Oakes, et al.
Date Issued--1982
This project was initiated to examine the distribution of fission products and transuranic elements in the sediments of the Clinch River with an emphasis on locations near the proposed Clinch River Breeder Reactor (CRBR) site [Clinch River Mile (CRM) 14.6 to 18.6]. The purpose of the program was to evaluate changes that have occurred in the radionuclide distribution patterns since the last comprehensive survey was completed in 1966 (Struxness et al. 1967). The completion and operation of Melton Hill Dam subsequent to the 1966 study have altered the flow regime of the river. Additionally, no prior inventory of transuranic elements in the river has been determined.
The comprehensive program of sediment coring was completed in the fall of 1977. Areas of sediment deposition were cored at transects along the course of the river. Before collecting the cores from the river, a survey of the distribution of gross gamma-beta activity at the sediment surface was attempted through the use of a submersible G-M system. When it was used in a previous study, the G-M system, which is operated from a boat, provided an in situ estimate of the relative activity at various locations in the river from Melton Hill Dam (River Mile 23.5) to Watts Bar Lake (below the confluence of the Clinch and Tennessee rivers). However, the G-M system did not prove useful for this study because the radiation activities of interest in the sediment could not be distinguished from background radiation.
A Swedish foil sampler was used to collect the cores. This device collects 2.5-in. (6-cm) diameter cores in continuous lengths up to 69 ft (21 m). The Swedish foil sampler is a piston corer that because of its unique design provides a capability to retrieve intact, undisturbed cores without vertical cross contamination. It incorporates thin stainless steel foils that move with the sample and virtually eliminate sample distortion. Lengths of cores recovered ranged from 4 in. (10 cm) to 13 ft (4 m).
There will be two reports describing the 1977 Clinch River sediment study. This report includes historical background, sampling and analysis procedures, and data presentation. The second report includes the data assessment.