Radionuclides and radioactivity in soils within and around Los Alamos National Laboratory, 1974 through 1994: Concentrations, trends, and dose comparisons

摘要

This report summarizes and evaluates the concentrations of H-3, Cs-137, Pu-238, Pu-239, Pu-240, Am-241, Sr-90, total uranium, and gross alpha, beta, and gamma activity in soils collected from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), perimeter, and regional (background) areas over a 21-year period (1974 through 1994). Also, trends in radionuclide concentrations and radioactivity over time and the total effective dose equivalent (TEDE) were determined for each site. Based on the average over the years, most LANL and perimeter soils contained three or more radionuclides and/or gross radioactive that were significantly higher in concentration (p < 0.05) than regional background. The net dose (TEDE minus background) for residents living on-site at LANL or along its perimeter ranged from -0.3 mrem/y (east of TA-54) to 3.8 mrem/y (east of Ta-53) and from -0.4 mrem/y (White Rock) to 3.6 mrem/y (west of LANL on Forest Service land across from TA-8GT site).