Published June 2008 | Version v1
Journal article Metadata-only

Environmental applications of stable xenon and radioxenon monitoring

Creators

  • 1. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA (United States)
  • 2. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA (United States)

Description

Characterization of transuranic waste is needed for decisions about waste site remediation. Soil-gas sampling for xenon isotopes can be used to define the locations of spent fuel and transuranic waste. Radioxenon in the subsurface is characteristic of transuranic waste and can be measured with extreme sensitivity using large-volume soil-gas samples. Measurements at the Hanford Site showed 133Xe and 135Xe levels indicative of 240Pu spontaneous fission. Stable xenon isotopic ratios from fission are distinct from atmospheric xenon background. Neutron capture by 135Xe produces an excess of 136Xe in reactor-produced xenon, providing a means of distinguishing spent fuel from separated transuranic material. (author)

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry
Journal Volume
276
Journal Issue
3
Journal Page Range
p. 763-769
ISSN
0236-5731
CODEN
JRNCDM

INIS

Country of Publication
Hungary
Country of Input or Organization
Hungary
INIS RN
39091924
Subject category
S12: MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES, AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES;
Descriptors DEI
ALPHA-BEARING WASTES; ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS; ISOTOPE RATIO; RADIATION MONITORING; RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL; SPENT FUEL STORAGE; XENON ISOTOPES
Descriptors DEC
DIMENSIONLESS NUMBERS; ISOTOPES; MANAGEMENT; MATERIALS; MONITORING; RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS; RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT; RADIOACTIVE WASTES; STORAGE; WASTE DISPOSAL; WASTE MANAGEMENT; WASTES

Optional Information

Notes
18 refs.