Figure 1 Change in pH, Gas Concentration, and Nitrogen Compounds With Excess Oxygen Added

EFFECTS OF RADIATION DOE-HDBK-1015/2-93 Reactor Water Chemistry ON WATER CHEMISTRY (SYNTHESIS) CH-03 Rev. 0 Page 10 Two other nuclear reactions with oxygen isotopes are shown below. O (p, n) F (t = 112 minutes) 18 18 8 9 1/2 O (p, ) N (t = 10 minutes) 16 13 8 7 1/2 An ejected alpha particle is indicated by . The protons that cause these reactions result from inelastic collisions of fast neutrons with hydrogen atoms in water molecules. The radioactivity levels of these isotopes are much lower than the levels of N and N during reactor facility 16 17 7 7 operation. However, during the period from a few minutes to about five hours after reactor shutdown or after removing a coolant sample from the system, N and F are the principal 13 18 7 9 sources of radioactivity in the reactor coolant of most reactor facilities. N C + 13 13 0 7 6 +1 F O + 18 18 0 9 8 +1 The only significant nuclear reaction that occurs with hydrogen involves deuterium ( H), which 2 1 comprises about 0.015 percent of natural hydrogen. H (n, ) H (t = 12.3 years) 2 3 1 1 1/2 Tritium ( H) decays by emission of a very weak particle (0.02 Mev) and no gamma rays. 3 1 Thus, tritium is not a radiological hazard unless it enters the body in significant amounts. Tritium can enter the body through inhalation or ingestion. It is also possible to absorb forms of tritium through the skin.