Summary of recent studies of soil plutonium in the Los Alamos and Trinity Site environs
The first plutonium was sent to the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL) in 1944 from the Oak Ridge and Hanford reactors for use in synthesizing the first atomic bomb, which was subsequently detonated at Trinity Site in New Mexico. During the last 32 years the LASL has developed an outstanding capability in many scientific fields required to support research in weapons technology and in other uses of nuclear energy. The fabrication and experimental activities required for this effort have resulted in additions of plutonium in industrial effluents to Los Alamos soils, just as the Trinity soils received fallout plutonium after the 1945 Trinity detonation. Formal radioecology-soils studies relative to soil-actinide relationships has been mainly field-oriented and complements transuranic research dealing with the biota of several study areas. The current soil actinide research performed within three liquid effluent- receiving areas at Los Alamos and along the fallout pathway of Trinity, the first nuclear detonation, are summarized.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos Scientific Lab., N.Mex. (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- NSA Number:
- NSA-33-025976
- OSTI ID:
- 4025840
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-76-318; CONF-760214-2
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Conference on actinide sediment reaction, Richland, Washington, United States of America (USA), 10 Feb 1976; Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 30-JUN-76
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
N42500 -Engineering-Nuclear Explosions
510300* -Environmental Sciences
Terrestrial-Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport
*ACTINIDES- DIFFUSION
*LASL- RADIATION MONITORING
*NEW MEXICO- RADIATION MONITORING
*PLUTONIUM- DIFFUSION
*RADIOACTIVE EFFLUENTS- GROUND RELEASE
*SOILS- RADIATION MONITORING
*TRINITY EVENT- FALLOUT DEPOSITS
ENVIRONMENT
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
RADIOECOLOGY
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS