THIRD ANNUAL HASP BRIEFING. Technical Analysis Report
The High Altitude Sampling Program was initiated by the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1954 to determine the spread of weapon-produced fission products through the stratosphere. U-2 aircraft, operated bp the Strategic Air Command, have been sampling stratospheric air at various altitudes along South to 70 deg North since 1957. Isotopes Incorporated, the principal contractor in this program, has analyzed over 2000 samples to date. Meteorological correlation has evolved a model of the stratosphere which accounts for the nonuniform deposition of fission products. The total stratospheric inventory of Sr/sup 90/ between November 1957 and November 1958 was found to be 0.9 megacurie. In spite of the large Russian injection in the fall of 1958, the Sr/sup 90/ stratospheric inventory for the period January 1959 to September 1959 averaged 0.7 megacurie. The conclusion is reached that equatorial injections in the 1 to 5 megaton range have a stratospheric half-residence time of around 10 months, while injections in the polar and temperate regions have a stratospheric half-residence time of around 5 months. Larger yield tropical injections probably have residence times on the order of several years. A special study of W/sup 185/ injected during the HARDTACK operation has been made. Results show more details of the mode of stratospheric mixing and transport and support conclusions drawn from Sr/sup 90/ analysis. A definite seasonal effect upon the rate of departure of debris from the stratosphere is shown. The major portion ef the stratospheric debris moves into the troposphere through the mid-latitude tropopause break. By Jan. 1, 1960, 87% of all material injected into the stratosphere will be on the ground. Predictions of radiation dose from existing nuclear debris of biological significance are made. The total dose from all debris, even to infants born during peak activities, has probably been no more than 10% of MPC and by l965 should be less than 1% of MPC. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Isotopes, Inc., Westwood, N.J.
- NSA Number:
- NSA-15-011312
- OSTI ID:
- 4080984
- Report Number(s):
- DASA-531
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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