Organically Bound Tritium (OBT) in Soil at Different Depths Around Chalk River Laboratories (CRL), Canada

Abstract

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) Chalk River Laboratories (CRL) is a large nuclear research and test establishment with nuclear and non-nuclear facilities located in Chalk River, Ontario. The CRL Environmental Monitoring Program is designed to demonstrate that radiological exposure resulting from releases from the CRL site remain below the public dose limit specified in the regulations (1 mSv/year). This study was conducted to consolidate environmental effects following a continuous atmospheric tritium release observed at CRL. Soil samples were collected at depths of up to 20 cm using soil probes at the CRL site and surrounding areas. The samples were sectioned at 5 cm intervals, and HTO and OBT concentrations were measured in the samples. Prevailing winds at CRL are from NW and SE, which was suggested to be in close relationship with tritium distribution in environmental samples such as soils and plant leaves. The HTO concentration was the highest in surface soil water and plant leaves at a given sampling point. This result suggests that the concentration of tritium in surface soil water and in plants tissue free water essentially reflects the surrounding atmospheric tritium concentration. OBT concentrations in soil were measured at the historical HT release site, Plant Road, Mattawa Road and three background sites near CRL. The top layer of soil generally had the highest OBT concentration among collected soil samples. This result suggests that OBT concentrations are different from HTO concentrations at the same site and can be representative of previously released environmental tritium at the sampling point. The relationship between the OBT concentration in soil and the amount of tritium released into the environment will be useful for the evaluation of environmental tritium effects and the fate of tritium in the terrestrial ecosystem. The study points out that HTO shows shorter-term dynamic conditions, whereas OBT shows longer-term steady-state conditions.