4,
4.1L
Appendix
Coilecticn of Soil Samples for Strontium-90 Assay(43)
by
Lyle T. Alexander
Chief, Soil Survey Laboratory
Plant Industry Station
Beltsville, Maryland
The sampling procedure described here is designed to get samples
that will measure the total amount of strontium-90 that has fallen out in
& given, area »
Tt will not evaluate the unusual case where excessive
accumulations occur in low spots, at the foot of slopes, or in flooded
aTeas o
The site should be nearly level with moderate to good
permeability.
There should be little or no runoff during heavy rains and
no overwash at any time.
Such sites are frequently found on smooth ridge
erests, level farm lend and in well kept lawns and grounds around
institutional buildings.
The site should not be near enough to buildings
or trees to be sheltered during blowing rains.
Vegetation and Animal Activity
Amounts of rission products reaching the ground are undoubtedly
influenced by vegetative cover.
Bare ground, an alfaifa field and a
bamboo grove do not intercept equal emounts of fallout.
It is thought
that a grass isi or pasture makes ea good vegetative cover for sampling
areas.
The graze aiso helps prevent loss by runoff of water.
Well
grassed areas usunlly have better permeability than corresponding sreas
See als. 212.
“%.., Eu, Haréy, E.P., and Follister, Hel.,
Proce Ini'
co. on the Ecol. of Radtoisotopes, Univ. of
Radiode: opss L2 Soil with Particular Emphasis on Strontiun-90,
Minness 4, Coop 13-23, 1959.
DT isAiden eae
(13)