Force planes equipped for cloud sampling and tracking were available and
were on call.
Arrangements were made for the use of another special
aircraft for radiological monitoring surveying at H + 24 hours.
Mobile Ground Monitoring
Mobile ground monitoring teams were deployed in the downwind sector
prior to each test to supplement the routine surveillance which was a
part of the continuous surveillance program.
The downwind sector was
determined by information obtained from the U. S. Weather Bureau personnel
assigned to the NIS.
These monitoring teams consisted of two men.
Each
team was equipped with beta-gamma survey instruments, chamber survey
instruments, fallout trays and additional air samplers and recorders.
Each vehicle was equipped with two-way voice radio communication.
The
number of teams used for each event was determined in advance by the predicted radiclogical situation, however five to ten teams was
number deployed.
the usual
Up to 20 teams could be organized within a short time,
but were not normally maintained on a stand-by basis.
Air Sampling
There were thirty permanent air sampling stations in operation 24
hours per day in the area surrounding the NIS at distances up to 180 miles
distance.
(Graphics No. 9)
The air samplers used were high volume motors, drawing air through
an 8" x 10" glass fiber filter.
When deemed desirable, a secondary
activated charcoal cartridge is added for the collection of gaseous fission products.
Flow rates were approximately 50 cubic feet per minute (cfm)
for the glass fiber filter alone and 25 cfm with the charcoal cartridge
added.
Glass fiber filters were counted for gross beta activity in the
proportional region.