Review of nuclear data for naturally occurring radionuclides applied to environmental applications

Accurate nuclear data, commonly using evaluated libraries, is essential in many applications, allowing confidence in derived parameters. An approach to assess the confidence with which these data can be used is proposed, not previously reported, comparing nuclear data presented by different evaluations. Variations between evaluations are used as an indication of potential inaccuracies in the nuclear data or evaluation procedure, and the relevant primary literature reviewed more fully. Applying this approach to naturally occurring radionuclides has identified eight radionuclides where the evaluations differ significantly. Where recommended data are supported by a single set of high precision measurements, independent verification of those measurements will increase confidence in the accuracy of the data (214Bi and 214Pb). Further measurements should be conducted where the decay schemes are incomplete ( 228Ac and 228Ra). For 40K, the mean beta energy in all the evaluations has been calculated using an incorrect shape factor, and log ft and branching ratios have been calculated using an inappropriate program. Precise measurements of beta spectra will allow the use of experimentally derived shape factors for the calculation of mean beta energies (40K and 210Bi). Parameters used for infinite matrix dose rate and geothermal heat production calculations have been derived for the data discussed here

Prehistoric Illinois

Thesis (BL)--University of Illinois, 1893TypescriptBound with 3 other BL theses from UIUC, 1893 IU-

Selectivity Coefficients for Calcium-Magnesium-Sodium-Potassium Exchange in Eight Soils

The six selectivity coefficients for simultaneous Ca-Mg-Na-K exchange were calculated from soil extract cation activities and exchangeable cation concentrations for eight salt affected soils. These values were compared with selectivity coefficients calculated from solution cation concentrations and the exchangeable cations for the same soil samples. The lyotropic series for these soils in order of replaceability ease was Na ? Mg > Ca > K, whereas the generally accepted series is Na > K > Mg > Ca. The selectivity coefficient values varied between soils, but did not vary with depth in each soil. Potassium exchange selectivity coefficients have not previously been available for use in exchange models and are reported here for eight soils With these data, models can include K exchange in high K soils and soils irrigated with high K waters. Exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) can be calculated on a programmable hand-held calculator for a soil using the chemical data and these selectivity coefficients. All ionic strength and ion pair corrections and selectivity calculations for this study were carried out on a programmable hand-held calculator

Nitrate-Nitrogen Leached Below the Root Zone During and Following Alfalfa

The nitrate-nitrogen (NO?-N) contribution to subsurface drainage water by irrigated alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in crop rotations was evaluated by measuring the soil water flux and NO?-N concentration below the root zone of alfalfa and crops following alfalfa with and without additional nitrogen fertilization. Under alfalfa grown on Portneuf silt loam (Durixerollic Calciorthid) with a permeable hardpan, 44 kg NO?-N ha-1 year-1 moved below the root zone at concentrations between 3 and 15 ppm. During the growing season following alfalfa, 85-96 kg NO?-N ha-1 year-1 moved below the root zone under nonfertilized bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) crops at concentrations between 1 and 83 ppm. The second growing season after alfalfa, 17-29 kg NO?-N ha-1 year-1 at 3-15 ppm NO?-N moved below the root zone of nonfertilized bean and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crops. A field planted to corn (Zea mays L.) and fertilized with 200 and 170 kg N ha-1 the first and second year after alfalfa lost 153 and 108 kg NO?-N ha-1, respectively, from leaching. Leachate N concentrations varied from 1 to 64 ppm. Unfertilized corn lost 60 and 17 kg NO?-N/ha the first and second year after alfalfa, respectively, at leachate concentrations of 1-31 ppm. The NO?-N concentration in the soil solution below only slightly permeable hardpan areas was between 13 and 67 ppm, but only 10-23 kg ha-1 year-1 moved below the root zone because of the lower water flux through the hardpan. Comparing these results with previous data for the same area suggests that considerable denitrification and/or dilution takes place at the water table interface since 5.2 ppm NO?-N was the highest concentration measured in the subsurface drainage water with an average of 3.2 ppm NO?-N. The NO?-N contributed by alfalfa in the crop rotation was estimated to equal just half of that accounted for in the subsurface drainage in a previous study on the same irrigated trac

Conservation and Use of Sediment in Irrigation Runoff

CONTROLLING sediment entering natural streams in irrigation return flow is a major economic and ecological challenge. A landowner often has little control over the management practices of his upstream neighbors. But he may be able to use sediment from runoff draining onto his land to improve the land's topography. In so doing he may reduce erosion on his land and simultaneously lower the downstream sediment load

Selenium Concentrations in Phosphorus Fertilizer Materials and Associated Uptake by Plants

The Se concentration of seven Florida Land Pebble deposit phosphate rocks ranged from 0.7-7.0 ppm. The range was 1.4-1.78 ppm Se in seven samples from the western phosphate field. The Meade Peak phosphatic shale member of the Phosphoria formation contains more Se than rock from other phosphatic formations. Normal and concentrated superphosphates made from phosphatic rocks containing 100 ppm Se can be expected to contain about 60 and 40 ppm Se, respectively. Laboratory-prepared concentrated superphosphate containing 23 ppm Se applied to an alkaline soil that normally produced alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) low in Se at a rate of 156 ppm P increased Se concentration in alfalfa above the minimal requirements to protect livestock from white muscle disease. Concentrated superphosphate and single superphosphate prepared from phosphate rock containing 178 ppm Se and applied at a rate of 80 ppm P increased the Se concentration in alfalfa compared to the same amount of P applied as Se free concentrated superphosphate. Normal phosphate fertilizer practices can provide required Se for livestock provided the fertilizer is prepared from phosphate rock containing sufficient Se

Salt Outflows from New and Old Irrigated Lands

Three water application treatments with low salt water were applied to previously nonirrigated soil and to a similar soil which had been irrigated for 67 years. The total soluble salt content of these soils initially, and after one and two seasons of treatment, was measured to determine salt outflow. Residual soluble salts were essentially removed from the previously nonirrigated soil after 30 cm of water/m depth of soil had passed from the soil as leachate, regardless of the number of sea/ions required for that amount of leaching. The total quantity of residual salt removed from soil 5 m deep was 70 metric tons/ha, with about 38 metric tons/ha being leached out by the first 14 cm of leachate. After the residual salt was removed, the salt content of the newly irrigated soil was the same as that of the soil which had been irrigated for 67 years. Subsequent salt outflow from the soil was directly related to the quantity of water leaching through the soil, indicating that more minerals dissolved with more leaching. Soils irrigated for many years and then not irrigated for up to 10 years had no measurable reaccumulation of soluble salts during the period of nonirrigation. Results of these investigations provide a basis for estimating salt outflows from newly developed and old irrigated lands, and for assessing the impact of these salts on surface and groundwater supplies

Selenium Concentrations in Forage on Some High Northwestern Ranges

Forages produced on some high northwestern ranges were analyzed for selenium concentration to determine the hazard of white muscle disease (WMD) in calves and lambs. The selenium concentration in 94 forage samples ranged from 0.01 to 0.78 ppm, of which 20 samples contained more than 0.10 ppm. The remaining 74 samples contained less than 0.10 ppm and 59 of those contained Less than 0.05 ppm. Approximately 90% of the summer ranges studied produce forage containing less than 0.10 ppm selenium. Thus, the hazard of WMD on these northwestern ranges may be high. Ranchers should work individually and in groups to ascertain losses from the disease and minimize them by injecting the animals with selenium

The Water Soluble Nitrogen and Phosphorus Balance for a Large Irrigation District

Concern for the quality of man's environment has caused widespread speculation about how phorphorus and nitrogen fertilizers affect surface- and ground-water quality. Charges that phosphorus is the key to algal blooms and prolific aquatic plant growth and that NO?3-N in water is poisoning our livestock, stimulating aquatic plant growth, and increasing the incidence of methemoglobinemia -- commonly known as "blue baby" -- have become widespread (9, 11, 13, 16, 17, 18). The critical PO?-P concentration in water required to support algal blooms has been reported to range from 0.02 to 0.05 ppm (9, 11, 13, 16, 18). Kuentzel (6) has recently suggested that carbon is more likely the key to algal blooms, than is phorphorus. He points out that phosphorus is needed for algal growth and reproduction, but that concentrations below 0.01 ppm are sufficient for algal blooms provided other factors are present in adequate amounts. Nevertheless, it is popular opinion that phosphorus is the key to algal blooms and that much of the phosphorus in our surface water is derived from the application of phosphorus fertilizers

Total Salt, Specific Ion, and Fertilizer Element Concentrations and Balances in the Irrigation and Drainage Waters of the Twin Falls Tract in Southern Idaho

Public interest in environmental quality has aroused concern and speculation about the effects of irrigation and the application of fertilizers on the quality of surface and ground waters. The Environmental Pollution Panel of the President's Science Advisory Committee, and other groups, have recommended that high priority be given to investigating the sources of total salts, specific ions, and nutrients that enter surface and ground waters. One source is drainage from irrigated areas or irrigation return flows. More information is needed about the quality of irrigation return flows under various management systems and climatic environments and on representative soil types. Such information is basic for determining practices to improve the quality of return flows and in planning new irrigation projects. The NO?-N, PO?-P, and total salt concentrations were measured in irrigation and drainage waters on the Twin Falls Canal Company irrigation tract in southern Idaho. This information was combined with a water balance to estimate input-output balances for these components, and results have been reported. The input-output balances for other specific ionic components have been computed for the irrigation and drainage waters of that tract. Results from these investigations and detailed information on specific ion concentrations, temperature and flow characteristics of drainage tunnels, tile-relief well complexes, and large surface drains are reported herein