THE PRESENCE OF HOT, /cap alpha/-EMITTING AEROSOL PARTICLES IN THE ATOMOSPHERE

Journal Article · Sun Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1963 · At. Energ. (USSR)

OSTI ID:4135603

Styro, B I; Garbalyauskas, Ch A; Matulevichus, V P; Potsyus, V Yu; Shopauskas, K K

As a result of atomic bomb testing, particles with activities up to 10/ sup -9/ C are formed in the atmosphere; their concentration is 1 particle per 10 to 1000 m/sup 3/ of air. In view of studies previously carried out on BETA and gamma -active particles, the alpha -emitting particles were investigated. It was found that the hot particles as a rule, do not leave proton or alpha tracks on x-ray film; however, alpha tracks were observed in 3 instances. The samples in which these particles were found were collected from cumulus clouds at a height of 700 m above the ground, by precipitation using an industrial cyclone from air near the ground, and by filtering air at 500 to 1000 m. The activity of the 3 particles was determined from 24, 39, and 82 tracks, respectively, as 0.4 x 10/sup -14/ 1.1 x 10/sup -14/, and 7.1 x 10/sup -14/ C. The activity is probably due to the presence of the following elements: Np/sup 237/, Ac/sup 225/, Fr/sup 221/, Po/sup 213/ (neptunium family), and also Pu/sup 239/, U/sup 235/, Pa/sup 231/, and Bi/sup 211/. The ionizing effect of these particles is probably similar to that of the ordinary hot particles. (TTT)

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-18-004030
• OSTI ID: 4135603
• Journal Information: At. Energ. (USSR), Journal Name: At. Energ. (USSR) Vol. Vol: 15
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: Russian

Related Subjects

ACTINIUM 225
AEROSOLS
AIR
ALPHA PARTICLES
ATMOSPHERE
BETA DETECTION
BISMUTH 211
CYCLONE SEPARATORS
ENRICHMENT
FILMS
FILTERS
FRANCIUM 221
GAMMA RADIATION
HEALTH AND SAFETY
IONIZATION
METEOROLOGY
NEPTUNIUM 237
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
PARTICLE TRACKS
PLUTONIUM 239
POLONIUM 213
PRECIPITATION
PROTONS
X RADIATION