More Nuke Power Follies

[Taichiliberal]

http://healthvermont.gov/enviro/rad/yankee/tritium.aspx


Investigation into Tritium Contamination at Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station


..... To date, nine out of a total of 31 groundwater monitoring wells are testing positive for tritium. Generally, the trends are downward. For example, the highest wells were near 1,000,000 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) for tritium a year ago. These were wells near the AOG tunnel and AOG building. At the end of 2010, the highest levels were near 500,000 pCi/L from wells about halfway between plant buildings and the river. Now the highest tritium levels are about 125,000 pCi/L from wells near the river.

 

[Billy the Great Khan]

http://healthvermont.gov/enviro/rad/yankee/tritium.aspx


Investigation into Tritium Contamination at Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station


..... To date, nine out of a total of 31 groundwater monitoring wells are testing positive for tritium. Generally, the trends are downward. For example, the highest wells were near 1,000,000 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) for tritium a year ago. These were wells near the AOG tunnel and AOG building. At the end of 2010, the highest levels were near 500,000 pCi/L from wells about halfway between plant buildings and the river. Now the highest tritium levels are about 125,000 pCi/L from wells near the river.

17 of those wells registered lower than detectable levels. Only one was at levels cited in your post and are trending down from a mere two months ago. While this does not excuse contamination, it EXEMPLIFIES the speed with which contamination may be reduced.

 

[Taichiliberal]

17 of those wells registered lower than detectable levels. Only one was at levels cited in your post and are trending down from a mere two months ago. While this does not excuse contamination, it EXEMPLIFIES the speed with which contamination may be reduced.

What you exemplify here is the NEED of the nuke industry to try and create a image of control of the situation....which is actually a false sense of security. But the thing is, TRITIUM IS NOT SUPPOSE TO BE IN THESE WELLS NEAR THE RIVER OR ANYWHERE ELSE. Saying, "gee, it's down from 2 months ago" is of little consequence when you have 21 wells that are not doing good.

 

[Billy the Great Khan]

What you exemplify here is the NEED of the nuke industry to try and create a image of control of the situation....which is actually a false sense of security. But the thing is, TRITIUM IS NOT SUPPOSE TO BE IN THESE WELLS NEAR THE RIVER OR ANYWHERE ELSE. Saying, "gee, it's down from 2 months ago" is of little consequence when you have 21 wells that are not doing good.

21? Really? Because your link says 9. And of those only 4 are above 20k pCi/L. Hardly the catastrophe you want to make it out to be. But don't let the truth get in the way of your lies.

 

[Billy the Great Khan]

21? Really? Because your link says 9. And of those only 4 are above 20k pCi/L. Hardly the catastrophe you want to make it out to be. But don't let the truth get in the way of your lies.

And, for the record, those aren't WELLS. They're monitoring stations for ground water contamination. In other words, they are a safety measure to ensure that should a leak occur, it is detected and corrected before it contaminates ground water that is in use. And damned, those measures are working.

 

[cancel2 2022]

From the article.

Gamma spectroscopy and special analyses for hard-to-detect radionuclides have not identified any other nuclear power plant-related radioactive materials in groundwater, drinking water or river water.

It is worth noting that the human body has around 120,000 pCuries of natural radioactivity anyway and that tritium being a beta emitter is only potentially harmful if ingested as T2O, or partially tritiated water, THO. for a extended period of time.

 

[cancel2 2022]

Some more info for the scientifically challenged.

http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/fact-sheets/tritium-radiation-fs.html

 

[Taichiliberal]

Originally Posted by Taichiliberal
What you exemplify here is the NEED of the nuke industry to try and create a image of control of the situation....which is actually a false sense of security. But the thing is, TRITIUM IS NOT SUPPOSE TO BE IN THESE WELLS NEAR THE RIVER OR ANYWHERE ELSE. Saying, "gee, it's down from 2 months ago" is of little consequence when you have 21 wells that are not doing good.

21? Really? Because your link says 9. And of those only 4 are above 20k pCi/L. Hardly the catastrophe you want to make it out to be. But don't let the truth get in the way of your lies.

Whoops. My number error, I should have put 9. Sorry.

Now that's corrected....YOU are STILL making excuses and trying to downplay radioactive contamination of an ecosystem's water table. Again, tritium is NOT suppose to be there at all....and if 20K pCi/L is so acceptable to you, why don't YOU drink the regularly filtered water from that water table or or use it to water your lawn where your kids/relatives/neighbors play. I wouldn't, but hell, it's no big deal to you, right?

 

[Taichiliberal]

Originally Posted by President Mittens
21? Really? Because your link says 9. And of those only 4 are above 20k pCi/L. Hardly the catastrophe you want to make it out to be. But don't let the truth get in the way of your lies.

And, for the record, those aren't WELLS. They're monitoring stations for ground water contamination. In other words, they are a safety measure to ensure that should a leak occur, it is detected and corrected before it contaminates ground water that is in use. And damned, those measures are working.

Also for the record:

Vermont Yankee continues pumping out groundwater from wells GZ-14S and GZ-22D in an effort to reduce the amount of tritium-contaminated groundwater remaining in the environment. Since extraction began in early 2010, Vermont Yankee reports that 334,700 gallons of tritium-contaminated groundwater has been removed. This includes 27,500 gallons since extraction was re-started on December 30 2010 after a brief stop. Extracted groundwater is stored in an on-site ‘frac’ tank. Some of the extracted water in the frac tank is being re-used by the plant after the water is cleaned to specific standards. A frac tank is a 20,000 to 25,000 gallon container that can be easily transported by a tractor-trailer rig. Frac tanks are used to collect liquids in many situations, but they are especially suited for environmental remediation.


It was already in the groundwater, my friend (note the 'in-bold' lines above). Comprehending ALL the information seldom fits into the propoganda of pro-nuke power industry and it's acolytes....especially when it contradicts the "all is well and manageable" talking points.


And if you still don't get it:

http://www.justplainpolitics.com/showthread.php?34387-More-Nuke-Power-Follies&p=858385#post858385

 

[Taichiliberal]

Some more info for the scientifically challenged.

http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/fact-sheets/tritium-radiation-fs.html

I love it when nuke power wonks try to condescend to people. Bottom line: 9 wells had levels above what is considered "acceptable" , and the contamination is ALREADY in the ground water table and IN THE RIVER:

VY tritium detected in Conn. River

Thursday August 18, 2011
BRATTLEBORO -- For the first time since January 2010, when the public learned tritiated water was leaking into the ground at Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant in Vernon, tritium has been discovered in samples taken from the Connecticut River.

The samples were taken July 18 and 25 at the shoreline, about 100 feet from the nearest extraction well, which has been withdrawing contaminated water from the ground for several months.

The level of tritium in the samples was measured at 534 and 611 picocuries per liter, just above the lower limit of detection.

"This new finding confirms that the tritium has traveled from the Yankee site to the Connecticut River," said Health Commissioner Harry Chen.

http://www.reformer.com/ci_18703966?source=most_viewed

Hell, Tommy, if you're so confident in the NRC's reassurances, then when you're finished with your family trip to Tokyo for a fish dinner, why don't you top it off with a trip this particular part of the Connecticut River, or go purposely down some the water with the levels of trititum that's JUST above the safety limit.

You're not scientifically savvy when it comes to nuke power plants and their problems, Tommy....you're just another insipidly stubborn wonk.

 

[Taichiliberal]

From the article.
It is worth noting that the human body has around 120,000 pCuries of natural radioactivity anyway and that tritium being a beta emitter is only potentially harmful if ingested as T2O, or partially tritiated water, THO. for a extended period of time.

Gamma spectroscopy and special analyses for hard-to-detect radionuclides have not identified any other nuclear power plant-related radioactive materials in groundwater, drinking water or river water.

Also from the article:


Vermont Yankee continues pumping out groundwater from wells GZ-14S and GZ-22D in an effort to reduce the amount of tritium-contaminated groundwater remaining in the environment. Since extraction began in early 2010, Vermont Yankee reports that 334,700 gallons of tritium-contaminated groundwater has been removed. This includes 27,500 gallons since extraction was re-started on December 30 2010 after a brief stop. Extracted groundwater is stored in an on-site ‘frac’ tank. Some of the extracted water in the frac tank is being re-used by the plant after the water is cleaned to specific standards. A frac tank is a 20,000 to 25,000 gallon container that can be easily transported by a tractor-trailer rig. Frac tanks are used to collect liquids in many situations, but they are especially suited for environmental remediation.


As for the rest:

http://www.justplainpolitics.com/showthread.php?34387-More-Nuke-Power-Follies&p=858385#post858385

 

[wanderingbear]

Nuclear power is stupid and dangerous. Also produces the most toxic pollution that there is. People who think its a good idea are stupid.

 

[cancel2 2022]

Whoops. My number error, I should have put 9. Sorry.

Now that's corrected....YOU are STILL making excuses and trying to downplay radioactive contamination of an ecosystem's water table. Again, tritium is NOT suppose to be there at all....and if 20K pCi/L is so acceptable to you, why don't YOU drink the regularly filtered water from that water table or or use it to water your lawn where your kids/relatives/neighbors play. I wouldn't, but hell, it's no big deal to you, right?

This is where you display your ignorance of basic scientific theory. Tritium, as I've already stated, is a beta emitter which means that it totally safe unless it is ingested or inhaled over a period of time . Your hysterical scenario of an irradiated lawn is only in your fertile imagination.

 

[Billy the Great Khan]

I love it when nuke power wonks try to condescend to people. Bottom line: 9 wells had levels above what is considered "acceptable" , and the contamination is ALREADY in the ground water table and IN THE RIVER:

VY tritium detected in Conn. River

Thursday August 18, 2011
BRATTLEBORO -- For the first time since January 2010, when the public learned tritiated water was leaking into the ground at Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant in Vernon, tritium has been discovered in samples taken from the Connecticut River.

The samples were taken July 18 and 25 at the shoreline, about 100 feet from the nearest extraction well, which has been withdrawing contaminated water from the ground for several months.

The level of tritium in the samples was measured at 534 and 611 picocuries per liter, just above the lower limit of detection.

"This new finding confirms that the tritium has traveled from the Yankee site to the Connecticut River," said Health Commissioner Harry Chen.

http://www.reformer.com/ci_18703966?source=most_viewed

Hell, Tommy, if you're so confident in the NRC's reassurances, then when you're finished with your family trip to Tokyo for a fish dinner, why don't you top it off with a trip this particular part of the Connecticut River, or go purposely down some the water with the levels of trititum that's JUST above the safety limit.

You're not scientifically savvy when it comes to nuke power plants and their problems, Tommy....you're just another insipidly stubborn wonk.

Umm no, 9 wells had above DETECTABLE levels, not ACCEPTABLE levels.

 

[The Dude]

We need to go more organic with energy.
OIL

 

[Billy the Great Khan]

We need to go more organic with energy.
OIL

Oil is about 5% of our energy needs. It can and should be entirely replaced with nuclear power.

 

[cancel2 2022]

Nuclear power is stupid and dangerous. Also produces the most toxic pollution that there is. People who think its a good idea are stupid.

Here is something for you to ponder over.

A natural nuclear reactor

Eventual final disposal of nuclear waste means that the radioactive isotopes will be buried (with appropriate barriers - see "Final disposal" above) in an appropriate disposal site for a very long time. One of the serious questions we should consider is are there going to be any problems far in the future associated with the burial of the waste. The system for final waste disposal is usually based on naturally occurring phenomena. One such natural analogue is naturally occurring nuclear reactors in Gabon, West Africa in the Oklo mine called the Oklo nuclear reactors.
About 1.7 billion years ago, deep underground in Africa, favorable natural conditions prompted nuclear reactions to take place. These natural conditions were sufficient amounts of Uranium-235 and the evolution of plants which subsequently caused rainwater to filter down through cracks in rocks. The water was necessary to slow down the neutrons emitted via uranium decay so that they could interact with other particles and produce nuclear chain reactions. The reactors operated for about 1 million years. The reactions stopped because the uranium depleted to amounts that were too small to keep the reactions going.
It has been shown that the Oklo reactors fissioned Uranium-238, Uranium-235 and Plutonium-239. This is exactly the elements that are fissioned in todays man-made nuclear reactors. Note also that there was no Plutonium-239 on earth when the Oklo reactors formed. This means that the reactors themselves must have produced this isotope. This is also the case for man-made nuclear reactors.
Once the natural reactors burned out they left radioactive nuclear waste. This waste is very similar to the waste generated by nuclear power stations. The nuclear waste was held in place deep underground by granite, sandstone and clays surrounding the reactors' site. The important point is that the waste has not moved much over approximately 2 billion years (see the fact sheet from Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, USA and the article by Walton and Cowan from the "Proceedings of a Symposium on the Oklo Phenomenon", 1975 listed in the bibliography at the end of this section).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklo

http://nuclearinfo.net/Nuclearpower/WebHomeWasteFromNuclearPower

 

[Taichiliberal]

Originally Posted by Taichiliberal

Whoops. My number error, I should have put 9. Sorry.

Now that's corrected....YOU are STILL making excuses and trying to downplay radioactive contamination of an ecosystem's water table. Again, tritium is NOT suppose to be there at all....and if 20K pCi/L is so acceptable to you, why don't YOU drink the regularly filtered water from that water table or or use it to water your lawn where your kids/relatives/neighbors play. I wouldn't, but hell, it's no big deal to you, right?

This is where you display your ignorance of basic scientific theory. Tritium, as I've already stated, is a beta emitter which means that it totally safe unless it is ingested or inhaled over a period of time . Your hysterical scenario of an irradiated lawn is only in your fertile imagination.

Are you really this fucking stupid, Tommy? If it's in the water table system above the "acceptable" or "traceable" limits, that means it has the capacity TO BE INGESTED. It's water, you insipidly stubborn nuke toadie! Whether you wash in it or drink it, it's absorbed into your body.

This is what cracks me up about you nuke toadies...you're so busy trying to be clever you don't realize how ignorant you appear wants a little common sense analysis is put to your recitations.

Like I said to your like minded compadre Alias, Tommy, if 20K pCi/L is so acceptable to you, why don't YOU drink the regularly filtered water from that water table or or use it to water your lawn where your kids/relatives/neighbors play (after your fish dinner trip to Tokyo). I wouldn't, but hell, it's no big deal to you, right?

 

[The Dude]

Oil is over 15 percent and 95 percent of transportation. Go organic, mittens are gay'r than fanny packs

 

[Taichiliberal]

Umm no, 9 wells had above DETECTABLE levels, not ACCEPTABLE levels.

Well genius, if it's acceptable, then why are they going to all these lengths to pump it out? Why are those levels marked as a point of concern?

See, you nuke toadies are so desperate not to admit to the dangers and problems of the nuke power plant that you'll try any picayune ruse to discredit critics. But a little common sense analysis will always be your undoing.

As I said to your buddy Tommy.....if those levels are so safe, YOU drink it. Give it to your family, bath your babies in it. An PLEASE spare me the "baffle 'em with bullshit" predictable response by reciting that tritium already exists in nature, because nature IS NOT introducing artificial levels into the environment at these levels on a steady basis. Grow up and deal, man.