EVPC 100 MOD 5 FINAL PROJECT ANTHONY

Tuesday August 18 2023 Environmental Today Your source for the environmental news Issue #1 Michael Anthony Mercury Leak at Y-12 an Introduction The latest updates When we look at point source water contamination, we think of things such as lead, sediment, and sewage runoff. But did you know an even bigger issue is at stake in the East Fork Poplar Creek Watershed? That threat is mercury runoff from historical operations at Y-12 NSC. Since its operation between 1950 and 1963, approximately 11 million KG of mercury has been used at the plant. About 3% of this total amount was lost between the soil, air, and watershed of the East Fork Poplar Creek (Brooks & Southworth, 2011). Many agencies have taken a proactive and transparent approach to this, such as the Tennessee Department of Environmental Compliance (TDEC), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency, 2022). They are even trying to reuse the lost mercury to remediate the environment and reuse it. They are trying to stop using mercury in the fission process, but we are still a long way from that point of energy production. The efforts being made have had a tremendous impact on the local environment and the community’s perception of the complex. Picture Caption: A front loader demolishing a portion of the old plant. (Nunez, 2021) Michael Anthony What are they doing to fix it? The methods of remediation When looking at the remediation efforts of the Y-12 NSC, we need to consider the whole picture and the different agencies involved in the cleanup. The DOE has contracted a company called UCOR to assist the Environmental Management department at the plant in the removal, remediation, and monitoring of the mercury levels in the surrounding area. They are tearing down old buildings and moving the debris offsite. They have built a new remediation complex to safely dispose of the contaminated soil and rubble. They have invested millions of dollars in developing a water treatment system near the plant to help clean the current water and mitigate future exposures. They are also restricting access to specific parts of the area that are the most heavily exposed while using active and passive monitoring efforts to monitor mercury levels. Another waste facility has been developed, which is called the CERCLA Waste Facility; it was designed to comply with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. It is rated to handle low-level radioactive waste and actively remediate it. These methods include watershed protection and monitoring devices, above-ground storage, and soil remediation facilities. They are even developing new technologies and ways to remediate mercury more expansively. They publish an annual report on the statistics for the remediation efforts, what agencies are working on the project, and any new developments they have had over the year. You may ask yourself why mercury is being used in nuclear production. It was originally used as a method to process lithium for the nuclear fission process back in the early 60’s. Mercury is present in the air we breathe and water we drink but it is such minimal levels that we do not notice it. The amount leaked in the river and the watershed around Y-12 is a major issue that stems from carelessness of past generations. But with the new generations and new technology we have a view of a bright future ahead for the complex. Picture Caption: Artists rendering of the new Outfall 200 Mercury Treatment Complex. (Brittany Crocker, Knoxville News Sentinel, 2017) When will the Outfall 200 be complete? The complex for the remediation is estimated to be completed by the end of 2023 but currently due to supply chain issues and funding the project has ben put on hold many times since it was started.