 239 Pu, 240 Pu, 241 Pu, 242 Pu , 241 Am, 234 U,235 U, 236 U, and 238 U. Actinide analysis by alpha spectrometry and inductivelycoupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), subcontracted to AMEC'sanalytical laboratory NIRAS. Metals analysis by inductively coupled plasmaoptical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), subcontracted to the Scientific AnalysisLaboratory (SAL).xii) Solid content determination of total beta, 60 Co, 106 Ru, 125 Sn, 134 Cs, 137 Cs, 152 Eu,154 Eu, 155 Eu, 231 Th, 234 Th, 234 Pa, 238 Pu, 239 Pu, 240 Pu, 241 Pu, 242 Pu , 241 Am, 234 U, 235 U,236 U, and 238 U.The first Serco report was issued in December 2009 (Cowper ., 2009) and the second inJuly 2010 (Clacher ., 2010). The third report is due to be published in September 2011In October 2008 a Geographic Information System (GIS) was developed with Jacobs tohandle beach monitoring data and give a visual interpretation that could be more easilyunderstood. The data processed by this system, and its graphical outputs, have been usedthroughout this report. The GIS support contract has been renewed since the initial setting upof the GIS with the focus mainly on consolidating the facilities provided and expanding theiruse. GIS development is ongoing to add tools to help identify beach find repopulation, tocreate a web-based GIS for wider dissemination of information and to expand on thestatistical analysis of spatial factors.Work has continued in 2011/12 on the statistical interpretation of the data through a contractstarted in August 2010 with the Department of Environmental Statistics at GlasgowUniversity. Contract deliverables include advice of how best to analyse the existing beachmonitoring data using statistical techniques (Scott and Tyler, 2011a) and what beachmonitoring programme will maximises the potential for meaningful statistical analysis (Scottand Tyler, 2001b).3.2.2 What has been achieved with this analytical data?Finds are grouped into particles and stones using the geological classification of coarse sand(i.e. International diameter of 0.2 to 2 mm) and gravel/stones (i.e. International diameter of >2 mm). A particle is therefore defined as being less than or equal to 2 mm in diameter and astone as being greater than 2 mm in diameter. It is recognised that not all finds are sphericaland a visual inspection of the find is made during recovery. In most cases the particle orstone judgement is unambiguous with just 11% of stone finds with size estimates less than 3mm.© Nuclear Decommissioning Authority 2011. 34