Radioactive effluents in Savannah River. Summary report for 1992

During 1992, the radioactive effluents in the Savannah River were less than those observed in 1991. Vogtle reported no significant releases in 1992, and in earlier years Vogtle improvements in pre-processing their releases had already effected a decreasing trend in release levels. Their effluents continue to be dominated by 58Co, which had a maximum concentration of only 0.068 pCi/L, which is just 1/3 of the maximum observed in 1991. Many of the other man-made radionuclides observed in earlier years have now decreased to where some are not even detected, and no new radionuclides were detected in the 1992 Vogtle effluents. In addition to 58Co, low levels of 60Co were frequently observed, but only traces of 54Mn and 95Nb were observed. Contrary to earlier years no 51Cr, 57Co, 59Fe, or 95Zr were seen in 1992. Tritium and 137Cs were also monitored, but their levels generally remain consistent with known SRS sources. The maximum tritium observed near Vogtle was 2 pCi,/mL. The maximum downstream tritium was higher (3.8 pCi/mL), primarily due to the tritium release from K-Reactor in December 1991; however, the levels had abated significantly prior to collection of the tritium samples of the present study. In addition to natural sources, the general levels in the Savannah River are due to routine releases from the effluent treatment facility and seepage basin migration into plant streams that flow into the river