Soil and vegetation

Contributions from Hanford operations to background levels of radionuclides are determined by comparing the results of samples collected in prevalent downwind locations, primarily to the south and east of the Site, with samples collected from distant or generally upwind directions. Based on routine samples collected during 1982, there was no indication of a detectable contribution from Hanford to radionuclide concentrations in soil and vegetation in the offsite environment. Although no difference could be discerned based on the routine samples collected in 1982, a special study involving the collection of a large number of soil samples showed that concentrations of uranium in surface soils east of the Columbia River near the 300 Area were slightly higher than concentrations normally observed at several offsite sampling locations west of the river. The study, however, did not provide conclusive evidence regarding the reason for the difference. Although the possibility of a 300 Area source must be considered, the observed uranium concentrations were all within the range of concentrations normally found in soils in eastern Washington. Additional samples will be collected in 1983 to determine the naturally occurring uranium concentrations in soils on the east bank of the Columbia River