CHAPTER FOUR
Although the basic source of field data for the Enewetak Radiological
Support Project was the in-situ system described in Chapter 3, a field radiochemistry capability was required for verification and interpretation of the
in-situ. measurements and to establish localized ratios for the conversion of
241Am concentrations to concentration of total transuranics. These requirements led to the establishment of a laboratory complex on Enewetak Island
with a 24-hour capability. The laboratory was in continuous operation from
mid-1977 until September 1979. More than 11,000 soil samples were processed (and fater archived), and extensive support was provided to DNA’s
radiological safety program. Despite the cost of establishing and operating a
laboratory far from sources of supply and technical management, its ready
availability and rapid turnaround for data were indispensable. At no time in
two and a half years of the cleanup were operations stymied for lack of
radiochemistry data. The laboratory and its operation are described in this
chapter.
Project Manager’s Note
RADIOLOGICAL LABORATORY OPERATIONS
by Richard Powell and Ernest Sanchez
Eberline Instrument Corporation
4.1 DESCRIPTION OF FACILITIES
On 16 February 1977, the Nevada Operations Office of the Department of Energy (DOE-NV)
contracted with Eberline Instrument Corporation (EIC) to design, install and supervise the operation
of a low-level radiological laboratory and instrument maintenance facility for the Enewetak
Radiological Support Project (ERSP). The specific responsibilities ineluded providing routine
laboratory analyses of environmental samples for transuranic radionuclides (Pu and Am), gamma
isotopic analyses of many media, air filter and nose swipe analyses for the Field Radiation Support
Team (FRST), and any non-routine specialized analytical requests.
EIC provided a laboratory manager, a radiochemist, an electronics engineer and an electronics/soil
sampling technician to supervise the radiological-chemical complex utilizing military technicians
assigned by the Air Foree and the Navy. EIC also provided other technicians to expedite soil
sampling and analyses during the Fission Product Data Base (FPDB) program.
The radiological laboratory complex, which was set up and in operation in less than six months,
consisted of five trailers which were placed on concrete pads that had been left over from the 1958
test series. The complex included sample preparation, chemistry, and counting laboratories, an
instrument maintenance trailer, a combined office and data processing trailer, and a shed open on
the leeward side (see Figure 4-1). A bunker adjacent to the complex and a warehouse on the south
end of the Island of Enewetak were utilized for bulk storage of chemicals and other laboratory
supplies.
4.1.1
Sample Preparation Laboratory
The Sample Preparation Laboratory provided the capability to perform gross analysis screening of
the radioactive content of soil samples taken from the field and to prepare the samples for
radiochemistry and gamma analyses. The trailer was an aluminum shell wood frame instrument
maintenanee unit
which
was refurbished on site to accommodate
the
laboratory
equipment.
Reconstruction included the following major projects: stabilizing the structure, weatherproofing,
reworking the electrical system, and installing hoods, louvres, ducts, fan and high efficiency
particulate air (HEPA) filter units. The laboratory consisted of two sections separated by a
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