TREND OF CAESIUM-137 IN THE EFFLUENT OF A LARGE CITY

Journal Article · Sat Dec 17 04:00:00 EST 1960 · Nature

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/188979a0· OSTI ID:4112489

Folson, T R; Mohanrao, G J

Several radioactivities in sewage flowing from Los Angeles. California, were monitored at the treatment plant for more than two years. Cesium-137 was followed in detail and the average and peak outputs from the city were recorded over 21 months. Estimates were made of the influence of Csi/sup 137/ on the radioactivity of coastal waters. Data were compared with reported contamination of human focd by fall-out. Data are presented on the trend of Cs/sup 137/ concentration over the 21 months derived from 75 composited samples, a comparison of influent and fertilizer concentrations, and Cs/sup 137/ to potassium ratio in raw sewage and fertilizer. It is suggested that monitoring of the beta - gamma activities in sewage systems might provide additional safeguards to the public against misuse of radioactive materials. Cesium-137 activity may be used to follow the local dispersal of sewage by the ocean only if the most sensitive counting methods are used. (C.H.)

• Research Organization: Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, Calif.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-15-007628
• OSTI ID: 4112489
• Journal Information: Nature, Journal Name: Nature Vol. Vol: 188
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

AGRICULTURE
BETA PARTICLES
CESIUM 137
CONTAMINATION
CONTROL
DISTRIBUTION
ENVIRONMENT
FALLOUT
FOOD
GAMMA RADIATION
GEOLOGY, MINERALOGY, AND METEOROLOGY
MONITORING
POPULATIONS
POTASSIUM
QUANTITY RATIO
RADIATION DETECTORS
RADIOACTIVITY
SAFETY
SEA
SENSITIVITY
WASTE DISPOSAL