Radioactive wasp colony discovered at an abandoned U.S. nuclear weapons facility, leaving uncertainty about the cause.
In the heart of South Carolina lies the Savannah River Site (SRS), a place that holds a unique position in America's nuclear history and future. The site, which was built in the early 1950s, has been instrumental in nuclear power, nuclear weapons, and plutonium production. However, recently, an unusual incident has come to light.
On July 3, a wasp nest contaminated with high levels of radiation was found near Tank 17 at the SRS. The nest contained radiation levels about 10 times above federal safety limits, measuring around 100,000 disintegrations per minute per 100 square centimeters.
The source of the contamination is believed to be the legacy radioactive waste stored at the site, particularly liquid nuclear waste kept in massive underground tanks. These tanks hold residual waste from decades of production of plutonium cores used in nuclear weapons during the Cold War.
Officials suspect that the wasps or their nests accessed radioactive material either through contaminated soil or a leak from these underground waste tanks. This contamination is considered “legacy” contamination—radioactive residues remaining from historical nuclear operations rather than a recent release.
Luckily, the nest was contained within the site's restricted area, presenting no known risk to the public. The nest was removed after being sprayed with insecticide and disposed of as radioactive waste by site workers.
It's worth noting that wasps only fly short distances from their nests, making it unlikely that radioactive contamination spread beyond the secured site boundaries to public areas.
The SRS has made significant strides in reducing its nuclear waste, reducing the total volume to about 34 million gallons, which remain in 43 active tanks.
The discovery of the contaminated wasp nest has rattled some of the watchdogs who monitor the site. Federal officials emphasized that this was not an active leak but a case of "onsite legacy radioactive contamination." If other contaminated wasp nests exist, they could be nearby. The type of wasp nest material could potentially indicate the source of contamination.
The Savannah River Site was once a secretive and strategically important site in the United States. Today, it continues its mission, focusing on cleaning up its radioactive legacy, a testament to the complex and ongoing nature of nuclear history and the challenges it presents.
[1] Department of Energy Occurrence Report [2] Savannah River Nuclear Solutions [3] Savannah River Site Museum [4] The State (Columbia, SC) [5] Aiken Standard (Aiken, SC)
- In the realm of science and environmental-science, the contamination incident at the Savannah River Site (SRS) is a subject of interest, especially in the field of general-news.
- The recent discovery of a wasp nest contaminated with radiation at the SRS has fuelled discussions in education-and-self-development platforms about the potential dangers of nuclear power and waste.
- The unusual incident involving the contaminated wasp nest could have far-reaching implications for wildlife and the environment, a concern shared by advocates of ecology and conservation groups.
- The SRS incident has sparked debates in finance circles about the financial burden of cleaning up nuclear sites and the potential risks associated with such locations.
- In the realm of medicine, experts are studying the possible effects of radiation on human medical-conditions, given that wasps often come into contact with humans in residential areas.
- The onset of this radioactive contamination raised questions in the sports community about the potential impact on the local ecosystem and the safety of outdoor activities.
- Technologists are discussing new strategies for waste management and containment, with the SRS incident serving as a case study for the importance of advanced technology in addressing nuclear issues.
- The discovery of the contaminated wasp nest has brought attention to the lifestyles of those living near nuclear sites, sparking conversations about the importance of public education and the need for transparency in such matters.
References:[1] Department of Energy Occurrence Report[2] Savannah River Nuclear Solutions[3] Savannah River Site Museum[4] The State (Columbia, SC)[5] Aiken Standard (Aiken, SC)
