Characterization of a military training site containing 232Thorium

Chemosphere. 2005 May;59(7):1015-22. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2004.11.024. Epub 2005 Jan 26.

Abstract

Understanding contaminant distribution is critical to selection and implementation of effective and affordable containment and remediation efforts. This article describes the characterization of soil containing thorium at a training site on Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, NM. The site has been used by the Defense Nuclear Weapons School since the early 1960's to train personnel in emergency response to nuclear weapons accidents and for characterization and containment of radioactive contamination. The purpose of work reported herein is to describe the primary location and migration pattern of 232Thorium (232Th) and 232Th progeny (decay products) at the site. Soil containing thorium oxide (ThO2) was applied to the site for approximately 30 years (early 1960-1990) and was used to simulate a plutonium release from a nuclear weapons accident. Data presented indicate that surface 232Th and 232Th progeny at approximately 5 times background levels are approaching test site boundaries. However, the data also indicate that vertical migration has not exceeded 0.9 m because of the insoluble nature of ThO2. The major mechanisms of 232Th mobility appear to be surface migration mediated by precipitation runoff and wind-blown soil.

MeSH terms

  • New Mexico
  • Radiation Monitoring / instrumentation
  • Radiation Monitoring / methods*
  • Radiation Monitoring / statistics & numerical data*
  • Rain
  • Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / analysis*
  • Solubility
  • Thorium / analysis*
  • Wind

Substances

  • Soil Pollutants, Radioactive
  • Thorium