17

The circled points in Figure 18 represent the activity in

d/m/l of the surface water (Table 1).

The levels of radioac-

tivity in the surface water samples in most instances exhibit

approximately the same pattern as do the corrected values from
l=

the probe record, although in some cases differences do occur.

The greatest variation between the two sets of data is found
in the latter part of the trip after high levels of radioactiv-

tty had been encountered in the area of stations 9B, © and D,

oF

The scintillation monitoring unit exhibited good stability
of the electronic components.

There were, however, three prob-

lems encountered in the operation of the instrument:
tention of contamination in the sea water system,

(1) re-

(2) failure

of the photomultiplier tube as a result of vibration, and (3)
build-up of static charges in the sea water from pumping through
plastic pipe.

This was partially corrected by scraping away a

small portion of the rubber lining of the tank.
Before the unit is used in subsequent operations it is
suggested that the following changes be made:
1.

Install a self-priming heavy duty pump with a capacity

of 30-40 gallons per minute immediately ahead of the tank.
2.

Use only metal pipe, not lined with-plastic or rubber.

3.

Install grounding bars inside the tank for discharge

of static charges in the water.

4,

Direct the incoming stream of water downward inside the

tank from a pipe parallel to and within three inches of the

bottom of the tank.
5.

|

Install a three-inch valve on the bottom of the tank
aN

Select target paragraph3