CRESP Sponsored Research

RNL 04: Biomonitoring as a Means for Acquisition of Site-Specific Transfer Parameters for Nuclides of Concern and Their Application in Demonstrating Protection

•Overview

•Objective of research• Fill hidden data gaps•Generate scientifically robust radionuclide transfer factors

for use in dose assessments•How it benefits DOE EM•Defensible, cost-effective waste management decisions

•Ongoing efforts•Modeling•Uptake studies• Field studies

•Current OSU Team

•Post doc (David Bytwerk)•PhD candidate (Liz Houser, RHP)•PhD student (Mary Leonard, Radio/AnalChem)•MS students – Jonathan Napier (RHP), Margaret Myers (RHP), •BS students – Jenelle Parsons (Honors BS NE); Jesse Whitlow

(BS RHP)

*Not all funded on CRESP, but part of radioecology research group

Leverage works…….

•Research Efforts

•David Bytwerk – foliar translocation; eco dosimetry• Liz Houser – foliar translocation, ecosystem processes•Mary Leonard – Tc 99 chemistry• Jonathan Napier – Hanford transfer factors •Margaret Myers – GIS and ecological dose calculations• Jenelle Parsons – Uranium transfer factors• Jesse Whitlow - Bioturbation

•Hanford Sampling

• 250 samples from terrestrial, aquatic, riparian environment • Scoping study• INAA, HPGe• Anthropogenic nuclides• Natural nuclides• Stable elements• Species including

• Lupin• Knapweed• Nightshade• Prickly lettuce• Bunchgrass• Cricket• Spider• Pondweed• Lupin• Northern Pike Minnow• Cheat grass

• Determine concentration ratios and elemental concentrations

•Translocation• Experimental studies in radionuclide transfer in plants

•Root vs leaf uptake

• Fukushima Dai-ichi events have emphasized importance of understanding mechanisms of contaminant transfer

•Purpose of OSU Work

•Provide greater stakeholder confidence in radiological assessment – •Whether part of an ongoing biomonitoring program or •Part of a long-term stewardship assessment.

•Objective is to improve predictions, as well as the reliability in the design and selection of remediation strategies

• The Significance of Transfer Factors in DOE Waste Management

Waste form performance and technology final report, 2011 NAS

Fundamental Process Models (e.g. waste

form durability)

Intermediate level System

Models

PA Models

The PA pyramid showing the hierarchical structure of PA models to evaluate the safety of disposal for radioactive wastes. Uncertainties in assumptions, alternative conceptual models and data are passed upward through the PA levels. Sensitivity analysis can be used to identify specific risk-important factors or processes for which more where more modeling or analysis may be desirable

Containment

Release

Transport

Dose

Unce

rtaint

iesSensitivities

This is the focus of OSU’s work

• For ~ 50 % of animal product no transfer coefficient data available.

• Where data existed <14 % were based on 5 or more studies

• Several nuclides were identified as inadequate for modeling or assessment:

• 36Cl, 237Np, 99Tc, U-isotopes, Th-isotopes, 241Am, 59Ni, 94Nb and 60Co

• IAEA TECDOC 1616: Transfer FactorsElement Bee

fShee

p Meat

Goat Meat

Pork Poultry

Egg Cow Milk

Goat Milk

Ag 1

Am 1 1 1 1 2

Ba 2 1 2 1 15 3

Be 1

Ca 3 2 1 15 12

Cd 8 1 2 8 1

Ce 1 1 6 1

Cl 1

Co 4 2 2 2 4 1

Cr 3 2

Cs 58 41 11 22 13 11 288 28

Fe 4 1 2 7

I 5 1 2 3 4 104 24

La 3

•OSU Seeks to Enhance Credibility

•Waste disposal performance / remediation decisions•Based on limiting dose; •Dose based on biotic transfer assumptions.

•Credibility threats impede public acceptance•Circular / recursive references in performance assessments•Outright lack of data•New challenges to dose /remediation limits

• Allege population-level impacts of radiation on a range of organisms at Chernobyl at dose rates below 0.1 µGy/hr•Numerous publications (~40) with these data•Now publishing on Fukushima

•Moller & Mousseau,

Biology Letters, 2009

•Why this needs to be a big deal to

DOE

Moussea’s publications challenge our understanding of ecosystem responses to radiation

OSU is responding to these publications

Colorado Plateau

Yangjiang China

Guarapari, Brazil

Ramsar, Iran

Kerala Coast, Indai

Repository performance standard post 1,000 years

•Conclusion

•DOE sponsorship through CRESP has leveraged research funds• Scientific results contribute to defensible risk assessments• Substantial student research supported•4 PhD students (1 completed, 1 defending this month, 1

PhD candidate, 1 PhD student)•6 MS students (2 completed, 4 in progress)•2 Honors BS (1 completed)•1 BS research project