All samples were oven-dried, ground and a portion compressed in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe 2 inches in diameter and either }"or 1" inch deep that was used as a sample holder for radionuclide measurement. Fifty grams of tissue or 68 grams of soil could be compressed into the 2" x 1" container, The density of the biological and soil samples was 1.0 and 1.35, respectively. These samples were then analyzed for gamma-emitting radionuclides, The gamma-emitting radionuclides in the samples counted on the Nal crystal were determined by a method of least squares. The radionuclides values in the samples counted on the Ge (Li) detector were calculated by hand or with a computer by adding the counts in five channels under a peak in the spectrum,subtracting the appropriate background counts, and applying correction factors to convert counts to picocuries (pCi). A set of previously reported reference spectra for the different geometries and radionuclides were used. All values were corrected for decay to the date of collection. Tron-55, Strontium-90 and Plutonium Analyses pol vent extraction, electrodeposition, and X-ray spectrometry were used for >°Fe determinations, To measure 90sr content, 9DY was chemically separated from 90Sr, collected on a filter paper and counted with a low-level beta counting system, Plutonium was extracted by ion exchange, electroplated on platinum discs, and analyzed by alpha spectrometry with systems using surface barrier alpha detectors and pulse-height analyzers, Chemical yield was determined by use of 242Pu as a tracer. Error Limits 90 For a single sample the error given for all radionuclides listed, except Sr, 55Fe and 239,240pu, are two-sigma, propagated, counting errors. The error values for 20sr, 55Fe, and Pu includes the two-sigma counting error and an analytical error, The error term for more than one sample is one standard deviation and disregards counting error. Limits of Detection Many factors influence the limit of detection, including the type of detector and analyzer, the presence of other radionuclides, the duration of the counting period, the size and density of the sample, and the geometry relationship of the sample and detector. Hence, the limits of detection varied consid- erably for various radionuclides and types of samples, but can be summarized by stating that the detection limits were approximately as follows: By gamma detection 40 K 238, 2.1 pCi/g or less 0.41" VOema esp e5 Tey TP Ey 29785 ,255y, Alan By beta detection 90 Sr " 0.12 pCi/g or less DOE ARCHIVES 0.2 pCi/g or less