Using multimedia modeling to expedite site characterization.
OBJECTIVE
This paper uses two case studies of U.S. Department of Energy nuclear weapons complex installations to illustrate the integration of expedited site characterization (ESC) and multimedia modeling in the remedial action decision making process. CONCEPTUAL SITE MODELS, MULTIMEDIA MODELS, AND EXPEDITED SITE CHARACTERIZATION: Conceptual site models outline assumptions about contaminates and the spatial/temporal distribution of potential receptors. Multimedia models simulate contaminant transport and fate through multiple environmental media, estimate potential human exposure via specific exposure pathways, and estimate the risk of cancer and non-cancer health outcomes. ESC relies on using monitoring data to quantify the key components of an initial conceptual site model that is modified iteratively using the multimedia model.


METHODS
Two case studies are presented that used the ESC approach: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and Pantex. LANL released radionuclides, metals, and organic compounds, into canyons surrounding the facility. The Pantex Plant has past waste management operations which included burning chemical wastes in unlined pits, burying wastes in unlined landfills, and discharging plant wastewaters into on-site surface waters.


CONCLUSIONS
The case studies indicate that using multimedia models with the ESC approach can inform assessors about what, where, and how much site characterization data needs to be collected to reduce the uncertainty associated with risk assessment. Lowering the degree of uncertainty reduces the time and cost associated with assessing potential risk and increases the confidence that decision makers have in the assessments performed.
Travis
Curtis
C
SAIC, Oak Ridge, TN 37909, USA.
Obenshain
Karen R
KR
Gunter
James T
JT
Regens
James L
JL
Whipple
Christopher
C
D003657:Decision Making; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control; D006256:Hazardous Waste; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D019212:Multimedia; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D009689:Nuclear Warfare; D011850:Radioactive Waste / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D018505:Waste Management
D006256:Hazardous Waste; D011850:Radioactive Waste