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Final Release LLNL Site 300 (USDOE) <br /> Study Area Past/Current Processes <br /> EFA/WFA Explosives experiments were conducted to develop detonation methods for nuclear <br /> weapons. Laser and particle-beam experiments were also conducted. Tritium, uranium, <br /> and beryllium contaminated gravels from the firing tables were disposed of in landfills in <br /> this area. This area includes landfill pits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9. <br /> Building 830,833, and From 1959 to 1982, Buildings 833 and 830 were used to test the physical properties of <br /> 836 explosives, but are now used for storage. Building 836,the Dynamic Test Complex, is <br /> used to test for the effects of vibration and shock on equipment. <br /> Fifty-seven contaminant release areas affecting surface soil, subsurface soil, surface water, or <br /> groundwater have been identified at Site 300. Figure 2 shows these release areas. Note that all <br /> fifty-seven release areas are not identified in Figure 2 because there are multiple releases at a <br /> given area. The primary contaminants are volatile organic compounds (VOCs), HE compounds <br /> HMX and RDX, and tritium. Uranium-238, nitrate, and perchlorate were also found. VOCs— <br /> primarily trichloroethylene (TCE)—were found in groundwater at all six study areas, with the <br /> highest concentrations in the Building 833, Building 834, HE Process Area, and the GSA study <br /> areas. HE compounds were detected in groundwater in the southeastern portion of Site 300 (HE <br /> Process Area). Groundwater contamination in the EFA/WFA is primarily tritium, and uranium- <br /> 238. Tritium and uranium-238 are the only radionuclides confirmed as groundwater <br /> contaminants. Most of the contamination has remained within the site boundary, with the <br /> exception of two TCE plumes from the GSA. The TCE plume emanating from the eastern GSA <br /> historically extended over a mile along the Corral Hollow stream bed. The TCE plume emanating <br /> from the central GSA extends approximately 200 feet off site at concentrations approaching 80 <br /> ppb in off-site monitoring wells. Remediation of the plume source is ongoing. Off-site drinking <br /> water wells are currently unaffected by the Site 300 contamination. <br /> A similar subdivision of Site 300 was made for the Site-Wide Feasibility Study(SWFS). <br /> However, the SWFS delineation was based on groupings of similar and relatively proximal <br /> release sites and any associated environmental contamination. Eight operable units (OU)were <br /> defined: <br /> 1. (OU-1) General Services Area, <br /> 2. (OU-2) Building 834, <br /> 3. (OU-3) Pit 6, <br /> 4. (OU-4) HE Process Area, <br /> 5. (OU-5) Building 850/Pits 3 & 5, <br /> 6. (OU-6) Building 854, <br /> 7. (OU-7) Building 832 Canyon, and <br /> 8. (OU-8) Site 300, <br /> 3 <br />