Invasion of Radioactive Waste Burial Sites by the Great Basin Pocket Mouse (Perognathus Parvus)

摘要

The invasion of burial sites by animals is a common problem documented at several nuclear facilities including Idaho National Engineering Laboratories (INEL), Savannah River, Oak Ridge, and Los Alamos. In order to establish effective deterrents for control of this problem, baseline information has been collected about specific parameters related to the potential for transport of radionuclides by animals. This study identifies parameters associated with burrowing activities of the Great Basin Pocket Mouse (Perognathus parvus) at the Hanford Site in Eastern Washington. The objectives of the study were: 1) document and compare burrow depths and soil volumes on a control site and a decommissioned radioactive waste site and 2) develop a system to estimate the depth and soil volume of burrows without requiring excavation. Animals were found to burrow deeper in the backfilled burial site (x = .77 m) than they did in the control site (x = .43 m). Burrows were probably deeper in the disturbed waste site due to limited compaction; and as a result, pocket mice have to dig deeper to maintain the integrity of the burrow system. Significant positive correlations (p<.01) were calculated from both study sites between burrow depth and soil volume and between mound diameter and soil volume. Based on these correlations, it should be possible to estimate burrow depths and soil volumes without excavation. Confidence levels and standard deviations are provided with these estimates. This method will allow estimates to be made of how much soil has been brought to the surface by pocket mice over a given period of time and may be useful in determining which waste sites could experience potential problems related to radionuclide transport. Recommendations based on these data can be used in the design of future burial facilities to prevent or mitigate the impact of encroachment by burrowing animals. (ERA citation 06:028324)