MODELING OF THE SUB-SUFACE REDUCING ENVIRONMENT OF THE Z-AREA SALTSTONE DISPOSAL FACILITY AT THE SAVANNAH RIVER SITE

Low-level radioactive liquid wastes at the U.S. Department of Energy Savannah River Site are treated by mixing the wastes with Saltstone grout to generate the Saltstone waste form that is poured into the concrete vaults for long-term disposal. The formula for Saltstone includes {approx}25 wt% slag to create a reducing environment for mitigating the sub-surface transport of several radionuclides, including Tc-99. A two-dimensional reactive transport model was developed to estimate how long the Z-Area Saltstone will maintain a reducing environment, and therefore its ability to request Tc-99. The model predicted that {approx}16% of the Saltstone reduction capacity would be consumed after 213,000 years. Independent calculations published by other researchers yielded nearly identical results. The general modeling approach and the study results are presented in this paper

Savannah River site environmental report for 1996

The mission at the Savannah River Site (SRS) has changed from the production of nuclear weapons materials for national defense to the management of site-generated waste, restoration of the surrounding environment, and the development of industry in and around the site. However, SRS-through its prime operating contractor, Westinghouse Savannah River Company (WSRC)-continues to maintain a comprehensive environmental monitoring program. In 1996, effluent monitoring and environmental surveillance were conducted within a 31,000-square-mile area in and around SRS that includes neighboring cities, towns, and counties in Georgia and South Carolina and extends up to 100 miles from the site. Though the environmental monitoring program was streamlined in 1996-to improve its cost-effectiveness without compromising data quality or reducing its overall ability to produce critical information-thousands of samples of air, surface water, groundwater, food products, drinking water, wildlife, rainwater, soil, sediment, and vegetation were collected and analyzed for radioactive and nonradioactive contaminants

Savannah River Site Environmental Report for 1999

The purpose of this report is to present summary environmental data that characterize site environmental management performance, confirm compliance with environmental standards and requirements, highlight significant programs and efforts, and assess the impact of SRS operations on the public and the environment