~29-
DISCUSSION
The extent of contamination of the water immediately following the
Wahoo
detonation was determined by means of gamma survey meters.
This initial survey showed that at W + 1-1/2 (one and one-half hours
after Wahoo) the area of contamination extended one and one-half miles
southeast of the target,and at W+ 2-1/2
west of target zero.
it extended about four miles
The radioactivity of water samples taken at W + 5,
about two miles southwest of target zero, was found mostly above the
thermocline, although some radioactivity was found in the deeper samples.
At W +27, survey meter
measurements taken four miles
west of
target zero were not significantly greater than the pre-Wahoo levels.
However,
gross beta activity determinations of water from the same
area contained high levels of radioactivity in the uppermost 50 meters
and lesser amounts in the deeper water.
taken
at
target
zero, the
greatest
At W+ 48,
amount of
samples taken below the thermocline.
These
in water
samples
radioactivity was in the
data
show
that
the deeper
water was moving horizontally ata slower rate than the water above
the thermocline.
The radioactivity measurements
the
plankton
showed that
three days the contamination had extended
at
least 50
miles
of target zero.
to
the
Samples
taken
20
of
miles
south,
in
to the west
about 10
hours