Biotic, temporal and spatial variability of tritium concentrations in transpirate samples collected in the vicinity of a near-surface low-level nuclear waste disposal site and nearby research reactor

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dc.contributor.authorTwining, JRen_AU
dc.contributor.authorHughes, CEen_AU
dc.contributor.authorHarrison, JJen_AU
dc.contributor.authorHankin, SIen_AU
dc.contributor.authorCrawford, Jen_AU
dc.contributor.authorJohansen, MPen_AU
dc.contributor.authorDyer, LLen_AU
dc.date.accessioned2014-04-17T01:41:27Zen_AU
dc.date.available2014-04-17T01:41:27Zen_AU
dc.date.issued2011-06-01en_AU
dc.date.statistics2014-04-17en_AU
dc.description.abstractThe results of a 21 month sampling program measuring tritium in tree transpirate with respect to local sources are reported. The aim was to assess the potential of tree transpirate to indicate the presence of sub-surface seepage plumes. Transpirate gathered from trees near low-level nuclear waste disposal trenches contained activity concentrations of (3)H that were significantly higher (up to similar to 700 Bq L(-1)) than local background levels (0-10 Bq L(-1)). The effects of the waste source declined rapidly with distance to be at background levels within 10s of metres. A research reactor 1.6 km south of the site contributed significant (p < 0.01) local fallout (3)H but its influence did not reach as far as the disposal trenches. The elevated (3)H levels in transpirate were, however, substantially lower than groundwater concentrations measured across the site (ranging from 0 to 91% with a median of 2%). Temporal patterns of tree transpirate (3)H, together with local meteorological observations, indicate that soil water within the active root zones comprised a mixture of seepage and rainfall infiltration. The degree of mixing was variable given that the soil water activity concentrations were heterogeneous at a scale equivalent to the effective rooting volume of the trees. In addition, water taken up by roots was not well mixed within the trees. Based on correlation modelling, net rainfall less evaporation (a surrogate for infiltration) over a period of from 2 to 3 weeks prior to sampling seems to be the optimum predictor of transpirate (3)H variability for any sampled tree at this site. The results demonstrate successful use of (3)H in transpirate from trees to indicate the presence and general extent of sub-surface contamination at a low-level nuclear waste site. Crown Copyright © 2011, Elsevier Ltd.en_AU
dc.identifier.citationTwining, J. R., Hughes, C. E., Harrison, J. J., Hankin, S., Crawford, J., Johansen, M., & Dyer, L. (2011). Biotic, temporal and spatial variability of tritium concentrations in transpirate samples collected in the vicinity of a near-surface low-level nuclear waste disposal site and nearby research reactor. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 102(6), 551-558. doi:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2011.02.012en_AU
dc.identifier.govdoc4073en_AU
dc.identifier.issn0265-931Xen_AU
dc.identifier.issue6en_AU
dc.identifier.journaltitleJournal of Environmental Radioactivityen_AU
dc.identifier.pagination551-558en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2011.02.012en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttp://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/5446en_AU
dc.identifier.volume102en_AU
dc.language.isoenen_AU
dc.publisherElsevier Science Ltden_AU
dc.subjectTritiumen_AU
dc.subjectLow-level radioactive wastesen_AU
dc.subjectTranspirationen_AU
dc.subjectCorrelation functionsen_AU
dc.subjectGround wateren_AU
dc.subjectLeachatesen_AU
dc.subjectForestsen_AU
dc.subjectSoilsen_AU
dc.subjectPlantsen_AU
dc.titleBiotic, temporal and spatial variability of tritium concentrations in transpirate samples collected in the vicinity of a near-surface low-level nuclear waste disposal site and nearby research reactoren_AU
dc.typeJournal Articleen_AU
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