Environmental radionuclide concentrations in the vicinity of the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Plant: 1981-1984

Since 1979, the Power Plant Research Program (PPRP) has conducted radiological monitoring and research in the vicinity of the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station (PBAPS) to determine the environmental distribution and ecosystem impact of radioactivity released to the Susquehanna River by the plant. During 1981-1984, the subject period of the report, aqueous discharges by PBAPS produced low levels of Zn-65, Cs-134, and Cs-137 in biota of the lower Susquehanna River. Radionuclide concentrations were highest in the vicinity of the plant discharge in the Conowingo Pond. Finfish collected from the Conowingo Dam Tailrace also contained detectable levels of PBAPS-related radionuclides. These radionuclides, as well as Co-60 were also detected in sediments collected from the Conowingo Pond, the lower Susquehanna River, and the upper Chesapeake Bay. Concentrations in sediments were highest in the Conowingo Pond, along the western shore downstream of the plant discharge