Environmental monitoring report, United States Department of Energy, Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant, calendar year 1977

Air, water, soil, and grass in the vicinity of the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant were continuously or periodically sampled during 1977. Analyses for materials known to be in plant effluents were made to provide effluent control information and to determine compliance with applicable air and water quality standards. Two of the steam plant boilers were reconverted to coal/oil firing due to the energy crisis. Particulates are removed from the stack gas by mechanical collectors which are about 80 percent efficient. The Kentucky one week standard for airborne gaseous HF was exceeded once and the 30 day standard was exceeded three times in 1977 at the offsite sampling location nearest the plant. Analyses at the other five offsite sampling stations indicated compliance with airborne fluoride limits. Soil samples were analyzed for uranium and showed no significant deviation from background. There was no detectable change in chemical, physical, or radioactive characteristics of either the Ohio River or ground water attributable to Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant operations. The results of water sample analyses of the Ohio River show the chromium and fluoride concentrations to be in compliance with the requirements of the applicable Kentucky regulations. The concentrations of hexavalent chromium in Big and Little Bayous have been in excess of the Kentucky aquatic life standard of 0.05 mg/liter. A chromate treatment facility was put into operation in June, 1977 and has been effective in reducing chromium concentrations from recirculating cooling water discharges to less than 0.05 mg/l