Analysis of samples is complete for Fortymile
north-northeast of the NTS.
Preliminary review of the data does
Canyon and the Frenchman Flat area.
Uncertainties
not show definable movement or concentration of plutonium.
in the results have not been fully assessed; therefore, this lack of
trend is not conclusive.

2.

Vegetable and Fruit Sampling Study--Vegetable and fruit samples were
collected from 26 locations around the NTS. Analysis for plutonium in
the vegetable material collected near the NTS is not complete; however, a
2339p. concentration of 24 pCi/kg wet weight was detected in a sample

purchased from a Las Vegas commercial distributor. A second aliquot of
ash from that sample yielded 5.9 pCi/kg of 239py. Additional samples
have been purchased and are undergoing analysis.

FUTURE PLANS

Analysis of backlogged samples will continue for soil and air.

Few samples

will be collected to further define the areal distribution of plutonium in
Plutonium analysis
soil; however, more special interest sampling is planned.

of filters from the 11 air sampling locations reported above will be performed

on a routine basis indefinitely.

A field study is planned for spring 1976 to sample hummocks created around
shrubs by wind erosion.
This study will be patterned after the recent on~-NTS

sampling performed by Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL) and Reynolds
Electrical and Engineering Co., Inc. (REECo).

Two high-volume air samplers and one high-volume cascade impactor sampler will

be fielded this spring to augment the routine air sampling network.

The data

will be used to evaluate the potential for resuspension in the off-site area.

Further studies are planned to evaluate the sampling errors involved with soil
collection.
Additional sampling will be accomplished if necessary.
Evaluation
of data already generated will continue.
Plans include defining what differences
may occur between current sample locations.
These will be included in the

total error.

These adjustments will be used in analyzing all the data for

trends such as the effect of distance from the NTS and of changing elevation
in a drainage basin.
A study is under way to evaluate the statistical significance of analyzing
10 grams of soil as compared to analyzing 1 gram of soil.
Plans include
analyzing 20-gram aliquots to determine if this will significantly decrease
the variability of replicate analyses.

A report is planned for the joint Environmental Protection Agency/Health and

Safety Laboratory soil sampling effort conducted in 1974.
Both members have
analyzed their samples and a joint review of the data is planned.

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