ML20009H154
| ML20009H154 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | West Valley Demonstration Project |
| Issue date: | 05/07/1981 |
| From: | Bailey H, Blaney J, Fakundiny R NEW YORK, STATE UNIV. OF, ALBANY, NY |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20009H150 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8108060205 | |
| Download: ML20009H154 (14) | |
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.. l Proposal to ths UNITED STATES MUCLEAR REGULATORY CO.'01ISSION L for.a-I THREE YEAR PROGRAb1 OF: GEOLOGIC / HYDROLOGIC RESEARCH AT WEST VALLEY NEW YORK '
l WAFTE BURIAL AND STORAGE FACILITIES 5uL'itted by:
New York State. Education Department State Museum and !cience Service
-Geological-Survey-f 1\
W / h' *. ~ Y f.&JO .
Robert H. Fakundiny oseph J."Blaney Principal Investigator Executive Deputy State Geologist and Chief Commissioner of Education -
New York State Geological Survey New York State Education Room 3140, Cultural Education Center Department Albany, New York 12230 Room 125 Albany, New York 12234
- L WQ O t
%p-6f RN q Henry H. Bailey x N 3
Co-Investigator Environmental and Energy Geology
. New York State Geological Survey '
Room 3140, Cultural Education Center Albany, New York 12230 i
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8108060205 810720
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1 Objectives {
The New York State Geological Survey, Museun and Science-
._- -Service, New York. State Education Department is proposing a three year program of research at the Western New York Nuclear Service Center, West Valley, New York.
This research'will yield an' understanding of the adequacy-of present containment and the probable life span of the waste burial sites at West. Valley as natural erosive processes work through time. The potential for movement of radionuclides offsite through surface water-or ground water will also be evaluated.
The proposed research will define the geologic and hydro-logic context of disposed radionuclides at the State-licensed low-level and Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensed high-level.
radioactive waste burial sites at West Valley and evaluate the
. potential pathways for off-site radionuclide migration. To accomplish these objectives research will be carried out in the following areas: * '
Geology
- Stratigraphy: ' character and distribution of
. glacial deposits; engineering properties of glacial deposits.
Surface Water (Hydrology)
Stream flow and suspended sediments.
Ground Water-(Geohydrology)
Modeling of* ground-water flow patterns (This
- research will be undertaken in cooperation with the United States Geological Survey and reported l on by them).
j Geomorphology Stream crosion and landsliding; includes prediction i of erosion rates.
Introduction -
l f Site-wide investigations at West Valley'have been funded l
through fi. eld season 1980 under Contract No. NRC-04-79-205.
l This proposal is for the continuation of funding of research at West Valley from November 1980 through November 1981' and includes a' general proposal for two additional years of .
research ending in 1983. The investigations are directed to better define the geologic and hydrologic context of disposed radionuclides and to' evaluate potential geologic and hydrologic pathways for off-site radionuclide migration. Those pathways under investigation include surface water and ground water.
Also under investigation are the natural processes of erosion at the site, as these processes and-pathways are interrelated.
These evaluations involve a number of scientific disciplines, principally, geology, hydrology, geohydrology and geomorphology.
Studies coordinated by the New York State Geological.
Survey (NYSGS) were-first sponsored by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), then jointly by the-USEPA and the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC),
and then fully by the NRC. These studies through 1979, had been focused on a single area of the West Valley facility, the
_,. low-level sadioactive waste.hurial (LLRWB) site. The scope of the investigation funded under Contract No. NRC-04-79-205, has E e
l been expanded.and nou is an investigation of the entire -
J West Valley site.-
! Cooperating Investigators The United States Geological Survey - (USGS)1 is cooperating in the research involving surface-water -(hydrology) and
. ground-water (geohydrology) at West Valley- with funding .from
-the NRC being effected by an interagency transfer of funds.
. Radiochemical analyses and the interpretation'of radio-logical data in this program have been carried out by the Radiological Sciences Laboratory of the New York State Department of. Health under the supervision of'Dr. John Matuszex.
It is anticipated that this arrangement will continue in the future.
Progress to Date As the proposed research is a continuation of the work begun under Contract No. NRC-04-79-205 it is appropriate to t
review progress to date under that contract. At this writing
! (September, 1980) the work funded under Contract No.
NRC-04-79-205 has placed our program on the threshold of obtaining meaningful site-wide data. A high quality topo-graphic map of the site has been prepared and is in use.
Three new permanent surface water monitoring and sampling stations have been installed. The design of the new surface water program reflects the experience gained during four previous years of sampling around the LLRWB site. Two of the new stations are sited on streams draining the area'to the north of the nuclear fuel reprocessing plant known as'the North Plateau. The third is located on the stream draining both the NRC-licensed radioactive waste burial (NRCLRWB) and portions of the LLRWB sites. Upstream of this station a single station from preceding years will be kept in operation.
One non-permanent sampling station has been established on the North Plateau and two in Frank's Creek outside of the exclusion fence which receives essentially all stream flow from the two waste burial. areas and portions of the plant area drainage. By the end of the 19P0 field season approximately-ten wells will have been drilled to investigate the geohydro-logic regime of the surficial gravel aquifer present in the area of the plant and the North Plateau. The area covered by the aquifer includes the site of the liquid high-level radio-active waste storage tanks north of the plant. Four wells will have been drilled in the area south and west of the NRCLRWB area. These wells will be drilled by the USGS in cooperation with the New York State Geological Survey with funding from Contract No. NRC-04-79-205. Continuous soil ,
! cores will be taken at each well. The evaluation of the )
geohydrology of the site will involve studying the core !
material to interpret site stratigraphy and its role in ground-water movement. Ground-water bearing zones will be tested to
! determine their character as effective aquifers; water from them will be sampled and their water levels and flow rates
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l observed.- Appropriate testing is planned for radionuclide l content of the earth materials obtained by coring wells and l for samples of ground-water. The testing program for radio-nuclides in samples from these wells will be determined in
._ ___ consultation with NRC with funding furnished by Contract No.
NRC-04-79-205.
Geomorphic studies are being carried out under funding from Contracts No. NRC-04-79-205 and No. NRC-04-77-169. The studies in progress are aimed at furnishing a best estimate of denudation. rates for the_ West Valley site in order to be able to predict the length of time that burial containment integrity-can be maintained.
Proposed Program Rationale The foregoing discussion serves to introduce the three
[ year research program which is being proposed. -For convenience the discussion of the program rationale which follows is divided into four individual areas of study but it should be .
kept in mind that these areas of study are interrelated. ,
-Surface-Water Studies (Hydrology) l Basic to the program is the continuation of hydrologic i measurements and suspended sediment transport measurements at the stream gaging stations. This area of research will e:: tend over the full three years of the program. The collection and testing of water and suspended sediment samples for the poss-ible presence of radionuclides form an integral part of this program. The hydrclogic measurements, coupled with ongoing site meteorologic data collection, which includes the instal-lation of an additional rain gage on the North Plateau and a snow survey for winter 1980/1981, are aimed at characterizing l the hydrologic cycle at West Valley. The questions to be i answered include: How much precipitation falls? How much of l this precipitation runs off as surface water? How much is l
incorporated into the geohydrologic regime? And how much Is lost through evapotranspiration? Run-off vdlumes-serve as basic data for geomorphic studies of site erosion as do the determinations of suspended sediment concentrations at different stream flow rates. As part of the hydrologic re-search the testing for the presence of radionuclides in surface water run-off or on suspended sediment is deemed prudent for at least tr' contract year 1980/1981 to establish " ambient" levels for eams being monitored and to identify any "
deviations fs a those levels. If no anomalies are encountered this program may be reduced in later years.
Ground-Water Studies (Geohydrology)
Geohydrologic studies, carried out on a cooperative basis with the USGS and funded by agreement between.NRC and the USGS will extend over at least the first two years of the proposed program. The first year will involve the collection of data from the test holes drilled during the 1980 field sea-son into the surficial gravel aquifer of the North Plateau. A refraction seismic and earth resistivity survey will be under-
', taken during the 1981 field ,saason tp, define the configuration of the contact between the surficial gravel. aquifer and the
1 underlying cleyey silt till. An adequate knowledge of the configuration of this surface is needed to best understand the geohydrology of this aquifer.
The cooperative program with USGS for the 1981They field season will involve drilling five holes to bedrock.
will have two interrelated objectives. One will be to deter-mine the stratigraphy of the entire envelope of The glacial second sediments from surface to bedrock at the site.
will be to understand in detail the geohydrologic regime of the NRCLRWB area. The geohydrologic regime (and stratigraphy) of the NRCLRWB area will be investigated by three holes to be drilled to bedrock, one each to the west, south and east of the NRCLRWB area. A fourth hole will be drilled to bedrock in the North Plateau. The fifth and deepest hole will be drilled to bedrock east of the LLRNB in order to establish the stratigraphy of the thickest portion of the glacial The deposits in the pre-glacial valley of Buttermilk Creek.
drilling of these five holes will furnish a reasonable under-standing of the lateral relationships of the glacial deposits of the West Valley site from their feather edge on the west side of the site to their thickest development east of the LLRWB. The present lack of this knowledge constitutes a substantial gap in our understanding regarding the deeper geohydrology of the site.
Geology During the 1980-1981 contract year geologic data from early construction related borings and from the drilling in this research program will be organized into a series of large scale geologic cross-sections. These cross-sections will constitute a basic means for illustrating stratigraphic
-relationships and will form a framework for demonstrating the results of gechydrologic studies.
An investigation of the lateral extent of a silt-sand lens immediately east of the LLENB will be undertaken during the 1980-1981 field season. This feature is not believed to have a potential as an aquifer but the conservatism appro-priate for a study of this kind dictates its precise delineation.
Following.the 1980-1981 contract year geologic studies will continue with the integration of additional drilling data from studies anticipated in the area of the high-level liquid radioactive waste tanks and other sources. A study of landsliding will begin in the 1980-1981 field season and will be continued through 1981-1982.
Geomorphology The geomorphic studies in progress, which will be re-ported on in 1981, are basically designed to understand the processes of stream erosion and to make an estimate of denudation rates for West Valley. Two additional related studies remain to be accooplished after 1981. Onn is the collection of wood samples for radiometric dating by the carbon-14 method. Wood emplaced in stream deposits of the ancestral Buttermilk Creek ha( been found in what are now the upper terraces of the present Puttermilk Creek. Although l l
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t L . direct extrapolation into the future of erosional downcutting i rates is not advisable, the determination of the past rate l ____y ei lds valuable supplemental data to any prediction regarding site denudation rates. We also plan to conduct a study of l
the erosional history of Cattaraugus Creek which has acted as
.the controlling base-level throughout the history of the formation of Buttermilk Creek and its tributaries' .
- Proposed Research Project Products The 1980-1931 contract year will be devoted primarily'to !
data gathering. A progress report covering gechydrologic and ;
hydrologic activities for the contract year will be presented.
A separate progress report'on the site geology presenting geo-logical cross sections and the results of investigations into the lateral extent of the sand lens in the vicinity of Trench
.8 will be presented.
Geon~ phic studies being subcontracted under Contracts No.
. NRC-04-79-205 and NRC-04-77-169 will be the subject of the report forthcoming in mid-1981.
For the 1981-1982 contract year progress reports on site geology including updated geological cross-sections and the results of landslide studies, and geohydrologic and hydrologic studies will be prepared.
i It la proposed at the end of the three year program to present full reports addressing site geology (which-will-include interpreted stratigraphic data from all drilling activity), site erosion (including geomorphic studies of various types as outlined and landslide studies), and site surface-water hydrology. The USGS will report separately on site geohydrology.
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THREE-YEAR PROJECTED BUDGETARY COSTS YEAR 1 (1980/81) $.218,000 YEAR 2 (1981/82) 245,000
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YEAR 3 (1982/83) 275,000 PROJECTED 3-YEAR TOTAL $ 738,000 e
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. PROPOSED RESEARCH PROGRA'4
. NOVEPBER 1980 10 NOVEMBER 1981 Background .
The West Valley Project under the funding of Contract No. NRC-04-79-205 will have set the stage, during the 1980 field season for the beginning of active research on the geologic, geohydrologic and hydrologic character of the entire Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Licensed area at West l /all ey. The research for the November 1980 to November 1931 year will con-
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.inue the work begun under Contract No. NRC-04-79-205. :This research, in contrast to previous studies at West Valley which were limited to the immediate area of the low-level radioactive waste burial (LLRWB) site will encompass the entire site.
j Progress to Date .
Work so far accomplished includes the preparation of a new photogrametric topographic map of the study area at the scale of 1" = 100" with a contour interval of 2'.
Three new permanent instrumented stream gaging stations, and three new temporary non-instrumented stream gaging stations are operational. 0ne p're-existing permanent stream gaging station is being kept in operation. The installaticn of the three permanent stream gaging stations by the Unitea States Geological Survey (USGS) was funded by an interagency transfer of funds from the NRC to the USGS. The seven stream gaging stations with varying capabilitie) for precision cover all drainage from the NRC-licensed radioactive waste
( burial (NRCLRWB) site, the LLRWB site, the inactive fuel reprocessing plant, and i the area north of the plant. Two of the three temporary stream gaging stations I will assist in the determination of the optimum location and design for a
! permanent stream gaging station outside the exclusion fence.
These hydrologic and suspended sediment load measuring stations will be
, fully operational by the end of 1980. This proposal provides for the collection i of stream discharge data under normal stream flow conditions and during storm I events. Samples will be collected for suspended sediment load measurements and provision is made for radiochemical analysis of water and suspended sediment to establish baseline data for the possible offsite movement of radio-nuclides. The stream discharge measurements will furnish basic data to geo-morphi~c studies underway under separate NRC funding.
The 1980 field program calls for the drilling of ten wells to investigate the stratigraphy and geohydrologic character of the ground-water-bearing surficial gravel layer of the North Plateau. Four wells will be drilled south
'and west of the NRCLRWB area initiating the investigation of the relationship of the known stratigraphy of the LLRWB area with the adjacent NRCLRWB area.
This drilling will aid in defining the lateral extent and geometry of the near bedrock ground-water bearing zone indicated to exist near the western cargin of the site. These wells will be drilled by the USGS in cooperation with the New York State Geological Survey (NYSGS) with funding from Contract No.
NRC-04-79-205. The radiochemical analysis of drilling and ground-water samples from these wells will by funded by Contract No. hRv-04-79-205.
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i Geologic-Geohydrologic Investications l
_- -A~ key portion of the proposal for the year November 1980 - November 1931 -
involves the organization of all existing geologic data, particularly fron early-construction related drilling, with drilling from this program, into a series of large scale geologic cross sections. Such cross sections will form the frane-work for- gechydrologic studies and will be basic to fully understanding the stratigraphy of the site in its broader aspects.
A very specific geologic problem in the LLRWB area will be addressed in the proposed program. Work by the USGS has indicated the presence of a sub-surface silty sand layer east of Trench 8 which extends eastward towards Frank's l Creek. This silty sand layer has been interpreted to be the lateral equivalent l of a sand layer encountered beneath Trench 8. Investigati n by the USGS has o indicated that the silty sand layer does not reach Frank's Creek. While in general we-tend to agree with this interpretation we believe that appropriate investigative conservatism requires that the extent of the silty-sand layer should by thoroughly investigated and any uncertainties regarding its extent
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Fiva holes to bedrock will be drilled as part of our co-operative program with the USGS during the 1981 field season with funding arranged between the USGS and the NRC. These holes will be cored, the core samples fully described and geohydrologic tests carried out as indicated to be appropriate. One of these holes will be drilled immediately to the west, and another south of the NRCLRWB areewith a third deep hole to the east. A fourth hole to bedrock will~
be drilldd on the North Plateau at a location which will give an understanding of the stratigraphy north cf the plant area. A fif th hole to bedrock is planned east of the LLRW3 area in order to est blish the stratigtaphy of the thickest portion of glacial deposits in the pre-glacial valley of Buttermilk Creek.
This proposal provides for radiochemical analysis of core and water samples from the holes to be drilled adjacent to the NRCLRWB area and from the hole to be drilled on the North Plateau. These analyses will be undertaken to establish whether or not radionuclides have migrated from the NRCLRW3 area via ground-water pathways. All holes will be constructed so as to assure'no loss of integrity of the burial till as an inhibitor to ground-water movement.
Hydrologic Investigations
- The stream gaging, suspended sediment and sampling activities begun during 1980 will be carried forward over the 1980 - 1931 contract period. Coll ection.
of precipitation data will be continued and a snowfall survey will be carried out by the USGS during the winter. A program for establishing ambient and, if present, unusual radionuclide levels in weekly composite ' samples from streams and entrained suspended sediments is provided for. Provision is also made for detecting the presence of radionuclides in up to seventy individual samples of stream samples and/or sediments. This program will permit the investigation of the relationships of radionuclide transport to stream flow. Funds are -
included for two detailed radionuclide analyses in the event that higher-than-ambient levels of radioactivity are detected.
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_G_cophysical Survey of Surficial Gravel layer - North Plateau
- .- ' This proposal , as part of the co-operative program with the USGS, includes a geophysical survey (resistivity and refraction seismic) of the North Plateau area. This geophysical survey will attempt to . delineate the topography of the buried till surface below the ground-water bearing surficial gravel layer.
The configuration of this surface must be known in order to understand the gechydrologic regime of.the North Plateau.
Video Logging of NRCLRWS Area Excavation Because of the obvious hazards involved no borings within the NRCLRWB area are planned in this proposal. The site operator, however, conducts periodic deep waste burial operations within the area. It is proposed that a geologic logging operation of one of these excavations be undertaken utilizing-a color television camera and video cassette recorder. This system furnishes a unique opportunity to gain a detailed visual examination and analysis of the stratigraphy within the NRCLRWB area proper. .
Surface Pul sed Radar Experiment This proposal, for field season 1981, includes funds for the logistical assistance in installing and for recording the geologic aspects of a research trench for the field testing of the Geo-Centers, Inc., surface pulsed radar equipment at West Valley.
Geomorphic Study A landslide has occurred immediately north of the LLRWB area. This proposal includes funds for the establishment of-a grid of movement monitoring stakes on, and adjacent to this landslide surface so that.further movement may be quantified and studied in detail .
Pregased Research Products 1980 - 1981 Contract Year While the 1980 - 1981 contract year will be devo'ted primarily to data gathering, a progress report covering gechydrologic and hydrologic research activities for the contract year will be presented. A separate progress report on site geology including geologic cross sections and the results of investigations into the lateral extent of the sand lens in the vicinity of Trench 8 will 'be presented.
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4 BUDGET-
'1980-1981 1
- 1. - Salaries and Wagrg Scientific Discipline Personnel ,
Project Coordinators, R.' Dana and S. Molello - 100% of time . $ 39,347 Project Assistants, L. Dunne, S. Potter l V. Ragan, T. Robak - 100% of time 56,175 Support Personnel Office Staff - two persons - 100% of time 16,152 TOTAL. 111,674-
. 2. Indirect Cost - Rate of 47.18% of
- Salaries.and Wages 52,688
- 3. Supplies and Materials 9,000
- 4. Equipment Video Camera 1,000 Video Cassette Recorder 1,000
- Downhole Lighting 300 Camera Cable 100 Video Tapes 100 Misc. Support Equipment 500
- 5. Publi* cations 800
- 6. Travel
- Domestic .
19,000
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- 7. Other Radionuclide Analyses 22,240 TOTAL $ 106,728 218,402 AMOUNT REQUESTED $ 218,000 J
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. 5-DETAILED BUDGET 1980-1981 ,
l.- Salaries and Wages Scientific Discipline Personnel Project Coordinators, R. Dana and S. Molello, (Albany) - 100% of time $ 39,347 Project Assistants, L. Dunne, V. Ragan (Albany) S. Potter, T. Robak (West Valley) -
100% of time 56,175 Support Personne]
Office Staff ( Albany), S. Lewis and C. Cosgrave - 100% of t.ime 16,152_
l TOTAL 111,674 i
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- 2. Indirect Costs - Rate of 47.18% of-
- _ Salaries and Wages - This rate is l comprised as follows
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Fringe 0 30.26% 33,793 Departmental Direct Costs 'O 4.96% 5,539 Indirect Costs 0 11.96% _13,356 TOTAL 52,688 3.. Supplies and Materials 9,000
- 4. Equipment .
Color Video Camera 1,000 Video Cassette Recorcice 1,000 Downhole Lighting 300 Camera Cable 100 Video Tapes .
100 Miscellaneous 500 TOTAL 12,000
- 5. Publications ,
800
- 6. Travel t Domestic only (includes per diem) 19,000
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- 7. Other Radionuclide Analyses
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'. {~7. continued Surface water and associated suspended sediment monitoring - weekly basis - total alpha, total beta, and/or
-tritium. :12,441 Surface water and associated stream sediment analyses for chosen periods - 70 samples, !
total alpha, total beta, and/or tritium and two detailed analys.es, 5,810 1981 drilling program analysis of earth and water samples. 3,989 TOTAL 42,040
$218,402 AMOUNT REQUESTED $218,000 e
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!' BUDGET COME!!TS Certain portions of the budget presented for the tiovember 1980 - ilovember 1981 proposal are tied to specific research activities. .These are discussed
- below and are related to specific items in our narrative of the Proposed Research Program.
Geologic-Geohydrologic Investigations and Hydrologic Investications l
l Under these two . categories mentioned is made of radionuclide analyses.
l- In the detailed budget provision is made for " Surface water and associated
- suspended sediment monitoring" this provides for the monitoring of
- weekly composite samples from the four permanent stations; background grab samples from offsite streams; bed sediment samples; and special meteorological event grab samples. This program will establish ambient levels for the site. Analyses for total alpha, total beta, and/or tritium will be performed. The estimated cost for these analyses (to be done by the Radiological Sciences Laboratory of the it.Y.S. Department of Health) is $12,441. .
A second category, " Surface water and associated suspended sediment analyses-for chosen periods", is included. The ategory will provide for radiochemical analyses as described above to be performed on 70 samples. This program will allow-us flexibility to accomplish two objectives. Should examination of weekly com-posite samples exhibit occasional levels either above or below ambient levels for the site we will be able to examine daily and grab samples to pinpoint the time and runoff conditions under which the variations occurred. If no variations occur
'then day by day comparisons of radionuclide contents of stream and suspenced sediments under varying runoff conditions can be made. Provision is also cade for two detailed sample analyses' for specific isotopes in the event higher than ambient levels are encountered. The estimated cost for this package is $5,810.
Under the "1981 drilling program analysis of earth and viater samples" provision is made for the radiochemical analyses of earth samples from four holes.
All samples will be analyzed for total alpha, total beta, and tritium and isotopic gamma radionuclides. From the three holes near the flRCLRUS site, soil samples will .be analyzed for U-234/J-238 ratio to detect possible contamination of deep groundwater by U-238. These samples will also be analyzed for stable zirconium which if detected would be evidence for a direct link .between zircaloy fuel elements and ground-water movement. These radionuclide analyses are estimateo at $3,989. ,
Video Logging of NRCLRWB Site Excavation Funds in the amount of $3,000 for the video and accessory equipment are itemized in the budget. This specialty equipment is necessary if the video logging of a burial excavation in the NRCLRWB is to be accomplished. An additional $1,000 for this task is included in travel to cover travel and per-diem expenses for NYSGS personnel from the Albany Office who will carry out this work. -
Surface Pulsed Radar Experiment If the surface pulsed radar experiment is to be conducted at West Valley ,
with NYSGS participation 51,000 from travel will be needed to cover travel and !
per-diem expenses of the Albany-based staff involved.
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