Post on 28-May-2020
Environment Monitoring and Site Characterization Relative to Pridneprovsky Uranium Legacy Site in
Ukraine
IAEA International Workshop on Management and Regulatory Oversight of Uranium Legacy Sites 21-24 August 2012. Grand Junction. USA
Prepared on a basis of Monitoring / Surveillance Program Data collection and Safety Assessment carried out in frame of State Uranium Legacy Site Remediation Program. Phase 1 (2009-2011), Funded by the
Ministry of Energy and Coal Industry and State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine
Environment Radiation Monitoring Department Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Institute
Voitsekhovych O.V.
Riazantsev Viktor State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine
CONTEXT Problem description The former State
Industrial Enterprise Pridneprovskiy Chemical Plant (PChP) was one of the largest metallurgical facilities, where uranium ores were processed from 1948 until 1991. .
• There has been no regular surveillance of the Uranium residue and other toxic waste and releases from the tailing sites.
• New monitoring programme launched in 2005 and founded by Ministry of Fuel and Energy of Ukraine
Uranium Production Legacy at Dneprodzerzhinsk (1947-1991)
Contaminated legacy site, 2 RW storage facilities, 7 U-residue tailings,
28 – contaminated building and engineering facilities used for U-production in past, which required clean-up technology application
Potential risks for workers at the industrial site and for Public at surrounding areas – seems to be high.
LTSM is still not defined
Clean-up and Remediation – required significant financial resources
Dneprodzerzhinsk industrial site
Sukhachevskoe Legacy Site
CURRENT REMEDIATION ACTIVITIES. Key Mile stones • 1991-2000 U-Mill production at PChP was ceased. Decommissioning period of the
Legacy site / No regulation. No strategy. Bed economical situation
• 2000-2003 SE “Barrier” was created to provide safe Legacy Site Management . First site characterization studies (2002) UkrNIPIIpromtechnology develops the First Remediation Program to provide safe condition and remediation at the PChP Legacy Site. Only first priority Safety protection actions were taken in consideration
• 2003-2007 First priority actions done (decontamination, removal most contaminated facilities and pipe. The site specific Monitoring& Surveillance program were established.
• 2008-2009 Preliminary Safety Assessment has been carried. Government Commission was created to support Legal and Regulatory actions in assistance to the State Program. New State Remediation Program was developed (2010-2014) based on more realistic financial requests and SA results. Inventory studies and systematic site specific studies have been started.
• 2010-2011 State Remediation Program to bring PChP U-production legacy site to the ecological safe and sustainable State is launched.”
• 2012 – Need to modify the Strategy for Remediation Actions and Planning. Request for IAEA expert Mission for reviewing
The Main problem -- Lack of Regulatory Requirements for Project Planning and Safety criteria Long-Term Remediation Strategy have to better justified and Approved
Remediation Planning
• Phase 0 (2009). Tailing Inventory and Safety barrier characterisation. Safety Assessment. Monitoring and Surveillance network development
• Phase 1 (2010). Start State Remediation Program Conceptual planning and justification of the strategy and detailed action plan. Design and Action Strategy agreement. Regulatory framework development and administrative actions. Public consideration. International Expertises of the Remediation Action Plans and designs (2011)
• Phase 2 (2011-2015). Implementation of the main set of engineering as a first priority action at territory of PChP (preparatory activity and decontamination of the most contaminated buildings .
• Phase 3 (2016-2020). Preliminary actions on possible removal of the tailing materials from the industrial site to the tailing “D”. Justification and partly relocation of the tailing materials at the surface of tailing “D”.
• Further remedial actions at a later phase have to be focused on the neighbouring areas
• Phase 4. (2021-2025). Stewardship and handover the re-profiled facilities to the basic enterprises and neighbouring areas of the town.
Identification and Characterization of the main hazards
A- tailing “Western” and “Central Yar”; Former U-extraction facilities B – (buildings (№103,
104,120 i 112) in operation of SE “Barrier”, C – in operation of private enterprises FERREXPO LLS; D – in operation of DZMU (Mineral Fertilizer Plant); E – “ Polychimprom”
Inhomogeneous and High gamma-dose rates were identified around the tailing dumps and former Mill and U-extraction facilities
ЦМДПТ, Екомонітор
High gamma dose and 222Rn are the main expose factors at the PChP site
The hot spots with 238U and 226Ra were identified. Gamma-dose rates are in good correspondence with high contamination of some toxic metals in soils
Zn (72,9 -MAC), As (2-20) Fe (21,8), Cu (4,5), Ni (4,2) Cd (2 -MAC)
Gamma-doze varies 0,2 - 10 µSv h-1. At some locations – up to 30 µSv h-1
The surface cover of the tailing dumps “Zapadnoe”, “ and Central Yar” and storage facility Base C have to be replaced with new
sufficient cover (0,2- 15 µSv h-1)
Rn-222 exhalation (up) and Rn-222 ambient activity concentration in air
Tailing cove is sufficient if Rn-222 exhalation
rate less 1 Bq m2 s-1
Sufficient cover of the tailing is still can not guarantee sufficient remediation effect, because high contamination
of the areas adjacent to the tailing dump site.
Rn-222 exhalation survey 2011
Rn-222 ambient activity concentration in air survey 2011
New cover still can not guarantee safety condition due remained high contaminated soils at the adjacent area (gamma dose rate 0,5-15 µSv h-1 , which is require to be cleaned-up.
The results of detailed gamma-dose survey were suggested as a basis for clean up planning according End status criteria to be achieved at the industrial site less 0,5 µSv h-1
South-Eastern sector of the PChP site and the tailing “Yugo-Vostoshnoe”, with constructed new cover during 2008-2009
Area with gamma-dose rate more 0,5 µSv h-1
a) b)
09-4с
09-5с
09-2с
09-3с
09-1с
Tailing Dumps Inventory studies
have been carried out during 2009-2010,
based on drilling and laboratory studies of the tailing materials and existing covers.
Additional drilling and Assessment have to be continued in 2012
In some locations an existing cover are damaged due to creaking unacceptable steep slopes, and animals effects
Скважина № 09153
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500мкР/ч
м
МЭД гамма излученияГоризонты отбора проб
Скважина № 09-2ц
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000
мкР/ч
м
МЭД гамма излучения
Горизонты отбора проб
The technical Surveillance program and drilling of the tailing bodies have to be continued in frame of State Remediation Program Phase 1
y=-0.078*(x-6.70)^ 2+2.24 R=0.65y=-0.178*(x-6.74)^ 2+4.89 R=0.82y=-0.196*(x-4.89)^ 2+4.05 R=0.96
0.00
1.00
2.00
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
pН водної витяжки
Log(
Kd)
Log(Kd(U-238))
Log(Kd(Th-230))
Log(Kd(Ra-226))
Log(Kd(Pb-210))
Tailing Central Yar has worst geochemical conditions at
the site for U-leaching, from the tails (рН 2.8-4.0)
Experimental studies of Kd for radionuclides in the tailing materials allows to reduce uncertainties for the long-term radionuclide groundwater transport predictions from the tailing dump site
Log (Kd) as versus of pH in the pore water
The main radiological hazards at the Uranium production legacy sites
In some cases gamma dose rate are 101 -103 µSv h-1, surface beta particle fluxes are 101 -103 Bq cm-2 , U in dust dispersed at the floor up to 102 g / m2
Challenges. A large number of the high contaminated buildings and equipment remained at the PChP Legacy
Site have to be removed and decontaminated
• Gamma-dose rate survey over the UPLS (ones 2-5 years);
• Rn-222 exhalation on the tailing covers ( seasonally)
• Rn-222 ambient concentration survey at the Legacy sites territory and in the most contaminated premises and houses at the adjacent areas (seasonally) by installing track detectors
• The samples from surface waters (seasonally) and in the groundwater (ones a year) have to taken for analyses of its radioactive and chemical contamination
• Aerosols to be taken at the defined locations and during remediation
• In the defined cases the water, soils, aerosol and biological samples have to be analyzed for 238U - 234U - 230Th - 226Ra - 210Po - 210Pb, 230Th
• The typical set of toxic metals have to be also monitored : Pb, Co, Cd, Mn, Cu, Ni, Fe, Zn, As, V, Cr
Basic meteorological and hydrological parameters have to be measured
The typical Monitoring program for PChP Legacy Site is elaborated according to IAEA Recommendation
SRS-27(2002) and SRS-64 (2010)
Analytical capacity of the Reference laboratory UHMI includes
High efficient gamma, alpha and LLC spectrometry devices as well as basic
radiochemical and environment sample preparation facilities
Training and fellowship in Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Institute Department of Environment Radiation Monitoring
Methods of environmental
samples measurement
Gamma –spectroscopy
• 4 HPGe Semiconductor Detectors Type - GEM, GWL, GMX –
ORTEC, BE5030 - CANBERRA Measurement - 234Th (238U), 235U
,234U, 226Ra, 228Ra ,210Pb, 228Th , 40K, 137Cs, 241Am and ets.
• NaI(Tl) scintillation detector Measurement - 40K, 137Cs, 60Co
and ets.
UMF-2000V - 0.5 L,
Tracer 232U - 0.135 BqТ=12000 s
238 U
, 419
8 kе
V
234 U
, 477
3 ke
V
232 U
, 532
0 ke
V
0
10
20
30
40
175 225 275 325Channel
Cou
nts
СЕА-01V - 0.5 L,
Tracer 232U - 0.135 BqТ=15000 s
238 U
, 415
1 ke
V
234 U
, 472
1 ke
V
232 U
, 526
4 ke
V
232 U
, 532
0 ke
V
234 U
, 477
3 ke
V
238 U
, 419
8 ke
V23
5 U, 4
398
keV
0
5
10
15
600 700 800 900Channel
Cou
nts
Simplified methods for U-Th series radionuclides determination in waters (UMF-2000, and LLC) are put in use at the Barrier Lab.
UHMI Lab. Becomes an international training centre. During recent 4 years
Tajikistan 4 people trained, Kyrgyzstan 6, Azerbaijan 2, Georgia 2, Ukraine 2
Regular participation in IAEA PT Inter-comparison exercise for all Labs can significantly improve quality of analytical measurement
UUMI and Marzeev Inst. Labs is a partners of IAEA PT programs since 2005
Barrier Lab. Is measured all samples delivered in frame of RER/3/010 ICE
There are 4 different laboratories are involved for Monitoring Program Implementation. All of them are annually take part in the
inter-laboratories comparison exercise as part of established Site specific Monitoring Programs at PChP site and surrounding areas
Грунт хвостосховищ ПХЗ
y = 1,059xR2 = 0,9143
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
U-238 Alpha, Бк/гр
U-2
38 G
amm
a, Б
к/гр
Аналіз результатів визначення U (238+234) (Z-критерій)
-9
-6
-3
0
3
6
9
SSM STUK 5 2 9 10 3 1
проба № 1проба № 2проба № 3
Аналіз результатів визначення Ra-226 (Z-критерій)
-9
-6
-3
0
3
6
9
SSM STUK 5 2 9 10 1
проба № 1
проба № 2
проба № 3
2010-2011
UHMI Internal QA/QC procedures, when U-238 in the tailing materials was measured by two different methods (Alpha and Gamma Spectrometry)
Ra-226 in the water samples. Z-score,
7 labs (UHMI Lab is 1)
U (234+238) in the water samples. Z-score, 8 labs
01.01
.2007
01.04
.2007
01.07
.2007
01.10
.2007
01.01
.2008
01.04
.2008
01.07
.2008
01.10
.2008
01.01
.2009
01.04
.2009
01.07
.2009
01.10
.2009
01.01
.2010
01.04
.2010
01.07
.2010
01.10
.2010
01.01
.2011
0,1
1
10
100
F 1/F 0 U-238 Ra-226 Pb-210
01.01.
2007
01.04.
2007
01.07.
2007
01.10.
2007
01.01.
2008
01.04.
2008
01.07.
2008
01.10.
2008
01.01.
2009
01.04.
2009
01.07.
2009
01.10.
2009
01.01.
2010
01.04.
2010
01.07.
2010
01.10.
2010
01.01.
2011
0,1
1
10
100
F 2/F 0
U-238 Ra-226 Pb-210
AEROSOL CONTAMINATION
IMPACT Relative values of U-238, Ra-226, Pb-210 in aerosol fallout at two different places A -South-eastern tailing
B – near building 103 Former U-extraction Facility in comparison to aerosol fallout contamination at the Dneprodzershinsk (meteorol. station) at the distance 10 km from the legacy site. Highest contamination
in summer period
A
B
Gross-alpha activities in surface water
Dnieper upstream of legacy site
Konoplyanka river inlet to the Dnieper
Dnieper downstream of legacy site
Tailings (gamma-dose expose, Rn )
Aerosol fallout and Inhalation
Groundwater transport module was developed and applied for long-term dose assessment via water pathways
Assessment applied for the contaminated buildings and settlement
Agriculture lands and irrigation
Adapted for all former U facilities and territory of PChP UPLS Inter-active matrix easy in use ( LEGO) Open system for development and improvement and function extension Large Library for model parameters and simple screening models Module for statistic and Probability functions analyses Dose and Risk assessment modules to be extended for Chemo toxic risks Generation of Reports
ECOLEGO modeling tool for Radionuclide transport and Dose assessment has been provided for RER/3/010 project partners and is currently in use for SA and EIA at PChP site
Effective dose rate at the different location of the PChP Legacy Site (ECOLEGO modeling tool application)
mSv per hour
0,00E+00
5,00E-03
1,00E-02
1,50E-02
2,00E-02
2,50E-02
3,00E-02
3,50E-02
4,00E-02
Build
ing
103,
insi
deBu
ildin
g 10
3, o
utsi
deBu
ildin
g 10
6, in
side
Taili
ng "
Zapa
dnoe
"Bu
ildin
g 11
2, in
side
Taili
ng "
Cent
raln
y Ya
r"Se
dim
enta
tion
pond
s
Taili
ng "
Yugo
-Vos
toch
noe"
Loca
l "ho
t spo
ts"
Taili
ng "
Dnep
rovs
koe"
Noth
ern
part
of th
e s i
teTa
iling
" Laz
o"
Taili
ng "
Suha
chev
skoe
-1"
Stor
age
yard
"Ba
The High potential Radiological Risks for workers at this territory required Strict Regulatory Control and IAEA Consulting on Remediation Strategy Development
Comparison of the potential dose rates between PChP site and similar UP Legacy sites in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
The highest potential doses are expected for workers in the buildings former U- extraction facilities
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000
time, y
U, B
q/L
base casewaste removalsoil cover
U concentration in the aquiferat site boundaryfor different scenarios
U-activity concentration in the aquifer at the groundwater inlet site for the different scenarios
Preliminary Assessment of the Cover effect for the Tailing dump Dnieprovskoe based on the Groundwater Pollution simulation with
ECOLEGO Groundwater Module (by D. Bugai)
Main constrains and needs for further development (1) • The Legal and Regulatory framework should be
significantly develop and provide clear safety criteria and regulatory requirements in support and implementation Remedial Actions. Licensing instruments have to be harmonized with EC and best international practice making Monitoring Programs as Decision Making Instrument more efficient
• QA/QC programs have become normal regular practice for all participants of the Site specific Monitoring Programs
• Monitoring and radiation control devices, specially for Inhalation and Rn-222, working in the contaminated buildings and tailing sites has to be provided for site operator workers
• Site specific Monitoring program has to be developed and optimized. Ecotoxicological studies regarding toxic metal in soils, water and aerosol, have to be extended. Specific monitoring studies are required for Most contaminated buildings.
Experimental site specific studies have to be developed such as lysimeters, AMAD and aerosol re-suspension parameters, solubility of tailing materials and erosion and hydraulic conductivity site specific factors
• There are many State and Private organization are still in operation at the PChP UPLS, they have to be involved for implementation the State Remediation Program. Site characterization and Assessment have to cover also territories and facilities operated by Private companies at the territory
• Technical capacity of the involved laboratories and in particular SE “Barrier” should be significantly improved
• Participation in the internationally organized training , and fellowship programs are important component of the Monitoring Programs sustainable development and optimization and all period of the remediation process
Main constrains and needs for further development (2)
Thank you very much for sharing DOE and RSLS
Unique Experience
Спасибо
Acknowledgement Ministry of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine (Financing of the State Program)
State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine (Regulatory support)
State Enterprise “ Barrier” (Technical support and field activities)
IAEA UA/0923 (Equipment and experience gained for Reference labs)
IAEA R)ER/3/010 (Experience and knowledge)
o.voitsekhovych@gmail.com