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Technical Users Background Document and Appendices
Technical Users Background Document for the Water Pollutant Loading Tool (PDF) (143 pp, 2.4 MB)
- Section 3.2.3 - Nutrient Aggregation
- Appendix A (PDF) (234 pp, 1 MB)
- Appendix B (PDF) (211 pp, 1.2 MB)
- Appendix C (PDF) (58 pp, 348 K)
- Appendix D (PDF) (1,064 pp, 4.15 MB)
- Appendix E (PDF) (18 pp, 99K)
Addendum to Section 3.3.1
3.3.1.10 Radioactive Pollutant Categories in Water Pollution Search
The Loading Tool calculates annual pollutant loadings for specific radioactive isotopes or radionuclides, as listed in Table 3-20. Radionuclides can be measured in units of mass or radioactivity (in curies (Ci)). For all measurements, the Loading Tool first converts to standard units, either Ci or grams. For measurements of radioactivity, the specific activity of the radionuclide is used to convert from curies to mass.
![Specific Activity (Ci/g) = [(1600/T) * (226/A)] where T = half life in years and A = Atomic Mass Number (unitless)](https://echo.epa.gov/system/files/styles/large/private/radcalc_1.PNG?itok=7udmurQJ "Specific activity equation")
Source: Turner, James E. (1992). Atoms, Radiation, and Radiation Protection. Mc-Graw Hill.
| Parameter Name | Parameter Code | Pollutant Name | Information for Radioactivity to Mass Conversions | Grouping Hierarchies | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Half Life (Years)a | Atomic Massa | Specific Activity (SA) (Ci/g) | Mass Conversion Factor (Ci/kg)b | Concentration Conversion Factor (Ci/mg)c | Group Priority | Category Priority | |||
| Cesium-137 (CS-137), Total | 28401 | Cesium-137 | 30.08 | 136.907 | 87.8061 | 1.1E-05 | 11.3887 | 1 | 1 |
| Cesium 137 | 51607 | Cesium-137 | 30.08 | 136.907 | 87.8061 | 1.1E-05 | 11.3887 | 2 | 1 |
| Potassium-40 (K-40), Total | 75038 | Potassium-40 | 1.2E+09 | 39.964 | 7.3E-06 | 137.929 | 1.4E+08 | 1 | |
| Radium 223, total | 20501 | Radium-223 | 0.03129 | 223.019 | 51811 | 1.9E-08 | 0.0193 | 1 | |
| Radium 224, total | 24501 | Radium-224 | 0.01002 | 224.02 | 161080 | 6.2E-09 | 0.00621 | 1 | |
| Radium 226, total | 09501 | Radium-226 | 1601 | 226.025 | 0.99926 | 0.001 | 1000.74 | 1 | 1 |
| Radium 226, dissolved | 09503 | Radium-226 | 1601 | 226.025 | 0.99926 | 0.001 | 1000.74 | 2 | 1 |
| Radium 228, total | 11501 | Radium-228 | 5.75 | 228.031 | 275.782 | 3.6E-06 | 3.62605 | 1 | |
| Strontium 90, total | 13501 | Strontium-90 | 28.79 | 89.9077 | 139.698 | 7.2E-06 | 7.15831 | 1 | 1 |
| Strontium 90, dissolved | 13503 | Strontium-90 | 28.79 | 89.9077 | 139.698 | 7.2E-06 | 7.15831 | 2 | 1 |
| Technetium 99, total (14) | 22100 | Technetium-99 | 0.00069 | 98.9063 | 5332584 | 1.9E-10 | 0.00019 | 1 | |
| Thorium 230 | 26501 | Thorium-230 | 75380 | 232.038 | 0.02067 | 0.04837 | 48371.2 | 1 | |
| Thorium 232 | 22501 | Thorium-232 | 1.4E+10 | 232.038 | 1.1E-07 | 9015.86 | 9E+09 | 1 | |
| Tritium, total | 07000 | Hydrogen-3 | 12.32 | 3.01605 | 9731.49 | 1E-07 | 0.10276 | 1 | 1 |
| Tritium, total | 82126 | Hydrogen-3 | 12.32 | 3.01605 | 9731.49 | 1E-07 | 0.10276 | 2 | 1 |
| Uranium, natural, total (in pCi/L) | 28012 | Uranium-238 | 4.5E+09 | 238.051 | 3.4E-07 | 2941.4 | 2.9E+09 | 1 | |
aSource: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) International Nuclear Structure and Decay Data Network. Evaluated Nuclear Structure Data File (ENSDF) DatabaseExit
bRadioactivity (Ci/d)/[SA (Ci/g)*(1000 g/kg)] = Mass (kg/d)
cRadioactivity (Ci/L)*(1000 mg/g)/(SA (Ci/g)) = Concentration (mg/L)
Parameters included in the Radionuclides Category. All parameters measuring radioactivity of a specific radionuclide are included in this category.
Parameter Grouping/Category Priorities. All parameters with the same pollutant name are grouped together as shown in the "Group Priority" column of Table 3-20. The radionuclide category does not have a category-level aggregation hierarchy and includes all radionuclides with equal priority. Therefore the category priorities for all radionuclide parameter codes are assigned a '1' in Table 3-20.
Pollutant Load Aggregation. For category aggregation, all pollutant loads are summed together to calculate the total load.
Table 3-21 below provides the pollutant group and category priority for all parameters in the General Radioactivity category.
| Parameter Name | Parameter Code | Pollutant Name | Group Priority | Category Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha emitting radium isotopes, dissolved | 00149 | Alpha emitting radium isotopes, dissolved | 1 | 1 |
| Radiation, gross alpha | 82077 | Alpha, total | 1 | 1 |
| Alpha gross radioactivity | 80029 | Alpha, total | 2 | 1 |
| Alpha, gross particle activity | 80045 | Alpha, total | 3 | 1 |
| Radiation-gross alpha tot suspended | 80040 | Alpha, total | 4 | 1 |
| Radiation-gross alpha tot dissolved | 80030 | Alpha, total | 5 | 1 |
| Produced water, gross alpha radiation | 04241 | Alpha, total | 6 | 1 |
| Gross beta | 85817 | Beta, total | 1 | 1 |
| Radiation, gross beta | 03520 | Beta, total | 2 | 1 |
| Produced water, gross beta radiation | 04242 | Beta, total | 3 | 1 |
| Dissolved radioactive gases | 82370 | Dissolved radioactive gases | 1 | 1 |
| Radioactivity | 00189 | Radioactivity | 1 | 1 |
| Radioactivity, gross | 82066 | Radioactivity | 2 | 1 |
| Radium, total | 51767 | Radium | 1 | 1 |
| Radium, dissolved | 51768 | Radium | 2 | 1 |
| Radium 226 + radium 228, total | 11503 | Radium 226 & 228, dissolved | 1 | 1 |
| Radium 226 & 228, dissolved | 11500 | Radium 226 & 228, dissolved | 2 | 1 |
Parameters included in the General Radioactivity Category. All parameters measuring gross radioactivity or radioactivity of more than one radionuclide are included in this category. Pollutant loadings are not calculated for these parameters.
Parameter Grouping/Category Priorities. All parameters with the same pollutant name are grouped together as shown in the "Group Priority" column of Table 3-21. The general radioactivity category does not have a category-level aggregation hierarchy and includes all radioactive pollutants with equal priority. Therefore the category priorities for all general radioactivity parameters are assigned a '1' in Table 3-21.
3.3.1.11 Color Pollutant Category in Water Pollution Search
The Loading Tool provides data for measurements of color in wastewater. Color measurements may be reported using a variety of units, such as Platinum Cobalt (Pt-Co) units or pound/ton produced. The Loading Tool presents the measurements in the units reported on DMRs, and does not convert the measurements into standard units.
Parameters Included in the Color Category. All parameters measuring color are included in this category. A complete list of the color parameters is provided in Table 3-22 below.
| Parameter Name | Parameter Code |
|---|---|
| Color (PT-CO units) | 00080 |
| Color, apparent (unfiltered sample) | 00081 |
| Color, spectrophoto, water smpl at 7.6 pH | 00082 |
| Color, spectrophoto-metric filter | 00083 |
| Color | 00084 |
| Color (admi units) | 01290 |
| Color | 51201 |
| Apparent Color (Admi Units) | 51486 |
| Color, concentration at wavelength | 80114 |
Parameter Grouping/Category Priorities. There is no grouping or prioritization in the color pollutant category.
Pollutant Load Aggregation. There is no load aggregation in the color pollutant category.
3.3.1.12 Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) Pollutant Category in Water Pollutant Search
The Loading Tool provides data for wastewater parameters measuring WET. WET refers to the aggregate toxic effect to aquatic organisms from all pollutants contained in a facility’s wastewater. WET tests measure a wastewater's effects on specific test organisms' ability to survive, grow and reproduce. WET measurements may be reported using a variety of units, such as percentages or pass/fail. The Loading Tool presents the measurements in the units reported on DMRs, and does not convert the measurements into standard units.
See Whole Effluent Toxicity Methods for more information about Clean Water Act WET test methods.
Parameters Included in the WET Category. All parameters measuring WET are included in this category. A complete list of the WET parameters is provided in Water Pollutant Loading Tool WET Parameters (CSV) (80 K).
Parameter Grouping/Category Priorities. There is no grouping or prioritization in the WET pollutant category.
Pollutant Load Aggregation. There is no aggregation in the WET pollutant category.
3.3.1.13 PFAS Pollutant Category in Water Pollution Search
The Loading Tool provides data for measurements of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in wastewater. PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals that includes PFOA, PFOS, GenX, and many other chemicals. The Loading Tool calculates pollutant loadings for individual pollutants within this category.
Parameters Included in the PFAS Category. The list of parameters is provided in Table 3-23 below.
| Parameter Description | Parameter Code | Pollutant Description | Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,1-Difluoroethane, total, water ug/L | 49538 | HFC-152a | 75376 |
| Ammonium perfluoroctanoate | 51065 | Ammonium perfluoroctanoate | 3825261 |
| 1,1,1,2,2-Pentafluoroethane | 38672 | HFC-125 | 354336 |
| Chlorodifluoromethane | 45028 | HCFC-22 | 75456 |
| Perfluorooctanoic Acid | 51521 | PFOA | 335671 |
| Perfluorooctanesulfonamide | 51525 | Perfluorooctanesulfonamide | 754916 |
| Perfluoropentanoic acid | 51623 | Perfluorovaleric acid | 2706903 |
| Perfluorohexanoic acid | 51624 | Perfluorohexanoic acid | 307244 |
| Perfluoroheptanoic acid | 51625 | Tridecafluoroheptanoic acid | 375859 |
| Perfluorononanoic acid | 51626 | Heptadecafluorononanoic acid | 375951 |
| Perfluorodecanoic acid | 51627 | Perfluorodecanoic acid | 335762 |
| Perfluoroundecanoic acid | 51628 | Perfluoroundecanoic acid | 4234235 |
| Perfluorododecanoic acid | 51629 | Perfluorolauric acid | 307551 |
| Perfluorotridecanoic acid | 51630 | Perfluorotridecanoic acid | 72629948 |
| Perfluorotetradecanoic acid | 51631 | Perfluoromyristic acid | 376067 |
| Perfluorobutane Sulfonate | 51632 | Perfluorobutane Sulfonate | 45187153 |
| Perfluorohexane Sulfonate | 51633 | Perfluorohexane Sulfonate | 108427538 |
| Perfluoroheptane Sulfonate | 51634 | Perfluoroheptane Sulfonate | |
| Perfluorodecane Sulfonate | 51635 | Perfluorodecane Sulfonate | |
| 8:2 Fluorotelomer Alcohol | 51636 | 8:2 Fluorotelomer Alcohol | 678397 |
| 10:2 Fluorotelomer Alcohol | 51637 | 10:2 Fluorotelomer Alcohol | 865861 |
| 4:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid | 52607 | 4:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid | 757124724 |
| 6:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid | 52608 | 6:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid | 27619972 |
| 8:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid | 52609 | 8:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid | 39108344 |
| N-ethylperfluorooctane Sulfonamidoethanol | 51641 | N-ethylperfluorooctane Sulfonamidoethanol | 1691992 |
| N-methylperfluorooctane Sulfonamidoethanol | 51642 | N-methylperfluorooctane Sulfonamidoethanol | 24448097 |
| 2-(N-ethylperfluorooctanesulfonamido) acetic acid | 51643 | 2-(N-ethylperfluorooctanesulfonamido) acetic acid | |
| 2-(N-methylperfluorooctanesulfonamido) acetic acid | 51644 | 2-(N-methylperfluorooctanesulfonamido) acetic acid | |
| C3 Dimer Acid/Salt | 51715 | C3 Dimer Acid/Salt | |
| Pentadecafluorooctanoic acid | 52601 | Pentadecafluorooctanoic acid | 335671 |
| Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid | 52602 | Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid | 375735 |
| Perfluorodecanesulfonic acid | 52603 | Perfluorodecanesulfonic acid | 335773 |
| Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid | 52604 | Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid | 375928 |
| Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid | 52605 | Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid | 355464 |
| Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid | 52606 | Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid | 1763231 |
| Perfluoropentane sulfonic acid | 52610 | Perfluoropentane sulfonic acid | 2706914 |
| Perfluorononane sulfonic acid | 52611 | Perfluorononane sulfonic acid | 474511074 |
| Perfluoro-2-methoxyacetic acid | 52613 | Perfluoro-2-methoxyacetic acid | 674135 |
| PFESA Byproduct 2 | 52614 | PFESA Byproduct 2 | 749836202 |
| Perfluoro-3,5,7,9-tetraoxadecanoic acid | 52615 | Perfluoro(3,5,7,9-tetraoxadecanoic) acid | 39492905 |
| Perfluoro-3,5,7,9-trioxaoctanoic acid | 52616 | Perfluoro-3,5,7,9-trioxaoctanoic acid | 39492892 |
| Perfluoro-3,5,7,9-dioxahexanoic acid | 52617 | Perfluoro-3,5,7,9-dioxahexanoic acid | 39492881 |
| 1,1-Dichloro-1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethane | 38675 | 1,1-Dichloro-1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethane | 374072 |
| Chlorodifluoromethane | 45028 | HCFC-22 [Water] | 75456 |
| 1-Chloro-1,1,2,2,2-pentafluoroethane, water | 49541 | CFC-115 | 76153 |
| Perfluorobutanoic Acid | 51522 | Perfluorobutanoic Acid | 375224 |
| Perfluorobutanoicsulfonate | 51523 | Perfluorobutanoicsulfonate | |
| Perfluorobutanesulfonamide | 51524 | Perfluorobutanesulfonamide | 30334691 |
| Perfluorooctanesulfonate | 51526 | Perfluorooctanesulfonate | 45298906 |
| 10:2 Fluorotelomer Acrylate | 51639 | 10:2 Fluorotelomer Acrylate | |
| Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid | 52612 | Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid | 13252136 |
| Perfluoroethoxypropyl carboxylic acid | 52618 | Perfluoroethoxypropyl carboxylic acid | 26739612 |
| Perfluoro-4-isopropoxybutanoic acid | 52619 | Perfluoro-4-isopropoxybutanoic acid | 801212599 |
| Perfluoromethoxypropyl carboxylic acid | 52620 | Perfluoromethoxypropyl carboxylic acid | 13140299 |
| Perfluoroethoxypropanoic acid | 52621 | Perfluoroethoxypropanoic acid | 773804629 |
| Perfluoroethoxypropionic acid | 52622 | Perfluoroethoxypropionic acid | 69087463 |
| Perfluoro-2-methoxypropanoic acid | 52624 | Perfluoro-2-methoxypropanoic acid | 93449219 |
| Pentafluoropentionic acid | 52625 | Pentafluoropentionic acid | 422640 |
| Perfluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid | 52626 | Perfluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid | 151772586 |
| Perfluoro-3,5,7,9,11-pentaoxadodecanoic acid | 52627 | Perfluoro-3,5,7,9,11-pentaoxadodecanoic acid | 39492916 |
| Perfluoroethoxysulfonic acid | 52628 | Perfluoroethoxysulfonic acid | |
| Perfluoroethoxyethanesulfonic acid | 52629 | Perfluoroethoxyethanesulfonic acid | 113507827 |
| PFESA Byproduct 1 | 52630 | PFESA Byproduct 1 | 29311679 |
| 10:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid | 52631 | 10:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid | 120226600 |
| Perfluorododecanesulfonic acid | 52632 | Perfluorododecanesulfonic acid | 79780395 |
| Perfluorohexadecanoic acid | 52633 | Perfluorohexadecanoic acid | 67905195 |
| Perfluorooctadecanoic acid | 52634 | Perfluorooctadecanoic acid | 16517116 |
| 4,8-dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoate | 52635 | 4,8-dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoate | 958445448 |
| 4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid | 52636 | 4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid | 919005144 |
| Sodium 4,8-dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoate | 52637 | Sodium 4,8-dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoate | |
| Potassium 9-chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonate | 52638 | Potassium 9-chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonate | 73606196 |
| Potassium 11-chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonate | 52639 | Potassium 11-chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonate | 83329899 |
| N-Methylperfluorooctanesulfonamide | 52641 | N-Methylperfluorooctanesulfonamide | 31506328 |
| N-Ethylperfluorooctanesulfonamide | 52642 | N-Ethylperfluorooctanesulfonamide | 4151502 |
| PFESA Byproduct 4 | 52643 | PFESA Byproduct 4 | |
| PFESA Byproduct 5 | 52644 | PFESA Byproduct 5 | |
| PFESA Byproduct 6 | 52645 | PFESA Byproduct 6 | |
| 1,1,1,3,3-Pentafluorobutane | 85670 | 1,1,1,3,3-Pentafluorobutane | 141529320 |
| PFAS Sum | 87006 | Unknown |
Parameter Grouping/Category Priorities. There is no grouping or prioritization in the PFAS pollutant category.
Pollutant Load Aggregation. There is no load aggregation in the PFAS pollutant category.