Hydrologic conditions at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, 1982 to 1985
Aqueous chemical and radioactive wastes discharged since 1952 to unlined ponds and wells at the INEL (Idaho National Engineering Laboratory) have affected water quality in perched groundwater zones and in the Snake River Plain Aquifer. Routine waste water disposal was changed from deep injection wells to ponds at the ICPP (Idaho Chemical Processing Plant) in 1984. During 1982-85, tritium concentrations increased in perched groundwater zones under disposal ponds, but cobalt-60 concentrations decreased. In 1985, perched groundwater under TRA disposal ponds contained up to 1,770 ± 30 pCi/mL (picocuries/milliliter) of tritium and 0.36 ± 0.05 pCi/mL of cobalt-60. During 1982-85, tritium concentrations in water in the Snake River Plain aquifer decreased as much as 80 pCi/mL near the ICPP. In 1985, measurable tritium concentrations ranged from 0.9 ± 0.3 to 93.4 ± 2.0 pCi/mL. Tritium was detected in groundwater near the southern boundary of the INEL, 9 miles south of the ICPP and TRA. Strontium-90 concentrations in groundwater, up to 63 ± 5 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) near the ICPP, generally were smaller than 1981 concentrations. Cesium-137 concentrations in groundwater near the ICPP ranged from 125 ± 14 to 237 ± 45 pCi/L. Maximum concentrations of plutonium-238 and plutonium-239 , -240 (undivided) were 1.31 ± .0019 pCi/ml and 1.9 ± 0.00003 pCi/L. Sodium and chloride generally decreased during 1982-85. Nitrate concentrations increased near the TRA and NRF (Naval Reactors Facility) and decreased near the ICPP.