ML19351G243
| ML19351G243 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 01/14/1981 |
| From: | Gnugnoli G NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | Scarano R NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| References | |
| REF-WM-34 NUDOCS 8102230340 | |
| Download: ML19351G243 (3) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES
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j NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION IVM' E
WASHINGTON, D, C. 20555 c
e JAN 1 41981 N'k 0/ '.
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MEMORANDUM FOR:
Ross A. Scarano, Chief fg()919BI" P Uranium Recovery Licensing Branch vih%S,mpo @
THRU:
LeRoy Person g
W Uranium Recovery Licensing Branch s(
.y FROM:
Giorgio Gnugnoli 4
W Uranium Recovery Licensing Branch
SUBJECT:
MINUTES FOR MEETING WITH MICHAEL H. M0MENI 0F ARGONNE NATIONAL LABORATORY (ANL) CONCERNING ONSITE DATA FOR UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION'S URANIUM MILL AT URAVAN, COLORADO Date:
December 18, 1980 Place:
Purpose:
The following items needed to be resolved in order to provide technical assistance to the State of Colorado for their evaluation of the Uravan mill:
o Clarification of the nature of the Uravan data in ANL's possession. '
o The applicability of modeling contaminant transport in light of the radical topography at Uravan.
I o
The conditions and date of release of the-ANL data in publishable form.
Attendees:
NRC - G. Eadie, J. Freeman, G. Gnugnoli, r., vrtin, L. Person ANL - M. Mor.ani 8 1 0 2 2 8 0 3 lln
1 Ross A. Scarano JAN 141981 Discussion:
The meeting began with a discussion of the wind profile data (METSET) and the meteorological condition applicable to the,Uravan site.
Dr. Momeni pointed out that normal Gaussian plume transport modeling would be inadequate due to the peculiar topography and wind current behavior at the Uravan site. There followed a brief description of the canyon, mesa and river effects on local air transport. Dr. Momeni displayed photographs taken during smoke tracer plume studies performed by Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) staff during six weeks of field work at the Uravan site. At least three different plume scenarios were observed at different time periods. Dr. Momeni concluded that a modeling exercise would not be realistic.
Staff members asked Dr. Momeni if any of the efforts during the six week period at Uravan would be useful to the staff in perfonning an assessment of the impacts of the Uravan mill operation. Dr. Momeni outlined three mcin efforts by ANL at the Uravan mill:
1.
To quantify and characterize the sources of pollutants.
2.
To compile monitoring data for radon and particulates at the tailings pile and near residences.
3.
To quantify activity concentrations in the tailings solids and liquids, as well as in the San Miguel River.
Other efforts involved confirmation studies on yellowcake composition act releases, background radon measurements, as well as gama level measurements at various locations.
l Staff members 'nquired about methodologies in measurement, equipment i
used and reproducibility of data.
Dr. Momeni expressed his belief that although there were limitations in the placement and numbers of monitoring locations (due to a lack of electrical power) and in the duration of measuring period (only six weeks), the resultant concentrations and profiles were generally representative.
j Before discussion of the actual data, staff members asked about other l
sources of radioactivity.
It was mentioned that there are no open pit mines within 30 miles, although underground mines exist nearby.
Old abandoned tailings areas along the San Miguel River Bank--not from the i
l present Uravan Union Carbide Corporation operation--were identified as a l
l l
i Ross A. Scarano JAN 141961 potential source of radon and windblown particulates. The comment was made that this would make the task of 40 CFR 190 compliance determination based on monitoring data extremely difficult, since pre-1980 activity could not be distinguished from the ac:o'lly measured levels.
At this point, Dr. Moment informed the staff of the results of field measurements of the yellowcake stack operation by isokinetic stack sampling. Dr. Momeni made the remark that he did not know any particulars as to the sort of yellowcake emission control device in use, since mill personnel would not pennit him access to the yellowcake packaging area.
However, measurement of the average raw ore activity and of the ensuing yellowcake emission yielded reasonable results in light of previous ANL and EPA estimates.
Nuclide concentrations in tailings were then reported by Dr. Momeni.
Concentrations in tailings liquids in conjunction with upstream and downstream measurements of the river water provided irrefutable evidence that pollutants were being transported from the Uravan site to the river by seepage or some other mechanism.
~
Radon concentrations taken at the tailings impoundment and at a nearby residence indicated levels of radon at about 3.4 pCi/L to 4.4 pCi/L.
Particulate concentration measurement locations were restricted by the lack of electrical power. However, particulate concentrations were measured at the tailings impoundment and at one location near a residence.
These concentrations are broken down by radionuclide and particle size.
Multiplication by the appropriate dose conversion factor would then provide dose commitments for radiological assessment of mill impacts.
Staff members questioned Dr. Momeni concerning his time schedule for completing the report for eview and whether any NRC support was required.
Dr. Momeni estimated that this report could be completed in draft form as early as the middle of January 1981, provided that NRC made available an appropriate level of funding. Dr. Momeni also stated that he and ANL would eventually publish the report with or without NRC financial support.
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Giorgi Gnugnoli Uranium Recovery Licensing Branch r
l Division of Waste Management f
a cc:
M. H. Momeni, ANL G. Montet, ANL c
,