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Richard J. Abitz 6 <br />1989- Senior Geochemist, IT Corporation, Albuquerque, New Mexico Dr. Abitz evaluated the <br />1994 radiochemistry of transuranic elements in sodium - chloride brine for the WIPP Project and <br />served as the project geochemist for four operable units on the FEMP RI /FS. He was also <br />active setting up the LANL RMMA concept and provided radiochemistry support to INEL <br />in developing a No Migration Variance Petition (NMVP) for the INEL calcine facility. <br />• Developed solubility database for the WIPP EATF. Evaluated the solubility of <br />thorium, uranium, neptunium, plutonium, and americium in sodium - chloride brine <br />and in the presence of organic complexing agents, such as EDTA and citric acid. <br />Prepared solubility charts of the radionuclides over the pH range of 2 to 12. <br />• Authored white paper on geochemistry of FEMP site for OU 5 RI /FS. This paper <br />discusses leaching, dissolution, and desorption processes that release uranium and its <br />progeny from surface sources, adsorption and aqueous complexation of the <br />solubilized uranium and progeny with subsurface soils and groundwater, and <br />predicts secondary uranium phases that may form in the soils. <br />• Conducted site - surveys and interviewed LANL personnel on radiation practices <br />associated with the handling, packaging, labeling, storage, transport, and disposal of <br />transuranic materials. Information was used to develop LANL RMMA concept, <br />where each RMMA is held accountable for all radiaoactive materials that enter and <br />exit the area. <br />• Developed waste analysis plans for transuranic and low -level mixed wastes present <br />at LANL. This activity was conducted to complete RCRA Part B permits and ensure <br />regulatory compliance to DOE orders for all LANL facilities that generate, store, or <br />dispose of mixed waste. <br />• Managed and had technical oversight on geochemical program associated with <br />FEMP RI /FS. Program tasks include the characterization of soil mineralogy by <br />polarized light microscopy and x -ray diffraction studies, design and implementation <br />of laboratory tests to characterize the composition of leachate derived from <br />cemented and vitrified waste samples, evaluation of contaminant adsorption ratios, <br />data validation, and tracking of labor and material costs. <br />• Designed laboratory experiments for FEMP RI /FS to measure adsorption ratios of <br />radionuclides and metals and implemented ANSI/ANS -16.1 leach tests to evaluate <br />the performance of cemented waste forms. Results were used to evaluate the most <br />effective alternative for immobilizing radionuclides and metals from a near surface <br />disposal cell. <br />• Led INEL waste characterization program on calcined solid waste. Responsible for <br />evaluating radiochemistry data on uranium fission products and transuranic elements <br />