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#### Brookhaven National Laboratory

**Brookhaven Medical Research Reactor Facility**

**Facility Environmental Monitoring Report**

**Calendar Year 2000**

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### 

##### March 29, 2001

Prepared by:

D. Paquette, B. Hooda and R. Lee

##### Environmental Services Division

###### GW62ER.01

##### 

##### **Brookhaven National Laboratory**

##### **Brookhaven Medical Research Reactor**

##### **Facility Environmental Monitoring Report**

**Calendar Year 2000**

***Summary of Results**:* *Analysis of groundwater samples collected at
the BMRR during CY 2000 indicate that engineered and operation controls
have been effective in protecting groundwater quality. Groundwater
monitoring results indicate that tritium concentrations continue to be
below the 20,000-pCi/L drinking water standard.*

*Periodic air monitoring of BMRR emissions indicated that the
concentrations of normally measured short-lived radionuclides on the
filter and charcoal canister were very low quantities. Real time air
monitoring measurements indicated an emission rate for argon-41 of 2,189
Ci. This emission rate is consistent with those of 1998 (2,360 Ci) and
1999 (1,640 Ci).*

*During the monitoring period, there were no SPDES permit excursions at
BMRR designated outfalls.*

###### Background

The BMRR is a 3 MW light water reactor that was used for biomedical
research. Research operations at the BMRR stopped in December 2000, and
BNL is preparing plans to permanently decommission the facility.

The BMRR's primary cooling water system consists of a recirculation
piping system that contains 2,550 gallons of water. The tritium
concentration in the primary water is currently 465 μCi/L, for a total
tritium content of 4.5 Ci. Unlike the High Flux Beam Reactor, the BMRR
does not have a spent fuel storage canal or pressurized imbedded piping
systems that contain radioactive liquids. Historically, fuel elements
that required storage are either stored within the reactor vessel, or
were transferred to the HFBR spent fuel canal. The primary system's
piping is fully exposed within the containment structure, and is
accessible for routine visual inspections. Excess heat is transferred by
means of heat exchangers with once through (secondary) cooling water
which is obtained from process supply well 105 or the BNL Chilled Water
System. This secondary water is discharged to recharge basin HP located
800 feet to the south of the Medical Department complex. This discharge
is monitored as part of the State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(SPDES) program.

To cool the neutron reflector surrounding the core of the BMRR reactor
vessel, air from the interior of the containment building is used. When
air is drawn through the reflector, it is exposed to a neutron field
that causes the argon component of the air to become radioactive. This
radioactive form is known as argon-41. It is a chemically inert gas with
a short half-life of 1.8 hours. After passage through the reflector, the
air is routed through a roughing filter and a high efficiency
particulate air (HEPA) filter to remove any particulate matter, and
finally, a charcoal filter for the removal of radioiodines produced by
the fissioning of fuel. Following filtration, the air is exhausted to a
150-foot stack adjacent to the reactor containment building. A real-time
monitor is in place to track argon-41 air emissions, while passive
filter media are used to collect and quantify radioiodines and
particulates.

In 1997, tritium was detected in wells installed directly downgradient
(within 30 feet) of the BMRR. The maximum tritium concentration during
1998 was 11,800 pCi/L, almost one-half of the drinking water standard of
20,000 pCi/L. The tritium is believed to have originated from the
historical discharge of small amounts of BMRR primary cooling water to a
basement floor drain and sump system that may have leaked. Although the
last discharge of primary cooling water to the floor drain system
occurred in 1987, the floor drains continued to be used for secondary
(non-radioactive) cooling water until 1997. The infiltration of this
water may have promoted the movement of residual tritium from the soils
surrounding the floor drain piping system to the groundwater. The floor
drains were permanently sealed in 1998 to prevent any accidental future
releases to the underlying soils.

###### Environmental Monitoring Program

The environmental monitoring program for the BMRR is described in the
BNL Environmental Monitoring Plan (Daum *et al*. 2000; BNL, 2001). The
BMRR monitoring programs are summarized below.

###### Monitoring Results

**Air Monitoring**:

A real-time monitor is in place to track argon-41 air emissions, while
passive filter media are used to collect and quantify radioiodines and
particulates. In accordance with NESHAP requirements, these nuclides are
sampled only on a periodic basis to confirm that their concentrations
remain consistent with expected levels. The BMRR generates the largest
quantity of airborne radioactive effluent released from the BNL site
with argon-41 consistently contributing the greatest fraction of all
radionuclide activity released.

During CY 2000, the contribution from particulates and radioiodines to
the total dose to the members of the public was less than 1 percent of
the 10 mrem dose limit from air pathway. Therefore, only periodic
sampling was done to confirm low levels of emissions. Periodic air
monitoring of BMRR emissions indicated that the concentrations of
normally measured short-lived radionuclides on the filter (e.g., Sr-91,
Sr-92, Cs-138 and Ba-135) and charcoal canister (e.g., Kr-87, Xe-133,
Xe-135, and Xe-135m) were very low quantities. Real time monitoring
measurements of air emissions indicated a release of 2,189 Ci of
argon-41 during CY 2000. This emission rate is consistent with those of
1998 (2,360 Ci) and 1999 (1,640 Ci). Argon-41 was the only radionuclide
that has the potential to contribute small fraction of dose to the
members of public. (Note: Argon-41 has a half-life of 1.8 hours.)

**Groundwater**

Samples collected from four groundwater monitoring wells are used to
verify that the engineered and administrative controls described above
are effective in preventing additional impacts to groundwater quality
(Figure 1).

Monitoring results for sampling conducted during 2000 indicates that
tritium concentrations continued to be below the drinking water standard
of 20,000 pCi/L. Detectable levels of tritium were observed in all three
downgradient wells, with the maximum value of 7,870 pCi/L in Well 084-27
(Table 1). Slightly elevated gross beta concentrations (up to 38.6
pCi/L) were detected in several samples from downgradient Well 084-13
(Table 2). As in past years, no other reactor-related radionuclides,
including strontium-90, were detected during 2000 (Tables 3 and 4). The
elevated gross beta values are probably due to naturally occurring
potassium-40, which was detected in BMRR groundwater samples at
concentrations up to 105 pCi/L.

**SPDES Monitoring**

Once through cooling water was used to cool the research reactor in
2000. Water was supplied through a dedicated well (Process Well 105).
The discharge from this system is a SPDES permitted release and is
designated Outfall 004 (Figure 2). As required under SPDES permit
monitoring requirements, the outfall is monitored monthly for pH and
flow and quarterly for organic compounds. Additionally the water supply
and the discharge are also monitored under the BNL surveillance program
quarterly for organics. The outfall is also monitored quarterly for
inorganics, and radiological parameters. All concentrations were less
than regulatory limits during 2000.

**Future Monitoring Actions**

The following actions are recommended for the CY 2001 monitoring period:

-   The monitoring well sampling schedule will be reduced from quarterly
    to semiannual.

-   No changes in air monitoring program are recommended until the BMRR
    is fully decommissioned.

**References**

BNL, 2001. Brookhaven National Laboratory Environmental Monitoring Plan,
CY 2001 Update (January 2001). BNL-52584 (Update).

Daum, M., Dorsch, W., Fry, J., Green, T., Lee, R., Naidu, J., Paquette,
D., Scarpitta, S., and Schroeder, G., 2000. Brookhaven National
Laboratory, Environmental Monitoring Plan 2000 (March 31, 2000).

**BNL Facility Environmental Monitoring Report**

**Brookhaven Medical Research Reactor**

**Groundwater Monitoring -Tritium Results**

**Calendar Year 2000**

# **Table 1**

+-----+-----------------+------------+---------------+---------------+
| **  | # Location      | # Colle    | **Tritium     | **Tritium MDL |
| Wel |                 | ction Date | Result        | (pCi/L)**     |
| l** |                 |            | (pCi/L)**     |               |
+-----+-----------------+------------+---------------+---------------+
| 84  | Upgradient of   | 01-11-00   | \<343         | 343           |
| -28 | BMRR            |            |               |               |
+-----+-----------------+------------+---------------+---------------+
|     |                 | 03-06-00   | \<306         | 306           |
+-----+-----------------+------------+---------------+---------------+
|     |                 | 06-06-00   | 299 +/- 205   | 295           |
+-----+-----------------+------------+---------------+---------------+
|     |                 | 09-18-00   | 338 +/- 191   | 298           |
+-----+-----------------+------------+---------------+---------------+
|     |                 | 12-06-00   | \<320         | 320           |
+-----+-----------------+------------+---------------+---------------+
|     |                 |            |               |               |
+-----+-----------------+------------+---------------+---------------+
| 84  | Downgradient of | 01-11-00   | \<343         | 343           |
| -12 | BMRR            |            |               |               |
+-----+-----------------+------------+---------------+---------------+
|     |                 | 03-06-00   | 1,180 +/-236  | 306           |
+-----+-----------------+------------+---------------+---------------+
|     |                 | 06-07-00   | \<295         | 295           |
+-----+-----------------+------------+---------------+---------------+
|     |                 | 09-18-00   | 642 +/- 211   | 298           |
+-----+-----------------+------------+---------------+---------------+
|     |                 | 12-06-00   | 326 +/- 218   | 320           |
+-----+-----------------+------------+---------------+---------------+
|     |                 |            |               |               |
+-----+-----------------+------------+---------------+---------------+
| 84  | Downgradient of | 01-11-00   | 1,777 +/-283  | 343           |
| -13 | BMRR            |            |               |               |
+-----+-----------------+------------+---------------+---------------+
|     |                 | 03-06-00   | 1,360 +/-245  | 306           |
+-----+-----------------+------------+---------------+---------------+
|     |                 | 06-06-00   | \<295         | 295           |
+-----+-----------------+------------+---------------+---------------+
|     |                 | 09-18-00   | \<298         | 298           |
+-----+-----------------+------------+---------------+---------------+
|     |                 | 12-06-00   | \<320         | 320           |
+-----+-----------------+------------+---------------+---------------+
|     |                 |            |               |               |
+-----+-----------------+------------+---------------+---------------+
| 84  | Downgradient of | 00-11-00   | 7,870 +/-433  | 343           |
| -27 | BMRR            |            |               |               |
+-----+-----------------+------------+---------------+---------------+
|     |                 | 03-06-00   | 4,120 +/- 348 | 306           |
+-----+-----------------+------------+---------------+---------------+
|     |                 | 06-07-00   | 1,600 +/- 382 | 295           |
+-----+-----------------+------------+---------------+---------------+
|     |                 | 09-18-00   | NS            |               |
+-----+-----------------+------------+---------------+---------------+
|     |                 | 12-06-00   | 827 +/- 249   | 320           |
+-----+-----------------+------------+---------------+---------------+
|     |                 |            |               |               |
+-----+-----------------+------------+---------------+---------------+
| Dr  |                 |            | 20,000        |               |
| ink |                 |            |               |               |
| ing |                 |            |               |               |
| Wa  |                 |            |               |               |
| ter |                 |            |               |               |
| St  |                 |            |               |               |
| and |                 |            |               |               |
| ard |                 |            |               |               |
+-----+-----------------+------------+---------------+---------------+

MDL = Minimum Detection Limit

NS: Well not sampled due to pump failure.

Note: "\<" symbols preceding a value (e.g., \<307) indicates that the
measure value was less than the stated Minimum Detection Limit.

**BNL Facility Environmental Monitoring Report**

**Brookhaven Medical Research Reactor**

**Groundwater Monitoring - Gross Alpha/Gross Beta Analytical Results**

**Calendar Year 2000**

**Table 2**

+-----+-----------+--------+-----------+---------+---------+---------+
| **  | #         | # Col  | **Gross   | **Gross | **Gross | **Gross |
| Wel |  Location | lectio | Alpha     | Alpha   | Beta    | Beta    |
| l** |           | n Date | Result    | MDL     | Result  | MDL     |
|     |           |        | (pCi/L)** | (p      | (p      | (p      |
|     |           |        |           | Ci/L)** | Ci/L)** | Ci/L)** |
+-----+-----------+--------+-----------+---------+---------+---------+
| 84  | U         | 01     | 1.44      | 0.75    | 6.8     | 2.0     |
| -28 | pgradient | -11-00 | +/-0.5    |         | +/-1.4  |         |
|     | of BMRR   |        |           |         |         |         |
+-----+-----------+--------+-----------+---------+---------+---------+
|     |           | 03     | \<0.97    | 0.97    | 9.2 +/- | 2.1     |
|     |           | -06-00 |           |         | 1.5     |         |
+-----+-----------+--------+-----------+---------+---------+---------+
|     |           | 06     | \<1.02    | 1.02    | 4.4 +/- | 2.0     |
|     |           | -06-00 |           |         | 1.3     |         |
+-----+-----------+--------+-----------+---------+---------+---------+
|     |           | 09     | 3.8 +/-   | 0.89    | 14.3    | 2.1     |
|     |           | -18-00 | 0.6       |         | +/- 1.7 |         |
+-----+-----------+--------+-----------+---------+---------+---------+
|     |           | 12     | \<0.79    | 0.79    | \<2.5   | 2.5     |
|     |           | -06-00 |           |         |         |         |
+-----+-----------+--------+-----------+---------+---------+---------+
|     |           |        |           |         |         |         |
+-----+-----------+--------+-----------+---------+---------+---------+
| 84  | Dow       | 01     | 1.2       | 0.75    | 8.2     | 2.0     |
| -12 | ngradient | -11-00 | +/-0.5    |         | +/-1.5  |         |
|     | of BMRR   |        |           |         |         |         |
+-----+-----------+--------+-----------+---------+---------+---------+
|     |           | 03     | \<0.97    | 0.97    | 3.8     | 2.1     |
|     |           | -06-00 |           |         | +/-1.4  |         |
+-----+-----------+--------+-----------+---------+---------+---------+
|     |           | 06     | \<1.02    | 1.02    | 4.9 +/- | 2.0     |
|     |           | -07-00 |           |         | 1.4     |         |
+-----+-----------+--------+-----------+---------+---------+---------+
|     |           | 09     | 2.4 +/-   | 0.89    | 10.8    | 2.1     |
|     |           | -18-00 | 0.6       |         | +/- 1.6 |         |
+-----+-----------+--------+-----------+---------+---------+---------+
|     |           | 12     | \<0.79    | 0.79    | \<2.5   | 2.5     |
|     |           | -06-00 |           |         |         |         |
+-----+-----------+--------+-----------+---------+---------+---------+
|     |           |        |           |         |         |         |
+-----+-----------+--------+-----------+---------+---------+---------+
| 84  | Dow       | 01     | \<0.75    | 0.75    | 8.6     | 2.0     |
| -13 | ngradient | -11-00 |           |         | +/-1.5  |         |
|     | of BMRR   |        |           |         |         |         |
+-----+-----------+--------+-----------+---------+---------+---------+
|     |           | 03     | \<0.97    | 0.97    | 35.8    | 2.1     |
|     |           | -06-00 |           |         | +/-2.2  |         |
|     |           |        |           |         | (c)     |         |
+-----+-----------+--------+-----------+---------+---------+---------+
|     |           | 06     | \<1.02    | 1.02    | 38.6    | 2.0     |
|     |           | -06-00 |           |         | +/- 2.3 |         |
+-----+-----------+--------+-----------+---------+---------+---------+
|     |           | 09     | 6.3 +/-   | 0.89    | 10.6    | 2.1     |
|     |           | -18-00 | 0.8       |         | +/- 1.6 |         |
+-----+-----------+--------+-----------+---------+---------+---------+
|     |           | 12     | \<0.79    | 0.79    | \<2.5   | 2.5     |
|     |           | -06-00 |           |         |         |         |
+-----+-----------+--------+-----------+---------+---------+---------+
|     |           |        |           |         |         |         |
+-----+-----------+--------+-----------+---------+---------+---------+
| 84  | Dow       | 01     | 1.3       | 0.75    | 6.9 +/- | 2.0     |
| -27 | ngradient | -11-00 | +/-0.5    |         | 1.4     |         |
|     | of BMRR   |        |           |         |         |         |
+-----+-----------+--------+-----------+---------+---------+---------+
|     |           | 03     | \<0.97    | 0.97    | 7.2     | 2.1     |
|     |           | -06-00 |           |         | +/-1.5  |         |
+-----+-----------+--------+-----------+---------+---------+---------+
|     |           | 06     | \<1.02    | 1.02    | 12.1    | 2.0     |
|     |           | -07-00 |           |         | +/- 1.6 |         |
+-----+-----------+--------+-----------+---------+---------+---------+
|     |           | 09     | NS        | \--     | \--     | \--     |
|     |           | -18-00 |           |         |         |         |
+-----+-----------+--------+-----------+---------+---------+---------+
|     |           | 12     | \<0.79    | 0.79    | 1.7 +/- | 2.5     |
|     |           | -06-00 |           |         | 1.5     |         |
+-----+-----------+--------+-----------+---------+---------+---------+
|     |           |        |           |         |         |         |
+-----+-----------+--------+-----------+---------+---------+---------+
| Dr  |           |        | 15 (a)    |         | 50 (b)  |         |
| ink |           |        |           |         |         |         |
| ing |           |        |           |         |         |         |
| Wa  |           |        |           |         |         |         |
| ter |           |        |           |         |         |         |
| St  |           |        |           |         |         |         |
| and |           |        |           |         |         |         |
| ard |           |        |           |         |         |         |
+-----+-----------+--------+-----------+---------+---------+---------+

MDL = Minimum Detection Limit

a: Excluding radon and uranium.

b: Screening level above which analysis for individual radionuclides is
required.

c: Elevated gross beta result likely due to high potassium-40 level,
detected at 105 pCi/L

Note: "\<" symbols preceding a value (e.g., \<0.97) indicates that the
measure value was less than the stated Minimum Detection Limit.

NS: Well not sampled due to pump failure.

**BNL Facility Environmental Monitoring Report**

**Brookhaven Medical Research Reactor**

**Groundwater Monitoring - Gamma Spectroscopy Results**

**Calendar Year 2000**

**Table 3**

+-----+-------------------+----------------+--------------------------+
| **  | # Location        | # C            | **Gamma Result (pCi/L)** |
| Wel |                   | ollection Date |                          |
| l** |                   |                |                          |
+-----+-------------------+----------------+--------------------------+
| 84  | Upgradient of     | 01-11-00       | ND                       |
| -28 | BMRR              |                |                          |
+-----+-------------------+----------------+--------------------------+
|     |                   | 03-06-00       | K-40 = 39.6 +/-23.4      |
+-----+-------------------+----------------+--------------------------+
|     |                   | 06-06-00       | Tl-208=4.2 +/- 1.6;      |
|     |                   |                | Bi-214=23.5+/-4.7;       |
|     |                   |                | Pb-214=18.0+/-4.3        |
+-----+-------------------+----------------+--------------------------+
|     |                   | 09-18-00       | ND                       |
+-----+-------------------+----------------+--------------------------+
|     |                   | 12-06-00       | ND                       |
+-----+-------------------+----------------+--------------------------+
|     |                   |                |                          |
+-----+-------------------+----------------+--------------------------+
| 84  | Downgradient of   | 01-11-00       | ND                       |
| -12 | BMRR              |                |                          |
+-----+-------------------+----------------+--------------------------+
|     |                   | 03-06-00       | K-40 = 21.7 +/-21.2      |
+-----+-------------------+----------------+--------------------------+
|     |                   | 06-07-00       | Pb-214=7.9+/-2.7         |
+-----+-------------------+----------------+--------------------------+
|     |                   | 09-18-00       | Pb-214=34.8+/-3.2;       |
|     |                   |                | Bi-214=35.0+/-4.9        |
+-----+-------------------+----------------+--------------------------+
|     |                   | 12-06-00       | ND                       |
+-----+-------------------+----------------+--------------------------+
|     |                   |                |                          |
+-----+-------------------+----------------+--------------------------+
| 84  | Downgradient of   | 01-11-00       | K-40 = 34 +/-24.2        |
| -13 | BMRR              |                |                          |
+-----+-------------------+----------------+--------------------------+
|     |                   | 03-06-00       | K-40=105+/-19.6;         |
|     |                   |                | Tl-208=3.3+/-1.7         |
|     |                   |                |                          |
|     |                   |                | Pb-214 = 5.9+/-2.1       |
+-----+-------------------+----------------+--------------------------+
|     |                   | 06-06-00       | Pb-214 =5.8+/-3.2        |
+-----+-------------------+----------------+--------------------------+
|     |                   | 09-18-00       | Pb-212=4.9+/-3.2;        |
|     |                   |                | Pb-214=12.2+/-3.6;       |
|     |                   |                | Bi-214=15.8+/-4.0        |
+-----+-------------------+----------------+--------------------------+
|     |                   | 12-06-00       | ND                       |
+-----+-------------------+----------------+--------------------------+
|     |                   |                |                          |
+-----+-------------------+----------------+--------------------------+
| 84  | Downgradient of   | 01-11-00       | Pb-214 = 6.3 +/-3.2      |
| -27 | BMRR              |                |                          |
+-----+-------------------+----------------+--------------------------+
|     |                   | 03-06-00       | K-40 = 27 +/-26.5        |
+-----+-------------------+----------------+--------------------------+
|     |                   | 06-07-00       | K-40=28.7+/-25.1;        |
|     |                   |                | Pb-214=13.3+/-3.5        |
+-----+-------------------+----------------+--------------------------+
|     |                   | 09-18-00       | NS                       |
+-----+-------------------+----------------+--------------------------+
|     |                   | 12-06-00       | Pb-214=17.3+/-3.8        |
+-----+-------------------+----------------+--------------------------+

ND = Radionuclide not detected.

NS: Well not sampled due to pump failure.

Note 1: Potassium-40 and Lead-214 are naturally occurring radionuclides.

Note 2: Safe Drinking Water Act limit for K-40 = 280 pCi/L and for
Pb-214 = 8,000 pCi/L. Limit is calculated as 4% of the DOE Derived
Concentration Guide to obtain a concentration that would produce a 4
mrem committed effective dose equivalent.

**BNL Facility Environmental Monitoring Report**

**Brookhaven Medical Research Reactor**

**Groundwater Monitoring - Strontium-90 Results**

**Calendar Year 2000**

# **Table 4**

+-----+--------------+---------+------------+------------+------------+
| **  | **Location** | **Col   | **Gross    | **Sr-90    | **Sr-90    |
| Wel |              | lection | Beta       | Result**   | MDL**      |
| l** |              | Date**  | Result**   |            |            |
|     |              |         |            | *          | *          |
|     |              |         | *          | *(pCi/L)** | *(pCi/L)** |
|     |              |         | *(pCi/L)** |            |            |
+-----+--------------+---------+------------+------------+------------+
| 84  | Upgradient   | 0       | 14.3 +/-   | \<0.6      | 0.6        |
| -28 | of BMRR      | 9-18-00 | 1.7        |            |            |
+-----+--------------+---------+------------+------------+------------+
|     |              |         |            |            |            |
+-----+--------------+---------+------------+------------+------------+
| 84  | Downgradient | 0       | 10.8 +/-   | \<0.8      | 0.8        |
| -12 | of BMRR      | 9-18-00 | 1.6        |            |            |
+-----+--------------+---------+------------+------------+------------+
|     |              |         |            |            |            |
+-----+--------------+---------+------------+------------+------------+
| 84  | Downgradient | 0       | 38.6 +/-   | \<0.6      | 0.6        |
| -13 | of BMRR      | 9-18-00 | 2.3        |            |            |
+-----+--------------+---------+------------+------------+------------+
|     |              |         |            |            |            |
+-----+--------------+---------+------------+------------+------------+
| 84  | Downgradient | 0       | NS         | NS         | \--        |
| -27 | of BMRR      | 9-18-00 |            |            |            |
+-----+--------------+---------+------------+------------+------------+
|     |              |         |            |            |            |
+-----+--------------+---------+------------+------------+------------+
| Dr  |              |         | 50         | 8          |            |
| ink |              |         |            |            |            |
| ing |              |         |            |            |            |
| Wa  |              |         |            |            |            |
| ter |              |         |            |            |            |
| St  |              |         |            |            |            |
| and |              |         |            |            |            |
| ard |              |         |            |            |            |
+-----+--------------+---------+------------+------------+------------+

MDL: Minimum Detection Limit

NS: Well not sampled due to pump failure.

Note: "\<" symbols preceding a value (e.g., \<1.0) indicates that the
measure value was less than the stated Minimum Detection Limit.

![](media/image3.png)