NAEG FIELD PROBLEMS IN SAMPLING SOIL MOUNDS
AND
SOIL MOUND SAMPLE MIXING PROCEDURE
C. E. Rosenberry
Reynolds Electrical & Engineering Co., Inc.
Las Vegas, Nevada
ABSTRACT
This report discusses the problems, procedures, and solutions incurred during
the Nevada Applied Ecology Group (NAEG) soil mound sampling study at the
Tonopah Test Range, located approximately 45 miles southeast of Tonopah,
Nevada.
Included is the means devised in the field for mixing and aliquoting soil
samples of large volume, a method proven to be reliable.
INTRODUCTION
A workshop was conducted in September, 1974, to discuss soil sampling of
mounds for defining plutonium distribution.
A protocol was designed for
evaluation of plutonium inventory in and around these mounds.
The first study
(feasibility, or pilot study) of mound sampling was at the Nevada Test Site,
Area 11 in "C" site; the second mound sampling study was at the Tonopah Test
Range in study site Clean Slate 3; and the third mound study occurred at the
Nevada Test Site in the NAEG study site, Area 13.
PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
Wind movement of particles from surface areas and dust control are very important factors when soil sampling, due to the possibility of alpha contaminated
particles being transferred by disturbances such as wind onto the sample being
taken.
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