Plutonium in the WIPP environment: its detection, distribution and behavior

Sources and distribution of 241Am in the vicinity of a deep geologic repository

The detection, distribution, and long-term behavior of ²⁴¹Am in the terrestrial environment at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) site were assessed using historical data from an independent monitoring program conducted by the Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring & Research Center (CEMRC), and its predecessor organization the Environmental Evaluation Group (EEG). An analysis of historical data indicates frequent detections of trace levels of ²⁴¹Am in the WIPP environment. Positive detections and peaks in ²⁴¹Am concentrations in ambient air samples generally occur during the March to June timeframe, which is when strong and gusty winds in the area frequently give rise to blowing dust. A study of long-term measurements of ²⁴¹Am in the WIPP environment suggest that the resuspension of previously contaminated soils is likely the primary source of americium in the ambient air samples from WIPP and its vicinity. Furthermore, the ²⁴¹Am/^{239 + 240}Pu ratio in aerosols and soils was reasonably consistent from year to year and was in agreement with the global fallout ratios. Higher than normal activity concentrations of ²⁴¹Am and ²⁴¹Am/^{239 + 240}Pu ratios were measured in aerosol samples during 2014 as a result of February 14, 2014 radiation release event from the WIPP underground. However, after a brief spike, the activity concentrations of ²⁴¹Am have returned to the normal background levels. The long-term monitoring data suggest there is no persistent contamination and no lasting increase in radiological contaminants in the region that can be considered significant by any health-based standard.