Characterization Lays Groundwork for Oak Ridge Cleanup, Future Missions

Employees analyze soil samples collected from the east side of the Y-12 National Security Complex for a thorough understanding of land conditions before new construction begins.

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. — A detailed data-gathering process known as characterization is helping the Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management (OREM) advance cleanup at one of the nation’s most important national security sites.

Teams are characterizing land, buildings and slabs to identify contamination at the Y-12 National Security Complex. Field work underway by contractor United Cleanup Oak Ridge (UCOR) and subcontractor RSI EnTech is paving the way for upcoming demolition and land reuse at Y-12.

Workers are using an innovative drilling system to collect soil and groundwater samples on the east side of Y-12 to evaluate the area and enable reuse for the construction of new facilities to advance national security missions. It allows for precise subsurface sampling with minimal disturbance to the environment and less waste than traditional drilling methods.

“Teams with decades of experience are now able to use improved technology to conduct these extensive sampling campaigns,” said Morgan Carden, OREM’s Y-12 portfolio federal project director. “Their work helps ensure we have all of the data to make the most informed decisions.”

This innovative drilling system allows crews to collect precise subsurface samples with minimal disturbance to the environment and less waste than traditional drilling methods. It digs into the ground, filling a tube with soil that will be sent to a laboratory for analysis.

Characterization also plays a key role for deactivation and demolition projects at high-hazard facilities. Team members identify hazards before work begins and verify conditions after cleanup.

That process laid the groundwork for the successful demolition of the Alpha-2 facility. Before the teardown began, specialists collected more than 7,000 samples throughout the former uranium enrichment building, including soil and structural material samples.

They shipped the samples to laboratories nationwide for analysis, and UCOR sample management experts used the results to interpret the nature and extent of contamination.

“Characterization teams are on the front lines to enable safe cleanup,” said Sarah Springer, UCOR’s Environmental Services manager. “The data our teams collect before, during and after cleanup allows projects to plan demolition work, protect workers and ensure waste is properly characterized and disposed of while advancing cleanup efficiently and responsibly.”

Characterization laid the groundwork for demolition of the Alpha-2 facility, and sampling will continue now that the teardown is complete. Crews will use an innovative drilling system later this year on the building’s slab to evaluate subsurface conditions.

Sampling also continues after demolition. Crews will evaluate subsurface conditions at the Alpha-2 slab for remaining contamination and inform future use of the land.

Meanwhile, teams are setting the stage for other Y-12 demolitions. Crews have collected more than 900 samples at the Beta-1 former uranium enrichment facility, and they are helping remove classified equipment at the Alpha-4 facility, where they have also gathered more than 600 samples.

-Contributor: Mike Butler