NERC-LV-539-16
     ANIMAL  INVESTIGATION PROGRAM 1970  ANNUAL REPORT
         w              •           *>
             D. D. Smith and K.  R.  Giles
          Farm  and Animal Investigation  Branch
Monitoring Systems Research and  Development  Laboratory
         National Environmental  Research  Center

         U,  S.  ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION  AGENCY
                 Las Vegas, NV   89114
                Published January 1974
         This  study performed under a Memorandum
            of Understanding No. AT(26-l)-539
                       for the
            U.  S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION

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                         NOTICE
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by the United States Government.  Neither the United States
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or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility
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  AVAILABLE FROM THE NATIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERVICE
               U. S.  DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
                  SPRINGFIELD, VA  22151

         PRICE:   PAPER COPY $5.45  MICROFICHE $1.45

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                                                       NERC-LV-539-16
     ANIMAL INVESTIGATION PROGRAM 1970 ANNUAL REPORT
                           by
             D. D. Smith and K. R. Giles
          Farm and Animal Investigation Branch
Monitoring Systems Research and Development Laboratory
         National Environmental Research Center

         U. S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
                  Las Vegas, NV  89114
                Published January 1974
         This study performed under a Memorandum
            of Understanding No. AT(26-l)-539
                        for the
            U. S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION

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                               ABSTRACT

This report presents the radionuclide contents  of tissues  collected  during
1970 from cattle, deer, desert bighorn sheep, and other wildlife on  or
near the Nevada Test Site (NTS).
Gamma emitting radionuclides were infrequently  detected in the  tissues  of
animals living on or around the NTS.   However,     I  was detected in  the
thyroids of all beef animals sampled during October.   The probable source
       131
of the    I was a non-U. S. atmospheric test conducted on  October 14,  1970.
Elevated levels of    I,    Ru, and 3H were detected in the tissues  of
wildlife that drank from drainage ponds that collect runoff waters from
the mines used for testing activities.  A man,  eating 311  g of  the flesh
                                                131                3
on one chukar sampled, would ingest 34.2 nCi of    I and 53 yCi  of  H.
            90
The average   Sr levels detected  in the bones of three ruminant species
sampled on and around the NTS ranged from 2.4 to 5.6 pCi/g of ash.  These
levels are lower than those reported during 1969 and reflect the downward
trend observed since the cessation of atmospheric testing.
No gross or microscopic lesions were detected that could be directly
attributed to the effects of ionizing radiation.
Details of special studies of wildlife utilizing the contaminated runoff
waters, of cattle-grazing in the  Schooner fallout area, and surveillance
activities associated with Project Rulison are  also  presented.
Other activities of the Animal Investigation Program including  claim
investigation, public information displays, etc., during 1970 are
described.

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                            TABLE ON CONTENTS

ABSTRACT                                                                  i
LIST OF FIGURES                                                         iii
LIST OF TABLES                                                          iii
INTRODUCTION AND HISTORY                                                  1
THE NEVADA TEST SITE BEEF HERD            .                                2
WILDLIFE STUDIES                                                         12
  Mule Deer                                                              12
  Desert Bighorn Sheep                                                   15
  Other Wildlife                                                         15
SPECIAL STUDIES                                                          18
  Haines Ponds Study                                                     18
  Fistulated Steer Surveillance Study of                                 23
  Schooner Fallout in the Queen City Summit Area
  Project Rulison Study                                                  29
  Baneberry Studies                                                      30
PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EDUCATION                                         31
INVESTIGATIONS AND CLAIMS                                                32
  Hot Creek Ranch Investigation                                          32
REFERENCES                             ,                                  34
APPENDICES                                                               36
DISTRIBUTION

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                         LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES


                                                                      Page
FIGURE

      (
      Beef, and Bighorn Sheep                                           11
                  90
1.   Comparison of   Sr levels in the Bones  of Deer,
TABLE

  1.  Vital Statistics of NTS Cattle Sampled During 1970                 3

  2.  Summary of Analytical Results of Tissues from Six
      Range Animals - Spring 1970                                        7

  3.  Summary of Analytical Results of Tissues from Seven
      Range Animals - Fall 1970                                          8

  4.  Summary of Analytical Results of Tissues from Three
      Corralled Cattle That Died from Natural  Causes
      During 1970                                                        9
  5.  Vital Statistics of Mule Deer Collected  During 1970               13

  6;  Summary of Analytical Results of Tissues from Six
    i  Mule Deer - 1969-1970                                             14

  7.  Vital Statistics of Desert Bighorn Sheep Collected
      During 1970                                                       16

  8.  Activity Levels in Haines Ponds Samples                            18

  9.  Analytical Results of Water Samples Collected on the
      Nevada Test Site                                                  19

 10.  Analytical Results of Tissues From Wildlife Collected
      Near Haines Ponds                                                 20

 11.  Analytical Results of Rumen Contents of  Cattle Grazing
      the Queen City Summit Area                                        24

 12.  Botanical Analysis of Rumen Contents of  Bovine Grazing
      the Queen City Summit Area                                        25

 13.  Analytical Results of Tissues Collected  from Two Cows             28
      that Grazed the Queen City Summit Area

 14.  Project Rulison Post-Shot Activities                              29
                                     m

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                           INTRODUCTION AND HISTORY

The predecessor of the Animal Investigation Program was the Off-Site
Animal Investigation Project which was inaugurated in July of 1957
by the U. S. Atomic Energy Commission under the direction of an
U. S. Army Veterinarian attached to the Nevada Operations Office^ '.
This responsibility was transferred to the National Environmental Research
Center, Las Vegas (NERC-LV) (formerly the Southwestern Radiological Health
Laboratory), on June 1, 1964.

At that time the scope of the program was broadened to include the present
objectives of:
    1.  The determination of tissue concentrations of fresh and/or aged
        fission and activation products in biological samples obtained
        from cattle on the NTS and from off-site ranches, if required.

    2.  The development and conduction of wildlife studies on and near
        the NTS in cooperation with state and federal wildlife agencies
        in order to assess the radionuclide burden in tissues collected
        from various edible wildlife species.

    3.  The gross and microscopic examination of tissues collected from
        domestic and wild animals for the detection of pathological
        changes, possibly due to the tissue concentrations of the
        radionuclides.

    4.  The maintenance of veterinary relations with the off-site
        population.

    5.  The investigation of alleged damage to domestic animals from the
        activities the Atomic Energy Commission conducts.

This report details  the analytical data collected and progress made in
meeting the above objectives during 1970.
                                     1

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                      THE NEVADA TEST SITE BEEF HERD

 The  NTS  beef  herd has been in existence since 1957.  The herd history and
                                                       /2\
 animal husbandry details have been described previouslyv '.  Also
 published are range^ ' and soir ' surveys of the grazing area (Area 18)
 utilized by the herd.

 In the last few years, through natural increase, the herd became too large
 for  efficient management; therefore, in November of 1970, 38 animals were
 surplused and transferred to the University of Nevada, Reno.  Following
 this transaction, the herd consisted of 71 animals as follows:
 2 bulls; 16 aged cows (5 years and older); 5 four-year-old cows;
 8 three-year-old cows; 1 three-year-old steer; 11 two-year-old heifers;
 4 two-year-old steers; 6 yearling heifers; 2 yearling steers; eight 1970
 heifer calves and eight 1970 steer calves.  The 1970 calving percentage
 was  80%  (36 calves from 45 breeding females).  The average rate of gain
 of the nursing calves was 1.1 pounds per day during the 100-day period
 between May 19 and August 26.  They received no supplemental feed during
 this period.

As part of the surveillance activities of the Animal Investigation Program,
 six animals from the herd are sacrificed semiannually and selected tissues
are collected for radioanalysis and histopathological examination.  These
 sacrifices took place on May 20 and October 30.  The vital  statistics of
 the sacrificed animals are presented in Table 1.   Unless otherwise noted,
each sacrificed animal  spent its entire life grazing on the Area 18 range
of the NTS.  The fall collection included samples from a seventh animal,
as one of the cows was accidently killed while loading her in a trailer
during the August roundup.   In addition to the samples collected from the
range animals sacrificed for this purpose, samples were collected from
three corralled animals (two dairy cows, one fistulated steer) that died
from natural causes.

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Table 1.  Vital Statistics of Nevada Test Site Cattle Sampled During  1970
Date Sacrificed
ID Number or Date Died Breed
BOV-l-NTS-70
BOV-2-NTS-70
BOV-3-NTS-70
BOV-4-NTS-70
BOV-5-NTS-70
BOV-6-NTS-70
BOV-7-NTS-70
BOV-8-NTS-70
BOV-9-NTS-70
BOV-10-NTS-70
BOV-ll-NTS-70
BOV-12-NTS-70
BOV-13-NTS-70
AHU-44-NTS-70
20 May
20 May
20 May
20 May
20 May
20 May
26 Aug
29 Oct
29 Oct
29 Oct
29 Oct
29 Oct
29 Oct
14 Jan
Hereford
Hereford
Hereford
Hereford
Hereford
Hereford
Hereford
Hereford
Hereford
Hereford
Hereford
Hereford
Hereford
Holstein
Sex
M
M
F
M
M
M
F
F
F
M
F
M
M
F
Age (a)
2
1
4
3
3
1
5
1
6
3
14+
1
1
10
Wt. (kg) Remarks
300
190
431
375
505
225
320
234
384
523
400
320
305
880


Infantile genitalia —
a "freemartin".
Fibrin foreign body in
abdominal cavity.
Thickened urinary
bladder.

Accidently strangled
during roundup. No
histopathology samples
collected.

Pregnant 3.5-month-old
fetus .

One of the original
cows in herd. Pregnant
2-month-old fetus.


Euthanized. Terminal
                                                       lymphosarcoma  with
                                                       secondary  emphysema.

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Table 1.  Vital Statistics of Nevada Test Site Cattle Sampled During 1970(cont'd)


            Date Sacrificed
ID Number    or Date Died     Breed   Sex  Age (a)   Wt. (kg)      Remarks
AHU-903-NTS-70   9 May
Hereford  M
AHU-36-NTS-70   13 Aug
Hoi stein  F
5.5
800   Fistulated steer.
      Died from cardiac
      failure.  Kept in
      Well 3 corrals,
      except for one day
      a month for last
      four years.

570   Died of tympanites.
      Was in milking string
      at Area 15 farm.

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 Each  sacrificed animal was killed by firing a 0.243 caliber bullet into
 the brain.   Immediately after death the animal was necropsied and all
 pathological conditions were noted.  Samples of adrenals, eyes, heart,
 kidneys,  liver, lungs, muscle, spleen, thyroid, and gonads of each animal
 were  taken and tissue sections were prepared and submitted to a patho-
 logist  for microscopic examination.  A summary of the histopathological
 findings  is  presented in Appendix I.

 Tissues routinely collected for radioanalysis included rumen content,
 liver,  lung, muscle, thyroid, blood or urine, fetus, if present, and bone
 from  the  femur.  Quantitative analysis of the soft tissues by gamma spec-
 troscopy  was made for 181W, 144Ce, 140Ba, 137Cs, 131I, ™6Ru, 95Zr, 54Mn,
 and K as  determined by the 40K fraction.  Urine or blood was analyzed for
 3                          89    Qfl
 H.   Bone was analyzed for   Sr,   Sr, am
  i >
 were  also analyzed for plutonium content.
3H.   Bone was analyzed for 89Sr,  90Sr,  and  239Pu.   Selected  soft  tissues
The soft tissues of sufficient volume were prepared for gamma analysis
by grinding and placing in 1000-ml polyethylene Marinelli beakers.  Those
of smaller volume, i.e., thyroid, kidneys, etc. were prepared for analysis
by macerating  in a blender and then suspended in agar in a 400-ml container.
The samples were then counted for 100 minutes on a 4-inch by 4-inch Nal(Tl)
crystal connected to a 400-channel pulse height analyzer calibrated to a
10 keV/channel.

            QQ    Qfl
Tissues for oySr, *"Sr, and plutonium analyses were prepared by low temper-
ature ashing.   An aliquot of animal  tissues was dissolved and the plutonium was
                                                                           (5)
separated by adsorbtion and selective elution from an anion exchange resin v '.
Plutonium was  then electroplated and counted on a solid state alpha spectro-
meter.  The recovery was determined by use of 23^Pu as an internal standard.

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 Other analytical  procedures  used at the  NERC-LV were described in another
 publication'  '.   The minimum detectable  activities  established at the
 NERC-LV are listed in Appendix  II and  are  expressed in  the analytical data
 tables as  less  than a minimum detectable activity  (MDA) in the total
 sample analyzed.   All  data reported are  at the 95%  confidence level and
 are corrected to  time of collection.

 The analytical  results of tissues from the NTS cattle are summarized in
 Tables 2,  3,  and  4.   The rumen  contents  showed the  widest variety of
 radionuclides detected.   Cerium-144 was  found in the rumen contents of
 nearly all  range  animals but appeared  in the livers of only three animals.
 Zirconium-95  and     Ru were  not detected in any tissues, as they are not
 readily absorbed  through the gut but are passed out of  the animal in
 the feces.  Levels of radionuclides found  in the ingesta of the range
 animals (Tables 2 and 3)  were significantly higher  than those of the
 corralled animals (Table 4).

 Air samples,  from the Routine Air Surveillance Network Stations located
 throughout  the West, were collected from October 19 to October 26 and
                                                          131
 showed concentrations  of fresh  fission products including    I.  These
 concentrations were attributed  to a non-U. S. atmospheric test that was
 conducted on  October  14,  1970.   Iodine-131 was found in the thyroids of
 all  animals sacrificed on October  29 (Table 3).  These levels probably
 came from the same source and emphasize  the value of grazing animals as
 biological  "fallout" monitors.

 The  only significant difference observed that might be attributable to
            239
 age  was the    Pu content of  tissues from an aged cow (>14. years) sacrificed
 in  the fall.  The respective  levels in her femur and lungs were found to
 be  27  ± 4 pCi/kg  and 89 ± 7 pCi/kg.  The average plutonium levels found
 in  the femurs of  the younger  animal sampled at this time was 3.7 pCi/kg
with a range of 1.1 to 8  pCi/kg.  The only other lung submitted for
plutonium analysis was from a 5-year-old cow and the level  reported was
 1.7  pCi/kg.  During 1971, the lungs, tracheo-bronchial  lymph nodes, liver,
                                                          239
and  femur from all sacrificed cattle will be analyzed for    Pu content.

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Table 2.  Summary of Analytical Results of Tissues from Six Range Animals -
          Spring 1970
Isotope
K
g/kg
"Sr
pCi/g
90Sr
pCi/g
95Zr
pCi/kg
106Ru
pCi/kg
13lji!
pCi/g
137Cs
pCi/kg
i^Ce
pCi/kg
181W
pCi/kg
239pu
pCi/kg
3H
nCi/1
Rumen
Content
0.8(6)
0.5-1.0
NA
NA
120(5)
50-170
500(3)
450-500
<25
<25
500(5)
250-650
800(5)
500-1400
NA
NA
Liver
1.2(6)
0.9-1.5
NA
NA
<25
<250
<25
60(2)
25-100
<250
90.0(5)
400-200C
NA
NA
Lung
1.0(6)
0.5-1.8
NA
NA
<25
<250
<25
<25
<250
975(2)
) 850-110
2.0(6)
1.0-4.C
NA
Muscle
1.7(6)
1.4-1.9
NA
NA
<25
<250
<25
40(5)
25-60
<250
<300
0
NA
NA
Thyroid
<0.3
NA
NA
<25
<250
<25
<25
<250
<300
NA
NA
Bone
Femur
wet wt.
NA
0.45 (3)
0.4-0.5
0.9(6)
0.8-1.1
MA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
0.8(3)
0.5-1.2
NA
Bone
Femur
ash
NA
1.8(3)
1.5-2.5
3.9(6)
3.0-4.5
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Blood
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
0.5(5)
0.5-0.8
First number is average, number in parenthesis is number of samples greater
than MDA, third set of numbers is the range.
NA = Not analyzed.

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 Table  3.  Summary of Analytical Results of Tissues from Seven Range Animals -
          Fall  1970
Isotope
K
g/kg
89Sr
pCi/g
90Sr
pCi/g
95Zr
pCi/kg
106Ru
pCi/kg
131!
PCi/g
137Cs
pCi/kg
llti+Ce
pCi/kg
181W
pCi/kg
239pu
pCi/kg
Rumen
Content
0.8(7)
0.5-1.9
NA
NA
45(5)
45-50
250(2)
200-300
<25
<25
500(7)
300-800
<300
NA
Liver
1.6(7)
1.0-2.5
NA
NA
<25
<250
<25
80(1)
300(3)
200-400
<300
NA
Lung
1.3(7)
1.0-1.9
NA
NA
<25
<250
<25
230(1)
<250
<300
See
below1
Muscle
1.9(7)
1.1-3.7
NA
NA
<25
<250
<25
45(3)
30-50
<250
<300
NA
Thyroid
<0.3
NA
NA
<25
<250
6.2(6)
4.3-9.7
<25
<250
<300
NA
Bone
Femur
wet wt
NA
<1.5
1.0(7)
0.4-1.9
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
25.2 (4)
1.1-89.7
Bone
Femur
Ash
NA
<5.0
4.3(7)
1.5-8.3
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Blood
0.5(4)
0.3-0.6
NA
NA
<25
<250
<25
<25
<250
<300
NA
First number is average, number in parenthesis is number of samples greater
than MDA, third set of numbers is the range.

NA = Not analyzed.

llung tissues analyzed for 239Pu were from BOV-7 (1.7 pCi/kg) and BOV-11  (89.7
pCi/kg).  BOV-11, an aged cow, also had elevated 239Pu in the femur (27 pCi/kg).
                                       8

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Table 4.  Sunmary of Analytical Results of Tissues from Three Corralled
          Cattle that Died from Natural Causes During 1970.
Isotope
K
gAg
89Sr
pCi/g
90Sr
pCi/g
95Zr
pCi/kg
106Ru
pCi/kg
131'ij
pCi/g
137Cs
pCi/kg
iMfCe
pCi/kg
181W
pCi/kg
23Spu
pCi/kg
3H
nCi/1
Rumen
Content
1.3(3)
1.0-1.5
NA
NA
<25
<250
<25
<25
(
<250
<300
NA
NA
Liver
1.6(3)
1.0-2.1
NA
NA
<25
<250
<25
300-
]ow 36 or
<250
<300
NA 1
C(
NA
Lung
1.6(3)
0.7-3.0
NA
NA
<25
<250
<25
<25
iiy
<250
<300
.4 ±0.3
>w 36 on
NA
Muscle
2.8(2)
1.5-4.0
NA
NA
<25
<250
<25
<25
<250
<300
NA
ly
NA
Thyroid
<0.3
NA
f
NA
<25
<250
<25
<25
<250
<300
NA
NA
Bone
Femur
wet wt.
NA
0.08
±0.06
HU 44 only
0.56(3)
0.2-1.0
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
3 ±2
Cow 36 onl
NA
Bone
Femur
ash
NA
0.35
±0.26
AHU 44
0.7-3
NA
MA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
y
NA
AMI
Urine
NA
NA
only
-
NA
4
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
0.8
J 903 only
First number is average, number in parenthesis is number of samples greater
than MDA, third set of numbers is the range.
NA = Not analyzed.

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    90
The   Sr content of the femurs continued the downward trend of recent
years (Figure 1).  That of the range animals averaged 4.1 pCi/g of ash
this year, as compared to 5.4 pCi/g of ash during 1969'  '.
                                    10

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              From 1964 on, the number of bone samples from each species is listed at the top of each column.




  30-1
  25-
 .   _                                 „    .„    v,    12



I20
 O
CO
 0>
o
o>
  10-
  5-
J               I•••••! BIGHORN SHEEP
^               111111111 DEER
jj               fr^^^TM CATTLE










Ilik
      1956   1957  1958  1959  1960  1961   1962  1963  1964  1965  1966  1967  1968   1969   1970


                    Figure 1.  Comparison of  90Sr in Bones of Bighorn Sheep, Deer, and Cattle

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                            WILDLIFE STUDIES

 Mule  Deer                                                                 (
 As  part of  the wildlife studies, at least one mule deer (odoooileus
 hem-ionus) per quarter was collected from the NTS.  (See Table 5 for vital
 statistics.)  Three deer were collected by hunting and three were
 collected as a result of motor vehicle collisions.

 The same samples for histopathology and radionuclide analysis were
 collected as from the beef cattle with the exception that the bone was
 taken from  the hock joint instead of the femur.  Because of the time
 lapse and advanced postmortem changes, histopathologic samples were
 usually not collected from the accident victims.  The results of the
 histopathological examination are found in Appendix I.

 In  general, theeanalytical results shown in Table 6 paralleled those
 found in the beef cattle, except that the tissues from mule deer 3 and 4
                                   101   1 r\c        o
 showed slightly elevated levels of    I,    Ru, and  H.  These animals
 probably drank from ponds that were contaminated with runoff waters from
 several tunnels in Area 12 of the NTS that were utilized for testing.
 These ponds are discussed in the Special Studies sections which begin on
 page 18.  The only gamma emitting radionuclides detected in MD-l-LinCo-70
                  95                     144
were 50 pCi/kg of   Zr and 640 pCi/kg of    Ce within the rumen contents.

 Strontium-89 levels in the hock bones were below minimum detectable
 activities.  Strontium-90 levels continue the.ir decline observed in recent
years.  Analytical results on six hock bone samples averaged 2.4 pCi/g
of ash this year compared to 6.8 of last year (see Figure 1)* '.  The
strontium levels  in the hock of the deer collected off the NTS
 (MD-l-LinCo-70) were 2.5 ± 0.9 pCi/g of ash.

Plutonium-239 was found in the hock bones of two animals.  The sample from
MD-3-NTS-70 contained 47 ± 7 pCi/kg of wet weight and that from MD-5-NTS-70
                                                     239
had 1.2 ± 0.5 pCi/kg wet weight.  The lung burden of    Pu found in
MD-3-NTS-70 (0.5 ±0.2 pCi/kg wet weight) was the highest found in mule
deer during 1970.  The lungs from the off-site animal (MD-l-LinCo-70) did
not contain detectable activities of plutonium.
                                    12

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Table 5.  Vital Statistics of Mule Deer Collected  in  1970
                     Estimated  Estimated    Date
Number       Sex      Age (a)    Wt.  (kg)  Collected          Remarks
MD-l-NTS-70   M
MD-2-NTS-70   M
MD-3-NTS-70   M
1
MD-4-NTS-70   M
MD-5-NTS-70
4-5
MD-l-Lin Co-  M        31/2
70
45      15 Apr    Collected by hunting,
                  Gold Meadows, Area 12,
                  NTS.

60      17 Jun    Collected by hunting,
                  Rainier Mesa Road, Area  18,
                  NTS.

50      24 Sep    Collected by hunting.
                  Kawich Valley Road, 1/2
                  mile north of intersection
                  of Rainier Mesa Road,
                  Area 12, NTS.

55       7 Nov    Road kill on Pahute Mesa
                  Road, Area 17, NTS

        21 Nov    Road kill, Area 2.  Most
                  of the carcass eaten by
                  coyotes.  Only hock and
                  thyroid samples collected.

77      29 Oct    Road kill, 13 miles north
                  of Pioche, Nevada, on
                  Highway 93.
                                   13

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 Table 6.   Summary of Analytical Results of Tissues from Six Mule Deer - 1970
f
Isotope
K
g/kg
89Sr
pCi/g
9°Sr
PCi/g
95Zr
pCi/kg
106Ru
pCi/kg
1311
pCi/g
137Cs
pCi/kg
i^Ce
pCi/kg
181W
pCi/kg
239Pu
pCi/kg
3H
nCi/1
Rumen
Content
1.3(5)
1.1-1.4
NA
NA
70(3)
50-90
530(3)
250-730
<25
<25
675(4)
300-1200
<300
NA
NA
Liver
1.6(5)
1.1-2.8
NA
NA
<25
825(2)
450-120C
<25
<25
<250
<300
NA
NA
Lung
1.7(5)
1.2-2.:
NA
NA
<25
i
Muscle
1.8(5)
5 1.5-2.1
NA
NA
<25
1200(1) 730(1)
) MD-4 only
<25
<25
<250
<300
0.3(4)
0.2-0.!
NA
0.12 (1)
MD-4 on'
45(2)
30-60
<250
<300
NA
NA
i
Thyroi d
<0.3
NA
NA
<25
<250
1.1-560*
y
<25
<250
<300
NA
NA
1 i
Bone
Femur
wet wt.
NA
<1.5
0.7(6)
0.2
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
24.0(2)
1.2-47
NA
i 	 1
i
Bone
Femur
ash
NA
<5.0
2.4(6)
3.9-3.5
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
i
Urine
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
2.2(3)
1.1-4.3
First number is average, number in parenthesis is number of samples greater
than MDA, third set of numbers is the range.

NA = Not analyzed.
*MD-3 =1,1 pCi/g
 MD-4 = 560 pCi/g
                                     14

-------
Desert Bighorn Sheep
Through the cooperation of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife  Service,  hock  joint
samples were collected from desert bighorn sheep (Ovis  eanadensis nelson-i)
killed during the fall and winter special hunts.  See Table  7  for vital
statistics of desert bighorn sheep from which samples were collected.  The
90
  Sr results from 14 hock joints collected in December  of 1969 and January
of 1970  averaged 5.6 pCi/g of ash with a range of 2.7  to 9.1  pCi/g of ash.
    90
The   Sr results decreased from that reported for 1968-1969  which averaged
9.1 pCi/g of ash (see Figure 1).  Since the cessation of atmospheric  test-
ing in
bones.
                                                     90
ing in 1962, there has  been a  gradual  decrease  in the   Sr content of the
                                                 OQ
Only four hock samples had detectable amounts  of   Sr  and  they ranged  from
1.6 to 2.4 pCi/g of ash with an average of 2.0 pCi/g of  ash.   Two  of four
hock samples selected for plutonium analysis  contained detectable  levels
   239
of    Pu.  The values reported were 2.3 ± 1.6 and 3.2  ±  3.0 pCi/kg wet
weight.  One of two lung samples from penned  sheep contained 0.4 ± 0.2 pCi
239
   Pu per kg of wet weight.

Necropsies were performed on three desert bighorn sheep  that died  in the
pens at Corn Creek (see Appendix I).  The gamma spectrum of all  the tissues
collected from these animals was below the minimum detectable activities.

Other Wildlife
Small animals and birds are also collected periodically  from the NTS.   During
1970 other species collected were chukar partridge, sparrows, coyotes, and
jackrabbits.  The gamma emitting radionuclide content  of tissues from  these
species, except from those animals collected  near Haines Ponds (see next
section), was below the minimum detectable activities  of the analytical
instruments of NERC-LV.

During the fall of 1970, water samples were collected  from seven locations
on the Desert National Wildlife Range.  The gamma emitting radionuclide
and tritium content of all samples was  below the Center limits of minimum
detectable activities.
                                     15

-------
Table  7.   Vital Statistics of Desert Bighorn Sheep Collected 1969-1970.
                      Estimated   Estimated     Date
 Number      Sex       Age  (a)    Wt. (kg)    Collected
                                     Remarks
 DB-l-DGR-69   M
DB-2-DGR-69   M
DB-3-D6R-69   M
DB-4-DGR-69   M
DB-5-DGR-69   M
DB-6-DGR-69   M
DB-7-DGR-69   M
DB-8-DGR-69   M
DB-9-DGR-69   M
8
11
12
           90
           85
120
 77
 69
           90
           70
          130
           80
11/25/69    Wild sheep.  Hunter killed.
            Cabin Spring area of Desert
            National Wildlife Range.

12/23/69    Wild sheep.  Hunter killed.
            Pintwater Range of Desert
            National Wildlife Range.

11/23/69    Wild sheep.  Hunter killed.
            White Rock Spring of Desert
            National Wildlife Range.

12/4/69     Wild sheep.  Hunter killed.
            Desert National Wildlife
            Range.

12/30/69    Wild sheep.  Hunter killed.
            White Sage Gap area of
            Desert National Wildlife
            Range.

12/6/69     Wild sheep.  Hunter killed.
            White Rock Spring area of
            Desert National Wildlife
            Range.  Hock sample collected.

12/1/69     Wild sheep.  Hunter killed.
            Saw Mill Canyon area of
            Desert National Wildlife
            Range.  Hock sample collected.

12/29/69    Wild sheep.  Hunter killed.
            Heaven Well area of Desert
            National Wildlife Range, Unit
            27A.  Hock sample collected.

12/10/69    Wild sheep.  Hunter killed.
            Desert National Wildlife
            Range.  Hock sample collected.
                                         16

-------
Table 7.  Vital Statistics of Desert Bighorn Sheep Collected  1969-1970 (cont'd)
                     Estimated  Estimated      Date
Number      Sex       Age (a)   Wt. (kg)    Collected
                                     Remarks
DB-10-D6R-69  M
DB-ll-DGR-69  M
DB-12-DGR-69  M
DB-13-DGR-69  M
DB-14-DGR-69  M
DB-l-DGR-70   F
DB-2-DGR-70   M
DB-3-DGR-70   F
8
12+
11
16
           70
95
65
           70
80
           10
           73
60
12/27/69    Wild sheep.  Hunter killed.
            Pintwater Range area of
            Desert National Wildlife
            Range.  Hock sample collected.

12/12/69    Wild sheep.  Hunter killed.
            Desert National Wildlife
            Range.  Hock sample collected.

12/23/69    Wild sheep.  Hunter killed.
            Pintwater Range area of
            Desert National Wildlife
            Range.  Hock sample collected.

12/24/69    Wild sheep.  Hunter killed.
            Sand Spring area of Desert
            National  Wildlife Range.
            Hock sample collected.

12/3/69     Wild sheep.  Hunter killed.
            Desert National Wildlife
            Range.  Hock, sample collected.

8/19/70     Penned sheep.  Died from
            pneumonia.  Samples not
            collected for radioanalysis.

12/4/70     Penned sheep.  Died from shock
            associated with fractured
            metatarsus.  Histopathological
            samples not collected.

12/5/70     Penned sheep.  Died from
            geriatric complications.
                                         17

-------
                             SPECIAL STUDIES
 Haines  Ponds  Study
 In  May  of 1970,  Hudson Moon, a Department of Defense nuclear test device,
 was detonated in E-tunnel which had been mined into the face of Rainier
 Mesa in Area  12  of  the NTS.  Haines Ponds are a series of three ponds
 which are located in a canyon below E-tunnel portal and were intended to
 collect runoff waters from the tunnel.  Following the Hudson Moon Event,
 the runoff waters draining the ES drift of  E-tunnel contained certain
 radionuclides.   The Environmental Sciences  Department of the Reynolds
 Electric  and  Engineering Company reported the following activity levels
 in  water  samples  collected at the Haines Ponds.

 Table 8.   Activity Levels in Haines Ponds Samples


Source
131T
I
Date pCi/1
3U
H
yCi/1
Makeup water from ES drift
to first pond
Lower Haines pond
7/8/70
7/8/70
23
85
500
13
Following receipt of this information, a water sampling survey was made
of the Haines Ponds and of the runoff ponds below T-tunnel to establish
the current activity levels, and of the natural springs and water wells
in adjacent areas to determine if these waters were also contaminated.
The analytical data are listed in Table 9.

As feral horses, mule deer, chukar, rabbits, coyotes, and numerous small
birds in the area frequently used these ponds as a water source, wildlife
were collected to determine the tissue burdens.  Chukar, sparrows, a
coyote, and a rabbit were collected and sampled.  The analytical data are
presented in Table 10.
                                     18

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Table 9.  Analytical Results of Water Samples Collected on the
          Nevada Test Site During 1970.
Location
Haines Ponds
below E tunnel
Ponds below
T tunnel
Area 5 Pond
White Rock
Spring
Tub Spring
Well 8 Pond
Pahute CP
Pond ;
i
Well 3 Pondl
Area 15 Farm
Irrigation
Reservoir
Captain Jack
Spring
Ponds below
N tunnel
Ponds below
G tunnel
Date Sampled 131I nCi/1
7/28 3.0 x 103
7/28 4.6 x 102
7/29 <.01
7/29 <.01
8/5 <.01
8/5 <.01
8/5 <.01
9/16 <.01
9/24 <.01
11/17 <.01
11/18 <.01
12/03 <.01
106Ru nCi/1
8.0 x 103
5.6 x 103
<0.4
<0.4
<0.4
<0.4
<0.4
<0.4
<0.4
<0.4
<0.4
1.6 x 102
3H nCi/1
2.6 x 102
4.0 x 10"
1.3
<0.4
<0.4
<0.4
<0.4
<0.4
0.5
<0.4
2.3 x 102
1.4 x 105
                                    19

-------
Table 10.  Analytical Results of Tissues From Wildlife Collected Near Haines Ponds
Sample
Type
Composite of
muscle from
two chukar
Composite of
Viscera from
two chukar
Heads and
necks of two
chukar
Sparrows -
whole body
Coyote blood
Coyote
thyroid
Coyote
muscle
Coyote
liver
Coyote
lung
Coyote
stomach
contents
Rabbit
muscle
Date
Collected
7/28/70
7/28/70
7/28/70
7/29/70
7/29/70
7/29/70
7/29/70
7/29/70
7/29/70
7/29/70
7/28/70
Area
Collected
Haines Ponds
Haines Ponds
Haines Ponds
Haines Ponds
0.2 miles E
of Haines
Ponds
0.2 miles E
of Haines
Ponds
0.2 miles E
of Haines
Ponds
0.2 miles E
of Haines
Ponds
0.2 miles E
of Haines
Ponds
0.2 miles E
of Haines
Ponds
At ponds be-
low U-12 T
tunnel
pCi/g pCi/9
110 70
930 4.3 x 103
770 570
1.3 x 103 390
NA NA
1.1 x 106 3 x 10"
13 <1.0
140 <1.0
50 <1.0
920 150
1 1
3H .
uCi/1 of H20
260 uCi/1 of H00
or 170 pCi/kg bf
tissue (66.3%
moisture)
NA
NA
NA
1.5
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
0.07 pCi/1
or 0.05 uCi/kq
(742 mrvi ctnrp 1
                                        20

-------
Table 10.  Analytical Results of Tissues from Wildlife Collected Near Haines  Ponds (cont'd)
                Date      Area        131I
              Collected  Collected    pCi/g
106Ru
pCi/g
     3H
pCi/1 of H20
              7/28/70    At ponds be-  100
                         low U-12-T
                         tunnel

              7/28/70    At ponds be-  <0.2
                         low U-12-T
                         tunnel
 <1
 1.6
    NA
    NA
                                           21

-------
The  National  Committee on Radiation Protection^ ' has published radio-
nuclide concentration guides in air and water for occupational exposure
during a 40-hour week.  These guides allow up to 100 pCi of  H and
      -2        131
6 X  10   pCi  of     I per liter of water.  The level of tritium in the
Haines Ponds  water  on July 28, 1970, was reported to be 0.26 yCi/1, which
                                                131
would be approximately 1/500 of the guide.  The    I level on the same
date was 3 yCi/1 or 50 times greater than the guide for occupational
exposure.

Each gram of  muscle tissue, from chukar drinking from Haines Ponds,
                     I Ol                  O
contained 110 pCi of    I and 0.17 yCi of  H.  If 311 grams (approximately
3/4  pound) of this  tissue were consumed by a man, his ingestion of    I
                                                    (Q\
would be 34.2 nCi which, on the basis of 5.5 rem/pCiv ' in a 20-gram
thyroid, and  assuming 0.2 as the fraction of iodine going to the thyroid,
would result  in a dose of 38 mrem to the thyroid.  However, this area
is not open to hunting and therefore the chukar are not available for
consumption by man.
                         3
There would be 53 yCi of  H present as free water in a meal of 311 grams
                                                        (9)
of the chukar flesh, which on the basis of 0.17 mrem/yCiv ' would correspond
to a whole body dose of 8.9 mrem.  Additional tritium present in the chukar
flesh as tritiated  organic compounds would increase the actual dose somewhat.
The  estimate  of this increase is difficult but would certainly not exceed a
factor of two.

Goldfish were placed in the U-12-E pond to determine if they could survive
and  be used as a biological monitor.  Goldfish from the Area 5 reservoir
were transplanted but they survived only 4-1/2 to 5 hours, as the dissolved
oxygen content of the water was less than 2.5 parts per million.
                                    22

-------
 Fistulated Steer Surveillance Study of
 Schooner Fallout in the Queen City Summit Area
Project Schooner, part of the continuing Plowshare program,  was  a  nuclear
cratering detonation executed in a tuffaceous medium at the  NTS.
Schooner was detonated at 0800 PST on December 8, 1968, and  resulted in  a
release of radioactive debris into the atmosphere.  The portion  of the cloud
containing the highest levels of gamma emitting radionuclides passed over
the Queen City Summit area''^.  Considerable deposition of  fallout debris
was observed by monitors in this area.

As privately owned cattle routinely graze in this area, it was decided to
use fistulated steers to collect monthly samples of the native vegetation
ingested by these animals.  These samples were analyzed for  radionuclide
content and for botanical makeup.  Cattle native to the area were  purchased
and sacrificed during the spring and fall.  Tissues from the animals were
analyzed for radionuclide content and rumen contents were analyzed as above.

Once a month from April through September 1970, (except May, when  the
sacrificed animal served as the botanical sample) two or three fistulated
steers were placed on the range and allowed to graze freely  for  6-8 hours.
Prior to placement on the range, the animals were fasted for 24  hours and
the rumen was completely emptied^  '.  After the grazing period, the freshly
consumed vegetation was removed from the rumen, placed in 400-ml plastic
containers, weighed, labeled and submitted for 100-minute gamma  spectroscopy.
At this time a sample was also collected for botanical analysis'   '.  After
the gamma scan and botanical analysis were completed, the samples  were
                             239
composited and submitted for    Pu analysis.  The analytical data  are
presented in Table 11 and the botanical data are presented in Table 12.

In May and again in October, one aged cow grazing in the area was  purchased,
sacrificed, necropsied and sampled.  Both animals lived in the Queen City
Summit area for the major portion of their lives.  The sacrifice and
necropsies were performed under field conditions.  Tissue samples  collected
were placed in plastic bags and were later ground, placed in 1000-ml Marinelli
                                  23

-------
Table 11.  Analytical Results of Rumen Contents of Bovine Grazing the Queen City  Summit Area.
Date
Collected
4/8
4/8
4/8
5/6
6/11
6/11
7/16
7/16
8/19
8/19
9/18
9/18
9/18
9/18
10/23
Animal 3H Blood
Sampled pCi/ml
901 1.7
903 1.5
905 1.4
BOV-1-N16 <0.4
901 0.6 ± 0.3
905 0.9 ± 0.3
901 NA
905 NA
901 NA
905 NA
901 0.9 ± 0.3
902 0.6 ± 0.3
905 0.5 ± 0.3
Water <0.4
Well 3
corral
BOV-2- 0.4 ± 0.3
N16
95Zr
pCi/kg
<25
<25
<25
<25
70
<25
<25
100
200
30
40
50
80
<25
30
106Ru
pCi/kg
<250
<250
<250
<250
<250
<250
<250
<250
700
700
<250
<250
<250
<250
<250
137Cs
pCi/kg
<25
<25
<25
<25
<25
300
<25
<25
<25
<25
<25
<25
<25
<25
<25
pCi/kg
<250
<250
<250
<250
<250
<250
<250
<250
<250
<250
<250
<250
<250
<250
900
181W
pCi/kg
<300
<300
<300
<300
1.0 x 10"
1.9 x TO1*
1.4 x 103
1.1 x 10^
1.8 x 101*
4.9 x 103
3.2 x 103
3.7 x 103
4.8 x 103
<300
3.3 x 103
239Pu Analysis
pCi/kg (wet wt.)
NA
NA
NA
110 ± 10
170 ± 20
(composite of
901 and 905
rumen samples)
same as above
42 ± 4
(composite of
901 and 905
rumen samples)
same as above
13 ± 2
(composite of
901 and 905
rumen samples)
same as above
46 ± 5
(composite of
901, 902 and 90E
rumen samples)
same as above
same as above
NA
160 ± 100
                                           24

-------
Table 12.  Botanical Analysis of Rumen Contents  of Bovine  Grazing  the  Queen  City Summit.
Date
Collected
4/8
4/8
4/8
5/6
Animal
Sampled
901
903
905
BOV-1-N16
Botanical Analysis
Salsola kali - 74%
Orhyzopsis hymenoides -
Orhyzopsis hymenoides -
Salsola kali - 3%
Orhyzopsis hymenoides -
Salsola kali - 1%
Hilaria jamesii - 88%

26%
97%
99%

        6/11
        6/11
        7/16
        7/16
        8/19
        8/19
        9/18
  901
  905
  901
  905
  901
  905
All Animals
Eriogomuna - trace
Orhyzopsis hymenoides - 12%
Ephedra nevadensis - trace
Atriplex oentrifulia - trace

Orhyzopsis hymenoides - 47%
Sitanion hystrix - 41%
HilaTia jamesii - 10%
Bromus tectoriwn - 1%
Forb spp. - 1%

Hilaria jamesii - 53%
Orhyzopsis hymenoides - 20%
Sitanion hystrix - 17%
Eurotia lanata - trace
Eriogonwn spp. - trace
Euphorbia spp. - trace

Orhyzopsis hymenoides - 62%
Sitanion hystrix - 37%
Hilaria jamesii - 1%
Forb spp. - trace

Sitanion hystrix - 54%
Orhyzopsis hymenoides - 45%
Hilaria jamesii - 1%
Forb spp. - trace

Hilaria jamesii - 76%
Orhyzopsis hymenoides - 18%
Sitanion hystrix - 5%
Eriogonum spp. - 1%

Orhyzopsis hymenoides - 45%
Sitanion hystrix - 36%
Hilaria jamesii - 18%
Forb spp. - 1%

Samples not analyzed
                                       25

-------
Table 12.  Botanical Analysis of Rumen Contents of Bovine Grazing the Queen City Summit,
           (continued)


       Date          Animal
     Collected       Sampled          Botanical Analysis

       10/23       BOV-2-N16          HUaria jamesU - 59%
                                      Orhyzopsis hymenoides - 36%
                                      Atriplex oanesoens - 3%
                                      Eriogomm spp. - 2%
                                      Euratia lanata - trace
                                      26

-------
beakers and analyzed by gamma spectroscopy and radiochemical  methods.   The
analytical data are presented in Table 13.  Histopathological examinations
were made of selected tissue samples (see Appendix I).

There was little rainfall between April  and October;  hence, the vegetation
growth was sparse.  This resulted in scanty samples from the fistulated
steers who grazed only for limited periods.  These factors make the
validity of radionuclide analysis somewhat questionable.  However, the
rumen samples from the sacrificed animals should have been quite represen-
tative of what the native herd was ingesting.
Radionuclides of interest found in the rumen contents included  °'W and
"9pu.  Tissue levels of    W were found in the liver and lungs of the
                       239
sacrificed animals and    Pu was found in the lungs and bones.  Iodine-131
was detected in the thyroid of the animal sacrificed on October 23.  This
probably came from a non-U. S. atmospheric test conducted on October 14,
1970.
                                        27

-------
                 Table  13.  Analytical  Results  of  Tissues  Collected from Two Cows that Grazed the Queen City

                            Summit  Area.
ro
oo
Animal Tissue 3H
Number Type pCi/ml O
BOV-1-N16
BOV-2-N16
BOV-1-N16
BOV-2-N16
BOV-1-N16
BOV-2-N16
BOV-1-N16
BOV-2-N16
BOV-1-N16
BOV-2-N16
BOV-1-N16
BOV-1-N16
Liver
Liver
Lung
Lung
Muscle
Muscle
Thyroid
Thyroid
Blood
Blood
Bone
Bone
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
<0.4
<0.4
NA
NA
131J
pCi/kg
<25
<25
<25
<25
<25
<25
<25
3 x 103
NA
NA
NA
NA
137Cs
pCi/kg
<25
40
<25
<25
30
<25
<25
<25
NA
NA
NA
NA
181W
pCi/kg
<300
2.6 x
900
700
<300
<300
<300
<300
NA
NA
NA
NA
89Sr 90Sr 238Pu
pCi/g ash pCi/g ash pCi/kg
NA
103 NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
6.2 ±
<5
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
2.6 8.8 ±
5.1 ± 1
NA
NA
0.2 ± 0.1
0.7 ± 0.3
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
1.7 <0.1
.0 <0.1
239pu
pCi/kg
NA
NA
7.8 ±
22 ±
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
3.0 ±
2.0 ±


0.5
20






0.7
0.1
                         BOV-1-N16 was sacrificed 05/06/70 and BOV-2-N16 was sacrificed 10/23/70.

-------
Project Rulison Study

Project Rulison's purpose was to study the economic and technical  feasibility
of using underground nuclear explosives to stimulate production of natural
gas from the low productivity, gas-bearing Mesa Verde formation in the Rulison
field in Garfield County, Colorado-^13'

A biological sampling program was initiated in August 1969 in order to docu-
ment the background levels of radionuclides in the tissues of domestic animals
and wildlife in the Rulison area.  The Project Rulison post-shot plans and
evaluation document^  ' directed the Animal Investigation Program to continue
to collect biological samples from domestic animals, deer and other wildlife,
prior to drill-back, and at intervals during and after operational activities at
the Rulison site.  Selected organs were to be analyzed for mixed fission products
and for trituim.  Table 14 lists the time schedule of the various Project Rulison
post-shot activities.

Table 14.  Project Rulison Post-Shot Activities
Activity
Detonation
Drill -back
Initial Flarings


Calibration
Flaring
High Rate Flaring
Intermediate Rate
Flaring
Date and
9/10/69
4/28/70
8/1/70
8/18/70
8/22/70
10/4/70
10/26/70
12/1/70
Time Begun
1500 MDT

2020 MDT
1137 MDT
1021 MDT
0630 MDT
1430 MST
1240 MST
Date and Time

7/28/70
8/1/70
8/18/70
8/22/70
10/7/70
11/3/70
12/20/70
Ended


2050 MDT
1157 MDT
1107 MDT
1315 MDT
1417 MST
1403 MST
There was no detectable increase in tritium levels found in the tissue samples
collected from domestic animals and wildlife of the area following any of the
Rulison activities.  Levels of gamma emitting radionuclides in these tissues
remained below the minimum detectable activities for the Laboratory's analytical
systems.
                                    29

-------
The analytical results of all tissues sampled are reported in Appendix III.
Surveillance activities near the Rulison site will continue during 1971.

Baneberry Studies
The Baneberry Event, detonated December 18, 1970, in Area 8 of the NTS,
resulted in the accidental release of significant amounts of radioactivity
from the test site.  The Animal Investigation Program initiated a special
surveillance study that included collecting tissue samples from dairy
calves at the Area 15 farm, from bovine grazing on the Tonopah Test Range,
from bovine grazing in Kawich Valley and from sheep grazing in Coal Valley.
Wildlife from several areas in the state was also collected.  The analytical
results from these collections will be published in a special report.
                                 30

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                       PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EDUCATION

During 1970, there were 40 tours of the National  Environmental  Research
Center, Las Vegas facilities on the NTS.   Approximately 1300 visitors on
these tours were briefed on the Animal Investigation Program activities.
These tour groups represented a wide range of interests and technical
background varying from NTS workers, students from the University of Nevada
(both Reno and Las Vegas campuses), Nevada Chamber of Commerce, American
Nuclear Society Symposium attendees, Utah, Texas, and Wyoming state
officials and foreign visitors from Germany, Nigeria, and Australia.

Details of the Animal Investigation Program were  also presented to attendees
of the training session of the United States Department of Agriculture
Defense Board which was held in Reno, Nevada, on  March 5 and 6, 1970.

On April 9, 1970, a paper^  ' summarizing the necropsy findings in the
desert bighorn sheep was presented to the 1970 Desert Bighorn Council
Meeting in Bishop, California.

"Big Sam," a fistulated steer, was exhibited on-the grounds of the Dallas
Health and Science Museum during the State Fair of Texas, October 10-25,
1970.  He was visited by approximately 30,000 people and viewed by an
estimated 150,000 others.  Approximately 15,000 brochures and fact sheets
(see Appendix IV) were distributed to interested  visitors.

Representatives from the press were briefed on the Animal Investigation
Program activities on several occasions.   Articles that featured or
mentioned these activities appeared in the St. Louis Dispatch, Las Vegas
Review Journal, Las Vegas Sun, and the Los Angeles Times.
                                      31

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                            INVESTIGATIONS AND CLAIMS

 No  formal  livestock  radiation damage claims were received during 1970.  An
 investigation was made of one incident of possible damage.  The findings of
 this  investigation eliminated radiation as a causative agent.

 Hot Creek  Ranch  Investigation

 In  the early spring  of 1970, cattle from the Hot Creek Ranch (both at the
 home  ranch and at the Wine Cup Ranch in Wells, Nevada) were reported to have
 hairless areas which the owner suspected was caused by radiation.  Some of
 the affected animals were examined on February 26, 1970.

 The owner  provided the following history.  Approximately 30% of both herds
 were  affected.   The  number of animals involved was 200 ± 50 at the Hot Creek
 Ranch and  300 ±  50 at the Wine Cup Ranch.  The condition first appeared three
 or  four months before the investigation and gradually progressed until a few
 animals had lost one-third of their body hair.  The condition affected all
 ages, but  was especially prevalent in the four-to eight-year-old cows.

 The three  animals examined had irregularly shaped, hairless patches scattered
 over  the body with most of the lesions located on the lateral side of the neck.
 The patches ranged in size from 0.5 by 1 inch to 2 inches by 8 inches.  There
 was no discoloration or loss of pigment in the hair.   The denuded skin appeared
 normal with occasional increased scaling.  Some of the denuded areas were sun-
 burned and showed signs of trauma that might be associated with scraping or
 rubbing.  All animals were in good flesh.

 Skin  scrapings, hair samples, and blood samples were collected from each
 animal.  Sucking lice (Linognathus vituli] were noted on two of the animals.  A
 skin  biopsy was taken from the most extensive lesion.  The lesions were docu-
mented by photographs.
                                        32

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The lateral location, large size, and irregular shape of these  lesions,  plus
the lack of depigmentation refuted beta particles as  an etiological  agent.
Skin scrapings were negative for mange mites.   Complete blood cell  counts
were within normal limits.

The histopathologic report of the skin biopsy  stated  that:   "Morphologic
characteristics are not compatible with those  expected in beta  burns of  three
or four months duration.  Etiology of the alopecia described is not apparent
in the sections."

Triahophyton (an etiological agent of ringworm), rbodotorula and rhizopus,
species of fungus were isolated and identified on mycology cultures of hair
samples prepared by the Nevada Animal Disease  Laboratory, Reno, Nevada.

Both ringworm and lice (because of feeding habits) cause pruritus that the
animals relieve by rubbing, hence the loss of body hair.  The location of
lesions and history supported the diagnosis of mycosis and pediculosis.
                                       33

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                                 REFERENCES
  1.   Fountain,  E. L.  Off-Site  Investigation Project.  Fourth Annual Report
      Nevada Operations Office,  U. S. Atomic Energy Commission.  Las Vegas,
      Nevada.   (1961)

  2.   Smith, D.  D. Management History of the AEC Beef Herd 1 June 1964 -
      1 June 1969.  SWRHL-80.  Southwestern Radiological Health Laboratory.
      Las Vegas, Nevada.   (March 1970)

  3.   Brown, K.  W. and B. J. Mason.  Range Survey, Area 18, Nevada Test Site.
      SWRHL-52r.  Southwestern Radiological Health Laboratory.  Las Vegas,
      Nevada.   (December 1968)

  4.   Leavitt, V. D.  Soil Survey, Area 18 Range.  SWRHL-74r.  Southwestern
      Radiological Health Laboratory.  Las Vegas, Nevada.  (July 1970)
 5.  Talvitie, N. A. Radipchemical Determination of Plutonium in Environ- ,
     mental and Biological Samples by Ion Exchange."  Western Environmental
     Research Laboratory, Las Vegas, NV.  Publ. Anal. Chem. 43, 1827-1830
     (November 1971).

 6.  Johns, F. B.  Handbook of Radiochemical Analytical Methods.  SWRHL-llr.
     Southwestern Radiological Health Laboratory, Las Vegas, Nevada.
     (February 1970)

 7.  Smith, D. D. and K. R. Giles.  Animal Investigation Program 1969 Annual
     Report.  SWRHL-102r.  Southwestern Radiological Health Laboratory.
     Las Vegas, Nevada.  (August 1970)

 8.  Maximum Permissible Body Burdens and Maximum Permissible Concentrations
     of Radionuclides in Air and in Water for Occupational Exposure.
     National Bureau of Standards Handbook 69.  U. S. Government Printing
     Office, Washington, DC. (June 1959)

 9.  Report of Committee IV on Evaluation of Radiation Doses to Body
     Tissues from Internal Contamination Due to Occupational Exposure.
     Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological
     Protection.   ICRP Publ. 10.  Pergamon Press, London.  (1960)

10.  Final Report of Off-Site Surveillance for Project Schooner. PNE-524.
     Environmental  Surveillance Program, Western Environmental  Research
     Laboratory,  Las Vegas, Nevada (December 1969)

11.  Lesperance,  A. L., V. R. Bohman, and D. W. Marble. Development of
     Techniques for Evaluating Grazing Forage.  J. Dairy Sci.  43, 682
     (1960)

12.  Leach, H. R.  Food Habits of the Great Basin Deer Herds of California.
     California Fish and Game.  Vol.  42, No. 4.  (October 1956)
                                   34

-------
13.  Project Rulison.   A Government-Industry Natural  Gas  Production
     Stimulation Experiment Using a Nuclear Explosive.  Project Rulison
     Joint Office of Information.  NVP-2.   (May 1969)

14.  Project Rulison Post-Shot Plans and Evaluations.   NVO-61.   U. S.
     Atomic Energy Commission.  Nevada Operations Office, Las  Vegas,
     Nevada.  (December 1969)

15.  Helvie, J.  B. and D. D. Smith.  Summary of Necropsy  Findings  in
     Desert Bighorn Sheep.  Desert Bighorn Council  1970" Transactions.
     Las Vegas,  Nevada.  (April  1970)
                                   35

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                    LIST OF APPENDICES
APPENDIX                                                    Page


   I.  Gross and Microscopic Pathology Found                 37
       in Necropsied Animals

  II.  Minimum Detectable Activities by Gamma                46
       Spectroscopy

 III.  Analytical Results of Biological                      47
       Samples Collected for Project Rulison

  IV.  Big Sam at the State Fair of Texas                    53
                              36

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APPENDIX I.  Gross and Microscopic Pathology* Found in  Necropsied  Animals
Bovine

BOV-l-NTS-70       No gross lesions observed
                   Histopathological Report:
                   No significant lesions.
BOV-2-NTS-70       No gross lesions observed.
                   Histopathological Report:
                   Sarcosporidiosis.
BOV-3-NTS-70       No gross lesions observed.   Ovaries and uterus
                   were infantile characteristic of a "freemartin."
                   Histopathological Report:
                   No significant lesions.
BOV-4-NTS-70       No gross lesions observed.   Free floating mass of
                   fibrin in peritoneal fluid.
                   Histopathological Report:
                   One section contains a mass composed of eosinophilic
                   granular and fibrillar material which resembles
                   fibrin.
BOV-5-NTS-70       Urinary bladder somewhat thickened.
                   Histopathological Report:
                   Kidney.  There are a few mineralized tubules in the
                   renal medulla.
BOV-6-NTS-70       No gross lesions observed.
                   Histopathological Report:
                   Sarcosporidiosis.
BOV-7-NTS-70       Gross lesions seen were associated with asphixiation
                   as animal was accidently strangled while capturing.
                   No histopathology samples collected.
BOV-8-NTS-70       No gross lesions observed.
                   Histopathology Report:
                   Ovaries.  Large follicles old corporalutea are seen.
                          The pleura is very thick in some areas.
                                37

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APPENDIX I.  Gross and Microscopic Pathology* Found in Necropsied Animals
             (cont'd)
Bovine
                   Heart.  Twenty-one sarcocysts are seen.
                   Skeletal muscle.  Occasional fibers are swollen and
                   pale green (artifact?)
                   Thyroid.  The thyroglossal duct is seen.
                   Diagnosis:  Normal.
BOV-9-NTS-70       Animal is 3-1/2 months pregnant.  The lungs are
                   emphysematous from agonal struggling.
                   Histopathology Report:
                   Spleen.  Numerous neutrophils are seen in perifoilicular
                   areas.
                   Lungs.  Areas of hemorrhage (terminal) are seen.
                   Heart.  A few foci of lymphocytes are seen in the myocardium.
                   Kidney.  A few lymphocytic foci are seen.  Several small foci
2y_.   A
alcifi
                   of calcification are seen in the medulla.
                   Ovaries.  Several large follicles are present.  A large
                   corpus luteum is present on other ovary.
                   Diagnosis:  Normal
BOV-10-NTS-70      Histopathology Report:
                   Lung.  Some terminal areas of hemorrhage.
                   Spleen.  Neutrophils are adjacent to follicles.
                   Liver.  Liver cell nuclei along portal areas seem enlarged.
                   Heart.  One sarcocyst is seen.
                   Kidney.  A few lymphocytes are seen around two large
                   arteries.
                   Diagnosis:  Normal.
BOV-ll-NTS-70      Aged cow.  Uterus contained a 2-month-old fetus.
                                  38

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APPENDIX I.  Gross and Microscopic Pathology* Found in  Necropsied  Animals
             cont'd


Bovine

                  Histopathological Report:

                  Lung.  One lobe is hemorrhagic (due to manner of death)

                  Kidney.  There are casts in some tubules, a  few  foci  of
                  mononuclear cells are seen in the cortex, in these areas,
                  small vessels are thickened.

                  Adrenal.  Sinusoids in cortex are congested.

                  Ovaries.  A few large follicles are seen, but most of the
                  tissue is old corporalutea  and stroma.  A large corpus
                  luteum seen on other ovary.

                  Kidney.  Similar to other, but more focal collections of
                  lymphocytes, capsules of some glomeruli are thickened,
                  interstitial fibrosis in some areas,  occasional  shrunken
                  sclerosed glomerulus.

                  Spleen.  Diffuse hemosiderosis.

                  Lung.  Areas of acute hemorrhage, one lymphoid nodule is
                  under bronchial epithelium.

                  Diagnosis:  a)  Normal,  b)  Mild chronic interstitial
                  nephritis.

                  Comment:  Kidney lesions are mild and focal  and seem to
                  be oriented around small arterioles.

BOV-12-NTS-70     No gross lessions observed.

                  Histopathological Report:

                  Heart.  Several sarcocysts are seen, no other lesions.

                  Diagnosis:  Normal

BOV-13-NTS-70     No gross lesions observed.

                  Histopathological Report:

                  Heart.  Several sarcocysts are seen.   There are also a few
                  focal areas of lymphoreticular cells within the myocardium.

                  Lung.  Alveoli in some areas are dilated greatly with air,
                  probably terminal.

                  Spleen.  No significant lesions.  Lymphoid follicles  are
                  normal.
                                  39

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 APPENDIX I.   Gross  and Microscopic  Pathlogy* Found  in Necropsied Animals
              (cont'd)

 Bovine

                  Kidney,  a few arterioles seem hyalinized in the outer cortex
                  and a  few inflammatory cells are  adjacent to them.

                  Diagnosis:  Normal.

                  Comment:  No  lesions are observed that could be attributed
                  to the effects of ionizing radiation.

 AHU-44-NTS-70    Cow euthanized because of extreme respiratory distress.

                  Gross  lesions included:
                  1.  Subcutaneous  emphysema of chest wall and esophagus
                  2.  emphysemtous  lungs
                  3.  swollen epiglotiss
                  4.  enlarged  pulmonary lymph nodes with central
                      caseous necrosis
                  5.  necrotic  foci  on tricuspid valve of heart
                  6.  lymphoid  infiltration of cardiac muscle
                  7.  lymphoid  infiltration behind  right eye
                  8.  cysts on  kidneys
                  9.  omentum is edematous and emphysematous
                 10.  inflamed  gall  bladder

                  Thyroid.  Seems toughened and gritty.

                  Diagnosis:  Bovine lymphosarcoma  with secondary emphysema
                  caused by restriction of air passage from lymphoid
                  infiltration  of the epiglotiss.

                  Histopathological  Examination:  Morphologica .characteristics are
                  compatible with those of bovine lymphosarcoma.  Accumulations of
                  usually mature lymphocytes form a monotonous pattern in many
                  locations including the heart and the retrobulbar mass in the
                  orbit.  There are foci of interstitial nephritis.  The renal
                  cysts are not remarkable.  There  is equivocal sclerosis of the
                  interfollicular tissue in the thyroid, but definitive changes
                  to account for the "gritty sensation" noted at necropsy are
                  not found.  Fibrosis of interalveolar septa and moderate
                  hyperplasia of the media of arterial walls are in the lung.
                  Sarcosporidia are present.  There may have been lenticular
                  degeneration  in the left eye; however, the specimen is
                  inadequate for definitive determination.

AHU-903-NTS-70    Treated for clinical leptospirosis two weeks before death.

                  Gross lesions included:

                  1.  Enlarged, dilated heart with ecchymotic hemorrhages
                  2.  areas of myocardial degeneration
                                  40

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APPENDIX I.  Gross and Microscopic Pathology* Found in Necropsied Animals
             (cont'd)


Bovine

                3.  lungs are distended and contain numerous encapsulated
                    abscesses which are 2 cm in diameter
                4.  left diaphragmatic lobe of lung contains an 8-10 cm
                    cavitation filled with decaying blood.

                Diagnosis:  Acute cardiac dilatation and failure, probably
                as result of combination of high fever (108°F)  associated
                with previous illness, toxins produced by lung  pathology
                and the increased respiratory workload from impaired gaseous
                transfer in the lungs (reduced viable tissue).

                Histopathological Report:

                Peribrochial active, subacute to chronic inflammation.
                Active chronic pulmonary abscesses.  There  are  numerous
                immature and organized thrombi of which some of the
                latter contain foci of active inflammation.  The pre-
                dominant microorganism is a gram positive coccobacillus.
                Acid fast organisms are not found.

                Focal subacute interstitial nephritis and nephrosis
                with casts and degenerate epithelial cells  in the
                urinary tubules.  Special stains for the presence
                of spirochetes were negative.

                There is moderate periportal fibrosis in the liver.
                A bacterial colony is in a central vein.

AHU-36-NTS-70   Cow found dead with no history of illness.

                Gross lesions included:

                1.  Rumen, omasum, abomasum and intestinal  tract greatly
                    distended with gas
                2.  thoracic organs compressed into apex of chest cavity
                3.  froth and foam observed in rumen contents which consisted
                    of approximately 50 gallons of fresh alfalfa green chop.

                Diagnosis:  Tympanites.

                No histopathology samples collected because of advanced
                post mortem changes.

BOV-1-N16-70    Cow grazed Sand Spring Valley Range

                Liver.  Seemed fibrotic.
                                    41

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APPENDIX I.  Gross and Microscopic Pathology* Found in Necropsied Animals
             (cont'd)
Bovine
                Histopathological  Report:
                Sarcospridiosis
                Splenic hemosiderosis
BOV-2-N16-70    Aged cow in extremely poor condition.   Unable  to rise.
                Very lousy.
                Gross lesions included:
                1.  Incisors worn  away;
                2.  peritonitis with  ascites;
                3.  abscess in left kidney;
                4.  serous  atrophy of all fatty deposits;
                5.  emphysematous  lungs.
                Diagnosis:   Animal  suffering  from  advanced  starvation
                complicated by traumatic  paricarditis
                Histopathological  Report:
                Kidneys.  Mostly normal,  one  lobule has mild interstitial
                fibrosis, dilated  tubules, some perivascular collections
                of lymphocytes in  association with some fibrosis.
                Ovaries.  Dense connective tissues, vessels only,  few ova,
                one large follicle, two old hyalinized C.L.S.
                Lung.   Alveolar emphysema, bronchioles are  constricted,
                fibrous thickening  of pleura.
                Adrenal.  Foci  of  lymphocytes are  seen at cortico-
                medullary junction.
                Spleen.  Some focal fibrosis  is seen on capsule, marked
                hemosiderosis.
                Liver.   A foci  of  liver cell  necrosis  with  neutrophils
                are seen, some  foci of lymphocytes are seen.
                Heart.   No  visible  lesions.   Numerous  bacteria appear on
                surface of  fat  adjacent to heart.
                Adrenal. Melanin in capsule,  and in z. glomerulosa.
                Diagnosis:
                1.   Traumatic pericarditis and reticuloperitonitis;
                                  42

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APPENDIX  I.  Gross and Microscopic Pathology* Found in Necropsied Animals
             (cont'd)
Bovine
Mule Deer
                2.  renal abscess;
                3.  serous atrophy of fat;
                4.  chronic interstitial nephritis (mild);
                5.  focal hepatic necrosis (mild);

                Comment:  The first three diagnoses are made from gross
                findings.  Bacteria found on pleura!  and peritoneal  surfaces
                may be post mortem invaders.  There is no inflammatory
                reaction to them.
MD-l-NTS-70     No gross lesions observed.

                Histopathological Report:

                No significant lesions.

MD-2-NTS-70     No gross lesions observed.

                Histopathological Report:

                Sarcosporidiosis
                Mild, focal interstitial nephritis

MD-3-NTS-70     No gross lesions observed.

                Histopathological Report:

                Results not received.

MD-4-NTS-70     Trauma associated with vehicular collision.
                Histological samples not collected as there are advanced
                post mortem changes.

MD-5-NTS-70     No autopsy performed as carcass nearly destroyed by
                force of vehicular collision and by scavengers.  Histological
                samples not collected as there are advanced post mortem changes,

MD-l-Lin Co-70  Trauma of femur, spleen, liver and lungs from vehicular
                collision.

                Histopathological Report:

                Kidney.  There are areas of congestion, a lymphoid nodule
                is seen alongside a vessel, two lymphocytic foci in medulla.

                Testes.  Autolytic, no visible lesions.
                                    43

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APPENDIX I.  Gross and Microscopic Pathology* Found in Necropsied Animals
             (cont'd)
Mule Deer
                Kidney.   Several focal areas of interstitial  chronic
                inflammation.

                Lung.   Pleura is thickened and bluish in some areas.  Some
                smooth muscle in alveolar tips is bluish in color.

                Thyroid.  Follicles are very large.

                Diagnosis:

                1.  Normal
                2.  Mild chronic focal pleuritis
Desert Bighorn
   Sheep
DB-l-BGR-70     Two-month-old lamb that died at Corn Creek Station/
                Desert National  Wildlife Range.

                Gross lesions included:

                1.   Pleural  adhesions;
                2.   all  lobes of lungs contain numerous  small
                    abscesses (0.2-0.5 cm in diameter);
                3.   phytobezor in rumen;
                4.   ecchymotic hemorrhages on border of  spleen.

                Diagnosis:   Diffuse bacterial pneumonia

                Histopathological Report:

                Liver,   no  lesions are seen.

                Spleen.   There is atrophy of the lymphoid follicles.

                Kidney,   no  lesions.

                Spleen,   atrophy of follicles.

                Lung.  There is  atelectasis, filling of  alveoli  with  fluid,
                neutrophils  and  macrophages.  Alveolar walls  appeared lined
                by  hyperplastic  cells  in some areas.  Perivacular cuffs  are
                also noted.   Airways are plugged with cells,  debris and
                fluid.

                Diagnosis:   Pneumonia.
                                   44

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APPENDIX I.  Gross and Microscopic Pathology* Found in Necropsied Animals
             (cont'd)
DB-2-DGR-70   Two-year-old ram maintained at Corn Creek Station/Desert
              National Wildlife Range.  Compound fracture of metatarsus.
              Died from shock from the trauma and anesthetic associated
              with fracture repair.
              Histopathology samples not collected as there were advanced
              post mortem changes.
DB-3-DGR-70   Sixteen-year-old ewe, spent entire life in pens at Corn
              Creek Station/Desert National Wildlife Range.
              Gross lesions noted included:
              1.  Tapeworm in bile duct,
              2.  ecchymotic hemorrhage on edges of spleen,
              3.  contusions of hips and pelvis.
              Diagnosis:  Geriatric complications
              Histopathological Report:
              Lung.  There are areas of congested vessels and peri vascular
              edema.  A few possible areas of emphysema are observed.
              Liver.  No lesions are seen.
              Ovary.  Only one follicle is noted.  Stroma is prominent.
              Adrenal.  Congested.
              Kidney.  Areas of interstitial inflammation and fibrosis are
              seen.  The kidneys are congested.  There is brown pigment in
              some tubule cells.  Hyaline and hemoglobin casts are seen in
              some tubules.
              Heart.  One sarcocyst is observed.
              Spleen.  Nodules on surface contain hemosiderin, and brown
              pigment.  A large area of hemorrhage is observed on the surface.
              Diagnosis:  Lower nephron nephrosis (hemoglobinurio).
*As reported by Dr. James N. Shively and Dr. Jerrold M. Ward, Division of
Biological Effects, Bureau of Radiological Health, 12720 Twinbrook Parkway,
Rockville, Maryland 20852.
                                  45

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APPENDIX II.  Minimum Detectable Activities for Radionuclide Analyses.
              Technical Support Laboratory, National Environmental
              Research Center, Las Vegas, Nevada.

The minimum detectable activities (MDA's) in terms of total activity per
sample for standard geometries and counting times  are based on a combination
of a number of technical experiments and operational experience.  By
means of experimentation the MDA has been defined  as that activity which
produced a ±100% deviation at the 95% confidence level.  These values
are applicable to ideal conditions and simple complexes of nuclides.
Complex spectra and spectra showing naturally occurring radionuclides
can raise the MDA's considerably.

           Minimum Detectable Activities in pCi for Total Sample
10
Isotope
181W
144Ce
131j
106Ru
65Zn
137Cs
95Zr
54Mn
140Ba
K
239Pu
3H
90Sr
89Sr
Min. Count 40 Min. Count
Planchet Planchet 400 ml

500 250 400
50 25 40
500 250 400
500 250 400
50 25 40
50 25 40
50 25 40
50 25 40
0.5 0.3 0.4
0.01 pCi per gram of ash
0.4 pCi per ml of H20
2 pCi total sample of ash
5 pCi total sample of ash
3.5 liter

350
35
350
350
35
35
35
35
0.4




400 ml
300
250
25
250
250
25
25
25
25
0.3




100 Min. Count
1000 ml Marinelli
300
250
25
250
250
25
25
25
25
0.3




 grams of potassium.
                                      46

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APPENDIX III.
 Analytical  Results of Biological  Samples  Collected for
 Project Rulison
Sample
Description
Col
Date
lected
pCi/g
of
ash
90Sr
3H
pCi/ml f
^2°
Remarks
Mule deer

   Muscle

   Hock bone
8/16/69
             NA              NA   0.8 ±0.7

           10.0 ± 4.6  6.0 ± 1.5    NA
Mule deer

   Muscle

   Hock bone
8/17/69
             NA              NA   0.8 ± 0.7

            5.4 ± 4.0  5.7 ± 1.3    NA
Mule deer

   Muscle

   Hock bone
8/19/69
             NA              NA   0.9 ± 0.7

            3.4 ± 4.0  6.4 ±1.3    NA
Mule deer

   Muscle

   Hock bone
8/27/69
             NA              NA   1.0 ± 0.7

            6.9 ± 3.1  3.8 ± 1.2    NA
One-year-old male.  A
hunter kill in High-
tower area of Dike  Creek.
Gamma spectra indicated
that radionuclide con-
centrations in the
muscle and thyroid  were
less than the minimum
detectable activities.

Two-year-old male.   A
hunter kill from Uncom-
pahgre Plateau, west of
Delta, Colorado.  Gamma
spectra indicated that
radionuclide concentra-
tions in the muscle and
thyroid were less than
the minimum detectable
activities.

Five-year-old male.  A
hunter kill at Hubbard
Creek, Colorado.  Gamma
spectra indicated that
radionuclide concentra-
tions in the muscle and
thyroid were less than
the minimum detectable
activities.

Female fawn.  Road kill,
3 miles south of Mesa,
Colorado, Highway 65.
Gamma spectra indicated
that radionuclide con-
centrations in the abo-
masum contents, abomasum
tissue, liver, lungs,
muscle, thyroid, and  rumen
contents were less  than
the minimum detectable
activities.
                                            47

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APPENDIX  III.  Analytical Results of Biological Samples Collected for
               Project Rulisonjfcont'd)
    Sample       Date
Description   Collected
                pCi/g of ash           3H
             89Sr            90Sr  pCi/ml
                        Remarks
Mule deer

   Muscle

   Hock bone
8/29/69
             NA              NA  <0.4

            3.7 ± 3.5  7.7 ± 1.4   NA
Bovine         9/2/69

   Thyroid



Bovine         9/2/69

   Thyroid



Bovine         9/2/69

   Thyroid



Bovine         9/2/69

   Thyroi d


Bovine         9/2/69

   Thyroi d


Bovine         3/19/70

   Muscle
             NA
 NA  0.8 ± 0.7
             NA
 NA  1.9 ± 1.0
             NA
 NA  0.9 ± 0.7
             NA
NA   1.0 ± 0.7
             NA
 NA  0.8 ± 0.7
             NA
 NA  1.2 ± 0.4
Four-year-old male.  A
hunter kill, 21 miles
south of Carbondale,
Colorado, Highway 133.
Gamma spectra indicated
that radionuclide con-
centrations in the muscle
and thyroid were less
than the minimum detect-
able activities.

Yearling steer from
Gregg Coffman Ranch,
Carbondale, Colorado.
No detectable gamma
emitters.

Yearling steer from
Gary Aldridge ranch,
Silt, Colorado.
No detectable gamma
emitters.

Yearling steer from
Connie Carpenter,
Debeque, Colorado.
No detectable gamma
emi tters.

Yearling steer from
Don Mackey, Debeque,
Colorado.  No detectable
gamma emitters.

Yearling steer from
Doug McDonald, Rifle,
Colorado.  No detectable
gamma emitters.

Two-year-old bull from
Mrs. John Savage, Graham
Mesa, Rifle, Colorado.
No detectable gamma
emi tters.
                                      48

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APPENDIX III.
Analytical Results of Biological  Samples Collected for
Project Rulison (cont'd)
Sample
Description
Bovine
Kidney
Date
Collected
3/27/70
pCi/g of ash 3H
89Sr 90Sr pCi/ml H20 Remarks
One and one-half-year-
old cow, 1 mile south
NA NA 0.9 ± 0.3 of Plateau City, Colorado
No detectable gamma
emitters.
Bovine

   Kidney



Mule deer

   Muscle

   Hock bone
Bovine

   Kidney



Bovine

   Ki dney



Bovine

   Ki dney



Trout

   Whole Body
 4/1/70
             NA
 4/3/70
             NA

           <2.5
 4/6/70
             NA
 4/6/70
             NA
 4/6/70
             NA
 4/26/70
             NA
NA  1.1 ± 0.4
NA  0.6 ± 0.3

1     NA
NA  0.8 ± 0.3
NA  1.1 ± 0.3
NA  0.8 ± 0.3
NA  0.7 ± 0.3
One-year-old steer from
Alkali Creek, 5 miles
southeast of New Castle,
Colorado.  No detectable
gamma emitters.

Four-year-old doe.  Road
kill, 1 mile west of
Rifle, Colorado.  Gamma
spectra indicated that
radionuclide concentra-
tions in liver, thyroid,
rumen contents, and
muscle were less than
the minimum detectable
activities.

Aged bovine collected
from Garfield County,
Colorado.  Tag No. 1103.
No detectable gamma
emitters.

Aged bovine collected
from Garfield County,
Colorado.  Tag No. 1178.
No detectable gamma
emitters.

Aged bovine collected
from Garfield County,
Colorado.  Tag No. 1176
No detectable gamma
emitters.

Collected  from Battlement
Creek  near Central Point,
Colorado.  No  detectable
gamma  emitters.
                                       49

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APPENDIX  III.  Analytical Results of Biological Samples Collected for
               Project Rulison (cont'd)
Sample
Description
Col
Date
lected
pCi/g
89Sr
of
ash
90Sr
3H
pCi/ml H20
Remarks
Trout         5/28/70

   Whole body
Chicken

   Eggs
7/11/70
Trout         7/22/70

   Whole body
Chicken

   Eggs
Bovine

   Blood
7/21/70
Chicken       7/23/70

   Muscle
8/17/70
Bovine        8/17/70

   Blood



Bovine        8/17/70

   Blood



Porcine      10/14/70

   Kidney
              NA
              NA
              NA
              NA
              NA
              NA
              NA
              NA
              NA
NA  1.1 ± 0.3
NA  0.7 ± 0.3
NA  1.4 ± 0.3
NA  1.8 ± 0.4
NA  1.5 ± 0.3
NA  1.7 ± 0.4
NA  1.0 ± 0.3
NA  1.3 ± 0.3
NA  0.4 ± 0.3
Collected from Battlement
Creek near Central Point,
Colorado.  No detectable
gamma emitters.

Eggs collected from
Dan Moore Ranch, Grand
Valley, Colorado.  No
detectable gamma emitters.

Collected from Battlement
Creek, between Central
Point and Grand Zero Pad,
Colorado.  No detectable
gamma emitters.

Eggs collected from Tate
Weir Ranch, Grand Valley,
Colorado.  No detectable
gamma emitters.

Collected from Don Moore
Ranch, Grand Valley,
Colorado.  No detectable
gamma emitters.

Blood drawn from five-
month-old calf from
A. L. Mclain Ranch, Grand
Valley, Colorado.  No
detectable gamma emitters.

Blood drawn from six-
year-old Jersey cow from
Donald Burtard, Rulison,
Colorado.  No detectable
gamma emitters.

Blood drawn from five-
month-old lamb from
Donald Burtard, Rulison,
Colorado.  No detectable
gamma emitters.

One-year-old Hampshire
hog from H. W. Arnett Ranch,
Grand Valley, Colorado, one
mile west of Rulison. No
detectable gamma emitters.
                                      50

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APPENDIX III.
 Analytical Results of Biological  Samples Collected for
 Project Rulison (cont'd)
    Sample
Description
   Date
Collected
pCi/g of ash
          3H
90Sr  pCi/ml
                                    Remarks
Bovine

   Kidney
Elk
10/27/70
11/2/70
              NA
   Muscle
              NA
             NA  0.6 ± 0.3
             NA  0.8 ± 0.3
Mule deer

   Kidney




Mule deer

   Kidney




Mule deer

   Kidney




Ovine

   Blood


Bovine

   Blood
11/6/70
              NA
             NA  0.7 ± 0.3
Tl/6/70
              NA
             NA  0.9 ± 0.3
11/6/70
              NA
             NA  0.6 ± 0.3
Elk
11/6/70
11/6/70
11/6/70
              NA
             NA  1.2 ± 0.3
              NA
             NA  1.2 ± 0.3
   Muscle
              NA
             NA  0.9 ± 0.3
                Two-year-old cow collected
                one mile north of Rifle,
                Colorado.  No detectable
                gamma emitters.

                Two-year-old cow elk.   A
                hunter kill  from the Vega
                area.  Gamma emitting
                radionuclides were within
                background levels of
                activity.

                Hunter kill  in Grand Mesa
                area.  Samples collected by
                Colbran Locker Plant.  No
                information as to age.  Sex
                assumed to be male.  No
                detectable gamma emitters.

                Hunter kill  in Grand Mesa
                area.  Samples collected by
                Colbran Locker Plant.  No
                information as to age.  Sex
                assumed to be male.  No
                detectable gamma emitters.

                Hunter kill  in Grand Mesa
                area.  Sampled collected  by
                Colbran Locker Plant.  No
                information as to age.   Sex
                assumed to be male.  No
                detectable gamma emitters.

                Blood drawn from 5-6-year-old
                ewe from Dan Duplice Ranch,
                Grand Valley, Colorado.  No
                detectable gamma emitters.

                Blood drawn from 9-year-old
                cow from Don Burtard Ranch,
                Rulison, Colorado.  No
                detectable gamma emitters.

                Two-year-old cow elk.  A
                hunter kill from Battlement
                Mesa.  Gamma emitting
                radionuclides were within
                background  levels of
                activity.
                                       51

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APPENDIX III.  Analytical Results of Biological Samples Collected for
               Project Rulispn (cont'd)
    Sample       Date
Description   Collected
                               pCi/g of ash           3H
                            89Sr            90Sr  pCi/ml
                                                     Remarks
Bovine

   Blood



Ovine

   Blood
12/21/70
              NA
                                            NA  0.4 ± 0.3
12/21/70
              NA
                                            NA  <0.4
Blood drawn from six-year-
old Jersey cow from Don
Burtard Ranch, Rulison,
Colorado.  No detectable
gamma emitters.

Blood drawn from four-year-
old ewe from Don Burtard
Ranch, Rulison, Colorado.
No detectable gamma emitters.
                                      52

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  APPENDIX  IV
October 10-26,1970
        BIG   SAM   AT   THE  STATE  FAIR   OF  TEXAS
      Big Sam, a fistulated steer from the herd of more than
70 Hereford beef cattle the U.S.  Public Health Service main-
tains on the Atomic, Energy Commission's nuclear test site  in'
Nevada, is a featured exhibit at  the State Fair of Texas be-
ing held in Dallas, October 10-25. 1970.  The Public Health
Service's Southwestern Radiological Health Laboratory ami the
A EC's Nevada Operation* Office- 1n Las Vegas  brought Big Sam
to Texas  under sponsorship of the Dallas Health  & Science
Museum.   The steer is displayed  in his own  special pen  on
the Museum lawn.

    In a suitably deep voice, Sam tells his own story of the
life he leads  on the 1350 -square mile test  site in Nevada.
"My place  is right smack in the  middle of the AEC's nuclear
test area.  A Texas-sized spread  I call it,"  Sam says.

    When Sam was a yearling,  he  underwent surgery to have a
fistula (hole)  into his rumen (forestomach) with a canula
(plugged entrance to the hole) installed  in his left side.
"I've had it nearly all my life," says Sam,  "and it doesn't
hurt a bit."  He and four similarly fitted corral mates then
joined the herd of beef cattle that  grazes the  Nevada Test
Site —where, from 1951 to the end of last year,  some 375
nuclear explosive tests were conducted.

    Sam and the other fistulated  steers had a special job  to
do for a research project  being  done jointly by the Univer-
sity of Nevada, which owned the steers,  and  the U.S. Public
Health Service,  which has been managing the  AEC's beef herd
since 1954.  The fistulated steers were to serve as biologi-
cal samplers of the forage grazed by the herd as  it ranges
over the desert test site.

    Once a month,  a sample of the rumen contents is removed
from Sam or one of his fistulated corral mates.   The Radio-
logical  Research  Program  at the  Public Health Service's
Southwestern Radiological Health  Laboratory (SWRHL) analyzes
the samples for radioactivity and botanical species represen-
ted.   The University of Nevada then relates  the nutritional
composition of the diet to the actual plant species ingested.

    Also,  the chemical and radiochemical composition of the
animals'diet is determined and changes in composition of the
diet are studied with relation to season, year-to-year vari-
ation, and nuclear testing events.
                       The beef herd has lived on the Nevada  Test  Site for 13
                   years.   Twice 4 year, animals from the herd are slaughtered
                   by  SMWL veterinarians,  and a large number  of tissue  and
                   organ saaples are taken. These are analyzed for radionuclide
                   content  at the SHRHL,  and samples are sent  to  the  Armed
                   Forces Institute of Pathology for complete microscopic exam-
                   ination.
                       In all these years,  no pathology related  to radiation
                   exposure has been observed. The radiation levels in the tis-
                   sues are well below allowable levels, and the meat would be
                   quite safe for consumption. The herd had a 96% calf drop for
                   the last 3 consecutive years —a production statistic  that
                   few herds could beat.
                       The AEC also has an experimental dairy farm on the Neva-
                   da Test Site developed and managed by the Southwestern Radi-
                                              i
                   ological Health Laboratory  as a field research facility for
                   studying the transport of radionuclides  through man's envi-
                   ronment to man.  In different studies, cows or growing crops
                   are exposed to aerosol sprays of radionuclides,  or cows are
                   fed capsules containing radionuclides. Radionuclide concen-
                   tration in the forage,  the milk,  in certain organs, and in
                   the excreta is measured.   The data are studied to leam the
                   influence of particle size, type of forage, feeding practi-
                   ces, and other parameters. The information is used to devel-
                   op models by which to predict exposure to man, and to evalu-
                   ate the effectiveness  of various  protective actions  which
                   may be taken  to reduce the amounts of radionuclides getting
                   into food material sounder different contaminating situations.
                       Besides managing the beef herd and dairy farm, the SWRHL
                   wildlife biologists  and veterinarians collect samples from
                   several wild species living in or near the test site as bio-
                   logical indicators  of fallout.   The SWRHL  cooperates with
                   state and federal  conservation agencies  in surveillance of
                   bighorn sheep, mule deer, and other native species.
                       From these and other continuing and cooperative programs
                   conducted  over a period of many years,  the  Atomic Energy
                   Commission and the  Public Health Service  gain a better un-
                   derstanding of the complex behavior  of radioactive material
                   in the environment and its effect on living things.
                                   Southwestern Radiological Health Laboratory
                                           Bureau of Radiological Health
                                           Public Health Service, USDHEW
                                   P. O. Box 15027 - Las Vegas, Nevada 89114
                                                         53

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                               DISTRIBUTION

 1 - 20  National  Environmental  Research  Center, Las Vegas, NV
     21  Mahlon E.  Gates,  Manager,  NV/AEC, Las  Vegas, NV
     22  Robert H.  Thalgott,  NV/AEC,  Las  Vegas, NV
     23  Bennie G.  DiBona, NV/AEC,  Las  Vegas, NV
     24  David G.  Jackson, NV/AEC,  Las  Vegas, NV
     25  Arthur J.  Whitman, NV/AEC, Las Vegas,  NV
     26  Elwood M.  Douthett,  NV/AEC,  Las  Vegas, NV
     27  Paul B. Dunaway,  NV/AEC,  Las Vegas, NV
28 - 32  Ernest D.  Campbell,  NV/AEC,  Las  Vegas, NV
33 - 34  Technical  Library, NV/AEC, Las Vegas,  NV
     35  Chief, NOB/DNA, NV/AEC, Las  Vegas,  NV
     36  Robert J.  Cat!in, Office  of Environmental Affairs, USAEC, Washington, DC
     37  Martin B.  Biles,  DOS,  USAEC, Washington, DC
     38  Tommy F.  McCraw,  DOS,  USAEC, Washington, DC
     39  Assistant General Manager, DMA,  USAEC, Washington, DC
     40  Gordon C.  Facer,  DMA,  USAEC, Washington, DC
     41  James L.  Liverman, DBER,  AEC,  Washington, DC
     42  John S. Kirby-Smith, DBER, AEC,  Washington, DC
     43  L. Joe Deal, DOS, USAEC,  Washington, DC
     44  Charles L.  Osterberg,  DBER,  AEC, Washington, DC
     45  Rudolf J.  Engelmann, DBER, AEC,  Washington, DC
     46  Harold F.  Mueller, ARL/NOAA, Las Vegas,  NV
     47  Gilbert J. Ferber, ARL NOAA, Silver Spring, MD
     48  Stanley M. Greenfield, Assistant Administrator for Research
         and Monitoring, EPA, Washington, DC
     49  William D. Rowe,  Deputy Assistant Administrator  for  Radiation
         Programs, EPA,  Washington, DC
      50  Dr. William A.  Mills,  Dir.,  Div. of Criteria & Standards, ORP,
         EPA, Washington,  DC
 51 _ 52  Charles L. Weaver, Dir.,  Field Operations Div.,  ORP,
         EPA, Washington,  DC

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 DISTRIBUTION  (Continued)
 53  Ernest  D.  Harward, Act.  Dir., Div. of Technology Assessment,
     ORP,  EPA,  Washington,  DC
 54  Gordon  Everett,  Dir.,  Office of Technical Analysis,
     EPA,  Washington, DC
 55  Library,  EPA, Washington, DC
 56  Bernd Kahn, Chief, Radiochemistry & Nuclear Engineering,
     EPA,  NERC-Cincinnati,  OH
 57  Kurt  L. Feldmann, Managing Editor, Radiation Data & Reports,
     ORP,  EPA,  Washington,  DC
 58  Dr. J.  Frances Allen,  ORM, EPA, Arlington, VA
 59  Regional  Admin., Region  IX, EPA, San Francisco, CA
 60  Regional  Radiation Representative, Region IX, EPA, San Francisco, CA
 61   Eastern Environmental  Radiation Facility, EPA, Montgomery, AL
 62  K. M. Oswald, Mgr., Health & Safety, ILL, Mercury, NV
 63  Mortimer  L. Mendelsohn,  ILL, Livermore, CA
 64  James E.  Carothers, ILL, Livermore, CA
 65   Howard W.  Tewes, LLL,  Livermore, CA
 66   Lawrence S. Germain, LLL, Livermore, CA
 67   Paul  L. Phelps, LLL, Livermore, CA
 68   Charles I. Browne, LASL, Los Alamos, NM
 69   George E.  Tucker, Sandia Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM
 70   Harry S. Jordan, LASL, Los Alamos, NM
 71   Arden E. Bicker, REECo, Mercury, NV
 72   Savino W.  Cavender, REECo, Mercury, NV
 73   Carter D.  Broyles, Sandia Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM
 74   Melvin L.  Merritt, Sandia Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM
 75   Richard S. Davidson, Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, OH
 76   Verle Q. Hale, Battelle Memorial Institute, Las Vegas, NV
 77   Steven V.  Kaye, Oak Ridge National Lab., Oak Ridge, TN
 78   Leo K. Bustad, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State
     University, Pullman, WA
 79   Leonard A. Sagan, Palo Alto Medical Clinic, Palo Alto, CA
80  Vincent Schultz, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
81  Arthur Wallace, University of California, Los Angeles, CA

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     DISTRIBUTION (Continued)
     82  Wesley E. Niles, University of Nevada, Las Vegas,  NV
     83  Robert C. Pendleton, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
     84  William S.  Twenhofel, U. S. Geological Survey, Denver, CO
     85  Paul R. Fenski, Desert Research Institute, University of
         Nevada, Reno, NV
     86  John M. Ward, President, Desert Research Institute, University
         of Nevada,  Reno, NV
87 - 88  Technical Information Center, USAEC, Oak Ridge, TN
         (for public availability)
     89  Thomas 0. Fleming, NV/AEC, Las Vegas, NV
     90  Roger Ray,  NV/AEC, Las Vegas, NV
     91  William R.  Cooper, NV/AEC, Las Vegas, NV
     92  Bernard W.  Menke, NV/AEC, Las Vegas, NV
     93  Edward H. Fleming, DAT, AEC, Washington, DC
     94  Arthur Wallace, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
     95  Verl R. Bohman, University of Nevada, Reno, NV
     96  Manager, Desert National Wildlife Range, U. S. Fish and
         Wildlife Service, Las Vegas, NV
     97  Supervisor, Region III, Nevada Fish and Game Department,
         Las Vegas,  NV

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