http://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/5 ANSTO External Reports Collection Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:03:57 GMT 2013-06-19T22:03:57Z http://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/4596 Title: Nuclear tools for characterising radiological dispersion in complex terrain: evaluation of regulatory and emergency response models Authors: Williams, Alistair G; Clark, Geoffrey H; Dyer, Leisa L; Barton, R Abstract: Routine operations of a nuclear research reactor and its facilities offer opportunities for collection of rare environmental tracer datasets which can be used for atmospheric dispersion model evaluation studies. The HIFAR reactor near Sydney, Australia, routinely emits the radioactive noble gas Ar-41, and other radionuclides such as Xe-133 and Xe-135 are also emitted from nearby radiopharmaceutical production facilities. Despite extremely low emission levels of these gases, they are nevertheless detectable using state-of-the-art technology, and sensitive detectors have been placed at four locations in the surrounding region which features complex terrain. The high research potential of this unique dataset is illustrated in the current study, in which predictions from two atmospheric dispersion models used for emergency response are compared with Ar-41 peak observations from the detector network under a range of stability conditions, and long-term integrated data is also compared with a routine impact assessment model. © 2005, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. Thu, 30 Jun 2005 14:00:00 GMT http://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/4596 2005-06-30T14:00:00Z http://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/4493 Title: Contour plots of New South Wales Fine Particle Measurements at Seven Sites between 1998 and 2012 Authors: Crawford, J; Cohen, DD Abstract: Under the ANSTO Aerosol Sampling Program (ASP), PM2.5 samples were collected at seven sites in NSW, Australia, since 1998. The elemental composition of each sample was determined using IBA techniques, after which positive matrix factorisation (PMF) analysis was carried out to obtain a set of source fingerprints and their concentrations for each of the sites. Spatial interpolation of elemental concentrations as well as PMF source fingerprints was carried out using the kriging interpolation technique. The spatial concentration maps generated provided an indication of which regions received higher PM2.5 concentrations, which also varied with season. For example higher concentrations of BC and K occurred in winter, whereas, in summer the concentrations of sea salt were higher. The two inland sites, Richmond and Muswellbrook, received the least salt, although, there were sampling days on which higher concentrations of salt were measured at the inland site than the coastal site, indicating sources of salt other than the ocean. Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:00:00 GMT http://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/4493 2013-01-31T13:00:00Z http://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/4474 Title: LITTLE FOREST BURIAL GROUND - GEOLOGY, GEOPHYSICS AND WELL INSTALLATION 2009-2010 Authors: HANKIN, S Abstract: This document reports on a program of drilling at Little Forest Burial Ground undertaken in the period 2009-2010 under the supervision of the ANSTO's Nuclear Methods in Earth Systems (NMES) project. Under this program, the following activities were undertaken: resistivity, ground penetrating radar and electromagnetic geophysical surveys to define the trench area and investigate stratigraphy; core and crushed soil/rock sampling by drilling (direct-push, solid flight auger and diamond core) at 0.5 metre intervals at 40 locations; installation and development of 18 groundwater observation wells; survey of new wells and trench boundary marks in MGA94 coordinates and AHD (Australian Height Datum). This report presents: a summary of existing knowledge of the burial ground and neighbouring sites, including a detailed discussion of the geological setting (Chapter 1); the objectives for the work undertaken (Chapter 2); a detailed description of all methods used (Chapter 3); a discussion of geophysical, drilling and well construction results and observations of the campaign (Chapter 4); recommendations for further work (Chapter 5). The appendices provide an extensive summary of the construction details of all operational wells at the site, including geological logs, survey coordinates and elevations. A brief evolution of the site as documented by aerial photography is included at Appendix C. Interpretation of chemical/radiological data from the soil and water samples retrieved as a result of the drilling activities will be presented in separate reports. Mon, 25 Feb 2013 13:00:00 GMT http://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/4474 2013-02-25T13:00:00Z http://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/4473 Title: Background Report on the Little Forest Burial Ground Legacy Waste Site Authors: Payne, T Abstract: The Australian Atomic Energy Commission (AAEC) buried low-level radioactive waste at the Little Forest Burial Ground (LFBG) near Lucas Heights between 1960 and 1968. The disposal site has since been under a constant care, maintenance and routine monitoring regime by the AAEC and its successor, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO). The routine environmental measurements at the site have been reported in ANSTO’s series of monitoring reports. ANSTO has commenced a detailed scientific study of the status of the site, including sampling of vegetation, groundwater and soils. The project has undertaken soil coring, geophysical surveys and installation of groundwater sampling bores. The research applies advanced analytical techniques, such as accelerator mass spectrometry, which have not been employed in the analysis of environmental samples from the LFBG in the past. Project personnel are reviewing documents related to the disposal operations, as well as information and data from over 40 years of monitoring and investigation of the LFBG. In addition to relatively shortlived radionuclides, such as 60Co, 137Cs and 90Sr, the site contains both nonradioactive toxic contaminants (including more than 1000 kg of beryllium) and longlived alpha-emitting radionuclides including plutonium, uranium and thorium. Over the period since operations ceased, a plume of tritium in groundwater has developed and there has been intermittent subsidence of the soil covering the trenches. This subsidence is attributed to voids developing in the buried wastes, due to deterioration of containers and disposed objects. Contamination of the ground surface with radionuclides has been documented in some AAEC reports. The data obtained by the research project at LFBG will enable the assessment of possible management options including continuing the current regime of maintenance and monitoring, in-situ remediation, or exhumation. Unless the site is remediated, it will require some form of institutional control in perpetuity, due to the presence of beryllium and long-lived actinides. The present report provides an overview of the disposal operations at LFBG, briefly reviews previous reports and describes current ANSTO research activities at the site. Fri, 30 Nov 2012 13:00:00 GMT http://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/4473 2012-11-30T13:00:00Z