Radiological Monitoring of Fish, Game Near SRS
Fish and game are sampled annually as they can serve as a route for human exposure through ingestion. Due to some chemicals’ ability to seek out and store in bone and muscle tissue, body parts of fish and game are analyzed for gamma-emitting radionuclides and select metals., Radiological Monitoring of Fish , ESOP collects largemouth bass, channel catfish, and flathead catfish along the Savannah River to determine the magnitude, extent, and trends of radionuclide concentrations. These species are common in the catch of local anglers and consumed in the study area. Studies have shown that these types of fish bioaccumulate measurable amounts of radionuclides. (White catfish will sometimes be used as a…, Fish Monitoring locations, ). ESOP uses boat-mounted, electro-fishing equipment to allow for a more efficient collection of fish. Once collected, the fish are individually prepared then composited into edible fillet composites and bone composites. A small portion of the filets are composited separately for mercury analysis. One composite consists of five fish of the same species by location. Edible fillet composites are…, Radiological Monitoring of Game Animals Associated with SRS, ESOP addresses concerns over potentially contaminated white-tailed deer and wild/feral hogs in the area near SRS. These target species are more widely hunted and consumed in greater quantities than any other local game. White-tailed deer and wild/feral hogs are sampled within a defined area adjacent to SRS (, Game Monitoring locations, ). Samples from each animal harvested are analyzed for gamma-emitting radionuclides. Cesium-137 is of concern as it can store in muscle tissue that could be consumed.Sediment and Surface Soil Monitoring
Sediment Monitoring, ESOP collects sediment and soil samples on a yearly basis. Both can trap chemicals and be a route for human exposure. Samples of each are analyzed for radionuclides and metals., Annual sediment samples from on-site SRS streams and storm-water basins, creek mouths and boat landings on the Savannah River, and background locations are collected to determine if radiological and non-radiological contaminants have affected water bodies that could result in human exposure. ESOP and DOE split samples of sediment at many locations to provide for a more direct comparison of data (, Sediment Monitoring locations, ). If sediment in a riverbed is disturbed by natural or man-made reasons, it has the potential to release any contaminants that it has entrapped, which could result in ingestion through swimming or eating animals from the water body. Sediment samples are analyzed for specific radioisotopes such as gross alpha-, gross beta-, or gamma-emitting radionuclides as well as select metals. In particular,…, Surface Soil Monitoring, When surface soil is contaminated by radionuclides or metals, the contamination can be transported to other ecological systems by being absorbed by plants and being introduced to the food chain. It can leach into groundwater and possibly emerge in surface water. Contamination can also runoff into streams and introduce chemicals into the sediment. Radionuclide detections in soil are the result of…, Surface Soil Monitoring locations, ). Samples are analyzed for gross alpha-, gross non-volatile beta-, and select gamma-emitting radionuclides, as well as specific metals of concern.Radiological Atmospheric Monitoring Adjacent to SRS
ESOP conducts radiological airborne sampling for contaminants that can affect the public through exposures from releases of chemicals associated with SRS. Radiological atmospheric monitoring sites (, Ambient Air Monitoring locations, ) are positioned on and around SRS to provide spatial coverage where public exposure could occur., ESOP’s monitoring capabilities include operating and maintaining multiple air monitoring stations located on SRS, around its perimeter, and within 25 miles of its boundary. These stations utilize glass fiber filters, rain pans, silica gel columns, and dosimeters to study what is present in the air. The glass fiber filters collect total airborne particulates and are screened weekly for gross alpha…Radiological Monitoring of Dairy Milk
ESOP collects quarterly dairy milk samples to determine if radionuclides have been ingested by dairy cows. Exposure to radionuclides could be the result of atmospheric releases depositing chemicals on pastures, pastures being irrigated with contaminated groundwater, or plants growing in soil contaminated with radioactive materials., Fresh milk samples are provided by multiple dairy farms located within a 50-mile radius of the SRS’s center (, Dairy Milk Monitoring locations, ). Milk samples are analyzed for tritium, selected gamma-emitting radionuclides, and strontium. Strontium is of concern due to its ability to act as a chemical analog to calcium in the human body. By being an analog to calcium, it will act similarly and will be stored in bone tissue.Ambient Groundwater Monitoring Adjacent to SRS
ESOP evaluates groundwater quality around SRS to develop background water quality information to support SCDES and SRS groundwater monitoring programs., ESOP uses a network of around 101 wells within 25 miles of the SRS boundary (, Groundwater Monitoring locations, ). The network consists of public supply, private, irrigation, and monitoring wells. Due to having a large network, ESOP samples wells are on a five-year cycle. Wells are analyzed for selected radiological constituents. ESOP’s groundwater results enhance current SCDES water quality data. Wells will continue to be sampled to ensure the public that SRS is not having an impact on off-site…Monitoring of Surface Water
Radiological Monitoring of Surface Water, ESOP conducts radiological monitoring of streams and creeks on the SRS property, as well as in the Savannah River. Our purpose is to determine concentrations and migration of radionuclides, detect and confirm accidental releases, and verify any associated impacts., SCDES collects samples routinely from established surface water locations (, Radiological Monitoring of Surface Water locations, ). Samples are analyzed for tritium on the same day that they are collected. Additional samples are collected from each location to produce a monthly composite which is analyzed for gross alpha-, gross beta-, and gamma-emitting radionuclides. The monthly composite data provide yearly values and are used in determining long-term trends. Grab samples and composite samples are collected from surface…, Non-Radiological Monitoring of Surface Water, ESOP conducts on-site stream monitoring at SRS to determine surface water conditions and detect non-radiological impacts from SRS operations., Samples are collected once a month from multiple routine surface water locations (, Non-Radiological Monitoring of Surface Water locations, ). Staff analyze the samples for parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, and temperature while in the field. After being brought into a laboratory setting, samples are analyzed for turbidity, biochemical oxygen demand, E. coli, nitrate/nitrite, metals, mercury, total suspended solids, and additional parameters. ESOP’s non-radiological, independent monitoring and surveillance of SRS surface water…Savannah River Site - Bureau of Air Quality
United States Department of Energy – Savannah River Site (SRS) Savannah River Nuclear Solutions LLC Bureau of Air Quality , Air Permit Number: 0080-0041 , SRS is permitted to process and store nuclear materials in support of the national defense and U.S. nuclear non-proliferation efforts. The site also develops and deploys technologies to treat nuclear and hazardous wastes left from the Cold War. Air emissions from the facility must comply with state and federal air quality regulations, as documented in the Title V Operating Air Permit below. …, Air Permit Number: 0080-0041-C4 , The mission of the Surplus Plutonium Disposition (SPD) Project is to expedite removal of plutonium from the State of South Carolina by dispositioning surplus weapons-grade plutonium via the Dilute and Dispose approach. To reduce the attractiveness level and the required safeguards and security measures, the plutonium will be diluted with an adulterant prior to disposition at the Waste Isolation…, Air Permit Number: 0080-0041-C5, The mission of the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) is to vitrify High-Level Radioactive Waste (HLW) by mixing HLW with silica sand, melting the mixture, and pouring the glass mixture into stainless steel canisters. The current DWPF Chemical Process Cell (CPC) operation uses nitric acid to neutralize HLW, which results in the destruction of hydroxides and carbonates. This is followed by…, Robert.Mahoney@des.sc.gov, or, (803) 898-3823, .Savannah River Site - Bureau of Water
NPDES Permit #SC0000175, SRS is permitted to discharge effluents from a number of sources such as process water, cooling water, groundwater effluent, treated wastewater and stormwater under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by DHEC. These sources discharge to a number of tributaries within and surrounding the Savannah River Site. This permit sets monitoring requirements and pollutant…, Land Application Permit #ND0072125, The Savannah River Site also has a land application permit to land apply treated industrial sludge onto approximately 23 acres within the site boundaries. The sludge is monitored with each land application for metals, nutrients, pH, solids, and fecal coliforms. Soil sampling for metals, nutrients and soluble salts is required as well as groundwater sampling for nutrients, water level,…, General Permit Coverages, The Bureau of Water grants coverage to groups or types of facilities that have similar types of operations and discharges. These types of permits are called general permits and typically have the same effluent limitations, monitoring and/or operating conditions. The Savannah River Site has been granted coverage under two (2) NPDES General Permits. Application of Pesticides Utility Water…, Construction Permits, The Savannah River Site has a number of construction permits associated with industrial wastewater. Permits for some of the larger projects are listed below: Defense Waste Processing Facility Saltstone Production Facility Salt Waste Processing Facility F and H Tank Farm Effluent Treatment Plant Tank Closure Cesium Removal Next Generation Solvent Central Sanitary Wastewater Treatment Facility, Closure Plans, One of the main missions of the Savannah River Site is to treat and dispose of radioactive high level waste. As this waste is treated, legacy storage tanks that are part of the overall wastewater treatment system are closed in a manner that is protective of human health and the environment. The initial closeout of these tanks and ancillary equipment is approved by the Bureau of Water. The…Savannah River Site - Federal Facility Agreement
At, SRS, , contaminated sites, including soil, groundwater, and surface waters, are cleaned up under a, Federal Facility Agreement, (FFA). On August 16, 1993, the FFA, a three party agreement between the DOE, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and DHEC became effective. The Agreement required DOE to establish a procedural framework and schedule for characterizing and remediating all releases of hazardous substances as defined by the, Comprehensive Environmental Responses, Compensation, and Liability Act, (CERCLA) and all hazardous wastes and hazardous waste constituents as defined by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The core team approach utilized by the three-parties fosters collaborative and efficient real-time decision-making to ensure that the requirements of all the parties are integrated into comprehensive cleanup decisions. SRS is comprised of six watersheds or…, Memorandum of Agreement for Achieving an Accelerated Vision, . As of November 2022, over 81 percent of the 515 operable units at SRS have been addressed. 412 units complete 8 units in remediation phase Cleanup of the site will continue into the 2060s under a schedule set through the FFA. , Upcoming Projects, D-Area Groundwater Operable Unit, The D Area Groundwater (DAG) Operable Unit (OU), which is located in the Savannah River Floodplain and Swamp watershed, encompasses groundwater beneath D Area, west and southwest to the Savannah River. The groundwater has been contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), tritium, beryllium, and other metals from surface or facility sources associated with the D-Area OU…, F-Area Material Storage Building, The F-Area Material Storage Building (235-F) was constructed in the 1950s as part of the original SRS project and was used for a variety of missions, primarily processing, storage, and distribution of radioactive materials in the support of SRS and the USDOE complex. This building and its support facilities are currently in a reduced surveillance and maintenance state and are undergoing…, Significant Accomplishments, P & R-Reactor Buildings , The in-situ stabilization of the P and R Reactor Buildings and Disassembly Basins was completed in 2011, making them the first successful closure of plutonium production reactor buildings for national defense within the DOE complex nationwide. The remaining reactor complexes (C-, K-, and L-) will be closed once their ongoing missions are complete., Lower Three Runs Integrator Operable Unit (IOU), This IOU was the first of 6 watersheds at SRS to have a signed Record of Decision. Located in the southeastern portion of SRS, the remedy selected included Land Use Controls with Monitored Natural Attenuation, Excavation and Disposal of Principal Threat Source Material, and Maintain Water in Ponds. The Record of Decision for the Lower Three Runs IOU was issued on December 21, 2021., High-Level Waste Tanks, High-level radioactive liquid waste is generated by SRS as a by-product from the processing of nuclear materials. The waste, totaling about 35 million gallons, was historically stored in 51 underground carbon-steel waste tanks grouped into two “tank farms” (F & H Area tank farms). Waste storage continues in 43 tanks; 16 of these tanks, without adequate secondary containment, are under a DHEC…, click here, . The High-Level Waste Tanks are regulated by the Bureau of Water’s Industrial Wastewater Program. The tanks operate through an industrial wastewater permit, and closure is conducted under a wastewater closure plan. The General Closure Plan for each tank farm outlines maintenance and monitoring activities that will be performed, and tank-specific closure modules, generated as the tanks are…, Available Cleanup Documents, SRS Administrative Record File, (ARF) Documents are available for public comment can be accessed, here, . , Links, SRS External Webpage, , Federal Facility Agreement, Administrative Record File, (ARF), EPA FFA Webpage, Public Comment, Memorandum of Agreement, For more information on the FFA, please contact Susan Fulmer, DHEC FFA Project Manager, at, (803) 898-4331, or, Susan.Fulmer@des.sc.gov, .Savannah River Site - High-Level Waste Tanks
High-level radioactive liquid waste is generated by SRS as a by-product from the processing of nuclear materials. The waste, totaling about 35 million gallons, was historically stored in 51 underground carbon-steel waste tanks grouped into two “tank farms” (F & H Area tank farms). Waste storage continues in 43 tanks; 16 of these tanks, without adequate secondary containment, are under a…