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DOE OSTI2020

Guidance for Monitoring Passive Groundwater Remedies Over Extended Time Scales

Passive remediation can be appropriate where natural processes and actions such as institutional controls mitigate exposure to contaminated groundwater, achieving remedial action objectives and protectiveness of human health and the environment. Monitored natural attenuation (MNA) is a prevalent passive remediation strategy supported by a regulatory framework and monitoring design guidance. MNA can also be used after active remediation has been completed (e.g., pump-and-treat) as a polishing step to reach ultimate remedial action objectives. However, MNA and existing monitoring guidance primarily target situations where the remedial action objectives are met within a few decades. When timescales for passive remediation extend to many decades, a corresponding change in monitoring strategy is needed to adapt to the extended time scale. This document provides guidance for implementing an extended-scale monitoring (ESM) approach appropriate for long-duration passive remediation. Extended-scale is defined in this document with respect to time (i.e., a long duration of remediation) and a large enough physical scale such that receptors will not be impacted within the remediation timeframe.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2023

In-situ thermodynamics measurements at metal oxides-solution interfaces using Flow Adsorption Microcalorimetry.

Mineral-fluid interfaces are the principal sites of geochemical processes near Earth’s surface, hosting chemical reactions that play a fundamental role in (bio)geochemical cycles and in the fate and transport of anthropogenic contaminants, and that effectively control the compositions of soil and water environments. These complex interfaces are critical for our energy and environmental future. The mineral-fluid interface has been studied in an unprecedented level of detail with both experimental and computational approaches, separately and in combination. However, conspicuously missing from studies of the mineral-fluid interface are direct measurements of the energies of ion sorption and exchange. The literature on energetics and enthalpies of exchange, adsorption, dissolution, precipitation, and surface protonation reactions, especially those directly supported by experimental data, remains scarce despite their fundamental nature. The overarching goal of this project is to complete a systematic study of the thermodynamics properties of interfacial reactions at four MO surfaces (Rutile (α-TiO2), Quartz (SiO2), boehmite (γ-AlOOH) and goethite (α-FeOOH)) through the application and construction of novel flow adsorption microcalorimetry techniques and instrumentations. These unique and specialized microcalorimeters will operate at various temperatures and solution chemical compositions allowing for in-situ measurements across metal oxides and ligands of various characteristics. The overall research goal will be accomplished by completing the following three specific objectives (O): O1) Determine the energetics of surface protonation and deprotonation, ion exchange and ligand sorption reactions; O2) Investigate the surface charge thermodynamic properties under a range of temperature and solution chemical compositions; and O3) Develop predictive trends of the interplay between MO structure, surface coverage and surface reactivity. In addition to key thermodynamics parameters, calorimetric measurements provide a wealth of mechanistic information about reactions energetics and kinetics, surface charge characteristics, and structure-reactivity or selectivity relationships, all obtained in-situ and in real-time. This report includes science highlights from various projects completed over the performance period of the project. Also listed are dissemination opportunities, people supported on the grant and the impact on available physical resources and the discipline as a whole.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2019

Characterization of Measured Activity and Collection Efficiency of Tritium Smears

Tritium particulate collection efficiency varies as a function of smear media. The use of porous smear materials leads to an increase in the measured tritium activity as a function of time when the measurement is performed with liquid scintillation counters. Operational inclusion of the efficiency differences and the time dependence of the tritium smear activity is necessary to preclude inadvertently releasing materials or areas. Thomas Jefferson National Laboratory Radiological Control Department identified a contaminated stainless steel containment vessel which previously housed a target containing more than 1000 Ci of tritium. The item was systematically sectioned and surveyed to compare three smear types: water-wetted cotton swabs, water-wetted paper smears, and ethanol-wetted Styrofoam wipes (NUC-Wipes trademarked). The total activity of each section was determined using repeated decontamination. The time dependence of the measured activity was also studied. The measured activity of both paper smears and cottons swabs showed significant time dependence. The cotton swabs also showed significantly reduced collection efficiency. Given the widespread use of both of these media in routine contamination surveys, site operational limits were derived using fitted curves for time dependence and average efficiency results. The use of these more restrictive limits allows for rapid measurement of tritium smears while ensuring regulatory compliance.

Stavola, Adam↗

DOE OSTI2019

Updates on Nucleon Form Factors from Clover-on-HISQ Lattice Formulation

Updates on results for the electric, magnetic and axial vector form factors are presented. The data analyzed cover high statistics measurements on 11 ensembles generated with 2+1+1 flavors of HISQ fermions by the MILC collaboration. The data cover the range 0.05 fm < a < 0.15 fm in lattice spacing, 135 MeV < M π < 320 MeV in the pion mass and 3.3 < M π L < 5.5 in the lattice size. Fits to control excited-state contamination use up to 3-states in the spectral decomposition of the 3-point functions. The simultaneous chiral-continuum-finite-volume fits include leading order corrections in each of the three variables.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2026

The DECam MAGIC Survey: Uncovering the Tidal Tails of the Crater II Dwarf Galaxy

Crater II (CraII), a large and low-density dwarf spheroidal galaxy, has unusual observed properties that are difficult to reproduce in cold dark matter simulations. Ongoing tidal disruption may help explain the discrepancies, as evidenced by the recent discovery of tidal tails. Here we present metallicity-sensitive narrowband photometry of the Ca II H and K lines from the Dark Energy Camera, covering 128 deg$^{2}$ across the center and identified tidal tails of CraII as part of the Mapping the Ancient Galaxy in CaHK survey. Our combined photometric metallicity, color–magnitude, proper motion, and parallax selections identify 162 CraII candidates. Of these, 37 candidates are located in the tidal tails, which extend at least 7° (∼95 kpc) from the center of CraII, suggesting it has lost ≳25% of its initial stellar mass. We confirm low contamination rates with dedicated control fields and highlight the extremely low surface brightness stellar features that can be uncovered with CaHK data, as faint as ∼36 mag arcsec$^{−2}$. We also make the first detection of a metallicity gradient (−0.34 ± 0.17 dex deg$^{−1}$) in the center of the galaxy and infer a stream width of w ∼ 0.°8, roughly 50% larger than the CraII half-light radius. The detection of candidates in the most distant CraII pointings from its center implies that the tidal tails extend beyond our footprint. We compare the CraII stream to N-body models with “cored” and “cuspy” dark matter halo progenitors, determining that CraII’s density profile is still ambiguous and warrants further modeling.

Atzberger, Kaia R. [Virginia U., Astron. Dept.] (O↗

DOE OSTI2018

Laser Shock Fresh Fuel Bond Strength Studies

Laser-based characterization of base monolithic U-10Mo fuel is being conducted by the USHPRR Fuel Qualification project to support fabrication development and ensure the fuel maintains mechanical integrity and does not delaminate during normal operating conditions. Characterization involves laser shock experiments, combined with laser-based ultrasonic scanning, to evaluate the bonding integrity and relative strength of interfaces within fuel plates. This report documents fresh fuel studies that were carried out on a series of fuel plates manufactured at Los Alamos National Laboratory in which various, controlled levels of interfacial contamination were intentionally introduced into the fuel plates during fabrication in order to vary the bond strength. Additional scoping studies were conducted on several developmental fuel plates supplied by the USHPRR Fuel Fabrication Pillar in which the Zr diffusion barrier was applied to the U-Mo foils by electroplating and plasma spraying. The electroplating and plasma spraying processes are being evaluated as potential alternatives to the baseline co-rolling fabrication process.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2019

Non Accountable Sealed Radioactive Sources

Presentation describes investigation into defective 10 uCi Cs-137 "button" sources and response to potential contamination, to include radiological control measures, notifications, and awareness reports. Effort involves benchmarking of EFCOG member processes for use and handling of non-accountable sources.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

DOE OSTI2023

RCT: Module 2.07 Respiratory Protection [Slides]

Internal dosimetry controls require the use of engineering controls to prevent the internal deposition of radioactive and non-radiological contaminants. However, when engineering and administrative controls are not available or feasible, respiratory protection may be necessary. The RCT should know and apply the considerations used in determining the respiratory protection equipment that is most appropriate for the job. The inappropriate use of or the use of the wrong respiratory protection equipment may result in undesirable health effects.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

DOE OSTI2013

Challenges in Obtaining Property Access: The FUSRAP Maywood Site Experience - 13433

The Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP) is the US government program started in 1974 to identify, investigate and clean up or control sites that became contaminated as a result of the nation's early atomic programs. Many of these sites are not owned by the federal government and therefore require owner permission to enter. The experience in pursuing such access at the FUSRAP Maywood Superfund Site (the Maywood Site or the Site) in Bergen County, New Jersey, is extensive. Since the US Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) assumed responsibility for the Maywood Site from the US Department of Energy in 1997, at least 186 separate property access agreements (known in FUSRAP as a Real Estate Right-of- Entry or ROE) have been executed between the Corps and approximately 55 different land owners and tenant occupants at the Maywood Site (agreement renewals with the same owners over time account for the difference). Maywood's experience during the Corps' tenure, reflected here in three case studies of representative property access efforts, offers some lessons and best practices that may apply to other remedial programs. While the Site Community Relations Manager (the author of this paper) managed the property access task, multi-disciplinary support from across the project was also critical to success in this endeavor. (authors)

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2017

FUSRAP Maywood Site - Remediation of a Residential Property at 61 Trudy Drive, Lodi, NJ - 17533

The Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP) is the U.S. government program started in 1974 to identify, investigate and clean up or control sites that became contaminated as a result of the nation's early atomic programs. The FUSRAP Maywood (New Jersey) Superfund Site (FMSS) consists of 92 designated property parcels known as vicinity properties. 61 Trudy Drive in Lodi, New Jersey is one such vicinity property. Construction planning for a recently-completed remedial excavation at 61 Trudy Drive was predicated on a fundamental question: to remediate the property with the existing home remaining in place or to demolish the exiting home. Answering this question involved detailed engineering and cost analyses, programmatic considerations, and stakeholder input. 61 Trudy Drive was originally addressed under FUSRAP in 1985 by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). However, subsequent remediation on an adjacent property by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in 1998 suggested that residual contamination remained at depth at 61 Trudy. The property owner at that time declined to allow FUSRAP access to the property. However, a property transfer in 2012 presented USACE with an opportunity to address this property. Characterization of the property began in 2013; remedial activities were completed in 2015. The 61 Trudy Drive remediation required an intensive stakeholder communications program tailored for several audiences, including the affected property owner, local government officials and the neighboring community This paper will present the FUSRAP history at 61 Trudy Drive, to provide context for recent FUSRAP actions there. It will then focus on the challenges and complexities of performing environmental remediation in a suburban residential setting, focusing on both construction and communications. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2017

FUSRAP Maywood Site Remediation of Redstone Park, Lodi, NJ - 17534

The Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP) is the U.S. government program started in 1974 to identify, investigate and clean up or control sites that became contaminated as a result of the nation's early atomic programs. FUSRAP was administered by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) until 1997, when it was transferred to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) by congressional action. Redstone Park is a 1.5-acre municipal park located in a residential neighborhood in Lodi, Bergen County, New Jersey, USA. The park is a designated vicinity property of the FUSRAP Maywood Superfund Site. This paper will summarize the FUSRAP history of the property spanning over 20 years and then focus on the construction and community relations challenges of recent FUSRAP actions at the site. All of Redstone Park except for a portion bordering a residential property was remediated under FUSRAP in 1996. This remaining portion was remediated in 1998. The 1996 remediation included some hand-digging of surface contamination around the roots of several large mature trees in the park. As part of this action, the DOE proposed alternate cleanup standards whereby subsurface contaminated soil would remain in place around the root balls of the trees and in deeper areas (greater than 1.2 meters [m]) under a large storm drain pipe (or culvert) that runs through the park. This proposal was made to preserve the natural value of the trees and to protect the drainage pipe from damage. After careful review which included an assessment of potential health hazards, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved this proposal. The Borough of Lodi also supported the proposal as a way to preserve the trees for the enjoyment of park users. In 2009, EPA conducted a mandatory Five-Year Review of the FUSRAP Maywood Site. The review identified data gaps which prevented a full assessment of remedy effectiveness at Redstone Park. The USACE reviewed all the historic soil data from the park [1] and developed a characterization plan to address those gaps. Field surveys and sampling confirmed that the material around the tree roots and under the pipe did not comply with the current FUSRAP Maywood Site unrestricted use soil cleanup criteria (an average of 5 pico Curies per gram of radium-226 and thorium-232 combined above background) as established in the site's Soils and Buildings Record of Decision [2]. As noted earlier, USACE also considered the widespread uprooting of trees in the region during Hurricane Sandy in 2012 in its re-evaluation of the earlier decision to leave the trees in the park in place. That re-evaluation concluded it was in the best interest of all stakeholders to remove the residual contamination in Redstone Park. USACE subsequently excavated the soil under and around the drainage pipe as Phase 1 of a two-phased approach to address this residual contamination. 1,116 cubic yards of soil were removed for safe offsite disposal during this action in June-July 2016. Phase 2 (removal of contaminated soil around the tree roots) began in September 2016 with expected completion by December 2016. The work was staged in two phases so as not to impact the park during the summer school vacation months when park use is heaviest. (authors)

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2025

Ex-situ Heat Treatment of TEM Foils in a Custom Titanium Fixture: A Case Study on Ni-based Superalloy

The advancement of microstructural characterization at the nanoscale is critical to understanding the microstructural evolution and performance of engineering materials. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) plays a vital role in such investigations, particularly when coupled with controlled ex- and in-situ experiments. In this study, we introduce a novel method for ex-situ heat treatment (HT) of TEM foils using a custom-designed fixture, made from pure titanium, and vacuum furnace to inhibit oxidation. This approach ensures precise temperature control and minimal sample contamination during HT, critical for substructural characterization and analysis of metallic materials. The fixture consists of a titanium base with three slits, for three sample foils, and a titanium cap for closure. The entire assembly is placed in a vacuum heat treatment furnace with high vacuum capability to prevent oxidation. To validate the effectiveness of the setup, precipitation behavior and microstructural changes were studied in an IN725 variant heat-treated at 500°C for 1 hour and 282 variant heat-treated at 700°C for 1 hour, as case studies.

electron microscopy↗

DOE OSTI2017

Methods to estimate the transfer of contaminants into recycling products – A case study from Austria

Highlights: • Recycling of waste materials includes the risk of recycling hazardous substances. • Comparison of contaminants in recycling products to primary products and check of compliance with limit values. • Evaluation matrix to quickly scan the environmental and health risks of wastes for recycling. • Optimised sorting and quality control systems prevent transfer of contaminants into product cycles. - Abstract: Recycling of waste materials is desirable to reduce the consumption of limited primary resources, but also includes the risk of recycling unwanted, hazardous substances. In Austria, the legal framework demands secondary products must not present a higher risk than comparable products derived from primary resources. However, the act provides no definition on how to assess this risk potential. This paper describes the development of different quantitative and qualitative methods to estimate the transfer of contaminants in recycling processes. The quantitative methods comprise the comparison of concentrations of harmful substances in recycling products to corresponding primary products and to existing limit values. The developed evaluation matrix, which considers further aspects, allows for the assessment of the qualitative risk potential. The results show that, depending on the assessed waste fraction, particular contaminants can be critical. Their concentrations were higher than in comparable primary materials and did not comply with existing limit values. On the other hand, the results show that a long-term, well-established quality control system can assure compliance with the limit values. The results of the qualitative assessment obtained with the evaluation matrix support the results of the quantitative assessment. Therefore, the evaluation matrix can be suitable to quickly screen waste streams used for recycling to estimate their potential environmental and health risks. To prevent the transfer of contaminants into product cycles, improved data of relevant substances in secondary resources are necessary. In addition, regulations for material recycling are required to assure adequate quality control measures, including limit values.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2017

Characterization, Identification and Seasonal Evaluation of Microbes in Mercury Contaminated Soils

Mercury (Hg) contamination within the Oak Ridge Reservation has been an ongoing research. A comprehensive understanding of the potentials of predominant microorganisms in selected cleanup strategy is highly paramount. The use of sorbents has been proposed as a cleanup strategy; however, biological factors need to be evaluated as regards to the strategy. The goal of this study was to use microbes isolated from various contaminated sites and determine their effectiveness on sorbents to reduce total Hg (HgT). We isolated DNA from contaminated soils (SB 5-8, SB 14-8) and control soil (Hinds Creek) with littleor no Hg contamination. Pure cultures were obtained from soil samples using broad-spectrum nutrient broth, and natural medium formulated using extracts from the different soil samples. Selected colonies and total DNA from the soils were used for 16S rDNA sequencing. Some Hg reducers (Acinetobacter rhizosphaerae and Serratia marcescens) were isolated. S. marcescens was chosen due to its role in bioremediating and transforming Hg. Study of hg leachability in the contaminated soils showed that the amount of leachable Hg varied in magnitude among the three soils possibly due to seasonal changes. Sorbent was added to determine control in leachability after the soils have been incubated for 14 days in diH2O. S. marcescens was inoculated into the soils along with sorbents and incubated for 48 hrs at 25°C. Total Hg (HgT) concentrations were determined using cold vapor atomic fluorescence in accordance with EPA method 1631. A variable amount of methylators was found in each soil type. Organisms that grew on the nutrient agar grew poorly on the natural medium with variable colonies. However, S. marcescens grew on both media. S. marcescens showed high reduction of Hg2+ compared to the sorbent; however, when inoculated in the soil, the sorbent was found to absorb more HgT in solution.

Egbo, Timothy↗

DOE OSTI2024

Dynamic Simulation Modeling and Control of a Desiccant Assisted Direct-expansion Air Handling Unit

Desirable built environments demand simultaneous regulation of thermal comfort and indoor air quality (IAQ) with energy-efficient operation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HV AC) systems, which involves controls of temperature, humidity and airborne contaminants simultaneously. This paper presents the efforts of dynamic modeling and initial development control strategy for a desiccant-assisted multi-functional air handling unit (AHU) coupled with a direct-expansion rooftop unit (RTU) system, which aims to achieve multiple functions for indoor environment conditioning with energy efficient control. The RTU-AHU system includes a desiccant wheel for dehumidification and a conceptual direct air capture (DAC) filtering device for CO2 regulation. A Modelica-based dynamic model is developed for this conceptual system, and a simple decentralized control strategy is designed, which combines a differential-enthalpy based AHU return-air ratio control, a demand-controlled ventilation, and supply-air temperature humidity control via the RTU and DW controls. The proposed control method is evaluated with the Modelica simulation model for a selected set of scenarios

Pan, Chao↗

DOE OSTI2015

Incorporating Climate and Regional Setting into Realistic-Efficacious End States for Contaminated Sites - 15386

Hydrological and geochemical controls in arid environments (many mining and milling sites) work together to limit the size of groundwater plumes and can extend plume flushing times Incorporation of these concepts may support formulation of alternative end states At several DOE-LM sites, such as Mound, land and facilities have been transferred to the local community for transitioning to beneficial reuse and development. Some of the DOE-LM UMTRCA sites appear to be good candidate for brownfield reuse and serve as a resource for future employment and ongoing benefit to stakeholders and Native American Nations.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2020

Sensor Recommendations for Long Term Monitoring of the F-Area Seepage Basins

In mid-2018, a new paradigm for long-term monitoring was developed after of decade of applied research projects funded by the Department of Energy’s office of Environmental Management Technology Development program. The program at SRNL was focused on transitioning complex environmental waste sites from active to passive remediations strategies. A key result of these studies was that the use of enhanced attenuation approaches at radiologically contaminated sites will result in the creation of secondary source areas in the subsurface that will require monitoring for decades. Alternative monitoring approaches are being developed and tested at the Savannah River Site’s F-Area Hazardous Waste Management Facility, the new paradigm provides innovative solutions that will significantly lower costs of monitoring through the coupling of data collection, machine learning and deterministic groundwater modeling. The foundation of this approach is a well-optimized network of sensors for measuring hydrogeochemical master variables that control, and therefore act as indicators of groundwater contaminant transport. By monitoring changes in the controlling master variables over time arising from geological and environmental shifts, predictive modelling can assist with identifying new strategies for ensuring regulatory requirements are met if trends toward conditions for potential remobilization of attenuated contaminants are detected. In this report, we evaluated commercially available single parameter sensor platforms (e.g., temperature/depth) and configurable multi-parameter sensor platforms (e.g., pH, oxidation-reduction potential, temperature, depth, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity). Each was scored using an optimization function based on how well the system supports the proposed long-term monitoring paradigm, in general, and the site-specific conditions at F-Area, in particular. Several viable sensor systems were identified. Of these, a combined platform including the In-Situ Aqua TROLL 500 multi-parameter sensor platform and the In-Situ temperature/depth sensor had the highest rating and was identified as the most suitable candidate for installation and monitoring of the master variables and potentiometric surface that control groundwater contaminant plumes emanating from the F-Area Seepage Basins. The discussion of recommended potential deployment locations builds upon recommendations made by Denham et al (2019).

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2015

Innovation 101: The story behind the invention of DNATrax

Lawrence Livermore researcher George Farquar shares the story behind the invention of DNATrax, a cost-effective and highly efficient method to accurately trace contaminated food back to its source. Foodborne illnesses kill roughly 3,000 Americans each year and about 1 in 6 are sickened, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yet most contaminated foods are never traced back to their source. That’s because existing methods to track tainted food following its supply chain from table to farm are highly inefficient, jeopardizing the health of millions and costing the food industry billions. A typical process to trace food includes interviewing consumers and suppliers and examining every detail of the supply chain, a tedious method that takes weeks at best to complete.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗