Four hundred seventy-nine (479) soil samples were collected, 653 aliquots
were prepared, and 191 aliquots were shipped to the four laboratories
participating in NAEG analyses.
Ninety-seven (97) vegetation samples were collected, 251 aliquots were
prepared, and 267 aliquots shipped to the analysis laboratories.
Five hundred fifty-three (553) animal aliquots were prepared, and 847
aliquots were shipped to the analysis laboratories.
The total number of NAEG intensive-study area soil aliquots which have
been prepared for radiological analysis as of December 31, 1975, is
3,315; vegetation aliquots, 1,415; and animal tissues, 1,217.
The average number of NAEG soil, vegetation, and small animal aliquots
collected, prepared, and shipped per month from January, 1972, to January,
1976, are shown in Figure l.
During the period January 1, 1975, through December 31, 1975, a total of 4,898
A total of 5,363
PIDP soil samples were collected from NTS Areas 5, 1, and 4.
of these samples
Analyses
Laboratory.
Soils
soil samples were prepared in the
were performed in REECo's Environmental Sciences Department Chemistry and
A total of 6,023 soil samples were counted using
Counting Laboratories.
Ge(Li) techniques for 2*!am and 1,390 samples were analyzed for 239° 240py
by wet chemistry techniques.
The expected increase in sample load in the Soils Laboratory in FY 76 resulted
in modification of this facility to increase the volume of samples that can be
handled.
An additional drying oven was required to increase our sample drying
capacity by 100 sampels per loading.
Soil mound sampling studies were initiated during 1975 at the Tonopah Test
Range (TTR). During the study, eight plots were sampled containing 79 soil
mounds.
Soil Mound Test Study No. 2 was also initiated in Area 13 consisting
of 12 study plots.
As part of this study, 40 soil mound test samples were
collected and analyzed in the REECo laboratories.
The results comprising
24 lam Ge(Li) measurements were forwarded to the investigators.
A study was conducted in the Soils Laboratory to determine the feasibility of
altering the standard NAEG procedure to permit use of smaller sized soil
containers, reduced number of steel balls, and shorter ball-milling time.
The
test results and recommendations were forwarded to the appropriate NAEG investigation for study.
A total of six grids were designated, staked, and sampled in Area 5 as part of
the Plutonium Inventory and Distribution Program Element (PIDP). The largest
grid, SMALL BOY, had to be increased several times to a maximum size of 4,800
feet by 6,400 feet.
Soil samples were collected at 30 cm increments to a
depth of 120 cm in those areas of these grids where preliminary sampling
indicated contamination to these depths.
The heavily disturbed nature of
Area 5 has necessitated deep profile sampling in most cases.
292