SWRHL-lOOr
.-
ENVIRONMENTAL SURVEILLANCE FOR PROJECT GASBUGGY
PRODUCTION TEST PHASE
by
Environmental Surveillance
Southwestern Radiological Health Laboratory
U. S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
Public Health Service
Environmental Health Service
June 1970
This surveillance performed under a Memorandum of
Understanding (No. SF 54 373)
for the
U. S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
-------
LEGAL NOTICE
This report was prepared as an account of Government sponsored
work. Neither the United States, nor the Atomic Energy Commission,
nor any person acting on behalf of the Commission:
A. makes any warranty or representation, expressed or implied,
with respect to the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the in-
formation contained in this report, or that the use of any information,
apparatus, method, or process disclosed in this report may not in-
fringe privately owned rights; or
B. assumes any liabilities with respect to the use of, or for damages
resulting from the use of any information, apparatus, method, or pro-
cess disclosed in this report.
As used in the above, "person acting on behalf of the Commission"
includes any employee or contractor of the Commission, or employee
of such contractor, to the extent that such employee or contractor of
the Commission, or employee of such contractor prepares, dissemi-
nates, or provides access to, any information pursuant to his employ-
ment or contract with the Commission, or his employment with such
contractor.
035
-------
SWRHL-lOOr
ENVIRONMENTAL SURVEILLANCE FOR PROJECT GASBUGGY
PRODUCTION TEST PHASE
by
Environmental Surveillance
Southwestern Radiological Health Laboratory
U. S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
Public Health Service
Environmental Health Service
Environmental Control Administration
Bureau of Radiological Health
June 1970
This surveillance performed under a Memorandum of
Understanding (No. SF 54 373)
for the
U. S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
-------
ABSTRACT
Production testing of the Gasbuggy Emplacement Re-entry well took
place from November 4, 1968, to November 14, 1969. The Southwestern
Radiological Health Laboratory of the Bureau of Radiological Health (BRH)
conducted a program of radiological monitoring and environmental sampling
to document levels of airborne and deposited radioactivity released to the
off-site area during this period.
Tritium was chosen as the nuclide of prime interest because of its
biological significance relative to other isotopes expected, retention in
the environment, and relative ease of collection and analysis. Samples
were also analyzed for any other isotopes they might contain. Collection
of environmental samples (atmospheric moisture, snow, vegetation, and soil)
were made every one or two months. Airborne cryogenic samples were
collected during September and October 1969.
Tritium, carbon-14, and krypton-85 were detected. The highest levels
of tritium activity were found in the November 1968 samples. Activity
levels dropped to background by July 1969, then rose slightly in September
and October. Maximum carbon-14 levels were three times normal background.
Low levels of krypton-85 were detected in aerial cryogenic samples in
October 1969.
None of the environmental surveillance networks operated by the BRH
showed any evidence of activity beyond the 10-mile Gasbuggy surveillance
area.
It was concluded from the results of this surveillance that production
testing of the Gasbuggy re-entry well did not create radioactivity levels
in the environment which approached any appreciable fraction of the
radiation protection guides.
-------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ABSTRACT i
LIST OF FIGURES iii
INTRODUCTION 1
FLARING PROGRAM 1
SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM 2
EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES 3
SAMPLE ANALYSIS 5
DISCUSSION OF SAMPLING CONDITIONS 6
November 1968 6
December 1968 7
January 1969 7
February 1969 7
March 1969 8
May 1969 8
July 1969 8
August 1969 9
September 1969 9
October 1969 10
DISCUSSION OF RESULTS 11
Air Samples 11
Snow Samples 12
Vegetation 12
Soil 13
IMPLICATIONS OF OTHER SURVEILLANCE 1-1
SUMMARY -15
CONCLUSION i(~
REFERENCES --
APPENDIX '^
ii
-------
LIST OF FIGURES
Page
1. Gasbuggy Area Map 17
2. Air Moisture Sampling Locations 18
3. Air Moisture Sampling Locations 19
4. Snow Sampling Locations 20
5. Vegetation and Soil Sampling Locations 21
111
-------
ENVIRONMENTAL SURVEILLANCE FOR PROJECT GASBUGGY
PRODUCTION TEST PHASE
INTRODUCTION
Operating under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Atomic Energy
Commission, the Southwestern Radiological Health Laboratory (SWRHL)
conducted a program of radiological monitoring and environmental sampling
to document levels of airborne and deposited radioactivity released to the
off-site area surrounding the Gasbuggy site in New Mexico. This program
was a continuation of previous surveillance by SWRHL for Project Gasbuggy
which included surveillance for the Gasbuggy detonation and subsequent
2
Gasbuggy Emplacement Re-entry (GB-ER) and the GB-2 Re-entry Phase I
3 4
program ' . This report covers the GB-ER production test phase flaring
program which took place from November 4, 1968, to November 14, 1969.
FLARING PROGRAM
Post-shot production tests were designed to determine the rate of gas
flow from the reservoir to the chimney under essentially stabilized con-
ditions. By maintaining chimney pressure constant, the rate of production
measured at the surface is equal to the rate of influx into the chimney. A
series of three 30-day production tests were run on GB-ER, each at succes-
sively lower (and constant) chimney pressure, followed by a 7-month pro-
duction period at a still lower pressure.
The natural gas produced in these tests was disposed of by burning
(flaring) at the top of a ten-meter discharge stack. An in-line monitor
was used by Eberline Instrument Corporation (EIC)* to measure the
O Q c
concentrations of tritium ( H) and krypton ( Kr) in the natural gas
flowing to the flaring stack. Lower limits of detection for this monitor
3 85
were 10 pCi of H per ml of gas and 0.1 pCi of Kr per ml of gas.
*Eberline Instrument Corporation provided on-site radiological safety.
-------
Water vapor, containing tritiated water, was separated from the natural
gas during production. This water was collected, then at a later date it
was vaporized and injected into the natural gas at the flaring stack for
disposal. Details are given in EIC reports.
SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM
Because of physical trapping of particulate forms of radioactivity in
the cavity: only gaseous radioactive contaminants were expected to be
present in any measureable concentrations in the natural gas from Gasbuggy.
On the basis of the relative concentrations of the gaseous nuclides expected,
3
and subsequently found, in the natural gas it was determined that only H
o j-
and Kr might have any public health significance. It was concluded from
this and from the allowable airborne concentrations that the public health
significance of these two nuclides in air would be approximately equal.
Tritium would be the only nuclide of concern in other environmental samples
since krypton would not accumulate in them. Because of these considerations,
the desirability of using the same indicator in all environmental media, and
2
the relative ease of collection and analysis of H, it was chosen as the
nuclide of prime interest in the surveillance program.
Combustion of methane produces HO and C00. It was assumed that after
3
flaring, the major fraction of H existed as tritiated water in the vapor
14
state and any C was present as COQ.
^j
The permanent population surrounding the Gasbuggy site is tabulated in
Appendix A. The transient population within 15 miles of the flaring
operations consists of: up to 1,200 hunters for a few weeks in October and
November; up to 500 transients and pinon nut hunters in the summer and early
fall; and about 10 cowboys and sheep herders through the summer months. The
off-site population was taken into consideration in designing the surveil-
lance program.
During the surveillance period environmental samples were collected
from the off-site area every one or two months. Samples were collected
-------
during most of the periods of maximum flow. The type of sample taken
varied depending on the season and the availability of samples (e.g. snow
following a storm). Air samples were collected during each trip. Vege-
tation and soil samples were collected three times. Snow samples were
collected twice. SWRHL aircraft were used to collect aerial samples
simultaneously with ground sample collection during the September and
October 1969 collections.
EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES
Air sampling units containing molecular sieve were used. The systems
were composed of glass fiber filters for collection of particulates,
followed by a column of Linde 13x molecular sieve in the form of 1/16-inch
pellets. Linde 13x molecular sieve will reduce the dewpoint of air to
lower than -80 C*. Laboratory and field tests indicated that 99+% of the
water vapor was removed from the air sampled at the flow rates used. Since
the molecular sieve co-adsorbs CO with about the same efficiency, the
14
samples were also analyzed for C.
Before loading into the columns, the molecular sieve was degassed at
SWRHL by heating to 350 C under a vacuum of less than 1 mm Hg pressure. All
molecular sieve columns were double-bagged in plastic bags both before and
after use to eliminate either uptake of additional moisture or loss of
sample moisture.
Through March 1969 the air samples were collected on 4-inch-diarneter
by 14-inch-long columns of molecular sieve. The column held 4.5 pounds of
molecular sieve. Air was drawn through this column at approximately
four cfm using a positive-displacement pump driven by a propane fueled
engine. Air sample volume was measured with a dry gas meter.
This collection system performed well, but its bulk and weight made it
difficult to move into the rugged terrain at the Gasbuggy site, thus
^According to the manufacturer, Union Carbide, Linde Division.
-------
limiting the number of samples that could be obtained. For this reason a
small, light-weight sampling system was developed and used from M* y 1069 to
November 1969. This sampler used a two-inch-diameter by six-inch-rlong
column holding one-half pound of molecular sieve. Air was drawn through
this column at approximately 0.6 cfm using a self-contained battery-
operated air sampler. The sampler has a built-in rotameter which was used
to calculate the volume of air sampled. In October 1969 both types of
molecular sieve samplers were used.
Ground-based air sampling systems were used to collect samples down-
wind of the flaring stack at various distances. An attempt was made on
each trip to collect samples in the downwind area during daytime and in the
downwind drainage area at night. During the sampling periods psychrometer
readings were obtained so that an estimate could be made of the amount of
water that should be collected on the molecular sieve. Barometric pressure
at the time of sampling was obtained from the Farmington, New Mexico, air-
port and was used in air volume and moisture content calculations.
Aircraft samples were collected with cryogenic sampling equipment. A
dry gas meter was used to measure the volume of air sampled. The cryogenic
sampler consisted of a series of cold traps and a column of 5A molecular
sieve immersed in a Dewar of liquid nitrogen held at 11 psi. Water vapor
was frozen out in the cold traps and inert gases were collected on the
molecular sieve. A glass fiber filter was used ahead of the sampler to
collect particulate material.
Aerial samples were obtained by making passes along the plume trajec-
tory at various altitudes. Samplers were operated only during the portion
of time the aircraft was downwind of the stack to reduce sample dilution.
Snow samples were collected by scooping up the snow and putting it in
a container.
The green, leafy part of vegetation (usually sagebrush) was collected
and sealed in plastic bags. Three samples were collected at each location
and bagged separately.
4..
-------
Soil samples were taken at the vegetation sampling sites. The top
layer of soil was collected and sealed in a plastic bag.
SAMPLE ANALYSIS
All samples were returned to SWRHL for analysis. Each sample was
logged in and given a laboratory number before analysis.
After molecular sieve samples were logged in, the molecular sieve
material was transferred into a heating vessel where the water was
elutriated at 350 C with a dry helium purge. Recovery of water from the
adsorber exceeded 95%. This water was then re-distilled to eliminate
possible interference by other contaminants. Tritium concentration was
determined by liquid scintillation spectrometry. Five ml of the recovered
water, five ml of a standard (for counting efficiency), and five ml of
tritium-free water (for instrument background) were each diluted with 20 ml
of a dark-adapted scintillation cocktail. The sample, standard, and back-
ground mixtures were each counted for 100 minutes in a liquid scintillation
5
spectrometer optimized for tritium.
2
The .minimum detectable concentration (MDC) of H is 0.4 pCi/ml of E O
at the 95% confidence level, based on a 100-minute count and 5 mis of water.
When the absolute humidity was low it was not possible to collect 5 mis of
water; therefore, the MDC for these samples was higher.
Filters from the molecular sieve columns were analyzed by gamma spec-
troscopy for gamma-emitting particulates. For most gamma-emitters the
minimum detectable activity is approximately 100 pCi.
Snow samples were melted and the resulting water was analyzed in the
same manner as the water from the molecular sieve.
3
Vegetation and soil samples were analyzed for H concentration by
extracting the water and analyzing for tritium by liquid scintillation
-------
counting. The counting procedures were the same as for water from the
molecular sigve.
Glass fiber filters from the cryogenic sampler were analyzed by gamma
spectroscopy to identify and quantitate gamma-emitting participates. Water
3
was removed and analyzed, as for the molecular sieve samples, for H. The
inert gas fraction was removed from the molecular sieve trap and separated
by gas chromatography and cryogenic techniques. These separated fractions
were analyzed for radioactive isotopes of krypton and xenon. With a
minimum detectable activity of about 100 pCi and an average sample volume
3
of 3 cubic meters, the MDC is about 35 pCi/m of air.
Carbon dioxide removed from cryogenic and molecular sieve samples was
separated from the other gases. Aliquots of C00 were dissolved in
14
hydroxide of Hyamine (10-X) and counted for C by liquid scintillation
14
techniques. The MDC for C is 0.02 pCi/ml of C00. With a C00 concen-
2, £
tration of 0.03% in the atmosphere, the MDC for CO in the atmosphere is
3
6 pCi/m .
DISCUSSION OF SAMPLING CONDITIONS
November 1968
Seven air samples were taken on November 5-6, 1968, including four
background samples. The latter were taken at distances ranging from
approximately 18 miles to 55 miles from the Gasbuggy site. Two of the
three samples taken near surface ground zero (SGZ) were taken downwind
during daytime hours (air temperature 46 F). The surface wind direction
varied but was generally from the northeast quadrant with an estimated
velocity of 5 to 10 mph. The third sample was taken downwind at night
during a drainage condition (air temperature 21 F, surface wind estimated
velocity of 0 to 2 mph). During a drainage condition the winds blow north-
west through La Jara Canyon. The flaring rate of natural gas from the
GB-ER well during the period was 3500 MCFD. (MCFD refers to a standard
flow unit of 1,000 cubic feet per day.)
-------
December 1968
Five air samples were taken on December 13, 1968, at three locations
near SGZ. The first four samples were taken 0.3 mile and 1.3 miles north-
west of SGZ. Two samples were taken at each location; the first was taken
during normal flaring of chimney gas; the second set while previously
collected liquid condensate was being vaporized in the flare. Surface wind
conditions during collection of these samples were "light and variable"
with air temperatures ranging from 32 to 35°F. The fifth sample was
collected 0.5 mile northeast of SGZ. The wind was from the south-southeast
during the collection period of the fifth sample. The flaring rate of
natural gas from GB-ER during the day was 600 MCFD.
January 1969
Six air and six snow samples were taken on January 14, 1969. The
winds were "light and variable" and appeared to vary from the northwest,
through the southwest to the southeast. The air temperature was about 45 F.
Four sampling locations were selected to cover as much of the apparent
direction of movement as possible; however, melting snow and deep mud pre-
vented sampling to the northeast. One air sample and two snow samples were
taken while a light-to-moderate rain was falling. The most recent snow fall
was on December 27, 1968. Gas was flowing at 4750 MCFD and previously
collected liquid condensate was being vaporized in the flare. Production
testing was shut down from 1200 to 1400 hours.
February 1969
Six air samples and six snow samples were taken on February 13, 1969.
The surface wind conditions were "light and variable" with the winds from
northwest through southwest to southeast. Two air sampling locations, both
0.3 mile from SGZ were used within the dov/nwind sector. Approximately
four inches of snow had fallen during the previous night. Snow samples
were taken at the same two locations and four other locations at varying
distances in the direction of nighttime drainage wind flow. The gas flow
rate was 460 MCFD.
-------
March 1969
Six air samples were taken on March 27, 1969. The surface winds were
"light and variable" with no discernible predominant direction; therefore,
three sampling locations, surrounding SGZ were selected; each was 0.3 mile
from SGZ. During the sampling period liquid condensate, which had been
collected previously, was discharged into the flare. The flaring rate was
450 MCFD.
May 1969
The collection techniques were modified in May to provide greater
field mobility. Six of the twelve May samples were taken simultaneously on
the night of May 19. The locations, ranging from 0.7 to 2.0 miles from SGZ,
were selected along the path of the drainage winds. At a distance of
1.2 miles two samples were taken on each side of the valley through which
the drainage winds pass. The two locations were approximately 0.1 mile
apart. It is possible that a true drainage condition did not exist during
the sampling period, since subjective evaluations indicated a slight cross-
valley component. The winds were very light with occasional speeds of
2 mph, as measured with a portable wind-speed indicator,
The remaining May samples were taken the following day. The wind
speed was light with occasional gusts to 8 mph; the direction varied, but
was generally from the southwest quadrant. The six samples were taken
simultaneously on an arc from north to south-southeast ranging from 0.7 to
2.2 miles from SGZ. The gas flow was 260 MCFD during both sampling periods.
July 1969
Eleven air samples were taken in July. Six of these samples were
taken simultaneously on the night of July 16. The winds were calm; there-
fore, samples were taken around SGZ at distances ranging from 0.7 to
2.1 miles.
-------
The remaining July samples were taken the following day. The surface
wind was blowing from the east at speeds from 0 to 5 mph. The five samples
were taken simultaneously on an arc from northwest to southwest at
distances ranging from 1.0 to 2.0 miles from SGZ. The gas flow rate during
both sampling periods was 160 MCFD.
August 1969
Eleven samples were taken during August 1969. Six of these samples
were taken simultaneously on the afternoon of August 4. The surface wind
was blowing from the west at speeds of 0 to 5 mph with occasional gusts to
10 mph. The samples were taken in the sector from northeast to southeast
at distances from 1.0 to 2.4 miles from SGZ. There were light rain showers
during the last half of the sampling period. The molecular sieve columns
were inverted so no rain could enter directly into the column.
The remaining five samples were taken simultaneously during the night
of August 4. The surface wind was blowing from the east-northeast at speeds
from 0 to 3 mph. The samples were taken in the sector from northwest to
southwest at distances from 1.1 to 2.0 miles from SGZ. The flaring rate
during both sampling periods was 160 MCFD.
September 1969
Eleven samples were taken during September 1969. Three samples were
taken during the early afternoon of September 25. Surface winds were
blowing from the northeast at 0 to 5 mph. Balloons used to determine the
wind direction indicated the same conditions aloft. Samples were taken
southwest of SGZ at distances from 5 to 8 miles. Aerial samples were
collected downwind from the flaring stack simultaneously with the ground
samples. The aircraft cryogenic sampler collected an integrated sample
from 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, and 11,000 feet mean sea level (MSL). Surface
elevation at SGZ is about 7,200 feet MSL.
-------
Three samples were taken during the early evening of September 25.
The winds were from the west at speeds from 0 to 10 mph. Samples were
taken east ol SG55 at approximately 10 miles. During this sampling period
Iho airernJ'L once again Look a cryogenic sample downwind from the flaring
stack at elevations of 8,000, 9,000, and 10,000 feet MSL.
The other five samples were collected at midnight September 25, 5 to
10 miles northwest of SGZ to monitor the drainage winds. These drainage
winds developed in the lower levels of La Jara Canyon, but did not extend
to the elevation of Gasbuggy. At SGZ the winds were blowing from the west
at 0 to 10 mph. During these sampling periods the flaring rate was
175 MCFD.
October 1969
Fifteen samples were collected during October 1969. Seven samples
were taken during the early afternoon of October 29, approximately 10 miles
east of SGZ, while the flaring rate was 1714 MCFD. Winds were blowing from
the west at speeds of 0 to 10 mph. A sample was collected on a large
molecular sieve sampler and a small molecular sieve sampler at the same
location for comparison. During this sampling period an aircraft took a
cryogenic sample downwind of the stack.
The other eight samples were taken during the early afternoon, of
October 30. During this sampling period the flaring rate was 1640 MCFD and
previously collected liquid condensate was being vaporized in the flare.
The winds were "light and variable" with the general direction from the
west. The samples were taken around SGZ at distances from 1 to 2.2 miles.
Two large molecular sieve samplers were operated at the same locations as
two small molecular sieve samplers. During the sampling period an aircraft
took a cryogenic sample in the area with most of the sampling time spent to
the east of SGZ.
10
-------
DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
Air Samples
The air moisture sampling results are given in Appendix B. Close-in
sampling sites are shown in Figure 1 and more distant stations in Figure 2.
3
The H background in atmospheric moisture is approximately 1,0 pCi/ml of
H0O. Because of the wide range of humidities encountered the amount of
j£i
water in one cubic meter of air varied from two to fourteen mis. Because
3
of this, the atmospheric H background could vary from two to
3 3
fourteen pCi/m of air. Therefore, the H concentration in atmospheric
moisture was used to determine if a sample exceeded background. The
3
existing radiation protection standard* for H in air is an exposure of
4 3
6.7 x 10 pCi/m to a suitable sample of an uncontrolled population. For
3
the range of humidities encountered this would require H concentrations of
3 4
5 x 10 to 3 x 10 pCi/ml in atmospheric moisture. Tritium activities
greater than 1.0 pCi/ml were measured in 31 of the 86 samples collected.
3
The two highest H activities were found at the beginning of production
testing in November 1968. The highest concentration measured was less than
one percent of the radiation protection standard.
In all cases where two samples were collected on the same azimuth and
at the same time, but at different distances, the water recovered from the
3
closer sample contained a higher concentration of H. This decrease in
concentration with distance is as expected for a surface release.
September and October were the only months in which an attempt was
made to sample as far away as ten miles. The more distant samples were
only slightly above background when positive.
14 3
The maximum detected C level, 18 pCi/m of air, was only three times
14
normal background. The Radioactivity Concentration Guide for C is
4 , 3
3.3 x 10 pCi/m .
*AEC Manual Chapter 0524.
11
-------
The beta counts and gamma scans of the glass fiber filters used at the
inlet of the molecular sieve columns were all negative for fission products.
For the large colons the MDC for a one-hour sample was approximately
10 PCi/m3 for gamma-emitting nuclides and 1 pCi/m for gross beta. For the
small columns the MDC for a one-hour sample was 100 pCi/m for gamma-emitters
3
and 10 pCi/m for gross beta.
The results for aerial samples are given in Appendix C. In September
only 3H was identified. More 8\r than 3H was collected on the cryogenic
samples in October; however, the on-line monitor showed a higher level of
o o C
H than Kr in the product gas.
Snow Samples
The results from the tritium analysis of snow samples are given in
Appendix D and stations are shown on Figure 3. None of these samples had a
tritium concentration which could be positively identified as above back-
ground levels.
Vegetation
Vegetation samples were collected November 6, 1968, July 17, 1969, and
October 29-30, 1969, from the stations located on Figure 4. Appendix E
presents the results of tritium analysis of these samples. The tritium
concentration in pCi/ml of water removed from the vegetation is listed, and
is the value which should be compared to the corresponding value for soil
from the same location. The moisture ratio, R*, allows one to calculate
3
the H in fresh tissue. The standard deviations shown are based on the
variability between a number of individual samples collected at each
station.
Gamma analysis of the vegetation samples showed no evidence of
greater contamination by gamma emitters than occurs in other areas due to
*R = (grams H O/grams of dry tissue) x 100.
£4
12
-------
3
worldwide fallout. Concentrations of H in water removed -ron all
November 1968 vegetation samples were above background. The highest levels
occurred in the November 1968 samples. The maximum s;en was 36 pCi/ml of
3
water or 21 pCi/gram of dry tissue. In all cases, except one, the H
activities per ml of water decreased from November 1968 to July 1969 for
the six stations sampled both times. The one station which showed an
increase was in the direction of nighttime drainage winds. This station
was also at the normal background tritium level when sampled in October.
The maximum concentration measured in the July samples was 8.4 pCi/ml of
recovered water, or 6.8 pCi/gram of dry tissue. In several cases, because
3
of the insignificant change in H per ml of water and the large increase in
3
moisture content, the H in water from one gram of tissue increased.
Tritium concentrations in all October samples were in the range of normal
background.
Soil
Soil samples were collected November 6, 1968, and July 17,
October 29-30, and November 2-8, 1969. Sample results are presented in
Appendix F in the same form as vegetation data in Appendix E, except that
percent moisture is reported in place of R. The main emphasis in analysis
3
was placed on H. However, several samples were analyzed by gamma spec-
137
trometry. Small amounts of Cs were observed in these samples in con-
centrations similar to those found in the vicinity of Las Vegas, Nevada,
due to worldwide fallout.
Tritium concentrations in moisture from two of the six November 1968
samples were above background. Although the tritium concentrations found
in the July 1969 samples were at or slightly above normal concentrations
found in atmospheric moisture, they were higher than the concentrations
found in October and November. This could indicate the presence of tritium
from production testing of Gasbuggy or might be the result of recent rain-
fall. All October and November 1969 samples contained only background
3
levels of H.
..13
-------
A definite correlation was found to exist between tritium concen-
trations in soil moisture and in plant moisture. At those locations where
tritium concentrations above background were found in both plant and soil
water, the concentrations in plant moisture were three to five times the
concentrations in soil moisture collected at the same location.
IMPLICATIONS OF OTHER SURVEILLANCE
The routine SWRHL surveillance networks that collected samples in the
general area of Project Gasbuggy showed no increase in the levels of radio-
activity during the production tests.
Results from the SWRHL Air Surveillance Network (ASN) are shown in
Appendix G. Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Durango, Colorado, were the two
ASN stations nearest the Gasbuggy site. Eight surrounding ASN stations
were selected as an ASN sample to compare with Albuquerque and Durango.
These eight stations were Monticello, Utah; Winslow, Arizona; Araarillo,
Abilene, and Fort Worth, Texas; Carlsbad, New Mexico; Muskogee, Oklahoma;
and Dodge City, Kansas. Table G-l shows the monthly average of detected
gross beta levels in air for Albuquerque and Durango compared to the
average of the ASN sample stations. Table G-2 shows the maximum, minimum,
and average detected gross beta concentrations for Durango and Table G-3
shows the same for Albuquerque. These results show that there was no
significant rise of radiation levels in the general Gasbuggy area above the
levels at surrounding stations. The high gross beta concentrations in the
tables were identified, by the use of isotopic analysis, as being from
Project Schooner , the Pewee EP-III reactor engine test , and worldwide
fallout. No fission products were identified on any of the ASN filters in
this area except those related to the above mentioned events.
Results from the Pasteurized Milk Network are shown in Appendix H.
The two stations in this network that were nearest the Gasbuggy site were
Denver, Colorado, and Albuquerque, New Mexico. The concentrations of 9°sr
131 137
I, and Cs are shown for Denver, Albuquerque, and the total network.
These are presented as averages for one-month periods and the previous
14
-------
twelve-month periods. The levels of activity for Denver and Albuquerque
are lower than those for the rest of the network, indicating that there is
no contribution of these isotopes from Gasbuggy.
The tritium levels in surface and well water from New Mexico and
Colorado are shown in Appendix I, Tables 1 and 2, respectively. The levels
of tritium in the water collected nearer the Gasbuggy site were no higher
than the levels in the same type of supply (well or surface) collected at a
greater distance from the site.
SUMMARY
Environmental samples collected within ten miles of Gasbuggy contained
3 14
H released during production testing. Several samples had C concen-
85
trations up to three times background. Except for Kr in two aerial air
samples, no contamination by other isotopes was detected.
Tritium levels in atmospheric moisture were highest in November 1968.
After the middle of 1969 only occasional samples were positive and these
3
were less than ten times normal background. The highest concentration of H
in an air sample was 0.9% of the radiation protection standard for contin-
uous exposure to a suitable sample of an uncontrolled population.
3
Soil and vegetation samples exhibited the maximum H concentrations
in November 1968 with several positive, but lower concentrations found in
July 1969. By October 1969, all samples collected were at background.
Investigation of other sampling networks revealed no evidence of
Gasbuggy-related radioactivity beyond the immediate environs of the test
area.
15
-------
CONCLUSION
It is concluded from the results of this surveillance that production
testing of the Gasbuggy re-entry well resulted in environmental concentra-
tions of radionuclides well below the radiation protection standards of AEC
Manual Chapter 0524.
16
-------
GRAND JUNCTION
PA6OSA
SPRINGS
DURANGO
/
COLORADO
NEW MEXICO
50 MILES
100 MILES
Figure 1. Gasbuggy area map.
17
-------
12 •
\ V
\
)
I
\
1 17
-.*--» ,
Sampling Locations
Figure 2. Air moisture sampling locations.
18
-------
DULCE
2 MILES
u A JAR A
CANYON
FARMINGTON^ »
48 MILES *"
• Sampling Locations
Figure 3. Air moisture sampling locations.
19
-------
• Sampling Locations
Figure 4. Snow sampling locations.
20
-------
DULCE
2 MILES
i
\
<
-------
REFERENCES
1. Report of Off-Site Surveillance for Project Gasbuggy, March 1967 -
June 1968, Environmental Surveillance, Southwestern Radiological
Health Laboratory. February 1970. SWHIIL-'lOr.
2. Hill, Dixon II., and McBride, John R. Off-Site Radiological
Surveillance Program for Project Gasbuggy. Radiological Health
Data_and Reports, Vol. 10, No. 12, pp 535-546. December 1969.
3, Project Gasbuggy Off-Site Radiological Safety Report GB-2R phase I
Program. Southwestern Radiological Health Laboratory.
November 1968.
4. Project Gasbuggy Off-Site Radiological Safety Report, Supplementary
Appendices. Unpublished.
5. Handbook of Radiochemical Analytical Methods. Southwestern
Radiological Health Laboratory. February 1970. SWRHL-11.
6, Off-Site Surveillance - Schooner Event, Southwestern Radiological
Health Laboratory. To be published.
7. Final Report of Off-Site Surveillance for Pewee I Experimental
Plans II and III. SWRHL-87r. Southwestern Radiological Health
Laboratory. To be published.
22
-------
APPENDIX
Page
A. Population Within 25 Miles of Surface Ground Zero 24
B. Air Samples - Gasbuggy Area 25
C. Aerial Cryogenic Samples 30
D. Snow Samples - Gasbuggy Area 31
E. Results of Tritium Analysis of Vegetation Samples 32
Collected for Project Gasbuggy
F. Results of Tritium Analysis of Soil Samples Collected 33
for Project Gasbuggy
G-l Air Gross Beta - Monthly Averages, November 1968 through 34
October 1969
G-2 Durango Air Results, November 1968 through October 1969 35
G-3 Albuquerque Air Results, November 1968 through 36
October 1969
H. Radionuclides in Milk - Monthly Averages, November 1968 37
through October 1969
1-1 Tritium in Water (New Mexico) 38
1-2 Tritium in Water (Colorado) 39
23
-------
APPENDIX A
Population Within 25 Miles of Surface Ground Zero
(Revised 10-18-67)
DISTANCE - 0-5 5-10 10-15 15-20 20-25
SECTOR
(°) (mi)
0-15
15-30
30-45
45-60
60-75
75-90
90-105
105-120
120-135
135-150
150-165
165-180
180-195
195-210
210-225
225-240
240-255
255-270
270-285
285-300
300-315
315-330
330-345
345-360
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
0
4
8
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
125
0
0
0
0
3
0
3
0
10
10
0
0
5
1
2
0
7
3*
0*
2*
0
2
7
9
6
0
0
0
0
0
0
70
8
0
0
8
0
0
14
9
19
0*
0*
0*
98
5
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
18
4
2210
84
0
3
0
10
0
10
40
15
8*
0*
17
62
2
0
2
6
0
0
0
18
Population figures include Census Supplement (10-18-67) figures.
*Wintering area for sheep - several herders will winter in this area.
24
-------
APPENDIX B
Air Samples
Gasbuggy Area
LOCATION NO.
ON FIGURE 2
OR FIGURE 3
DISTANCE AND DIRECTION
FROM SGZ
DATE TIME OF TRITIUM* TRITIUM*
COLLECTED MID-POINT CONCENTRATION CONCENTRATION
OF COLLECTION (pCi/ml of HgO) (pCi/ambient ro3
of air)
Background Negeezi, New Mexico 11-5-68
Background Farmington, New Mexico 11-6-68
Background Jet. of Highway 537 11-6-68
and Ojito Road
Background Dulce, New Mexico 11-6-68
7
S? 10
10
6
6
4
4
9
6
7
7
7
11
12
11
*Probable errors
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
1.
1.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
5
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
N
E
E
NW
NW
NW
NW
NNE
NW
N
N
N
ESE
SW
ESE
shown are at
11-5-68
11-6-68
11-6-68
12-13-68
12-13-68
12-13-68
12-13-68
12-13-68
1-14-69
1-14-69
1-14-69
1-14-69
1-14-69
1-14-69
2-13-69
95% confidence level,
2000
1630
1100
1400
2000
1000
1200
1130
1330
1200
1400
1600
1000
1130
1230
1445
1030
1200
0915
based on
<0.4
<0.4
1.0±0.
<0.4
1.
116
75
11
4.
1.
2.
2.
1.
1.
2.
5±0.
±1.
±1.
±0.
4±0.
6±0.
5±0.
5±0.
6±0.
1±0.
3±0.
3
4
5
2
6
8
6
6
7
9
3
4
4.
5.
500
320
24
9.
3.
4.
11
8.
5.
13
<0.4
0.
5±0.
3
2.
<0.4
1.
counting
0±0.
4
6.
3±1.3
8±1.5
±6.5
±5.1
±1.4
7±1.7
Odbl.l
Oil.O
±3.2
8±4.7
8±1.8
±2.1
7±1.8
4±2.5
statistics.
-------
APPENDIX B (cont)
LOCATION NO, DISTANCE AND
ON FIGURE 2 FROM
OR FIGURE 3
H 0.3
11 0.3
7 0.3
7 0.3
7 0.3
7 0.
7 0.
7 0.
12 0.
12 0.
11 0.
5 0.
4 1.
18 0.
3 1.
2 1.
1 2.
8 0.
13 1.
14 2.
3
3
3
3
3
3
7
2
9
2
7
0
7
3
2
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
DIRECTION DATE TIME OF TRITIUM
SGZ COLLECTED MID-POINT CONCENTRATION
OF COLLECTION (pCi/ml of H00)
&
ESE
ESE
N
N
N
N
N
N
SW
SW
ESE
NW
NW
NW
NW
NW
NW
N
ENE
K
2-13-69
2-13-69
2-13-69
2-13-69
2-13-69
3-27-69
3-27-69
3-27-69
3-27-69
1
3-27-69
3-27-69
5-19-69
5-19-69
5-19-69
5-19-69
5-19-69
5-19-69
5-20-69
5-20-69
F;_2n_fia
1030
1200
0945
1045
1200
0915
1015
1115
0930
1015
1130
2200
2200
2200
2200
2200
2200
1210
1210
T o i n
i
3
8
2
2
8
3
3
3
0.
7
.8±0.
.6±0.
.5±0.
69±0.
.o±o.
.6+1.
.1±0.
,3±0.
.2±0.
75±0.
.1±0.
4
4
5
4
4
3
4
4
4
35
5
TRITIUM
CONCENTRATION
(pCi/ambient m3
of air)
9.
23
53
14
16
21
7.
8.
10
3.
14
<1.5*
<1.5
3.0±2.
<1.7
<1.5
<2.0
20 ±2.
<1.4
<^i a
2
1
13
83
8±2.
±2.
±3.
±1.
±3.
±3.
2±1.
1±1.
±1.
8±1.
2
6
1
9
2
2
0
0
3
7
±1.0
±9.
,7
±8.8
*Samples from which less than five mis of H2O were recovered have minimum detectable activities
greater than 0.4 pCi/ml.
-------
APPENDIX B (cont)
to
LOCATION NO.
ON FIGURE 2
OR FIGURE 3
15
16
17
5
19
20
13
21
17
22
23
19
3
24
25
13
16
26
27
28
DISTANCE AND DIRECTION DATE TIME OF
FROM SGZ COLLECTED MID-POINT
OF COLLECTION
2.0
2.0
1.2
0.7
1.1
1.2
1.3
2.1
1.2
2.0
2.0
1.1
1.2
1.0
1.0
1.3
2.0
2.2
2.1
2.4
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
ESE
SE
SSE
NW
W
SW
ENE
SE
SSE
SW
W
W
NW
NNW
ESE
ENE
SE
ESE
E
ENE
5-20-69
5-20-69
5-20-69
7-16-69
7-16-69
7-16-69
7-16-69
7-16-69
7-16-69
7-17-69
7-17-69
7-17-69
7-17-69
7-17-69
8-4-69
8-4-69
8-4-69
8-4-69
8-4-69
8-4-69
1210
1210
1210
2330
2340
2355
2330
2330
2345
1325
1335
1305
1335
1315
1720
1730
1730
1745
1720
1735
TRITIUM
CONCENTRATION
(pCi/ral of HO)
Ci
<2.0
<1.9
<2.1
1.1±0.5
<0.4
<0.4
0.8±0.5
0.5±0.5
0.6±0.5
<0.4
<0.4
0.7±0.5
<0.4
<0.4
<0.5
0.9±0.4
0.7±0.4
0.7±0.4
0.7±0.4
0.9±0.5
TRITIUM
CONCENTRATION
(pCi/ambi-?nt m3
of air)
14 ±6.4
11 ±7.2
7.0±7,0
8.2±6.8
6.5±4.6
10 ±4.5
6.7±3.9
8.6±4,9
8.1±4.7
9.9±585
-------
APPENDIX B (cont)
M
•30
LOCATION NO.
ON FIGURE 2
OR FIGURE 3
3
19
20
22
23
37
38
39
43
46
47
36
35
34
33
40
41
42
43
DISTANCE AND DIRECTION DATE TIME OF
FROM SGZ COLLECTED MID-POINT
OF COLLECTION
1.2 mi NW
1.1 mi w
1.2 mi SW
2.0 mi SW
2.0 mi W
5.0 mi SW
7.0 mi SW
8.0 mi SSW
10.1 mi E
10.5 mi ESE
11.0 mi SE
5.0 mi WNW
5.8 mi WNW
8.5 mi WNW
10.0 mi WNW
11.3 mi ENE
10.7 mi E
10.3 mi E
10.1 mi E
TRITIUM TRITIUM
CONCENTRATION CONCENTRATION,
(pCi/ml of HO) (pCi/ambient m"
of air)
8-4-69
8-4-69
8-4-69
8-4-69
8-4-69
9-25-69
9-25-69
9-25-69
9-25-69
9-25-69
9-25-69
9-25-69
9-25-69
9-25-69
9-25-69
10-29-69
10-29-69
10-29-69
10-29-69
2240
2240
2240
2300
2305
1300
1305
1315
1744
1750
1753
2330
2340
2400
2400
1345
1340
1330
1325
0.7±0.3
l.Q±0.5
0.6±0.3
0.9±0.3
0B9±0.4
<2a5
<0. 4
<1. 1
<2 7
^£J 9 g
4.0
<1 7
J= « «
<11
<1 5
^-J. £ SJ
<1. 1
•*• • -»-
<1 6
^•-i. « v^
4.3
0.9
<1.4
<0.8
9.3±3.9
14 ±7.2
10 ±5S3
11 ±3.7
11 ±4.7
13
"~
17
3.0
-------
APPENDIX B (cont)
<£>
LOCATION NO.
ON FIGURE 2
OR FIGURE 3
43*
!44
45
13
25
29
29*
30
30*
31
32
DISTANCE AND DIRECTION
FROM SGZ
10
10
10
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
I.
2.
1.
•
1 mi
E
.3 mi E
.2 mi E
3
0
1
1
2
2
1
7
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
ENE
ESE
WNW
WNW
WSW
WSW
NE
ESE
DATE
COLLECTED
10-29-69
10-29-69
10-29-69
10-30-69
10-30-69
10-30-69
10-30-69
10-30-69
10-30-69
10-30-69
10-30-69
TIME OF
MID -POINT
OF COLLECTION
1330
1345
1355
1310
1305
1335
1335
1346
1355
1315
1325
TRITIUM
CONCENTRATION
(pCi/ml of H2O)
2
-------
LOCATION
APPENDIX C
Aerial Cryogenic Samples
DATE TIME TRITIUM
(PST) (pCi/m3)
KRYPTON** XENON
(pCi/m3) (PCi/m3)
SW of SGZ 9-25-69
1/4 at 8,000 ft MSL*
1/4 at 9,000 ft MSL
1/4 at 10,000 ft MSL
1/4 at 11,000 ft MSL
E of SGZ 9-25-69
1/2 at 9,000 ft MSL
1/4 at 8,000 ft MSL
1/4 at 10,000 ft MSL
E of SGZ 10-29-69
1/2 at 8,000 ft MSL
1/2 at 7,500 ft MSL
E of SGZ 10-30-69
At 8,000 ft MSL
1300
17
<35
<35
1700 14
<35
<35
1300 10
1305 15
450
350
<35
<35
*Fraction of sample collected at altitude shown.
**Gross analysis was performed for radioisotopes of krypton and
xenon. All krypton detected was assumed to be 85Kr.
30
-------
APPENDIX D
Snow Samples
Gasbuggy Area
MAP* LOCATION
LOCATION
NO.
5
6
7
8
4
1
7
6
5
3
2
1
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
1.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
1.
3
3
3
5
5
3
3
3
3
6
9
3
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
NW
N
ESE
sw
NW
NW
ESE
N
NW
NW
NW
NW
DATE
1-14-69
1-14-69
1-14-69
1-14-69
1-14-69
1-14-69
2-13-69***
2-13-69
2-13-69
2-13-69
2-13-69
2-13-69
TIM!':
1315
1050
1100
1130
1445
1450
0945
0930
1030
1035
1040
1045
3
U
CONCKNTKATION
CpCi/ml H.,0)**
1.
1.
2.
1.
0.
0.
0.
2.
0.
0.
0.
0.
1±0.
1±0.
1±0.
0±0.
66±0
85±0
9±0.
2±0.
8±0.
7±0.
8±0.
6±0.
34
34
37
34
.33
.34
4
4
3
3
3
3
* See Figure 4
** Counting error based on 2o~; Detectable limit 0.4 pCi/ml
of H20
***2 to 3 inches of snow had fallen the previous night
31
-------
APPENDIX E
Results of Tritium Analysis of
Vegetation Samples Collected for Project Gasbuggy
STATION
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
DISTANCE TO
SGZ (mi)
0.5
0.4
1.2
0.3
1.3
2.2
10.2
10.3
10.1
10.3
10.7
11.3
1.3
2.1
1.0
1.7
1.2
DATE
11-6-68
7-17-69
11-6-68
7-17-69
11-6-68
7-17-69
10-30-69
11-6-68
7-17-69
11-6-68
7-17-69
11-6-68
7-17-69
10-29-69
10-29-69
10-29-69
10-29-69
10-29-69
10-29-69
10-30-69
10-30-69
10-30-69
10-30-69
10-30-69
pCi/ml
of H20
36 ±9.4
5.0±2.5
5 . 5±2 . 2
5.3±2.3
4. 1±1.4
8 . 4±3 . 1
0.8±0.2
15 ±4.5
3.7±1.7
4.4±1.7
3 . 7±1 . 2
5.0±2.5
3 . 4±1 . 7
0.8±0.3
0.8±0.3
<0.60
0.9±0.1
l.()±0.4
().7±0.2
1.1±0.5
0 . 8±0 . 2
0.6±0.0
0.8±0.2
1.3±0.4
R*
61±13
74±13
53±14
78±10
53±19
110±20
149±83
71±14
103±11
69±13
105±28
71±14
109±41
112±5.2
111±13
120±6.5
98±8
129±33
150 ±18
88±19
83±3.5
149±15
130±22
87±8
pC:i/gm of
DRY TISSUE**
21 ±4.7
3.6±1.7
3.0±1.8
4.1±1.9
2.1±1.0
6.8±3.1
1.1±0.3
10 ±3.5
3.8±1.9
2.9±1.0
3 . 8±1 . 7
3.5±1.6
3.8±3.1
1.0±0.3
0.8±0.3
<0.72
0.9±0.2
1.3±0.7
1.110.4
1.0±0.3
0.7±0.2
0.9±0.1
1.0±0.4
1.1±0.4
*R = (gram H 0/gram dry tissue) x 100.
**Determined on a dry weight basis as the product of pCi/ml x R.
Vegetation pCi/ml and R were rounded off after multiplication, so
that small differences may exist between values in this column and
the product of the rounded-off numbers in the other two columns.
32
-------
APPENDIX F
Results of Tritium Analysis of
Soil Samples Collected for Project Gasbuggy
STATION
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
DISTANCE TO
SGZ (mi)
0.5
0.4
1.2
0.3
1.3
2.2
10.2
10.3
10.1
10.3
10.7
11.3
1.3
2.1
1.0
1.7
1.2
5.0
6.0
7.0
DATE
11-6-68
7-17-69
11-6-68
7-17-69
11-6-68
7-17-69
10-30-69
11-4-69
11-6-68
7-17-69
11-6-68
7-17-69
11-6-68
7-17-69
10-29-69
10-29-69
10-29-69
10-29-69
10-29-69
10-29-69
10-30-69
10-30-69
10-30-69
10-3O-59
10-30-69
11-4-69
11-5-69
11-5-69
pCi/ml
of H20
7.1±1.9*
1.6±0.5
<0.75
2.0±0.3
1.2±0.2
1.2±0.3
0.6
<0.4
3.7±0.6
1.2±0.4
<0.75
1.1±0.2
<0.75
0.9±0.5
<0.6
<0.6
<0.6
0.8
0.6
<0.6
<0.6
<0.6
1.2
<0.6
<0.6
<0.4
<0.4
0.4
% MOISTURE
8.8±3.6
3.6±1.0
13 ±3.8
3.7±1.1
8. Oil. 9
3.6±0.2
23.4
17.4
4.5±0.3
2.8±0.1
4.2±0.6
1.4±0.1
6.8±1.7
4.2±1.2
24.8
24.1
22.3
23.9
23.1
15.7
15.4
15.9
28.6
20.2
15.6
27.2
12.2
9.8
pCi/g
(xlO"1)
5.9 ±1.5
0.58±0.26
<0.9
0.73±0.24
0.9 ±0.1
0.43±0.09
0.2
<0.1
1.6 ±0.3
0.03±0.10
<0.3
0.16±0.04
<0.5
0.35±0.22
<0.2
<0.2
<0.2
0.2
0.2
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
0.3
<0.1
0.1
0.1
<0.1
0.1
*A11 standard deviations shown are based on the results of several
samples collected at each location. In October and November 1969 only
one sample was collected at each location.
33
-------
CO
APPENDIX Q
TABLE 1
Air Gross Beta - Monthly Averages
November 1968 through October 1969
MONTH ALBUQUERQUE DURANGO
NUMBER OF AVERAGE NUMBER OF
SAMPLES ABOVE CONCENTRATION SAMPLES ABOVE
DETECTABLE (pCi/m3) DETECTABLE
November 1968
December 1968
January 1969
February 1969
March 1969
April 1969
May 1969
June 1969
July 1969
August 1969
September 1969
October 1969
LIMIT*
3
16
13
13
17
16
28
28
28
26
11
11
20
0.1
3.9**
0. 6***
0.2
0.3
0.3
0.5
0.7
1.0
0.4
0.3
0.3
0.4
LIMIT*
1
14
9
9
14
20
29
31
30
27
16
12
5
ASN SAMPLE
AVERAGE NUMBER OF
CONCENTRATION SAMPLES ABOVE
(pCi/m3) DETECTABLE
0.2
8.9**
0.5***
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.6
0.8
1.1
0.4
0.3
0.3
0.4
LIMIT*
19
110
92
66
98
103
189
222
225
195
174
126
148
AVERAGE
CONCENTRATION
(pCi/m3)
0.2
1.9**
0.3***
0.3
0.2
0.2
0.5
0.7
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.3
0.3
*Detectable limit is the activity such that the probable error is less than ±25% at the 95% confidence
level.
**Results include Pewee and Schooner activity and samples.
***Results without Pewee and Schooner activity and samples.
-------
CO.
MONTH
November 1968
December 1968
January 1969
February 1969
March 1969
April 1969
May 1969
June 1969
July 1969
August 1969
September 1969
October 1969
APPENDIX G
TABLE 2
Durango Air Results
November 1968 through October
NUMBER OF SAJtPLES MINIMUM DETECTED*
ABOVE DETECTABLE LIMIT CONCENTRATION
GROSS BETA
(PCi/m3)
1
14
9
9
14
20
29
31
30
27
16
12
5
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.5
0.6
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
1969
MAXIMUM DETECTED
CONCENTRATION
GROSS BETA
(pCi/m3)
0.2
92**
1.7***
0.5
0.5
0.6
1.4#
1.7#
2.10
0.8#
0.5
0.5
0.7
AVERAGE DETECTED
CONCENTRATION
GROSS BETA
(pCi/m3)
0.2
8,9
0.5
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.6
0.8
1.1
0.4
0.3
0.3
0.4
*Detectable limit is the activity such that the probable error is less than =25% at the 95% confidence
level.
**Include Pewee EP-III and Schooner activity.
***Without Pewee EP-III and Schooner activity.
^Seasonal world-wide fallout.
-------
APPENDIX G
TABLE 3
Albuquerque Air Results
November 1968 through October 1969
W1UJNTH.
November 1968
December 1968
January 1969
February 1969
March 1969
April 1969
May 1969
June 1969
July 1969
August 1969
September 1969
October 1969
NUMBER OF SAMPLES
ABOVE DETECTABLE LIMIT
3
16
13
13
17
16
28
28
28
26
11
11
20
MINIMUM DETECTED*
CONCENTRATION
GROSS BETA
(pCi/m3)
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.1
0.2
0.1
0.1
MAXIMUM DETECTED
CONCENTRATION
GROSS BETA
(pCi/m3)
0.2
28**
2,8***
0.4
0.8
0.6
0.9#
1.3#
1.9#
0.7#
0.5
0.5
1.2
AVERAGE DETECTED
CONCENTRATION
GROSS BETA
(pCi/m3)
0.1
3.9
0.6
0.2
0.3
0.3
0.5
0.7
1.0
0.4
0.3
0.3
0.4
*Detectable limit is the activity such that the probable error is less than ±25% at the 95% confidence level.
**Includes Pewee EP-III and Schooner activity.
***Without Pewee EP-III and Schooner activity.
^Seasonal world-wide fallout.
-------
APPENDIX H
Radionuclides in Milk - Monthly Averages
November 1968 through October 1969
MONTH
STATION
MONTHLY AVERAGE* PREVIOUS 12-MONTH
(pCi/1) AVERAGE**
(pCi/1)
90
131
137
Cs
90
131
137
Cs
November 1968
December 1968
January 1969
February 1969
March 1969
April 1969
May 1969
June 1969
July 1969
August 1969
September 1969
October 1969
Total Net
Denver
Albuquerque
Total Net
Denver
Albuquerque
Total Net
Denver
Albuquerque
Total Net
Denver
Albuquerque
Total Net
Denver
Albuquerque
Total Net
Denver
Albuquerque
Total Net
Denver
Albuquerque
Total Net
Denver
Albuquerque
Total Net
Denver
A Ibuquerque
Total Net
Denver
Albuquerque
Total Net
Denver
Albuquerque
Total Net
Denver
Albuquerque
8
3
0
8
7
0
8
6
4
7
5
0
7
3
0
8
4
4
8
4
3
5
2
4
3
3
0
6
2
5
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
10
5
0
11
0
5
9
0
3
10
0
0
9
0
2
8
0
0
8
0
0
0
2
7
0
0
0
0
3
4
0
9
4
2
9
5
2
9
5
3
9
5
3
9
5
2
9
4
2
8
. p
*~i
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
12
7
2
12
6
2
12
5
2
12
5
2
11
5
0
11
4
2
11
3
2
#Values shown arc
minimum detectable concentration for a single sample.
f=*Data not available after May 1969.
37
-------
APPENDIX
TABLE 1
Tritium in Water
LOCATION
Carlsbad (Well)
Clayton
Clovis (Well)
Espanola (Well)
Farmington (Well)
Farmington (Animas River)
Gallup (West Well Field)
Hobbs
Las Cruces (Rio Grande River)
Loving (10 mi SE of Carlsbad)
Silver City
Raton (64 mi Southwest, Cimi.j-ron
I
(New Mexico)
DATE
COLLECTED
10-9 -68
1-10-69
4-8-69
7-22-69
10-15-68
1-16-69
7-29-69
10-9-68
1-10-69
4-4-69
7-19-69
10-3-68
1-10-69
4-4-69
7-22-69
10-7-68
1-10-69
4-7-69
8-15-69
10-4-68
1-10-69
4-9-69
7-23-69
1-21-69
4-7-69
7-23-69
10-7-68
10-7-68
1-20-69
4-7-69
7-24-69
10-9-68
10-4-68
1-10-69
4-7-69
7-25-69
4-4-69
3
H
(pCi/1)
<400
<400
<400
<400
<400
<400
<400
<400
<400
<400
<400
<400
<400
<400
<400
1400
900
980
660
<400
<400
<400
<400
<400
<400
<400
450
480
<400
780
<400
<400
<400
<40()
<400
<400
1 100
River)
-------
APPENDIX I
TABLE 2
Tritium in Water (Colorado)
LOCATION
Boulder (Boulder Creek - 75th
Avenue)
Boulder (Boulder Creek - Eben
Fine Park)
Brighton (South Platte River)
Colorado Springs (Fountain Creek
upstream from Colorado Springs)
Colorado Springs (Fountain Creek
downstream from Colorado
Springs)
Denver (South Platte River -
Bowles Avenue)
Greeley (Cache La Poudre River)
Greeley (South Platte River at
Highway 60)
Greeley (South Platte River at
Highway 66)
Greeley (St. Vrain Creek at
Highway 66)
DATE
COLLECTED
10-21-68
1-27-69
4-21-69
7-25-69
10-21-68
1-27-69
4-21-69
7-25-69
10-14-68
1-20-69
•1-28-69
7-14-69
10-10-68
1-16-69
4-10-69
7-9-69
10-10-68
1-16-69
4-10-69
7-9-69
10-14-68
1-20-69
4-28-69
7-14-69
10-11-68
1-8-69
4-11-69
7-14-69
10-11-68
1-8-69
4-11-69
7-14-69
10-11-68
1-8-69
4-11-69
7-14-69
10-11-68
1-8-69
4-11-69
7-14-69
3
11
(pCi/1)
1700
1700
1600
1700
1200
1600
1300
1500
1500
1300
970
950
1700
1100
900
1400
1000
1100
850
950
1400
<400
1000
1300
1800
<400
1500
1400
2000
2600
1500
1900
1800
1400
1300
1300
2000
1800
1700
1800
39
------- |