SECOND SPECIAL REPORT ON THE HIGH ALTITUDE SAMPLING PROGRAM (HASP). Technical Analysis Report

Technical Report · Tue Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1961

OSTI ID:4824440

Stebbins, III, A K

Progress is reported ln the High Altitude Sampling Program (HASP). A recalibration of the U-2 ducts diminished the previous discrepancy noted in the flow rates. Absolute values of radionuclide concentrations were increased 8 to 13% by this recalibration. A discussion on the structure and nature of the 0.1 to 1.0 micron family of naturally occurring stratospheric aerosol is presented. This dust layer of ammonium sulfate appeared to be generated in the stratosphere and may play an important role in lower stratospheric fallout processes. A detailed discussion of stratospheric concentrations of a number of nuclides is presented. Sr/sup 90/ and W/sup 185/ inventories and distributions from August 1957 to May 1960 are discussed. By May 1960 maximum tungsten values were found in the lower altitude equatorial regions while maximum strontium values were found in the higher altitude polar regions. The tungsten stemmed from low altitude HARDTACK shots only, while the strontium appeared to show influx from Teak and Orange. The tungsten and strontium concentratlon variations shed considerable light on stratospheric mixing processes. Ba/sup 140/, Sr/sup 89/, and Ce/sup 144/ concentrations ass isted in determining the age of debris and thus allow following of stratospheric mixing and transfer processes. A number of definite seasonal effects were noted. Transfer from the tropics to the polar regions was greatest during the winter and all but ceased during the fall. Various possible modes of tropospheric-stratospheric interchange are discussed. A detailed discussion of fallout from Teak and Orange debris is presented. Rh/ sup 102/ data suggested at least 10% of Orange was ln the lower stratosphere by May 1960. Ce/sup 144/ and Sr/sup 90/ data suggested that 25% of the debris in the polar regions in early 1960 was from Teak and Orange. A half residence time of about 5 years in the mesosphere for Teak and Orange was suggested. Entry into the lower stratosphere apparently proceeded through rapid downward mixing in the polar regions during the winter night. A study of natural radlonuclides in the stratosphere is presented. This assisted in measurement of stratospheric processes. Elements studied include C/sup 14/, H/sup 3/, Pb/sup 210/, Be/sup / 7>s, and P/sup 32/. Be/sup 7/ and P/sup 32/ concentrations in the stratosphere were about that expected from cosmic ray production. Pb/sup 210/ in the stratosphere may partially result from equatorial bomb tests. Comments are presented on surface fallout measurements which corroborate the HASP measurements. Seasonal and latitudinal effects were noted. The contributions of French tests were calculated. The hazard of radioactive fallout was assessed by nuclide and dose type. The 30 year genetic or whole body dose in the U. S. from Cs/sup 137/ and elements of shorter half life is shown to be less than 100 millirem or less than 3% of the natural background. The lifetime, 70 year, somatic bone dose to children in the U. S. is shown to be about 200 millirem of which half is from Sr/ sup 90/. This is less than 2% of the population MPD. U-2 operational scenes, constants and conversion factors, and a summary of nuclear detonations are included. (auth)

• Research Organization: Defense Atomic Support Agency, Washington, D.C.
• NSA Number: NSA-15-032379
• OSTI ID: 4824440
• Report Number(s): DASA-539B
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

AEROSOLS
AGE ESTIMATION
AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS
ATMOSPHERE
BARIUM 140
BERYLLIUM 7
CARBON 14
CERIUM 144
CESIUM 137
DUSTS
EARTH
FALLOUT
GRAIN SIZE
HALF-LIFE
HEALTH AND SAFETY
LEAD 210
MIXING
MPD
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
PARTICLES
PHOSPHORUS 32
PROJECT HARDTACK
RADIATION DOSES
RADIOISOTOPES
RHODIUM 102
SAMPLING
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SPACE
STRATOSPHERE
STRONTIUM 89
STRONTIUM 90
SULFATES
TRITIUM
TUNGSTEN 185
USA
ZONES