Iodine-129 in the Snake River Plain aquifer at and near the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Idaho, 1990-91
Water-Resources Investigations Report
94-4053
By: L. J. Mann and T.M. Beasley
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Abstract
From 1953 to 1990, an estimated 0.56 to 1.18 curies of iodine-129 were contained in wastewater generated by the Idaho Chemical Processing Plant (ICPP) at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory. The waste- water was discharged directly to the Snake River Plain aquifer through a deep disposal well prior to February 1984 and through unlined disposal ponds in 1984-90. The wastewater did not contain measurable concentrations of iodine-129 in 1989-90. Samples were collected from 51 wells that obtain water from the Snake River Plain aquifer and 1 well that obtains water from a perched ground-water zone. The samples were analyzed for iodine-129 using an accelerator mass spectrometer which is two to six orders of magnitude more sensitive than neutron- activation methods. Therefore, iodine-129 was detectable in samples from a larger number of wells distributed over a larger area than previously was possible. Ground-water flow velocities calculated using iodine-129 data are estimated to be at least 6 feet per day. These velocities compare favorably with those of 4 to 10 feet per day calculated from tritium data and tracer studies at wells down- gradient from the ICPP. In 1990-91, concentrations of iodine-129 in water samples from wells that obtain water from the Snake River Plain aquifer ranged from less than 0.0000006+0.0000002 to 3.82.+0.19 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). The mean concentration in water from 18 wells was 0.81+0.19 pCi/L as compared with 1.30+0.26 pCi/L in 1986. The decrease in the iodine-l29 concentrations from 1986 to 1990-91 chiefly was the result of a decrease in the amount of iodine-129 disposed of annually, and changes in disposal techniques.
Suggested Citation
Mann, L., Beasley, T., 1994, Iodine-129 in the Snake River Plain aquifer at and near the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Idaho, 1990-91: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 94-4053, iv, 27 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri944053.
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Iodine-129 in the Snake River Plain aquifer at and near the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Idaho, 1990-91 |
| Series title | Water-Resources Investigations Report |
| Series number | 94-4053 |
| DOI | 10.3133/wri944053 |
| Year Published | 1994 |
| Language | ENGLISH |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey ; USGS Earth Science Information Center, Open-File Reports Section [distributor], |
| Description | iv, 27 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm. |