WIPP Environmental Monitoring Project
Ambient Aerosol Sampling: Inorganics
The CEMRC collects and analyzes samples of particulate matter from the atmosphere ("aerosols") as part of its WIPP Environmental Monitoring (EM) project. This focus on the atmosphere is an important part of the WIPP EM because if radioactive or chemical contaminants were released from the WIPP, they could be rapidly dispersed through the atmosphere and spread throughout the environment. The main objectives for the research are (1) to characterize the background concentrations of selected radionuclides and inorganic substances in the atmosphere of the WIPP/Carlsbad area and (2) to determine whether the concentrations have changed in conjunction with activities at the WIPP.
Detailed summaries of the sampling design and analytical procedures for the WIPP EM aerosol studies were presented in the CEMRC 2000 Report. Briefly, ambient aerosol samples are collected from three sampling stations, On Site (Site 106), Cactus Flats (Site 107) and Near Field (Site 108), using both high-volume samplers (1 m3 min-1) and low-volume (0.010 m3 min-1) samplers. The high-volume samples are analyzed for radioactive elements, and the low-volume samples are analyzed for non-radiogenic inorganic substances.
The inorganic studies complement the radionuclide assessments because they provide information about the types of aerosols in the atmosphere and how their concentrations vary with time. In addition, some of the trace elements being studied (arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium, and silver) are listed as components of the Permitted TRU Mixed Wastes in the WIPP hazardous waste permit (Waste Acceptance Criteria for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, DOE/WIPP-069, November 8, 1999). Rcent-year data include aerosol samples for total suspended particles (TSP), particulate matter less than 10 µm in aerodynamic equivalent diameter (PM10) and particulate matter less than 2.5 µm aerodynamic equivalent diameter (PM2.5).
Mixed waste (hazardous + radioactive) was first received at the WIPP on September 9, 2000. Results of samples collected prior to that date constitute characterization of baseline conditions. Results of samples collected after that date will include comparisons of monitoring phase data with baseline data. More extensive interpretive summaries are provided in each year’s annual report. After receipt of mixed waste begins, summaries for recent-year data will include comparisons of monitoring phase data with baseline data.
Summary for inorganic analytes for aerosol samples collected July 2000 -
December 2000
Preliminary analyses show that the concentrations of many of the inorganic
analytes exhibit pronounced seasonal cycles, and furthermore the
concentrations of these substances also show substantial year-to-year
variability. As of March 15, 2001, operational monitoring results for
trace elements (RD-1) and aerosol ions (RD-2) in aerosols are consistent
with the baseline data, indicating that there have been no perturbations to
the inorganic analytes in aerosols that can be related to activities at the
WIPP.
Table RD-1. Trace Element Concentrations in Aerosols determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (July, 2000 - March, 2001)
Table
RD-1a. Ag through Ce
Table RD-1b. Co through Gd
Table RD-1c. Hg through Na
Table RD-1d. Nd through Sm
Table RD-1e. Sn through Zn
Table RD-2. Major Ion Concentrations in
Aerosols Determined by Ion Chromatography (July 2000 - December 2000)
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