Method development for tritium measurements and initial evaluation of tritium data for tree transpirate from a legacy waste site in eastern Australia
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Date
2008-11-25
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
South Pacific Radioactivity Association
Abstract
Tritium (3H), as tritiated water, was one of the radioactive substances placed into the trenches located within the former waste disposal site known as the Little Forest Burial Ground (LFBG). This site is located in the 1.6 km exclusion zone surrounding ANSTO the previous research reactor, HIFAR, south of Sydney. Tritium will behave conservatively in regard to any seepage from the site of deposition, and therefore should be a good indicator of groundwater movement at the site. Water is also a vital requirement of plants on the site. Hence, it was proposed that analysis of the tritium content of shrubs and trees may be a useful means to assess and access the biologically available 3H. In addition, it should provide an indication of potential exposure for environmental dose assessment, not only for 3H but also for the other radionuclides potentially migrating with the water from the trenches. To test these ideas, sampling of tree transpirate at LFBG has been initiated.
In order to utilise measurements of 3H in transpirate as a monitoring tool, some method development has been required. Relatively small sample volumes have required atypical preparation methods and sample quenching has been an issue. There is also a need to consider background concentrations, given that the HIFAR reactor at the Lucas Heights Research Reactor has emitted 3H to the local environment for several decades. Results of sampling and analysis since July 2007 Will be presented and each of these issues will discussed in this initial report.
Description
Keywords
Tritium, Data, ANSTO, Radioactive waste disposal, HIFAR Reactor, New South Wales, Australia, Radionuclide migration, Sampling, Environment, Ground water, Trees, Transpiration
Citation
Twining, J., Creighton, N., Harrison, J., Hoffmann, E., Neklapilova, B., & Vine, M. (2008). Method development for tritium measurements and initial evaluation of tritium data for tree transpirate from a legacy waste site in eastern Australia. Paper presented to SPERA 08, South Pacific Environmental Radioactivity Association Conference, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, 23-27 November 2008, (pp. 40).