Tritium concentrations in environmental samples and transpiration rates from the vicinity of Mary's Branch Creek and background areas, Barnwell, South Carolina, 2007-2009
Scientific Investigations Report
2009-5245
Prepared in cooperation with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
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Abstract
Tritium in groundwater from a low-level radioactive waste disposal facility near Barnwell, South Carolina, is discharging to Mary's Branch Creek. The U.S. Geological Survey conducted an investigation from 2007 to 2009 to examine the tritium concentration in trees and air samples near the creek and in background areas, in groundwater near the creek, and in surface water from the creek. Tritium was found in trees near the creek, but not in trees from background areas or from sites unlikely to be in direct root contact with tritium-contaminated groundwater. Tritium was found in groundwater near the creek and in the surface water of the creek. Analysis of tree material has the potential to be a useful tool in locating shallow tritium-contaminated groundwater. A tritium concentration of 1.4 million picocuries per liter was measured in shallow groundwater collected near a tulip poplar located in an area of tritium-contaminated groundwater discharge. Evapotranspiration rates from the tree and tritium concentrations in water extracted from tree cores indicate that during the summer, this tulip poplar may remove more than 17.1 million picocuries of tritium per day from the groundwater that otherwise would discharge to Mary's Branch Creek. Analysis of air samples near the tree showed no evidence that the transpirative release of tritium to the air created a vapor hazard in the forest.
Suggested Citation
Vroblesky, D.A., Canova, J.L., Bradley, P.M., Landmeyer, J., 2009, Tritium concentrations in environmental samples and transpiration rates from the vicinity of Mary's Branch Creek and background areas, Barnwell, South Carolina, 2007-2009: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2009-5245, iv, 13 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20095245.
ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)
Study Area
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Tritium concentrations in environmental samples and transpiration rates from the vicinity of Mary's Branch Creek and background areas, Barnwell, South Carolina, 2007-2009 |
| Series title | Scientific Investigations Report |
| Series number | 2009-5245 |
| DOI | 10.3133/sir20095245 |
| Year Published | 2009 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston, VA |
| Contributing office(s) | South Carolina Water Science Center, Toxic Substances Hydrology Program |
| Description | iv, 13 p. |
| Time Range Start | 2007-01-01 |
| Time Range End | 2009-12-31 |
| Country | United States |
| State | South Carolina |
| City | Barnwell |
| Other Geospatial | Mary's Branch Creek |