ML20126F086
| ML20126F086 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 12/29/1980 |
| From: | Scarano R NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | Hazle A COLORADO, STATE OF |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20126F089 | List: |
| References | |
| REF-WM-22 NUDOCS 8103060169 | |
| Download: ML20126F086 (5) | |
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bNITED STATES I n NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION W M ' 6S
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- WASHINGTON, D, C. 20555 It # '
DEC 2 s 13SD
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M". Albert J. Hazle, Director D Radiation and Hazardous Wastes N/s '
tA /'A [A Control Division
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4210 East 11th Aunue Denver. Lolorado 80220 :
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS E'i %,7#gO
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j Deer Mr. Ha:1e: POOR QUAUTY PAGES 4*,h"f' L9 g ?
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Tae purpose of this letter is to stcraarize and rake r+r- Ations <>
based en the results of soil, vegetation, surface ester, and well water samples collected in June and October of 1979 by the los Alamos Scientific Laborstory (LA2 ) in the Lincoln Park a ea of Canon City.Samplin data attached June. August, and Deceber 1979 LASL reports.and s '
Sampling and seieniu and analysis were performed for metals of uranits::, colybdentra the sulphate and chloride anions, anc pH.
re:o:rnendatiens with reprd to potability, livesto:k watering, andOur following irrtption for the indictted locations within Lin:oln Park have been based on a co=parison of contaminant concentretions with standards cnd '
- Mini:m A: te Toxicity Effluents" (PATE) limits and " Ambien Ecals"(ALG's).
'which also list the values in Tables 2 and 3.These values are defined.in.the. '"
Though not directly applicable, the data in perspective. these values are the best available and will be used to put i
Tne area of con:ern is shown in the map on pape 3 of the June 26, 1979 LASL report and is located within approximately 1 i nor:heast) of the Cotter Corporation's Mili Site. miles (north to -
The fc.liowing discusien will focus on those results which art of most '
concern and provide recocmendations based on these results. .
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I RESULTS OF GROUNDATER ANALYSIS
O Surface and groundwaters in the Lincoln Park area were sancied in June ar,d D:tober of 1979 at the locations listed in Table 1 of both the August 23 and Dece::oer 1B reports.
representative of back Samples'which are considered in the Arkansas River. ground were obtained both upstreen and downstream .
- ene of contamination exte dP.esults of this sempling indicate that the the southwestem edge of Lincolt. Park.n s from the Cotter Mill to and including .
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. 'E.-Albert J. Hazle -
- 2 e. DEC 2 91980 ,,
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. f Camparing the data from the June sagling to that from the -
October sa pling it can be seen that ell locations within Lira 1n Park which were sampled bothlin June and October, showed a marked decrease in uranitsu concentration. For example, the highest values measured in Lincoln Park, at the Bosco Field, dropped 1mm 2160 parts per billion (ppb) to 720 parts :
perbillion(ppb). However, of the 9 locations in Lir.coln Park sampled in October, all locations exceeded the backgmund levels of 3 to 4 ppb measured in the Arkansas River in June .
and the ALG of 3 ppb based on health effects. Only four ,
msidential locations: Bosco Field, Peterson, Ransom House, and Bosco House exceed the ALG based on ecological effects, and of those four only Bosco Field exceeds the MTE, based on ecological effects. ,
Based on the above, the uranium content of Lincoln Park -
groundwaters is elevated with respect to Arkansas River water and has been shown at specific locations to exceed values belw which ecological and health effects are not expected.
E. _ Molybdenum (Mo)
As was the case for uranium, molybdenum concentrations in October samples show a verked decrease from June samples.
Holybdenum values in Lincoln Park groundwaters, which ranged frec 0.08 to 24 ppm in June, ranged from 0.02 to 5.2 ppm in 1 October.. However, of the 9 locations in Lincoln Park sampled in October, six exceed the background levels of 0.08 ppm measured in the Arkansas River in June, and the ALG of 0.07
. ppm based on health effects. All nine exceeded the 0.01 ppm ,
irrigation standard, and the the ALG of 0.01 ppm for irrigation based on ecological effects.
As was the case for uranium, based on the above, the molybdenum content of Lincoln Park groundwaters is elevated with respect to Arkansas River water and has been shown to exceed at specific locations, values below which ecological and health effects .
are not expected. ;
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Mr. Albert J. HaEle . DEC 2 91980
. As was also true for uranium, the highest values of nelybdenum were seen at Bosco Field Peterson Ransom House and Bosco i House, with lower values at-Ransom Field and Calhoun, and even lower values at Merlino, Silango and Salardino.
II. RESULTS OF SDIL SAMPLING IN LINCOLN PARK Uranium and Molybdeman Four soil samples were cb11ected (see Table 2 of the December 18th
%rt from LASL) in order to determine the natural background concentrations of uranian and molybdenum in the Lincoln Park area.
Analysis of these samples indicate that native soils in this area contain concentrations of uranium between 3 and 6 parts per million and concentrations of molybdens between 2 and 5 ppm. Of the nine locations sampled in the Lincoln Park area in Detober, those saroline stations which exhibited concentrations significantly greater chan these background values included the Bosco Field.
Pensom Garden, and Sand Creek Drainage between the Bosce and McKellar ficids behind a stock pond dam. The location of these soils appear to be in the vicinity of the groundwater statiens which show elevated levels of both uranium and colybdenum. In addition the McKellar Pt.sture, which was not sampled in October, showed a uranium concentration in June significantly greater than the background values measured in October. Soils at Bosco Field and Ransorn Garden which have been irrigated with groundwater show the highest levels of U and Ho measured in Lincoln Park.
None of the soil samples exceeded the MATE values for either health or ecological effects. One sample in Sand Creek Drainage between
, the Bosco and McKellar Fields exceeded the ALG for uranium based on ecologieti effects ,and two sar:ples in the Bosco field exceed the _
. ALG for molybdentan based on health effects.
III. PISULT5 0F YEGETATION SAMPLING Uranium and Molybdentsn With the possible exception of the Peterson Lawn. all of the stations showing significantly high (two timas background) elevations of urantu:n and molybdenum in vegetation, Sand Creek Drainage between stations 37 and 38, the Ransom Garden and Bosco Field near the well, were in c1cse proximit;y to locations previously identified as
. having groundwater and soils conwninated with molybdenum and i
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, a urani m. The Peterson Lawn shows high concentrations of uranim and relybdenum in g mss: however, no extensive contamination was found in the soil. At the Bosco Field location, there is evidence that the three grass types and Kochia were elevated in uranium and molybdems: as well as the underlying soils. Vegetation samples, which were greater than two times the highest background and also '
within or exceeding the toxic levels of 5-20 ppo of colybdenum (see '
Table 4 of August report) for rrsring animals, were found at Peterson Lawn. Ransom Garden. Bosco Field and Sand Creek Drainage between stations 37 and 38.
In addition, Cu:Ho ratios less than two in' forage can cause molybdenosis symptoms in grazing animals. At a rusuber of. Lincoln Park locations Cu:Mo ratios were less than tm. All these locations have forage -
which has No concentations elevated to such an extent that molybdenosis might occur if sufficient quantities of this vegetation were consumed by grazing animals.
Again there may be some correlation between high levels in these vegetation (
relybdenum)ingrass) samples well water usedand for elevated irrigation.levels (of uranium As concluded by and LASL, "it appears that those sites irrigated with contaminated water generally have elevated U and Ho soil concentrations and also elevated levels of these contaminants. in the vegetation. In cases such as the Peterson Lawn, high concentrations in the vegetation would not have been expected from the low soil concentrations.
Thus, the hazard posed by using conteminated irrigation water can not be assessed by looking only for accmulation in soils."
IV. FICCtNENDATIONS AHD CONCLUSIONS -
A. _Use of Well Water Sampled in Lincoln Park Area Based on the measumd contaminant levels in well water samples -
and due to the ready availability of water from other sources we feel, it is prudent not to use wells in the affected area of Lincoln Park for potable water, irrigation, or livestock i' wa ter. We further recomend continued monitoring of these i wells until U and No levels return to approximately background i levels er fall below the standards and recomended levels in the LASL reports.
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Mr. Albert J. Hazie -
- 5- DEC 2 91980 B. Vecetation Constration and Grarino We re .-.and that vegetation for human constcption should not be grown and that cattle should not be grazed in those amas of Lincoln Part where there are levels of contaminants in .
soils or vegetation significantly above background, as defined in the LASL reports, or where well water is used for irrigation.
_ We further rew,d that the above restrictions continue until soil and vegetation sacpling show that U and Ho levels have returned to approxicately background or have fallen below the standards and h,ded levels in the LASL reports.
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Jf you have any queshions'please contact Dr. Roy Person of my staff.
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Sincerely, Ross A. Scarano, Chief Uranium Recovery Licensing Branch Division of Waste Hanagement Amc.Y,ents:
June, August, and December 1979 LASL reports.
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