Letter to DR R O Hultgren from J H Swanks, Subject: Notification of Planned Radiotracer Study - Oak Ridge National Laboratory Walker Branch and Building 1504 Laboratory Streams

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OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY FOR THE US. OEPARTMENT OF ENERQY POST OFFICE BOX 2008 DOE Oak Ridge Field Office Post Office Box 2008 Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-6269 BOX No Notification of Planned Radiotracer Study - Oak Ridge National Laboratory Walker Branch and Building 1504 Laboratory Streams This letter notifies the Department of Energy (DOE) that research personnel at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) plan to release small amounts of radiotracers into Walker Branch and Building 1504 laboratory streams during a series of experimental releases. The purpose of the Walker Branch study is to determine the effect of hydrologic backwater zones on biological uptake and cycling of phosphorus in the stream. The purpose of the Building 1504 laboratory stream study is to examine the effect of different levels of algal biomass on cycling of phosphorus in streams. While these releases are not wastewater discharges, and the amount of radiotracers involved is small, notification of the releases to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) is prudent. Walker Branch. East and W est Forks The radiotracers released in the Walker Branch study will include approximately 5 millicuries The radiotracers will be released over a period of 1.5 hours. The approximate radiotracer concentrations, based on a stream flow of 5 liters/second in Walker Branch, are described below. Radiotracer concentrations in Walker Branch, as the plume leaves the Oak Ridge Reservation under Bethel Valley Road, will be only slightly above background concentrations. In-Stream, at the Point of Release In-Stream, before leavina the Oak Ridae Reservation under Bethel Vallev Road DOE Derived Concentration Guidelines (DOE Order 5400.51 The dates of the release will depend on streamflow and weather conditions, but locations and tentative dates are listed below. Walker Branch, below confluence of East and West Forks Walker Branch, below confluence of East and West Forks West Fork Walker Branch, upstream of weir Human Subjects Project

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Or. Ronald 0. Hultgren 2 July 28, 1992 Buiidina 1504 Laboratow Streams This release will involve 0.8 mCi of P-33as phosphate to a network of in the building mentioned. Over a 30 minute period, 0.1 mCi of P-33 eight laboratory streams will be released to each stream. Simdtaneous releases will be performed in one pair of streams each day for four days. The flow in each laboratory stream is approximately 0.5 Us.The laboratory streams are collected by floor drains and discharged to six ponds in approximately 8 q U d proportions. The ponds drain to Northwest Tributary via overflow pipes. The approximate concentrations of the radiotracers are summarized below. This series of releases is planned for the week of October 19,1992. In-Stream, at the Point of Release in each Stream In Ponds, behind Building 1504 Downstream of Pond Discharge, in Northwest Tributary DOE Derived Concentration Guidelines (DOE Order 5400.5) All personnel involved in the studies will be trained in the safe use of radionuclides, will wear appropriate protective clothing and will be monitored by a Health Physicist during the experiment. Please forward this information to TDEC at the following address. Tennessee Department of Environment 2700 Middlebrook Pike, Suite 220 If there are any questions or if additional information is required, please contact C. K. Valentine and Health Compliance