Radionuclide distributions and migration pathways at a legacy trench disposal site

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dc.contributor.authorPayne, TEen_AU
dc.contributor.authorHarrison, JJen_AU
dc.contributor.authorCendón, DIen_AU
dc.contributor.authorComarmond, MJen_AU
dc.contributor.authorHankin, SIen_AU
dc.contributor.authorHughes, CEen_AU
dc.contributor.authorJohansen, MPen_AU
dc.contributor.authorKinsela, ASen_AU
dc.contributor.authorMokhber-Shahin, Len_AU
dc.contributor.authorSilitonga, Aen_AU
dc.contributor.authorThiruvoth, Sen_AU
dc.contributor.authorWilsher, KLen_AU
dc.date.accessioned2021-04-21T01:40:26Zen_AU
dc.date.available2021-04-21T01:40:26Zen_AU
dc.date.issued2020-01en_AU
dc.date.statistics2021-03-11en_AU
dc.description.abstractThis paper examines the distributions of several anthropogenic radionuclides (239+240Pu, 241Am, 137Cs, 90Sr, 60Co and 3H) at a legacy trench disposal site in eastern Australia. We compare the results to previously published data for Pu and tritium at the site. Plutonium has previously been shown to reach the surface by a bath-tubbing mechanism, following filling of the former trenches with water during intense rainfall events. This has led to some movement of Pu away from the trenched area, and we also provide evidence of elevated Pu concentrations in shallow subsurface layers above the trenched area. The distribution of 241Am is similar to Pu, and this is attributed to the similar chemistry of these actinides and the likely in-situ generation of 241Am from its parent 241Pu. Concentrations of 137Cs are mostly low in surface soils immediately above the trenches. However, similar to the actinides, there is evidence of elevated 137Cs and 90Sr concentrations in shallow subsurface layers above the trenched area. While the subsurface radionuclide peaks suggest a mechanism of subsurface transport, their interpretation is complicated by the presence of soil layers added following disposals and during the subsequent years. The distribution of 90Sr and 137Cs at the ground surface shows some elevated levels immediately above the trenches which were filled during the final 24 months of disposal operations. This is in agreement with disposal records, which indicate that greater amounts of fission products were disposed in this period. The surface distribution of 239+240Pu is also consistent with the disposal documents. Although there is extensive evidence of a mobile tritium plume in groundwater, migration of the other radionuclides by this pathway is limited. The data highlight the importance of taking into account multiple pathways for the mobilisation of key radioactive contaminants at legacy waste trench sites. Crown Copyright © 2019 Published by Elsevier Ltd.en_AU
dc.identifier.articlenumber106081en_AU
dc.identifier.citationPayne, T. E., Harrison, J. J., Cendon, D. I., Comarmond, M. J., Hankin, S., Hughes, C. E., Johansen, M. P., Kinsela, A., Mokhber Shahin, L., Silitonga, A., Thiruvoth, S., & Wilsher, K. L. (2020). Radionuclide distributions and migration pathways at a legacy trench disposal site. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 211, 106081. doi:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2019.106081en_AU
dc.identifier.issn0265-931Xen_AU
dc.identifier.journaltitleJournal of Environmental Radioactivityen_AU
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2019.106081en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttps://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/10679en_AU
dc.identifier.volume211en_AU
dc.language.isoenen_AU
dc.publisherElsevier B. V.en_AU
dc.subjectPlutoniumen_AU
dc.subjectFission productsen_AU
dc.subjectTritiumen_AU
dc.subjectWaste transportationen_AU
dc.subjectNew South Walesen_AU
dc.subjectAustraliaen_AU
dc.subjectANSTOen_AU
dc.subjectRadioactive waste disposalen_AU
dc.titleRadionuclide distributions and migration pathways at a legacy trench disposal siteen_AU
dc.typeJournal Articleen_AU
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