This electronic flyer highlights our capabilities and activities in the area of Land Disposal of TENORM. Please sign our guestbook. For additional information, e-mail Gary Walter, Southwest Research Institute.

Land Disposal of TENORM (Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material) 

Technologically enhanced naturally occurring radio-active material (TENORM) is generated by a variety of industrial, mineral extraction, and water treatment processes. Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®) has an active program developing cost-effective and environmentally responsible approaches for managing TENORM waste.

 

Autoradiograph of leaf from Phacilia robusta showing preferential uptake of radium from soil affected by uranium deposit

SwRI's TENORM program currently focuses on land disposal of TENORM waste. Investigations examine release of radon gas from land disposal units, such as municipal solid waste landfills that have or may receive radium-bearing TENORM from drinking water treatment, petroleum production, or other activities. Research includes the mobility of naturally occurring radionuclides in soil and their uptake by vegetation.

Radon flux through the surface of a landfill containing TENORM; simulation based on five landfill gas extraction wells
Atmospheric radon plume resulting from surface radon emissions and emissions from landfill gas venting

The TENORM program provides expertise and scientific services in:

  • Radiochemistry
  • Environmental process modeling
  • Probabilistic risk assessment
  • Environmental regulatory compliance

SwRI's radiochemistry laboratory includes facilities for bench-scale testing of environmental samples and remedial technologies

The TENORM program is supported by:

  • Advanced laboratory facilities for radiochemical analyses and bench-scale testing of radionuclide transport and stabilization processes
  • Public domain and proprietary models for multimedia modeling and probabilistic risk assessment
  • Facilities for large-scale pilot testing of environmental technologies on SwRI's 1,200-acre site
     
This flyer was published in September 2004. For more information about land diposal of TENORM, contact Gary Walter, Ph.D., Southwest Research Institute, P.O. Drawer 28510, San Antonio, Texas 782298-0510, Phone (210) 522-3805, Fax (210) 522-5155.

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