Radiosilver (Ag-110m) concentrations in Chesapeake Bay oysters maintained near a nuclear power plant: A statistical analysis |
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| Authors: | K A Rose J K Summers R I Mclean S L Domotor |
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| Institution: | (1) ESM Operations, Versar, Inc., 9200 Rumsey Road, 21045 Columbia, MD, USA;(2) Maryland Power Plant Research Program, Department of Natural Resources, Tawes State Office Building, 21041 Annapolis, MD, USA;(3) Present address: Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, P.O. Box 2008, MS-036, 37831 Oak Ridge, TN |
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| Abstract: | An ongoing biomonitoring program using oysters (Crassostrea virginica) was implemented in 1978 to monitor radionuclide releases from the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant located on Chesapeake Bay. The program involves quarterly removal and replenishment of oysters located in a tray about 0.2 km from the effluent discharge. Radiosilver (Ag-110m) concentrations in tray oysters (pCi/kg ww) were analyzed using ANCOVA-like models with plant releases of Ag-110m in the present and immediately preceding quarters and season of exposure as explanatory variables. Hypothesis testing based on the estimated models and comparison among model predictions under hypothetical release scenarios showed that season of exposure was important in influencing Ag-110m concentrations, with exposure during the Fall and Summer seasons resulting in significantly higher Ag-110m concentrations in tray oysters than exposure during the Winter and Spring seasons. From a management perspective of minimizing Ag-110m concentrations in oysters located near the plant, Winter and Spring are the preferred seasons for plant releases. |
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