3.6.1 Examples of pollutants from military activities
Type of activity | Operation | Radioactive and Chemical contaminants |
---|---|---|
Production of Nuclear Weapons | Reactor operations | 3H, 60Co, 90Sr, Cr6+,(SO4)2– |
Irradiated fuel processing | 3H, 90Sr, 99Tc, 129I, 137Cs, Pu, U, CN–, Cl–, F–, NO3– | |
Plutonium purification | Pu, 241Am, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, NO3- | |
Fuel fabrication and enrichment | 99Tc, U, Cr6+, Cu, Be, trichloroethylenes(TCEs), F | |
Waste storage |
In landfills: organic solvents, high levels of radioactive liquids, including transuranic elements,
oils, cellulosics and contaminated clothing. Mixed with asbestos In Tanks: sodium nitrate solutions, PCBs |
|
Weapon testing | Above ground tests | U, UNO3,Pu, depleted uranium Hg, NO3, NaNO3,HNO3, tributylphosphate (TBP), kerosene, HCl, CrO4, heating oil, Zr, HF, trichloroethylene (TCE), acetone, hydrocarbons |
Radiological warfare tests |
60Co, 90Sr, 137Cs, 154Eu, 155Eu, 241Am, Pu Corrosive substances |