Aerial radiological survey of the Brunswick Steam Electric Plant and surrounding area, Southport, North Carolina. Date of survey: March 1980

An aerial radiological survey was conducted from 15 to 20 March 1980 over the two-unit Brunswick Steam Electric Plant near Southport, North Carolina. The survey covered a 170-square-kilometer area centered on the plant. Radiological data were collected by flying along north-south lines spaced 152 meters (500 feet) apart at an altitude of 91 meters (300 feet) above ground level. Count rates obtained from the aerial platform were converted to exposure rates at 1 meter above the ground. Exposure rates over most of the area ranged between 5 and 9 microroentgens per hour (..mu..R/h). Elevated exposure rates, up to 24 ..mu..R/h, were detected over the plant site due to the presence of cobalt-58 and cobalt-60. The reported exposure rate values include an estimated cosmic ray contribution of 4 ..mu..R/h but not not include any contribution from airborne radionuclides. Airborne krypton-85 was detected in a plume when flying flight lines in the immediate vicinity downwind of the plant. The maximum concentration of airborne krypton-85 detected was approximately 200 picocuries per liter. Ground-based measurements made during the same time period were compared to the aerial data. Ion chamber readings and soil samples were taken at five separate locations within the survey area. Exposuremore » rate values obtained from these measurements were consistent with those obtained from the aerial data. 4 references, 7 figures, 1 table.« less