Operational TopicIN SITU DEPTH PROFILING OF 137Cs CONTAMINATION IN SOILS AT THE IDAHO NATIONAL ENGINEERING AND ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORYOertel, Christopher P.; Giles, John R.; Thompson, Kenneth C.; Wells, Richard P.*Author Information * Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID 83415. For correspondence or reprints contact: C. Oertel at the above address, or email at [email protected]. (Manuscript received 8 December 2003; revised manuscript received 10 May 2004, accepted 11 August 2004) Health Physics: December 2004 - Volume 87 - Issue 6 - p 664-669 doi: 10.1097/01.HP.0000138583.21260.ec Buy Metrics Abstract Preremediation characterization of 137Cs contamination in soils was conducted at the Auxiliary Reactor Area (ARA)-23 Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act site, located at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL). Characterization activities included verification of the lateral extent of the contaminated area using the INEEL vehicle-mounted Global Positioning Radiometric Scanner. The vertical extent of the contamination in select areas of the site was evaluated with an in situ gamma-ray spectrometer, and depth discrete samples were collected at 5-cm depth intervals down to a depth of 20.3 cm. A comparison was made between the depth distribution data from the in situ spectrometric measurements and the physical, depth discrete samples. The results of the study and of the aforementioned comparison indicate that use of in situ high-purity germanium (HPGe) detectors during the remediation of the ARA-23 site will aid in directing the depth of excavation, thereby helping to (a) minimize the amount of soils excavated and removed for disposal, and (b) reduce overall project costs. ©2004Health Physics Society
