Identification of Stress Areas Associated with H- and F-Area Seepage Basins Using High-Resolution Aircraft MSS (Multispectral Scanner) Data for April 1987

摘要

The F- and H-Area seepage basins located on the Savannah River Plant (SRP) have been in operation since the mid-1950's for the handling of wastes from the nuclear separation facilities. The H-Area seepage basins are located on the central portion of the SRP between Upper Three Runs Creek and Four Mile Creek. The H-Area seepage basins receive liquid waste containing low-level radioactivity and chemicals. The four H-Area basins cover an area of approxiamtely 5.6 /times/ 10 sup 4 m sup 2 . Although senesced vegetation was identified in the pine and hardwood vegetation stands using the high resolution multispectral scanner (MSS) data and the unsupervised digital image processing techniques described, the agent(s) responsible for the stress are not known at this time. Therefore, these results identify vegetated areas that have experienced some senescence due to unknown factors. It appears that the H-Area seepage basins have produced a sizeable ''question mark'' shaped stress area just south of basin 4. The location of the stressed area lies in the same downgradient area as the high nitrate concentrations. An area along Four Mile Creek exhibited stress characteristics. Upland from the H-Area basins the vegetation is also stressed. Some of these areas were used as borrow pits in the past resulting in nutrient depleted soils. 7 refs., 10 figs. (ERA citation 13:037766)