RE: Sr-90 in water bodies

["Charp, Paul" <pac4@ATSDTO1.EM.CDC.GOV>]

The EPA's National Air and Radiation Environmental Laboratory (NAREL) in 
Montgomery, AL has an environmental monitoring network for various 
parameters.  The system (ERAMS) covers most of the country and includes 
surface waters, precipitation and the like.  You might contact them at (334) 
270-3400.

paul charp (pac4@atsdto1.em.cdc.gov)


 ----------
From: radsafe
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: Sr-90 in water bodies
Date: Monday, June 17, 1996 8:25AM

Greetings.  Here at Brookhaven, we have been under intense public scrutiny 
regarding the results that have been published in recent years in our Site 
Environmental Report; in particular, our radiation measurements, of course. 
 The current hot topic involves charges made about radioactivity in the 
Peconic River, essentially a small stream on site which becomes larger 
farther downstream.

We have analyzed water from this river for all radiological parameters 
including strontium-90 on a routine basis, both on-site and several miles 
downstream.  We have observed positive results both in the river and at a 
background "control" location SW of the Lab, albeit at levels close to our 
detection limit.  The levels observed in the river samples and the control 
samples are essentially equal.  However, we're concerned that despite this, 
certain groups who have an axe to grind will credit Brookhaven with 
"contaminating" the control location as well.    What I'm searching for is a 
reference which quotes measured values in water bodies nowhere near nuclear 
facilities (I have plenty of data for rivers around power plants and the 
like).  I need something which shows that indeed Sr-90 can be seen in 
environmental water samples in the tenths of a pCi/L range.  Can 60's 
weapons fallout account for this?

All responses appreciated, please respond  _directly_  to
schroede@mail.sep.bnl.gov.  (Any similar info on Cs-137 in water would also 
be nice.)
===============
Gary L. Schroeder
Brookhaven National Laboratory
schroede@mail.sep.bnl.gov