Radionuclide export by deer mice at a solid radioactive waste disposal area in southeastern Idaho.

Abstract

Concentrations of 90Sr, 137Cs, 238Pu, 239+240Pu, and 241Am in deer mice tissues collected from a radioactive waste disposal area in southeastern Idaho were significantly (p less than 0.05) higher than those from a control area. The highest concentrations of Pu and Am occurred in pelts of deer mice inhabiting an area which had elevated surface and subsurface soil concentrations of these nuclides as compared to other Subsurface Disposal Area locations. Therefore, transuranic contamination in tissues likely originated from both soil depths. However, 137Cs and 90Sr in tissues likely originated from subsurface areas, since surface soils were below background concentrations for these nuclides. Based on a minimum of 6160 deer mice inhabiting the 36-ha waste disposal area over a 1-yr period, a total minimum inventory of 22.8 mu Ci radioactivity was contained in deer mice tissues. Of this estimate, 22.7 mu Ci activity was due to the radionuclides 90Sr and 137Cs. An estimated total of 8.4 mu Ci was transported from the disposal area in mice dispersing from the area. A calculated annual radionuclide inventory of 28.8 mu Ci in deer mice feces was deposited in and around the radioactive waste disposal area. Deer mice inhabiting the SDA are a mode of radionuclide uptake and transport; however, the environmental consequences of this transport mechanism are likely minimal. The results for deer mice, which make up 69% of the small mammal biomass, are discussed in relation to other small mammals within the disposal area. Other modes of transport associated with the deer mice, such as radionuclides in excavated soils associated with burrowing activities and predation, are also discussed.